Puppies tend to go potty frequently, especially when they are young. Smaller puppies can require more frequent trips outdoors than larger breeds because of their small bladders and limited stomachs. If you’re wondering why your pup’s going constantly or if there is something wrong with his health, this is a good place to start looking for answers.
Keep reading below to learn what could be causing your dog’s need for constant bathroom breaks. note* In most cases, diarrhea should clear up within 48 hours without any treatment from the owner.
More…
The first step in determining whether or not your pooch has an issue is to add up the number of times he goes potty in a day. If you’re not sure whether or not your pup is going too often, take note of any frequency that seems out of the ordinary for him and then compare it to what is listed below.
Bold labels like this one indicate that important information is being presented.
What’s Normal?
A small breed puppy might have anywhere between four and eight bowel movements per day while some larger breeds may only go twice a day at most. Puppies typically need to be taken outside every hour during waking hours and need less frequent trips when they are sleeping. Keep your pup on your routine if possible so his body will learn to hold it! Note: It isn’t normal for a pup to go number two inside the house. This is something that they need to be trained not to do right away. If your dog is older than 6 months and still pooping in the house, you can check out our article here on how to train your dog.
How Often Should my Puppy Poop?
Small breed pups might have four or five bowel movements per day while larger breeds might only go twice a day at most. Larger dogs with deep chests have fewer problems with constipation because their bodies are designed for it – they move slowly through their intestines which helps move things along more easily. An important note about smaller dogs: Because of their size, intestinal issues tend to affect them much quicker than larger breeds so if their bowel movements are still normal, but they’re acting like they might need to go soon, they probably do.
Constipation is when your pup has difficulty relieving themselves and can lead to very serious problems if it continues for too long. Dogs will try to hold in their bowel movements until they absolutely can’t anymore, causing their body to “shut down.” Their muscles stop moving feces correctly through the intestines which leads them to not being able to empty their bowels. If this is something you notice happening frequently with your dog, please bring them to a local veterinarian before things get out of hand!
What about Diarrhea?
If your puppy has diarrhea more than three times per day, your vet immediately because it likely means that your pup has a health condition. Diarrhea needs to be treated by a professional immediately because it can cause dehydration and even death if not dealt with quickly enough.
Vomiting is another common problem and usually means that something is seriously wrong with your dog. If you notice this happening, take them to an emergency vet as soon as possible or keep them on constant watch until the next morning when you can see your regular veterinarian.
Puppies need to go out immediately after eating so they don’t have accidents in their own home as well as right before bedtime so they don’t wake up at 3 AM needing to go outside!
It’s normal for small breeds to pee more than larger but this isn’t always true.
3 Things that can Lead to Frequent Bowel Movements
1. Eating too much food in a short period: If you notice that your pup is itching to go just minutes after eating, they may be eating too fast and not chewing their food thoroughly enough. This causes them to take in more air than usual which leads to bloating and an uncomfortable feeling.
2. Change in diet: Switching up your pup’s meal plan can lead to diarrhea or constipation depending on what you decide to put into their bowl instead of what they’re used to. Keep a journal of everything that goes into your dog’s body for a week before switching over something new – if there is a change, it will be easy for you to see it.
3. Not enough physical or mental stimulation: A tired dog is a happy dog that probably won’t be in the mood to do anything other than sleep and eat (which is normal). If your pup’s energy level starts to dramatically decrease, make sure they get plenty of playtime because lack of activity can lead to health problems later on.
What can I do to Make my Puppy Happier?
Keeping your puppy entertained with toys and games will go a long way but keep them away from anything small and potentially swallowable! They might find themselves running around like crazy when you’re gone for hours at a time but don’t forget to consider their needs too – they need attention just as much as we do!
We all make mistakes and sometimes, things happen that are out of our control. The important thing is to learn from them and do your best daily to keep your pup happy and healthy!