7 Best Supplements To Help Soft Dog Poop

Soft dog poop happens. It can be frustrating and concerning to see mushy dog poop and wonder how you can best help your pup. Whether it’s diarrhea, soft dog poop, or anything other than normal, the gut is a good indicator of how your dog is feeling overall.

Any number of factors may cause soft stool, so pet parents need to monitor their dog’s overall appetite, behavior, and health.

Occasional loose stool is generally not a cause for concern, especially if your dog had too many treats or ate some table scraps that upset their tummy. However, by understanding the different causes of soft dog poop, you can become proactive in maintaining your best friend’s digestive health.

What Causes Soft Dog Poop?

First, soft stool in dogs is any poop that does not have a consistent, firm texture and is difficult to pick up. We’ve all been there – trying to pick up mushy or soft stool with a waste bag. It isn’t pleasant, right? Maybe it looks like a smooth ice cream consistency, which could become serious if it progresses to a liquid form like diarrhea.

Some of the more common reasons for if your dog has soft stool include:

Dietary indiscretions: From an abrupt change in dog food to eating inappropriate or greasy food, diet plays an important role forming your dog’s stool.
Allergens and food sensitivities: Anything that causes your dog’s immune system to react can manifest in their gut. This includes known and unknown food and environmental allergens.
Parasites or infection: Worms can cause GI distress, so your veterinarian should screen your dog’s fecal sample during wellness examinations.
Stress and anxiety: This includes everything from stress during travel to arguing in the family, loud sounds, and separation anxiety.
Medical conditions: If your dog has irritable bowel disease (IBD) or any other ongoing digestive condition, you may see soft poop.
Side effects from medications: Medications, including antibiotics or over-the-counter supplements, can cause mushy, soft poop.
Ingestion of a foreign object: Even the most astute pet parent may not realize their dog ate a sock, child’s toy, or any number of things. This can become very dangerous very quickly.

Anytime you are uncertain as to why your dog’s bowel movements are irregular, it’s best to call the veterinarian. At the very least, they may want you to drop off a stool sample.

Why Is My Puppy Poop Soft?

Just like their adult counterparts, puppies may occasionally have soft stools. If it is associated with vomiting, lethargy, or any other out-of-the-ordinary symptoms, it’s best to see the veterinarian.

When puppies begin the weaning process from their mother’s milk, their digestive systems are in a period of change. Soft stool in puppies is common at this time. Certain vaccinations, medications, or supplements can cause soft stool, as can too many treats.

Puppies often don’t know their limits when it comes to food. They will eat and often have a ravenous appetite. Too much of a good thing can lead to a dietary bad thing in the form of improperly formed poop or diarrhea.

Everything from an infection to worms, food sensitivities, and stress can alter the state of your puppy’s GI tract. Some puppies may develop giardia or environmental stressors that cause changes in their stool.

What Your Dog’s Poop Is Telling You

You’ll want to examine your dog’s poop from time to time, especially if it becomes soft. Here are key factors to watch for, followed by a list of our top picks for supplements that can help soft dog poop.

Color: The ideal poop color is brown. If your dog has yellow poop, green poop, or anything out of the ordinary, this is abnormal. Blood in your dog’s stool is not normal.

Consistency: Hard poop generally indicates constipation or dehydration, but it can be from a lack of fiber in your dog’s diet. Firm and tubular is the normal. Veterinarians use a fecal scoring system for dogs, and they rank poop on a scale of one to seven. Most dogs should be pooping a “two” on the chart.

Odor: An unusual scent or strong odor may indicate diarrhea, internal bleeding, or something else.

Coating and Visual Inspection: If your dog’s poop is runny, has a mucus-like coating, or shows any signs of undigested food, hair, or flecks of white, rice-like material (likely worms), this is abnormal.

When To Call The Veterinarian About Dogs With Soft Poop

Although most cases of canine diarrhea or soft poop resolve in a matter or hours or days, dogs with consistently loose stool and/or other symptoms should be see a veterinarian.

According to Dr. Meredith Miller, associate clinical professor of small animal medicine at the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, “If a pet stops eating, is lethargic, the diarrhea is black or tarry in quality, there is associated vomiting, or the diarrhea doesn’t resolve in 48-72 hours then veterinary care should be sought.”

Our List

Supplements to Help Soft Dog Poop

The market is full of probiotic and supplement options that might help prevent soft stool and/or diarrhea in your dog. Here are a few to consider. As always, consult with your dog’s veterinarian before introducing any supplements.

Great Pet Great Poop Digestive Support Supplement

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If you’re looking for a daily probiotic to help firm up your dog’s poop and keep it consistent, this is a great option. This high-fiber supplement is packed with 2 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) and the prebiotic inulin to help feed good gut bacteria and build a healthy microbiome. Other important ingredients include bromelain and flaxseed to support healthy and consistent digestion. Plus, these tasty chicken-flavored chews are made in the USA and don’t contain any corn, soy, or artificial preservatives.

Highlights

Fiber helps canine motility for regular poops
Contains both prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut
Digestive enzymes for firm stools
30-day money-back guarantee
Easy-to-administer chicken-flavored chew
Good bacteria in a senior dog’s gut help them feel happy and health
2 billion CFUs (colony-forming units) to prevent gas, bloating, and cramping

Things to Consider

Number of chews depends on the size of the dog
Single flavor formula

Rx Vitamins Rx Clay

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This clay-based powder dog probiotic is a professional veterinary formulation. The material helps to soak up excess liquid in the intestinal tract to help relieve diarrhea, gas, and bloating. This supplement is safe to use regularly and can help pets maintain a healthy digestive tract. Plus, it’s safe for dogs as young as 12 weeks old. The easy-to-use powder can be sprinkled on your dog’s food and is easy to use.

Highlights

Hypoallergenic and vegetarian formula
Is easily added to your dog’s food daily
Free of heavy metals unless many other clay supplements
Safe for dogs 12 weeks of age or older
Sourced from the Earth
May help regulate your dog’s bowel function as well as promoting normal stools

Things to Consider

A bit on the pricey side
Small container which may not be practical for multidog households

Herbsmith Organic Slippery Elm for Dogs

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Things like slippery elm can be helpful. For pet parents who desire a more holistic approach, they should consult a holistic or integrative practitioner. This all-natural formula is from just one herb and can help to alleviate gas and diarrhea in dogs. Slippery elm is a lubricant to your pet’s digestive tract and can help reduce irritation and inflammation We like this option from Herbsmith because it is made in Wisconsin and formulated by a holistic veterinarian.

Highlights

Can use for upset stomachs, constipation, dietary changes, diarrhea, megaesophagus and reflux
Member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)
Made in Wisconsin by Dr. Chris Bessent, a holistic veterinarian
Designed to protect layers of your dog’s bowel in the way a throat lozenge helps the throat
USDA organic

Things to Consider

The amount of product used depends on your dog’s weight
Some dogs may not like the aroma

Fruitables Pumpkin SuperBlend Digestive Supplement

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Fruitables pumpkin digestive blend is a healthy food addition to a dog’s food. This unique formula is a fibrous digestive boost made in the USA with high-quality ingredients. Pumpkin is considered to be one of nature’s superfoods rich in antioxidants, select vitamins, and a source of dietary fiber. Veterinarians developed Fruitables formula to help soothe upset stomachs and support a healthy GI tract. A veterinarian developed the formula and it’s made in the USA.

Highlights

A small amount goes a long way to digestive health
Contains natural fruit and vegetable fibers
Works quickly for healthy stool quality
Gluten-free formula
Soothing herbs include ginger and spearmint
Product can be frozen and served as a cool treat

Things to Consider

Cover and refrigerate any unused portion for up to one week
4.25 calories per tablespoon
Consult your dog’s veterinarian if digestive issues persist

Dr. Harvey’s Runs Be Done Digestive Tract Supplement

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Even the most balanced digestive tracts can go awry from time to time. Doggy diarrhea is never fun to deal with, especially when it happens unexpectedly. Keep a jar of Dr. Harvey’s Runs Be Done on hand in the event of diarrhea and loose stool. This potent and soothing supplement gets right to work with pumpkin, slippery elm, pectin, bentonite clay, and other healing herbs. Unlike canned pumpkin that often goes to waste, Runs Be Done is a convenient powder to use as needed, then stored in a cool, dry place until needed again.

Highlights

Contains no preservatives, fillers, by-products, salt, sugar, artificial, or synthetic ingredients
Each container holds 94 scoops, so it will last a long time
Made in the United States
Many holistic veterinarians recommend the combination of whole foods and herbs in Runs Be Done for bothersome bellies
Does not contain any grains
May feed on a daily basis or used as a supplement when needed

Things to Consider

Must add to food
Dosage depends on the weight of your dog

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder

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This probiotic supplement from Purina is crafted in partnership with veterinarians, scientists, and pet nutritionists to provide your dog’s gut with what it needs. It can reduce gas and help cut down on instances of diarrhea in dogs. The powder is simple to use and is sprinkled over food during mealtime. The sachets travel and store well.

Highlights

Received the NASC seal of approval
Contains guaranteed amounts of live active cultures
Made in conjunction with scientists, veterinarians, and nutritionists
Easy-to-administer into your dog’s food
Receives 400+ quality checks before passing inspection
Also available in a chewable form

Things to Consider

Only available in liver flavor
Animal digest is the first ingredient

Vetrinex Labs Advanced Digestive Enzymes + Probiotics

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Proper digestion takes time. But if your dog’s digestion gets rushed, the bile that normally helps turn your dog’s poop brown may not have enough time to do its job, and that could lead to yellow poop. Vetrinex Labs’ proprietary two-in-one blend of enzymes and probiotics helps regulate digestive function, promote good gut health, and improve the consistency and color of your dog’s waste. Just scoop and sprinkle the powder on your pet’s food and let the beneficial bacteria and enzymes get to work. Within just a few weeks, this tasteless, odorless formula aids indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and even poop eating.

Highlights

Contains 3 billion CFUs per scoop
Fortified with prebiotic inulin to support good bacteria
Proprietary enzyme blend includes protease, amylase, lipase, and bromelain
120 to 240 servings per jar (depending on size)
Made in the USA
100% vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free
Veterinarian recommended
Lifetime, money-back satisfaction guarantee

Things to Consider

May take up to 2-4 weeks for benefits in some dogs
May not help some pets, depending on the underlying cause of the symptoms

The Overall Scoop on Soft Dog Poop

An abnormal bowel movement has a cause. As pet parents, we must put our detective hats on to determine why there is a change. Each dog is its own unique being, so what may cause soft poops in one dog may cause no reaction in another pooch.

Using a notebook or journal to log in your dog’s bowel movement patterns may be beneficial. Take your mobile along for walks and snap photos if you see any changes or abnormalities. If a veterinary visit is in order, you’ll have images and notes ready to help them in their overall assessment.

The bottom line to help keep dog poop well-formed is: