Why a dog’s stool is hard then runny
As stated in the introduction, when a dogs poop starts solid and then turns soft, it is an indication of small intestine diarrhea. Having feces of two such contrasting consistencies can be confusing for guardians. Normal dog stool should be firm, but moist and with a slight odor. Dogs with a high-fiber diet should have more voluminous stools.
Changes in consistency of the dogs stool are usually down to the absorption of water in the intestine. Poor ability to absorb water is known as malabsorption. Certain pathologies can alter the osmolarity (concentration of solute) and reduce the capacity of water absorption resulting in diarrhea. This can be contrasted with pathologies causing high water absorption, in turn causing the stool to become dry and hard. This results in constipation as it is difficult for the feces to pass.
If the dog has diarrhea, it can explain why your dog defecates more than usual. The excess water leads to fluidity of the feces, making it easier for it to pass through the intestines. Volume and consistency of the stool can also be affected. In general, diarrhea in dogs can be classified as small intestine and large intestine diarrhea.
Small bowel diarrhea is characterized by:
In large intestine diarrhea appears:
Take a look at our article on the types of diarrhea in dogs to know more about less common forms of gastrointestinal disease.
Causes of solid poop which goes soft
When small intestine diarrhea in dogs causes a dog to have firm stool followed by loose stool, it is a symptom of disease. This disease is one which affects the gastrointestinal tract, but there are various causes which can lead this to happen:
Large intestine diarrhea occurs when there is disturbance or diseases from the large intestine, such as:
But picking up your dog’s poop isn’t just a courtesy or a matter of public health; it’s a chance for you to find out what’s going on inside your pup. Dog feces can tell you a lot about a dog’s health and what may be wrong with their diet.
Your vet should be able to detect these things before you see evidence in your dog’s stool, which is why you should always go in for regular check-ups.
You should be familiar with your dog’s normal stool so that you can monitor any changes. The volume, color, and odor are important to note, too.
This chronic constipation can lead to lethargy, loss of appetite, and vomiting. It requires help from a veterinarian, so save these stool samples and bring them in.
If you see anything unusual about your dog’s poop, then it’s time for a call to your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment! Here are a few things your dog’s stool can indicate.
My DOG Has LOOSE STOOLS How to Fix It
Occasionally, pet owners and our customers ask us about the meaning of their dog’s poo. We all know that whatever comes out from our canine’s tummy most likely is due to what goes into it. (Note: Food usually is the reason for poop problems, but there are other non-food related factors too). We’ll look into 8 poop issues and share what they mean below. We’ll cover non-food related reasons too.