Dog poop can tell you a lot about its health. Too much pooping can indicates underlying health issues or a poor diet. Every dog is different, and so is its digestive system. What food suits one pup may not be suitable for others.
We have selected the eight best dog food for less poop below that provide a good mix of options for all types of dogs.
Top 8 Best Dog Foods To Reduce Pooping
We have picked out eight of the best dog foods for less poop. We also selected these products by looking for high protein, low residue foods, with good fats and no artificial coloring and preservatives. The below table gives a brief summary.
Product Name | Description | Rating |
---|---|---|
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach | Chicken-based based meat with prebiotic fiber for gut health | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Nulo FS Adult Dog GF Salmon | Salmon and lamb-based grain-free dog food | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
WAG Dry Dog Food Salmon & Lentil Recipe | High protein and DHA for growth | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food | Meat-basedMeat based protein with antioxidants and good fatty acids | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated Whole Grain Dog Food | Human-grade ingredients, free of GMA | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
1. Hill’s Science Diet for Sensitive Stomach
This dog food is the right blend of nutrition and taste, with chicken being the main ingredient. It is suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It contains prebiotic fiber, which supports gut bacteria and improves digestive capabilities. Additionally, the vitamins and fatty acids in this dog food result in healthy skin and coat for your dog
Like with any other dog food, Hill’s science may not suit some dogs’ stomachs. Moreover, the kibble size of this dog food is not suitable for young pups and dogs of smaller breeds.
Overall, this is the best dog food that makes dogs poop less.
Pros
- A high amount of meat content
- Prebiotics for gut health
- Balanced amount of fiber, fatty acid, vitamins, and minerals, resulting in healthy coats, skin, and poop
- Free from artificial ingredients, flavors, and preservatives
- Easily digestible
Cons
- Kibble size is unsuitable for small dogs
- It may cause an upset stomach in some dogs
2. Nulo FS Adult Dog GF Salmon
Not every dog is fond of chicken and eggs. Nulo Adult Dog food uses alternative meat-based protein sources like salmon and lamb. The grain-free formula makes it one of the best dog food for less poop. Also, the fatty acids in this dog food promote healthy skin and fur.
Furthermore, if your dog is a fast eater, the small-sized kibbles may be a problem for them. It is expensive as compared to other dog food for less poop. Also, grain-free dog food may cause heart issues in dogs.
Pros
- 100% grain-free
- A high amount of meat-based protein
- Free of artificial flavoring, colors, and preservatives
- Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Cons
- Small kibble size, unsuitable for fast eaters
- Expensive
3. WAG Dry Dog Food Recipe
Each serving of WAG dry dog food contains 35% protein, fatty acids, and DHA, which is essential for your pup’s growth. Its grain-free formula makes this a dog food that makes dogs poop less. There is a trial pack of smaller size available for testing.
The kibbles in this formula get crushed easily and turn into powder if you are not storing them carefully. Also, the kibble size might be too small for large breed dogs and fast eaters.
Pros
- A high amount of protein
- A balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and DHA
- Contains no added grains
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
- The kibbles are small for large breed dogs.
- The kibbles are easily breakable.
4. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free
The Whole earth farms grain-free formula is another dog food that doesn’t make your dog poop so much. Every serving has a rich amount of protein, mostly meat-based. The fatty acids and antioxidants strengthen your dog’s immune system and promote healthy skin and coat.
There were some instances when this dog food caused upset stomachs in dogs. If you notice the same, take your dog to the vet immediately. If your dog is a picky eater, it won’t like this dog food.
Pros
- Grain-free dog food
- Contains vitamins, minerals, and fiber from farm-grown vegetables
- No artificial flooring, colors, or preservatives
- Multiple sources of protein
- Promotes healthy joints in dogs with chondroitin and glucosamine
Cons
- It can cause dog diarrhea and vomiting in dogs with sensitive stomachs
- It is not suitable for dogs who are picky eaters
5. The Honest Kitchen Human Grade Dehydrated
Another great dog food option that reduces poop if your pup doesn’t like dry food. The food comes dehydrated, you need to add warm water to it. The best part about this dog food is that it contains human-grade ingredients and is free of GMOs, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Preparing this food involves an extra step many busy pet parents would not like. Also, picky eater dogs may not like the texture of this food.
Pros
- Suitable for dogs who don’t like dry food
- Free-range chicken-based protein
- Free of GMO, artificial flavors, colors, and filler ingredients
- FDA-approved, human-grade ingredients
- Suitable for dogs of every breed and age
Cons
- The dog food requires extra time to prepare
- Not suitable for a picky eater dog
6. Stella & Chewy’s Super Beef Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried
If you have been looking to switch your dog to a raw diet, then there is nothing better than Stella and Chewy’s dog food. A raw diet is one of the best dog food for less poop. The freeze-dried patties are made using grass-fed beef and organic fruits and vegetables. This low residue dog food is high in protein, and the other ingredients are easily digestible.
There are bad batches when the patties are too hard to break, and dogs will have trouble eating them. Also, a picky eater dog may refuse the patties immediately, which is a waste of money as the food is costly.
Pros
- Grass-fed beef and organic ingredients
- Free of grains
- Easily digestible, which makes your dog poop less
- The freeze-drying technique helps preserve all the nutritional value of dog food
Cons
- Bad batches of beef patties are hard to break
- It is pricier than other dog food options
7. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This dog food imitates a wild dog’s diet. The main source of protein comes from the meat of buffalo, wild boar, bison, quail, smoked salmon, venison, duck, and turkey. All of these are easily digestible. It also contains tomatoes, raspberries, and blueberries for improved immunity. The chelated minerals in this dog food maximize nutrient absorption and reduce waste, making it low-waste dog food.
Every dog is different, and while this dog food is excellent for other dogs, it may not suit your pup. Some people complained that this dog food gave their dogs an upset stomach.
Pros
- Premium-quality meat is used as the primary protein source
- Complex carbs from legumes and sweet potatoes keep your dog feeling energized
- The easily digestible ingredients maximize nutrition absorption
- The fact acid keeps the dog’s fur and skin healthy
- It is low in fiber, thus reducing waste
Cons
- This recipe does not sit well with some dogs
- Small-sized kibble may not be suitable for large dogs
8. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve
The Natural balance formula is the best dog for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Its limited ingredient formula makes it easier to digest and thus lowers the volume of waste. It is free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. The amino acid and nutrients in this dog food help improve immunity in dogs.
Even though this dog food is suitable for all dog breeds and sizes, the kibble size might be too small for some dogs. This dog food also contains some ingredients that can potentially result in heart disease.
Pros
- It contains protein sourced from a single animal
- The nutrients in this dog food help promote immunity in dogs
- The amino acid helps build strong muscles in your pup
- It is free of soy, gluten, artificial colors, and flavors
- It is suitable for upset stomachs with limited ingredients
Cons
- The kibble size is small and may not be suitable for large dogs
- It includes ingredients that can cause heart disease
Is Too Much Pooping Bad For Dogs?
A dog’s poop can tell a lot about its health. If your dog relieves itself multiple times a day, then most often than not, it is not a big issue. However, if your dog has recently started pooping excessively, there is a high chance of some underlying health issues.
Several medical conditions like bacterial infections, Colitis, cancer, kidney and liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and others can alter the volume and frequency of their poop. In such a scenario, taking them to the vet and getting proper treatment is essential as well.
Excessive pooping can also be a sign that your dog is not absorbing enough nutrients from the food, which can deteriorate its health.
Once your dog receives proper treatment, its poop will return to normal. However, if your dog regularly poops excessively, the food might be the problem.
For cost-cutting, many food manufacturers put filler ingredients like grains and fiber in dog food. While these ingredients will make your dog feel full, they won’t get sufficient nutrients. Also, feeding grain and fiber-based food to dogs can upset their sensitive stomach and result in them pooping more frequently.
Why Does Your Dog Poop Too Much?
Several different reasons can unsettle the digestive system of your dog. An upset stomach can result in your dog pooping more frequently, in large quantities, or both. Let us look at some possible causes that can make your dog poop too much.
Overeating
It probably goes without saying, overeating can result in a dog pooping too much. Too much food can lead to several digestive issues in your dogs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
The portion of food you need to feed your dog depends on the age and breed of your dog and the amount of physical exercise it gets. Giving frequent treats to your dog can also result in excessive pooping.
Sudden Change in Diet
Changing a dog’s diet should happen gradually. For a dog to adjust to a new food, it can take around 5 to 7 days. When changing a dog’s diet, mix a small quantity of new food with old food.
Gradually increase the amount of new food until you completely replace the old food. A sudden change in your dog’s diet does not sit well with its digestive system. It can result in diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation.
Stress
Stress can induce overeating in dogs, just like humans. Overeating, as noted earlier can lead to excess poop. Stress can also cause other symptoms, like diarrhea, excessive barking, whining, pooping, and aggression.
Some dogs also will isolate themselves when they are under stress. If you feel your dog is stressed, take proper care of its exercise and diet.
Involve them in a lot of physical activities. Also, try to address the root cause of their stress.
Too Much Table Food
If you are also in the habit of giving your dog table scraps, it can be a reason for their excessive pooping. Human food is often high in salt and fat and is not good for the digestive system.
While it is hard to resist those puppy eyes, consuming too much human food can be unhealthy and at times even toxic for them. Your dogs also might be in the habit of stealing food from your dustbin while you are not looking.
Bacteria or Infection
Another main reason a dog poop excessively can be its exposure to harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses. One such place your dog can contact such bacteria is its own poop.
According to a study, fecal coliform bacteria, responsible for digestive issues like diarrhea and cramps, are found in dog poop.
Nearly 16% of domestic dogs eat poop and can get infected with these bacteria. To avoid this, you can minimize your dog’s exposure to poop. Once your dog has relieved itself, clean up after them immediately.
Inflammation
Inflammation can also be the reason behind your dog’s excessive pooping. The inflammation of the colon or the large intestine in dogs is called Colitis. Colitis symptoms include loose stools and diarrhea.
Stress, gut infection, consuming an unusual food item, and IBS are some reasons a dog develops Colitis. If you find mucus and blood in the poop of your dog, then it can be a sign of inflammation. Take your dog to the vet immediately so it can receive proper treatment.
Wrong Kind of Food
Cheaper dog food alternatives are often made with fillers like cereals and grains, which are not healthy for your dog. Dogs have a rather sensitive digestive system, so the wrong type of food can quickly lead to indigestion.
A dog’s digestive health is related directly to what you feed them. If you find your dog pooping more than usual, you should try switching to a different food or changing the brand altogether.
Why Should You Give Your Dog a Low-Residue Diet?
A low residue diet is nothing but dog food with ingredients that are of high quality and easy to digest. It is one of the best choices for dogs with sensitive stomachs and digestive issues.
A low residue diet will regulate your dog’s bowel movement and control excessive pooping. Plus, animal protein, nutritional values, and healthy fats are some of the essential ingredients that you need to look out for in a complete and balanced meal.
Pack With Healthy Fats
Healthy fats help build your dog’s immune system. But, high levels of fat in dog food can lead to health issues like oily poop and diarrhea. Also, taking food with high-fat content will result in your dog pooping more. Choose a dog food with fat less than 15%.
Consider Raw Diet
Feeding dogs a raw diet has been gaining popularity among dog owners. Raw ingredients like eggs, duck, rabbit, and lamb meat are also easier to digest.
If your dog has bloating or constipation, feeding raw meat can help. When it comes to the best dog food to reduce pooping, raw food is a good choice.
High in Protein
Another essential ingredient in dog food to reduce poop is protein. Chicken, fish, and bison are some of the sources of high protein.
Including these in your dog’s diet will not just lower the frequency and volume of your dog’s poop but also improves their overall health. Before choosing a dog food, ensure that it contains one of the protein sources as the main ingredient.
Highly Digestible
Highly digestible refers to how easily the dog food passes through your dog’s digestive system. Several factors affect the digestibility of dog food. It also depends on what ingredients are there, how much quantity, and how well the ingredients interact with each other.
Several dog foods come with a digestibility rating. Dog food that has a digestibility rating of at least 80% and is the best dog food to produce less poop.
Low Fiber Content
Another essential factor that you need to consider is the fiber content. While a small quantity of fiber is good in dog food, since it is not digestible, it adds to the waste.
Dog food with high fiber would cause excess pooping. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, you should choose food that is low in fiber. Dog foods that produce less waste are lower in fiber content.
Stick to Dry Food
Unless your dog has teeth and gum issues and has trouble chewing, you should prefer dry kibble over wet dog food.
Wet food has higher juice and water content, which lowers the food’s nutritional value. To fulfill the nutritional requirement of your dog, you would have to feed them a large quantity of wet food compared to dry food.
Quantity Matters
The quantity of dog food you feed your dog is essential regardless of the type. Not only does it help maintain your dog’s weight, but it also keeps their excessive pooping at bay. The quantity of the low residue food you should feed your dog depends on factors like your dog’s breed, age, and physical activity.
3 Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
While choosing dog food, there are a few ingredients that you need to avoid.
By-products or Filler Meats
The primary calorie component in dog food should be protein. The primary source of protein is chicken, salmon, and beef.
Moreover, avoid dog foods if you find any meat by-products and unidentified meat in the ingredient list. These ingredients are also indigestible and result in your dog pooping more.
Additives and Preservatives
Other food ingredients to avoid in dog food are additives and preservatives. They add no nutritional value to the dog food, and additives like dairy can cause an allergic reaction in dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Artificial Flavor and Color
Artificial flavor and colors add no nutritional value to dog food. Some older dogs may be allergic to these ingredients, which disturb their digestive system. While looking for low-food dog poop, makes sure to avoid them.
Best Dog Food For Less Poop: FAQs
Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions about reducing dog poop:
Depending upon what they eat, a healthy adult dog can relieve itself around one to five times a day. Factors like the dog’s age, health, quality, and quantity of the food will also affect the frequency of how often a dog will poop.
A high-quality, low residue raw dog food that is high in protein, highly digestible, and has limited amounts of healthy fat is the best dog food that reduces poop. Additionally, dry kibble, which is low in fiber and is free of filler ingredients, also is low poop dog food.
When your dog’s poop color, size, or frequency is different from regular poop, you should be concerned about it.
When your dog’s poop color is other than chocolate brown, or the texture of the poop is watery, it can also be a sign of an upset stomach.
Also, if your dog feels pain while pooping and the texture of the poop is hard and dry, it might be due to constipation. Take your dog to a vet if you are concerned about its poop.
Yes, dogs poop less with good food. Good dog food is free of fillers like grains and high in protein and nutrients. Also, a dog’s body absorbs all the nutrients from the food, and a minimal quantity of waste is excreted.
No, wet dog food does not produce less poop. Canned or wet dog food has a higher content of water and juices, which can result in a soft stool. Since wet food is easier to digest, it is best to give it to constipated dogs.
Grain-free dog food is one of the best diets for dogs. If your dog is pooping more while being on a grain-free diet, the chances are that the protein sources in its food are difficult to digest.
These dog food for less poop are made with high-quality, low residue ingredients that help improve your dog’s gut health. However, before making a big change in your dog’s diet, please consult with the vet.
One comment on “8 Best Dog Food For Less Poop”
It’s very difficult to find dry food with minimal protein. My dog had bladder stones so now he’s on prescription dog wet food, he poops a lot with wet food. I don’t know if it’s actually okay to mix regular dry food with his wet prescription food. He’s almost 15 years old.