Why is my 4-week-old puppy's poop soft and smells like metal?

Hello, congratulations on your puppies. In general they can have waxing and waning stool consistencies when they are this young. Most common causes for stool changes in puppies include parasites, dietary indiscretions, or changes in their GI tracts as they develop. Currently they are too young to deworm, however, as long as they are continuing to eat then you may keep monitoring them for any lethargy, worsening soft stools or diarrhea, or parasites in their feces. If you note any of these then contact your veterinarian to have them evaluated sooner. Otherwise, continue to allow them to nurse and begin to offer wet puppy food at 4-6 weeks of age. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Personally the color doesn't bother me but the consistency does. That is diarrhea. It is too soft and not formed. I would go back to the Royal Canin food as it sounds like he digests that one better. Be sure though that he has had his stool tested for intestinal parasites and is up to date on his DHPP vaccines. Good luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Diarrhea can be observed with conditions such as colitis, gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may choose to check for parasites and to start medications for diarrhea depending on the results. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

At five weeks you can start transitioning to a puppy food that is moistened with some KMR or other replacer milk, or look for puppy mousse (Royal Canin and a few other companies carry it) that is designed for transition from milk to solid foods. Otherwise, keeping him eating and drinking can also help, as can testing for parasites or other illness and deworming if the stool does not return to normal.

They make canine probiotics you can add to his diet but you may need to change to sensitive stomach formula food temporarily until it gets better. you can also deworm him to make sure that is not a contributing factor. If it continues or you notice blood, vomiting or a decreasing appetite, then he should be checked to see what is causing it

Hi there, I wouldn't be worried about one stool like this, but if it worsens or there is any vomiting, disinterest in food, or lethargy, that would warrant an emergency exam for a pup his age. Parvovirus is of serious concern if he is not fully vaccinated. If his stools remain soft but he is otherwise well, I'd recommend calling your regular veterinarian. They may recommend an exam or prescribe probiotics or a diet change if they have already seen Cliff. Puppies his age are generally dewormed every two weeks to eliminate all the life cycles of the most common parasites. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I’d bring a collective stool sample from the puppies to the vet to check for parasites especially coccidia. You can start deworming the puppies at 2 weeks with pyrantel but that doesn’t get coccidia. Continue to weigh them daily. Their stool otherwise can be influenced by Lulu’s diet and any medications she maybe on. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!