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Did you just see a dry dog poop in your backyard?
The first questions that popped into your head might be “Is that bad?” or “Should I worry?”
The truth is, like dog's gums, their poop can tell us a lot of clues about their health.
They give us a sneak peek into what's happening inside their body health-wise.
This article will explore the possible causes of dry and crumbly dog stools and how to reverse them.
RELATED: The Ultimate Dog Poop Color Chart (with 9 Pictures!)
Dry Dog Poop: 7 Causes For Dry or Crumbly Stool
Here are a few possible reasons why your dog poop is dry, powdery, or crumbly:
Constipation
Have you seen your pup struggle to defecate lately?
One of the main reasons why your pup's poo is dry and crumbly is because of constipation.
It is the inability to poop normally or comfortably daily.
It may not be as common as dog diarrhea, but it happens often for growing dogs.
This health issue makes the colon muscles sluggish due to dehydration or a lack of fiber.
A few signs of dog constipation are a lack of defecation or general difficulties when defecating.
Another sign of constipation is hard, dry stools that feel like pebbles when you pick them up.
The most common causes of constipation are:
- Interluminal Causes – This group involves partial or complete colon blockage, usually caused by indigestible matter.
- Extraluminal Causes – Blocks originating outside the colon, such as tumors or pelvic fractures. This is a much more life-threatening group.
- Intrinsic Causes—This term refers to a group of neuromuscular causes, ranging from nerve injury to various diseases.
If your dog is constipated, make sure to add fiber to your dog's diet and encourage them to drink plenty of water to make their poo smooth and moist.
RELATED: Home Remedies for Dog Constipation
Dehydration
Next on the list of causes is dehydration (which can be another cause of constipation).
Dehydration occurs when a dog loses more water than it drinks, preventing the body from functioning properly.
There are plenty of signs of dehydration in dogs.
Some of these are lethargy, dry mouth and tongue, sunken eyes, and dry or powdery stools.
There are many causes of dehydration, including sickness, excessive urination, excessive exercise, vomiting, and too much exposure to heat.
As dog owners, we must ensure our dogs are given water daily.
RELATED: How To Tell If Your Dog Is Dehydrated?
Blockage in the Intestines
Dogs are curious creatures, and sometimes, they swallow large or inedible objects (garbage, hair, roach baits, or pacifiers) that can cause bowel obstruction.
Bowel obstruction is a blockage in the intestines that stops the passage of food and feces.
And when this happens, it can cause dry, powdery stools in dogs.
Bowel obstruction can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
For instance, food and water will not pass through the gastrointestinal tract, and intestinal blockage can be fatal.
Excessive Self-Grooming
Another thing that can cause dry and crumbly poo is when a dog excessively grooms itself causing it to have too much hair in its stool.
Swallowing lots of hair can cause dry and crumbly stools in dogs.
If you notice that your pup grooms regularly, try bathing him occasionally to help reduce itching and keep his body clean.
Also, it can reduce his self-grooming habit which causes dry dog poop.
Lack of Exercise
If you're a dog owner, you know that exercise is crucial for a dog's overall health.
Exercise in humans and dogs helps the blood pump and the GI tract move.
If a dog is not moving and not drinking enough water, it can result in dry and crumbly poop.
Regular activity or exercise helps the insides healthy, allowing poop to get out easily.
If a dog is forced to poop too much for too long when the stool is dry and crumbly, it can develop prolapse.
Prolapse is a health condition where the rectum pops out, and we don't want that.
RELATED: How Much Exercise Should My Dog Get?
Stress
Believe it or not, stress can lead to many physical problems in dogs. This includes dry, powdery poop.
The hesitation to defecate in dogs is usually due to fear or anxiety from past stressful events.
The reluctance to defecate can also happen for dogs that are kept in cages where there is not enough space to move around and poop.
When this happens, dogs will try to fight off their natural urge to poop.
Then the stool will stay drier and powdery as time passes.
RELATED: 20 Signs of Stress in Dogs [Infographic]
Medication
Of course, when a dog gets sick, medications are prescribed to help relieve pain or symptoms associated with various conditions.
Unfortunately, constipation is a common side effect of a lot of medications, causing your pup pain, stress, dry stools, and more.
A few examples of medications that can cause constipation are Corticosteroids, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and Iron supplements.
These medications can slow down the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
RELATED: 15 Safe Human Medications for Dogs
Dry Dog Poop: Frequently Asked Questions
When should I take my dog to the vet for dry dog poop?
If you have noticed that your dog has had dry stools for a few days now, it is best to consult with your vet to help determine any other underlying health issues that could cause this problem.
Your vet will determine the proper treatment, which will depend on the cause of the issue.
Schedule an appointment with your vet and take a sample of your dog's poop with you.
From there, your vet will perform a fecal examination to determine the main cause of your dog's ailment.
What does an ideal dog poop looks like?
Keep in mind that every dog is unique. That's why the ideal poop will also vary.
However, here are a few indications of a healthy dog stool:
- Firstly, the color of the ideal dog poop is chocolate brown. But if you're feeding them foods with different colors, it's acceptable for a few of these hues to be visible.
- The ideal form of a perfect dog poop is shaped like a log. Round dog poops can be a sign of dehydration.
- Also, it should be the same size as the food they ate. The higher the fiber content of your dogs' food, the same goes for their stool.
- It should feel like clay when squished and be easy to pick up.
- It should not contain any mucus, grass, hair, or other particles.
Does dog diarrhea dry up?
Yes, but it depends. It depends on whether your dog is healthy and has a strong immune system.
If he does, diarrhea should be done in 2 or 3 days.
If you notice no changes after 2 to 3 days, it's recommended that you contact your vet for further examinations.
Does water help a dog poop?
Yes, hydration can help and be great for dogs' digestive systems, especially if they are constipated.
That's why dogs must drink more water.
You can also add chicken broth to make it more attractive to dogs that are not fond of drinking their water.
If a dog is dehydrated, you can also ask your vet for electrolyte supplements to help maintain hydration.
You can buy these from pet pharmacies and supplement stores.
How do I know if my dog has bowel problems?
A few symptoms of bowel problems or digestive system illnesses can be:
- Excessive drooling
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Loss of Appetite
- Abdominal Pain
- Bloating
- Dehydration
Why It's Important to Learn the Meanings of Your Dog's Poop
Learning the different meanings of a dog stool can be a great tool for pet owners, as it can give them an indicator of their dog's health.
Many pet owners resort to home remedies that they find on the internet as soon as they see their pet feeling unwell, and that's a bad habit.
We pet owners should never jump to conclusions and give them medications without a vet's approval.
As mentioned, learning your dog's poo will be an update on the state of your pup's health.
Knowing the definition of their poo can help you manage the situation better.
Wrapping Up Dry Dog Poop Problem
If you've noticed dry dog poop when you're cleaning or have been asking why is your dog poop crumbly, there are a few reasons behind it.
A dog's poo can be a good indicator of its overall health. For instance, if you've noticed that your dog's poop is watery, it can be a sign of diarrhea.
On the other hand, dry, crumbly, or powdery poop can be caused by various reasons. One of the primary causes of dry dog poop is constipation.
Other causes include dehydration, blockage in the intestines, excessive self-grooming, lack of exercise, stress, and medication.
If your dog is struggling to go or has still dry stools after 2 to 3 days, it is best to contact your vet for further tests.
This way, you can finally determine the correct root of the problem, and the vet can decide on the proper treatment.
