Puppy Takes a Long Time to Poop After Eating? (20 Reasons)

It’s not uncommon for people to wonder why it takes a longer time for their puppies to poop after eating.

As a matter of fact, dog owners often need to know what causes this problem and how can they help.

So today we’re going to talk about this in detail.

20 Reasons Why Your Puppy Takes a Long Time to Poop After Eating

1. Food may be too hard for the puppy to digest

If your puppies food is hard then the puppy may have a hard time digesting it and this can cause multiple problems.

The first problem would be that your puppy is not getting proper nutrition for the following reasons:
a) Puppy’s teeth are too small to chew food properly (soften food by mixing with warm water and allowing to sit until cool before feeding)
b) Puppy does not have enough saliva in her mouth causes the puppy to salivate more than normal which helps break down the food in her stomach.
c) Puppy has a weak intestinal tract or “leaky gut” which causes stomach upset and diarrhea.

2. Puppy may have a sensitive stomach

If your puppy has a sensitive stomach and it takes a long time before he poops after eating it may be because:
a) Puppy’s stomach is too sensitive for normal food and you need to get food that will not upset his system.
b) You have been feeding your puppy a very high protein diet and now his gut cannot handle it.
c) A combination of a & b.

3. You may be overfeeding your puppy

Puppies grow very quickly. What looks like a normal amount of food may, on the puppy’s metabolism, be too much food.

A puppy’s digestive system is not like an adult dog’s in that it can only digest so much at one time.

Similarly, the more you feed your puppy, the more he will eat and thus may be overfed and over bulky.

Try giving your puppy two or three times less food as you would give an adult dog for a meal.

The bigger the meal, the longer it will be before you puppy needs to go again.

4. Puppy is not as active

You may be feeding your puppy too much and he is “chilling out” a lot because of his fast metabolism and overeating.

The more he eats, the more activity is needed to burn off all of that food.

Try giving your puppy less food for now and then add back later if you need to when he is more active.

5. Did not have enough fiber in his diet

Puppies should always be getting some fiber in their diet, whether it is with the food or even as a treat.

They need this fiber to help their digestion and make for a healthy digestive tract.

6. Not drinking enough water

Puppies are known for not drinking water very often and even when they do, they do not drink a lot at one time.

It is important that they get plenty of water throughout the day in order to prevent constipation.

7. The puppy may have worms
Even though your puppy may have been dewormed, it is still possible for him to get worms.

Check with your veterinarian about how often you should check to see if your puppy has worms.

Worms may also be causing emotional stress in the puppy that will make him not want to go.

8. Change in diet 
Try to stick to the same brand or the same brand with different dog food as what you have been using.

Also, try to stick with the same type of food such as chicken or beef.

Switching the type of food and even the brand can be a big change for your puppy, which can shock his system and cause him to not want to go.

9. A combination of many of the above
Many of the reasons listed above will affect your puppy’s ability to go and it will be a combination of all of these things working together.

Put them into balance and you should see your puppy going again quickly.

10. Stress (something triggering it)
Puppies are very sensitive to changes in their lives, especially a change in diet or something new happening to them.

Try to remain calm and be patient as this usually helps them heal quicker.

11. Medicines taken by the puppy

The vet may have given your puppy a medicine for an illness such as a cold or stomach upset.

Your puppy may feel very sick when he is given the medicine, especially if it’s a strong one, causing him to not want to go when he would otherwise and hold it so that his body is not able to eliminate it quickly enough.

12. Puppy has a disease

If the puppy is not acting himself and is very lethargic, this could be a sign of a disease.

This disease can make your puppy not want to eat and do anything.

Try having the vet check him over in order to see what may be wrong with him..

13. Puppy is too hot or cold

Puppies need a certain temperature in order for them to function properly.

They may be too hot or too cold if their body temperature is not correct.

Some things that can cause this are not enough water, being in the heat or cold, too much food eaten, being in the sun for a long period of time, not enough exercise and more.

This can lead to slow activity in the digestive system.

14. Puppy has a problem with his body

The puppy could have hurt himself in some way that is causing him to not go.

He may hold it just because he doesn’t want to get up and move, but if you can help get him up and moving, then maybe you can lessen the pain that he is feeling allowing him to be able to go.

Naturally, consult a vet if in any doubt.

15.  A small blockage or passage clogged

Puppies have a very small opening to pass the waste through.

This opening can get hooked onto something and cause the puppy to not be able to go.

16. Puppy is being stubborn

Very rare, but your pup may just not want to go.

You have to be patient and try to do what you can to help him feel better.

17. Puppy doesn’t like it

Puppies have a very hard time going when they don’t like something.

Try to let them know that you want them to go and that you will help make it easier on them if they do.

You should be able to tell them what you want him to do in order for him to make it easier on himself.

18. Puppy wants you to leave

If your puppy doesn’t want you around, he is not going to go with you anywhere.

You may have to make him go to get him used to going to the loo with you.

If he is older, try taking him out of the room.

This will help him get used to the idea of going outside and getting used to going with you and others when they are trying to get him use to it.

19. Puppy has a problem with what you are doing

Bringing him outside for a walk may not be what he really wants to do.

Try walking him around the block where there is no grass or dirt, and then he will be able to go when you take him back home.

20. Puppy is tired

This can also be another reason that your puppy may not want to go.

Try taking him out for a walk to see if that helps but if you can’t get him going, then try to give him a break so that he can have a little nap.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many reasons why your puppy may be taking a long time to go to the loo after food.

Always take the time to look for the reason why your puppy is not going in order to help make it easier and faster for him to relieve himself.

There are many ways that you can help your puppy to go and hopefully, with the right motivation and technique it doesn’t take too long for your pup to be going again.

References

American Kennel Club

Pets.webmd

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