Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my senior dog dropping small poops randomly around the house?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 13 lbs

My 15yr.old+ female mixed carne terrier, 11 lb. is dropping solid round poo the size of malted milk balls randomly around the house...especially in the morning...just one every now and then, when she walks. What is going on? Sometimes she does t even after a walk outside.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 6th, 2019

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. Elderly pets can experience fecal incontinence where the feces will fall put without the dog realizing it. Other times, the pet has severe arthritis and it is painful to assume the position for defecation. This leads the pet to either avoid defecating outside or not going the full amount. It is worth having her see her veterinarian to see if there are options to help the situation. I hope this information helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 25th, 2018
If her stool seems firm then you could increase the fiber in her diet and see if that helps. You could either look for a dog food that is higher in fiber or just add a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to her diet. She could also be developing some arthritis in her hips or spine making it painful and more difficult to defecate. You could take her to a vet for an examination and then your vet could prescribe an anti-inflammatory and pain medication, if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 18th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Hannah is having difficulties defecating, this could be dietary related or something going on in her GI tract. Her anal glands may also be full making it difficult for her to defecate and there may also be a tumor in her colon causing this problem. I would recommend having her examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian can perform a rectal exam and check her anal glands at the same time to see if a cause is identifiable. Abdominal x-rays / ultrasound would also help determine what the cause could potentially be. In the meantime, I would suggest adding canned pumpkin into her food to see if this helps her defecate. I would add in 2 tbsp to each meal. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my senior dog suddenly peeing and pooping in the house?

Hello and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sometimes as a dog ages they develop something called cognitive dysfunction (like dementia) where they forget their training. This may be the cause of Tot's accidents. A supplement like Senilife may help withi this. Pain and arthritis can also lead to accident in an older dog as they have a harder time going outside and positioning to go to the bathroom. Sometimes urinary tract infection, internal medical issues or digestive problems may also cause accidents in the house. A visit to your Veterinarian may help to sort out what the cause of Tot's accidents are. Until you are able to take him to the vet you may want to take him outside more frequently to avoid accidents.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My senior dog is pooping himself while lying down. What's wrong?

This can be a sign of nerve damage, dementia or pain. If he is too painful to get up. And posture and go, he will just go on himself. If there is arthritis in the spine that is affecting the nerves he may not be able control it. Your vet can do an exam to see what the cause and what treatment options you have going forward

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my senior dog losing bowel control and having accidents?

This can be due to a neurological problem or aging changes. He also may be painful and not wanting to stand and hold the pooping position when outside. I recommend a veterinary exam to see if he’s painful or if there is a neurological problem. They may try him on pain medication. Acupuncture can also improve fecal incontinence sometimes. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Potter.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog pooping without knowing, while walking or sleeping?

It sounds like Trevor has fecal incontinence. This can have several causes, including nerve damage to the rectum and arthritis, which causes pain when posturing to defecate so they hold it longer than they should. Prostate enlargement can also cause some issues. I would recommend taking Trevor to the vet for a thorough evaluation. They will do a physical and neurologic exam to determine if there are any issues. They may recommend x-rays to look at the pelvis and bones around the based of the tail, and to determine who things look on the inside around the colon.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my 13-year-old dog suddenly having pooping accidents inside?

There are a couple of reasons why Hunter is pooping in the house lately. It could be due to stress, he could have diarrhea from a medical illness causing him to have to go right where he is at the moment, or it could be due to canine cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to dementia in humans. I would have Hunter seen by a vet tomorrow for a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, and urinalysis. These tests will help identify if there is a medical cause behind this behavior, and if there is, the vet can discuss treatment with you. If he does have canine cognitive dysfunction, there are medications to help with that as well as diet changes you can make. Again, the vet can discuss this with you.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my senior dog pooping inside and refusing to go outside?

Poor guy. He's very handsome and 13 is an impressive age for a Great Dane. You must take very good care of him. There are two possibilities that jump to mind for me. The first is that he may have enough arthritis and pain that he doesn't want to get up and walk outside. Even if he moves around ok and doesn't limb, and even if he's already on arthritis medications, I would recommend an orthopedic exam with a veterinarian to make sure he doesn't need more. The other possibility is that he's starting to have cognitive dysfunction (aka doggie dementia), which can cause dogs to forget their house-training. Actually, he likely has both things going on. A three thing to throw in there is he could have a true gastrointestinal issue such as parasites, IBD, issues digesting food, etc that is making him uncomfortable or feel increased urgency. So I would recommend starting with a vet visit to check him out for pain and talk to them about cognitive dysfunction. Bring a fecal sample too in case they want to test him for parasites. Best of luck to you and sweet Maverick. Please let me know if this was helpful information and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My old dog is peeing and pooping inside. Health issue or dementia?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sadie. Older dogs can develop a senile like disorder known as canine cognitive dysfunction. It is somewhat similar to Alzheimer's disease in people. The dogs will forget their house training. They tend to mix up their days and nights, pace, pant and some will get stuck in corners or under furniture. It is worth having her evaluated by her veterinarian to determine if this is the case or if something else is causing her inappropriate elimination. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share