Your puppy ate within the last half hour, so you take them outside to do its business. Now, two hours after the meal, your puppy finally went poop. If you’re wondering why your puppy poops two hours after eating, there are a few potential reasons.
There are a few variables to consider, like the age of your puppy and the time of day. Typically, pooping two hours after eating isn’t a severe issue. However, in some cases, there could be a medical issue causing your dog not to poop.
Let’s talk about why it takes your puppy two hours to poop after eating and what to do.
Before you read this guide, “Why Does My Puppy Poop Two Hours After Eating,” check out: Why Does My Dog Walk Around and Poop? (2023) and Why Is My Dog’s Poop Grainy? Common Reasons! (2023).
When Should a Puppy Poop?
Most puppies poop soon after they eat, though it can vary. A puppy isn’t used to its body yet, and it takes time to understand its body signals. So, don’t get discouraged if your puppy hasn’t gotten the hang of going potty down.
Wait about five minutes after your puppy finishes eating to take them outside. Then, stay out until they do their business to prevent them from coming inside and pooping shortly after.
As you spend more time with your pet, you’ll notice signs that it’s time to go outside; some pups circle before they need to go, while others may have a distinct posture. Pay attention to the signs and take them out as soon as they’re ready.
How Long Can Puppies Hold It?
The length a puppy can hold their bowels depends on its exact age and breed. On average, puppies can hold their poop for an hour for each month old they are. For example, a two-month-old puppy can hold its stool for two hours.
How Often Should a Puppy Poop?
Puppies will poop quite a bit when they’re little. They’re at the smallest stage of their lives and have an intestinal tract that’s not fully developed. After they eat, food processes quickly and moves through their body faster than an adult dog.
You can expect your puppy to poop five to six times a day, sometimes even more frequently than that. As your puppy matures, this pace of defecating slows down. By the time your dog is a year, it will be on more of an adult potty schedule.
Adult dogs typically poop one to two times a day. Once your small puppy reaches adulthood, you’ll be more aware of its signals. Additionally, you’ll have a better idea of how often and when your dog needs to go out.
Pay attention to the frequency of your puppy releasing stools to ensure everything is okay. You should also pay attention to the texture, color, and anything that shouldn’t be in its poop.
What if My Puppy Poops More Than Average?
Comparing the frequency of how often a puppy eliminates can be tricky because the average covers an extensive range. What’s most important to consider is what’s normal for your individual dog.
If your puppy poops more than it usually would, look for unusual changes in consistency, color, or abnormal coatings. Grainy poop with noodle-like objects may signify something serious, like worms.
Pay attention to your dog’s behavior. If your dog shows other symptoms or signs of discomfort, then monitor your pet for the next 24 hours. If the changes persist or worsen, consult with your veterinarian.
It’s common for puppies to be born with intestinal parasites, so vets recommend deworming and frequent stool sample testing. These parasites may affect your puppy’s bowel movements, so reach out to your vet when in doubt.
What if My Puppy Isn’t Pooping Enough?
If your puppy isn’t pooping enough, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Because of the fast-moving organs of a growing puppy, it’s rare for a healthy puppy not to poop somewhat often.
When a puppy is straining to poop or going less, it may have eaten something creating a bowel obstruction. There are several reasons there could be a blockage, like a puppy swallowing a piece of a chew toy.
You may also notice other symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, or lethargy. Call the vet immediately if your puppy isn’t defecating or acting unusually.
Intestinal blockages are emergencies, so even if you’re unsure, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Factors That Determine When a Puppy Will Need to Poop
Although it’s tricky to know precisely when a puppy will need to defecate, some factors make it more likely. Here are some variables to keep in mind.
Mealtime
Puppies typically go to the bathroom within five to 15 minutes after eating, so it’s a good idea to take them out shortly after they finish.
This isn’t a hard rule, so don’t worry if it takes your puppy a bit to poop. Some puppies may go within five minutes, while others may take a couple of hours.
Remembering your pet’s potty habits can help you determine the best time after eating for your puppy.
Age
Your pup’s age has a lot to do with the frequency of its bowel movements. As puppies age, their digestive tracts develop, and they can hold it longer.
Puppies under four months old may struggle to control the urge to go to the bathroom. For young puppies, it’s unrealistic to assume they can withstand not pooping or peeing for long periods.
Once your puppy is closer to adulthood, you can wait at least 30 minutes to take them out.
After Sleeping or Playtime
When your puppy is young, you’ll likely have to take it out for middle-of-the-night potty breaks. As it gets older, these breaks will become less frequent. However, you should allow your dog to eliminate stool as soon as it wakes up in the morning or after naps.
Make sure to take your puppy out after playing or any indoor exercise. Movement stimulates its digestive tract, so your puppy will have a strong urge to go.
What Should Your Puppy’s Poop Look Like?
Like frequency, the “normal” appearance of poop is hard to pinpoint. In general, your puppy’s bowel movements should look like a soft tootsie roll, albeit larger. They should be a shade of brown and not runny or too hard.
The stool size will vary depending on the dog’s size, diet, and time of day. There may be a small amount of mucus around the stool; this is normal as long as it isn’t blood-tinged.
Pay attention to what’s normal for your dog. Although their bathroom habits and stools change as they mature, this happens gradually.
If there are sudden changes, monitor your dog for 24 hours and call your vet if it persists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding why my puppy poops two hours after eating.
Every puppy is different, though most puppies need to poop within five to 30 minutes after eating. The frequency depends on age, breed, diet, and time of day.
It’s normal for younger puppies to poop frequently. Their bodies aren’t fully developed, so they’ll need to go more often than adults.
Once your puppy finishes its meal, its stomach fills, and the colon gets to work on turning the food into excrement. However, if your puppy goes potty immediately after eating, it’s not from the food they just ate.
Most adult dogs will need to poop after about 30 minutes once it finishes eating. So, plan to take your dog on a walk within an hour after a meal. However, every dog is different so pay attention to your puppy’s unique habits.
Some puppies will poop five minutes after eating. So, ensure you have your puppy on a consistent eating schedule and plan potty trips around those times.
Although a dog’s stool should be soft, a healthy puppy shouldn’t have diarrhea. Some causes of diarrhea may be ingesting toxins, medications, parasites, or a viral infection. Take your dog to the vet if they have diarrhea.
Conclusion for “Encouraging Your Puppy to Poop Outside”
If your puppy doesn’t poop until two hours after eating, it’s possible they’re not sure where to go. Choose a designated potty area and go there every time. Once you’re at the specific location, give a command like “Go potty.”
Once your puppy does its business, give it praise and reward the good behavior with a small treat. There are a few other ways you can encourage your dog to go, though it’s optional.
You can teach your puppy to ring a bell hung on the doorknob to signal it needs to go out. Ring the bell before going out, and soon your puppy will do so itself when it’s ready.
No matter what you do, your puppy may not go right away or have accidents indoors. Don’t punish your puppy in this scenario. If you catch your puppy in the act, say “outside,” pick it up, and take it outside to finish.
If you find this guide, “Why Does My Puppy Poop Two Hours After Eating,” helpful, check out:
- Why Is My Dog’s Poop Cold? Causes and Treatments! (2023)
- How to Massage a Dog to Poop? (2023)
- Dog Poop Encased in Membrane – What Does This Mean? (2023)
Learn more by watching “Why Is My Puppy Pooping So Much?” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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