Dog poo soft *sometimes*

[LittenKitten]

Sorry, not a poo troll.

Took our dog to the vet last week as he keeps getting soft poos - but it’s not constant. He’ll do a super poo first thing, a great one at the start of the walk, but then later on in the walk he’ll do a soft yellow-ish one. Not every day, but a couple of time a week. More regularly lately, which is why we took him to the vet.

Vet is treating symptoms assuming it’s because our dog is bad for scavenging (whippet - always looking for disgusting things to eat). So we’ve been given probiotics and Zantac for him.

He’s on an 80:20 grain free kibble, Akela brand.

Just concerned it’s dragging on - any ideas before I go back to the vet for probably more tests?

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

My dog always has a lovely firm poo at the start of the walk and subsequent poos get increasingly soft.

Reason being (and I did check with the vet) that the earlier poo has spent the most time in the large intestine, where water is absorbed. Subsequent poos haven't spent so much time there so contain more water

[BiteyShark]

I wonder if it's just an excited poo.

My working cocker will have reasonably firm poos in the morning and if he hasn't been active. As soon as he's running about like a loon he will deliberately empty his bowels even if he has been an hour or so earlier. Later on if he's sill running about in a walk he may also do it again even though it's liquid as there isn't anything really to get rid off.

[BorderlineExperimental]

If it only happens out on walks then it could just be exercise related, a bit like runners trots in humans. It’s pretty common for dogs to poo multiple times when out walking and for them to get progressively softer. Three of mine (all whippets funnily enough) do it fairly regularly, sometimes it seems like they’re having a clear out in preparation for a run, minimising any excess weight that might have an effect on their speed

If it’s only something that happens on walks and your dog is otherwise fine (well in themselves, good weight, etc.) then I wouldn’t be in a rush to have more tests done.

[Jouska]

Agree exercise poo but also look at the amount you are feeding - if dogs are overfed this can cause softer second poos

[LittenKitten]

Oh thank you all, that’s really reassuring! @jouska he does seem quite hungry at the mo, so could be that too. He’s a fairly skinny thing though, so don’t like to restrict his food.

[adaline]

Mine does it all the time on walks where he does lots of running - this morning we went to the beach. First poo was normal, second was runny and third was just the tiniest drip!

I second looking at food portions too. Soft poo is often caused by over-feeding - which is easily done. A few treats here and there easily add up!

[CrumpetWithMarg]

How old is your dog?

Ours is 15. He has this (first poo great, second yellow-ish and soft). We've been giving him Extend Pets sachets for his joints, and they have helped that, and also his poos!

I'd agree with PP and say if he is well in himself otherwise I'd avoid more tests/vet trips.

Also, our boy now only has dried food for breakfast (grain free), and has a cooked meal for dinner (fish and potatoes usually - he loves a bit of salmon!).

We worried because yellow can indicate liver problems, but it all seems to be clear now - I'd recommend the sachets!

[PeoniesarePink]

Our vet called it "adrenaline poo" when they've been exercising and do a soft stool! Our spaniels always do it.

Also just check the food they are having.... could be a bit of over feeding.

[bloodywhitecat]

I was going to suggest adrenaline poo too, my sprocker is a nightmare for them despite being raw fed.

[LittenKitten]

Thanks all, feeling really reassured. Going to just keep an eye on things for now and also consider whether he is getting too much food.

@CrumpetWithMarg he’s only a few years old but will bear that in mind!

[GotToGoMyOwnWay]

My dog is exactly like this. Lhasa. Perfect first poo, second poo softer & then progressing to runny poo depending how long we are out.

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

Ha ha all sounds familiar. DH often comes home and declares Ddog was so excited that the walk was a ‘two pooer’! Some walks have even reached the pinnacle of three pooers . A sprinkle of probiotic helps a bit.

[MsMarvellous]

This has made interesting reading and could explain why my puppy has this issue. Can I ask - if I need to use high value treats (hot dog etc) for training how do I work out accurately how much of his kibble feed I need to reduce each day to make up for it? Is it just on weight?

[BiteyShark]

MsMarvellous I just reduced the main meal a little bit by trail and error. This was easy because my dog tends to self regulate on food (clearly didn't get the memo that dogs should eat everything they are fed )

Remember though that in terms of calorie value of kibble versus cooked food is very different so it's isn't like for like on weight.