Poop Problems? What Your Dog’s Stool Says About Their Health

Summary:

Loose stool? Chronic diarrhea? Constipation? Poop issues are one of the clearest signs that something is off with your dog’s health — especially their diet and digestion. In this post, we break down the most common causes of poop problems in dogs, what normal stool looks like, and how to support healthy digestion through the right food (and a balanced gut).

Let’s Talk About Poop (Yes, Really)

You can learn a lot from your dog’s poop — even if you don’t want to.

Is it too soft?
Too dry?
Greasy or slimy?
Is your dog straining?
Going too often?
Or not going at all?

As uncomfortable as it might be to talk about, stool is one of the best daily indicators of your dog’s overall health.

What Does Healthy Dog Poop Look Like?

According to the AKC, normal dog stool should be:

Compact and log-shaped
Moist but firm
Chocolate-brown in color
Easy to pick up without crumbling or smearing

That’s what we’re aiming for. But if you're seeing something else — let’s break down why.

Common Dog Poop Problems (and What They Mean)

Loose Stool or Diarrhea

If you’re wondering “Why does my dog have diarrhea?”

Per the AKC and VCA, common causes include:

Sudden diet changes
Overfeeding
Food sensitivities or low-quality ingredients
Parasites or infections
Stress or anxiety
Too many rich treats or table scraps
Gut imbalance (especially after antibiotics)

Pro tip: Yes, overfeeding can cause diarrhea — even with high-quality food.

Soft or Shapeless Poop

Not full-on diarrhea, but not ideal either. This often points to:

Excess starch or poor-quality carbohydrates in the diet
Not enough fiber
Mild gut irritation
A lack of digestive enzymes

If your dog’s poop is always soft, something isn’t being fully digested — which often means inflammation or imbalance in the gut.

Constipation (Hard, Dry, Infrequent Poop)

According to Cornell University, signs of constipation in dogs include:

Straining to poop
Hard, dry pellets
Skipping bowel movements
Crying when trying to go
Scooting or restlessness

Common causes:

Dehydration
Lack of fiber or bulk in the diet
Gut dysbiosis
Too much bone in raw diets
Insufficient fat
Lack of exercise

Constipation is just as much a red flag as diarrhea — and it needs to be addressed at the root.

How Gut Health Plays a Role in Every Poop Problem

Whether it’s soft stool, loose stool, or no stool — the gut is usually at the center.

Your dog’s gut contains trillions of microbes (the microbiota) that help:

Break down food
Absorb nutrients
Regulate stool consistency
Reduce inflammation
Prevent yeast or bad bacteria from overgrowing

When these microbes are out of balance (aka dysbiosis), poop problems show up fast.

So... What Causes Bad Gut Health in Dogs?

Over-processed, carb-heavy kibble
Low-quality protein or excessive plant protein
Fillers like corn, wheat, soy, or rice
Frequent antibiotics without probiotic follow-up
Poor digestion due to enzyme deficiency
Sudden changes in food or routine

If your dog’s poop has been inconsistent or problematic for weeks or months, their food may be doing more harm than good.

What to Feed Dogs with Poop Problems

You want a food that:

Uses animal-sourced protein as the foundation
Includes digestive enzymes to help break food down
Has added probiotics and prebiotics to balance gut flora
Uses low-glycemic, anti-yeast carbs (not corn or rice)
Avoids common allergens and fillers

Why Brothers Dog Food Supports Better Stool — Naturally

Our recipes are built for digestive integrity — not just marketing claims.

Every Brothers recipe is designed to:

Improve stool consistency
Reduce gas and bloating
Ease transitions and gut inflammation
Support immune health through gut balance
Help dogs with chronic poop issues find relief

With:

Over 90% animal-sourced protein
A proprietary blend of digestive enzymes + probiotics
Low-starch, yeast-starving carbs
No corn, wheat, soy, or cheap fillers

Our food helps your dog get more from every bite — and leave less behind.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Poop

If your dog is pooping too much, too little, or too inconsistently — it’s not just “something they ate.”
It’s probably a gut imbalance or dietary mismatch.

The good news? It’s fixable.

With the right nutrition, you can restore digestion, improve stool quality, and help your dog feel better — all the way down.