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Why is my puppy pooping hard, small, round stools? Is he constipated?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My pet dog is pooping hard stool in small round balls for many days. He is eating pedigree milk and chicken adult and white cooked rice. Sometimes he eats fruit but we check it first on internet that it is good for him or not. He is 8 and half months old.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on December 31st, 2016

Poor pup! If his stool seems too hard, you could try mixing a spoonful of canned pumpkin into his food at every meal to see if this helps. Switching from dry to canned food may also be helpful, since canned food has a higher moisture content and usually results in softer stools.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 10th, 2017
Roundworms can cause some mild diarrhea, and it can take several days for the stool to go back to normal after treatment. Some puppies also tend to have softer stool at times, and as long as it is not consistently watery it may not be a concern. I would recommend finishing the deworming protocol and contacting your veterinarian if Nittany's stool is consistently watery or if you see blood or mucous.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 10th, 2016
It is very likely your pups have intestinal parasites (worms) that are causing the loose stool. You should deworm (i.e. Pyrantel Palmoate is the general dewormer that treats Roundworms and Hookworms) them all and see if the diarrhea resolves or improves. It is also best to offer them all small amounts of Pedialyte so that they don't get dehydrated. It is also best to get one of them a fecal test to make sure no other bacteria or parasites are present that require special dewormer.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Isabelle Roese, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 26th, 2017
Take a sample to the vet for and intestinal parasite exam. Offer a bland diet for a few days like chicken and white rice. Consider a large spectrum dewormer as the main cause of soft stool in puppies are intestinal parasites like hookworms , roundworms, coccidia and even tapeworms. I hope this help! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Puppy's soft brown stools: Is it normal? How to firm up his poop?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can make sure that there is enough fiber in his diet. You can add canned pumpkin to add fiber to his diet which may help firm up his stools. You can add 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin to his meals. You can also add probiotics such as Fortiflora. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my 10-week-old puppy straining and crying with hard poop?

Rex needs more fiber in his diet to bulk up the stool and make it softer. I would give a tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin with each meal. It will add both fiber and fluid. I recommend adding additional water in the food also as dogs that are dehydrated will also have hard stool. Make sure he’s not eating dirt and feed a good quality dog food two to three times daily. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rex.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog whines when pooping. Is he constipated? Should I change food?

Why don't you just try giving him some canned pumpkin for a few days. Dogs usually eat it readily. I suggest 1/4 cup twice a day. Used only pure pumpkin puree - not the pie filling. If he won't eat that the you can use canned dog food. I wouldn't change the diet unless this becomes an ongoing problem.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my cat pooping small, hard, round stools? Is it constipation?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mellow. His still appears to be dry and firm un the pictures. He may be battling constipation. I recommend increasing his water intake and adding canned food to his diet. You can also offer a small amount of canned pumpkin daily. If this does not help him to produce normal stool, then he will need to see his veterinarian. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My 5-week-old puppy struggles to poop. How can I ease her pain?

Poor girl! You can try to give her 1/2 teaspoon of canned pumpkin twice a day to help increase her fiber. Also make sure she is drinking enough water. You can add some warm water to her canned food if you need to. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Puppy constipated after new kibble? Pumpkin not helping, what now?

Hello. It is very uncommon for puppies to have constipation, so I would be worried that maybe a piece of stick or mulch or bone (most common culprits) may be stuck in the colon or rectum. You can always look and if something is stuck try to gently manoeuvre it out, however be very careful not to cause a cut, as a cut in the bum is hard to heal due to the bacteria in the poop. If you are seeing something stuck it may be best to have it removed by a vet. If it is constipation, I would be switching the food that you are feeding to a better quality food. Canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling, just plain canned pumpkin) is very good as well at increasing the fibre and helping with constipation. Also, if you are feeding any bones then stop this, and it could be that Boo has a colon full of re-formed bone bits and this will require a veterinarian to remove bit by bit, likely under anaesthesia. (yet another reason to never feed bones to dogs). I would overall recommend that Boo be seen by a vet as there could be many different things causing his issues. Good luck with Boo.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is constipated with hard, pebble-like poop. What can I do?

It’s possible Bruno’s food does not contain enough fiber or moisture to meet the needs of his body. I recommend a diet called Royal Canin. It is a low residue, highly digestible food and most pets who eat this diet have great stool quality. It comes in canned and dried and even has a breed-specific Chihuahua diet. I recommend to switch him to this food over 5 to 7 days and see how his body responds best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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