It is quite common for Puppy pooping to occur shortly after eating. Their digestive tract gets kicked into gear when food hits their stomach, and they will probably have to poop right away. But if your puppy poops long after eating, they may have other digestive issues that prevent them from pooping. Here is why and what you should do if your puppy poops 2 hours after eating.
Why does my puppy poop 2 hours after eating?
It’s completely normal for puppies to poop immediately after eating dinner.
When the puppy’s stomach fills up, their bowels start moving all of the food they previously ate.
And since puppy’s have a harder time controlling their bowels and bladders, they may need to relieve themselves right away. Puppies may even surprise themselves and poop in the house after eating.
Normally, the process of meal to puppy pooping happens within 30 minutes, but an hour is common as well.
If your puppy poops 2 hours after eating or longer, there are several factors that could affect that. These include:
Distractions – seeing or smelling other dogs distract puppies and can make it difficult them to poop. If the area has a strong scent of other dogs, your puppy may feel like they are trespassing on another dog’s property.
Eating the wrong foods – swallowing things that aren’t easily digested (like bones, hair, and grass) can cause constipation in dogs. A lack of fiber in their diet can also make it difficult for them to poop.
Lack of exercise – exercise gets the bowels moving, and a lack of exercise can bring this process to a halt.
Dehydration – water helps bowel movements travel through the system. Adding water to dry dog food can help them get some additional water.
Medical issues – blocked anal glands, side effects of certain medication, and hernias can make it difficult to pass waste.
Do puppies always poop after they eat?
Puppies frequently poop after eating a meal, sometimes within 5 minutes of eating dinner.
Puppies poop after eating more often than not in their first few weeks of life.
Even adult dogs often need to poop after eating. That’s just how their digestive system works.
How long does it usually take for puppies to poop after eating?
Unfortunately, there is no “normal” length of time between mealtime and bathroom time.
The puppy’s age and contents of the meal will make a big difference.
In general, the younger the puppy, the more often they will need to go to the bathroom.
When you first start potty training, you’ll want to take your puppy outside 5 to 30 minutes after eating.
As the puppy matures, you’ll want to continue taking them outside for potty time 30 minutes after eating and immediately after waking up.
What to do if your puppy is pooping too frequently
It’s difficult to say if a puppy is pooping too much.
Some dogs poop more often than others, and going every time after they eat may be normal.
However, if your dog suddenly needs to go more often than usual, there may be something wrong, especially if they seem more urgent to use the bathroom than usual.
If you notice this in your dog, give your vet a call. They will be able to talk you through your specific situation and tell you the best way to proceed.
What to do if your puppy isn’t pooping enough
Not pooping enough may be a sign of a medical issue as well.
Constipation can be caused by many things including:
Lack of exercise
Not getting enough fiber
Eating non-digestible foods (like bone, grass, and hair)
Medical issues in the digestive tract or anus
Medicine side-effects
Dehydration
Monitor your dog’s other symptoms, and don’t be afraid to chat with a vet to figure out the issue.
It is not recommended to use laxatives to treat a dog’s constipation unless it is recommended by a veterinarian.
You can, however, give them plenty of water, fiber, and dog-friendly probiotics to help them move things along.
Getting plenty of exercise will help as well.
How to develop a good bathroom routine
Developing a good bathroom routine will help your pup be more consistent with their bathroom breaks, and hopefully, it’ll take some stress off your mind too. Here are some tips for creating a good potty routine.
Create a schedule – younger dogs need to use the bathroom very often. Take your puppy’s age in months and divide by 2. That’s how many hours then can go in between potty breaks. Also include bedtimes, waking times and three to four meals in the schedule and plan their bathroom trips around that.
Go to the same spot every time – when you take your puppy to poop, take them to the same spot in the yard every time. And don’t use that spot for anything else. Most puppies will associate pooping with that spot, and they’ll do their business.
Use a “go potty” command – teaching your dog to associate the words “go potty” with bathroom trips can make their bathroom routine go smoother.
Bell train your dog – When you bell train a dog, they will let you know when they have to poop after eating. This improves the communication between dog and dog owner, and you both can rest easier.
- Crate training – crate training teaches the dog not to poop where they sleep. This goes hand in hand with potty training as training one makes the other easier.
Conclusion
After a healthy puppy eats, they often need to poop right away. Puppies tend to poop within the first 5 to 30 minutes after they eat, but this can depend on many factors like dog breeds, diet and age. If your puppy poops 2 hours after eating, they could be constipated and may need veterinary attention.
The post Puppy Poops 2 Hours After Eating – Is She Okay? appeared first on Elegant Furball.
