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Among the most prevalent health issues seen in dogs is loose stool or diarrhea. It’s safe to claim that every pet will deal with diarrhea eventually in their lives. Getting the best dog food for firm stools is required if your dog is continuously suffering from this problem.
If your pooch has loose stool, most of the time it’s probably nothing serious, according to vets. He likely just ate something that did not agree with his digestion system. It might also be a sign of an allergic reaction to food or food products, bacteria, environment, medications like antibiotics, or possibly even just an indicator that he’s a little stressed out.
Getting the best dog food for firm stools can be of immense help. Your Vet can help you in the appropriate direction, yet you’ll also have to do some research by yourself. I’ve done the hard work for you and narrowed it down to the best dog food for firm stools.
Best Dog Food for Firm Stools – Our Top Pick
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Premium Natural Dry Dog Food
What Is The Best Dog Food for Firm Stools?
- Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Premium Natural Dry Dog Food
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Grain-Free Recipe
- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
- NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Small Bites
What To Look For When Buying Best Dog Food For Firm Stools
When you notice that your canine is experiencing loose stool, it is essential to take immediate action.
In most situations, you can deal with the issue using the right food. So, here is a rundown of what to look for when purchasing dog food for firm stool.
Natural Ingredients
The secret to a healthy and happy dog is feeding him with food made using natural components.
So, choose high-quality canine foods, especially those which include meat as the main ingredient.
Other effective natural ingredients are veggies and fruits; however, they should be in smaller amounts than real meat.
Artificial ingredients in canine foods are recognized to cause stomach sensitivities, allergies and heighten the runny stool issue.
Consequently, ensure to avoid foods with artificial additives, such as preservatives, colors, and flavors.
Fiber Ingredients
When you schedule your dog for a check-up, the Vet will inform you to find foods that include high fiber content.
Fiber is essential since it helps the absorption of excess water from your dog’s digestion system, leading to firmer stools.
High fiber content also helps to support better absorption of nutrients and digestion of food.
Probiotics
The digestive system of a canine contains several types of healthy bacteria that help with food digestion.
Food rich in probiotics includes these helpful bacteria, leading to a healthy gastrointestinal system. The overall result is a healthy and balanced digestive system and firm stool.
Low-Fat Content
Fats are difficult to digest and complicated, mainly when consumed in large quantities.
As a result, you need to look for dog food that is made using low-fat quantities. The rule of the thumb is picking dog food including no more than 20% fat content.
Go for Quality or No Grains
You require to value that if your canine were being in the wild, he would mainly be surviving on meat from prey.
If you can, think about going for no-grain dog food to help firm your dog’s stool quickly. Nonetheless, most of the brands include some grains that are used to provide extra carbohydrates.
In such instances, you need to avoid canine foods that are made using low-quality grains such as fillers, wheat, or corn.
Instead, you ought to go for whole grain-based foods that are simple to absorb for your pup.
Vitamins and Minerals
As I said earlier, loose stool and stomach problems can be caused by conditions. In such instances, you require to reinforce your dog’s ability to combat these diseases.
So, try to find food that is rich in required nutrients that stimulate the immune system.
An adequate quantity of minerals to your dog is also essential in growing their ligaments, teeth, and bones.
The minerals work with proteins to help make your canine a healthy and happy athlete.
Keep in mind that the minerals in your food, particularly magnesium and phosphorus, should be correctly balanced since large quantities can cause bladder stones.
Other Enrichments
In addition to the above ingredients, the food you choose must also be rich in taurine that assists in developing brain and eye cells.
Veterinarians suggest that you also choose the formulas that give good omega-6 fats, omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin & glucosamine for more robust joints and healthy skin.
5 Best Dog Food for Firm Stools – Reviews
1- Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Premium Natural Dry Dog Food
With its short ingredient formula, Rachel Ray’s Just six has meticulously chosen ingredients: lamb meal, ground rice, chicken fat, beet pulp, natural flavor, and brown rice to ensure that your dog is getting healthful food.
You might wonder why these six components were able to join the elite unit of Just 6? As the main ingredient, Lamb meal is not just quickly absorbable; however, it also gives essential vitamins and amino acids for healthy muscle mass and organs.
Keep in mind that it’s quickly digestible, which is nothing but a great start in reducing your dog’s digestive problems.
Ground and brown rice are both great carb sources for essential nutritious fiber and vitamins. Additionally, beet pulp is also a natural source of prebiotics and fiber.
These two fundamentals combined are heaven-sent as prebiotics serve to support healthy digestion and the quantity of fiber your canine absorbs affects the consistency of his stool.
With its added chelated minerals and vitamins, Rachel Ray’s Simply 6 doesn’t include the added things that may be causing your canine mushy poops.
So you might consider putting this best dog food for loose stools into your dog’s bowl since, who knows, you may see wonders in the potty after.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Includes lamb meal as the main ingredient
- Suitable for both large and small canine breeds
- Supplemented with vitamins and minerals that your pooch requires for whole-body health.
- Made without typical allergens such as soy, corn, or wheat
- Developed with fibers and probiotics that support a healthy gut
Cons:
- High phosphorus content can cause urinary health problems
2- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Grain-Free Recipe
This is no question one of the best dry dog food for loose stools, given the positive reviews it keeps getting from dog parents.
One point I also like about them is their brand approach of only creating foods that are as close to nature as possible. Keep in mind; ancestral dogs used to hunt for prey to satisfy their protein requirements. They would stabilize things out by munching on berries and even grasses occasionally to maintain their digestive system healthy and get a decent poop; This is what inspires the brand.
Along with being tasty, this recipe is grain-free and contains novel meats such as smoked salmon to give animal proteins for lean muscle growth.
The formula uses extremely absorbable carbohydrates, such as green peas and sweet potatoes, to have a rich fiber content.
These carbs sources are a suggested alternative to grains. Don’t fail to remember that grains can be a cause of digestive problems in some dogs.
When healthy carbohydrates and protein are combined with chicory root, an excellent prebiotic that promotes digestion and stomach health, the meal becomes very easy for your dog to digest.
Consequently, you can anticipate seeing the quality of your canine droppings firm up to a healthy consistency.
Pros:
- Made with high-quality proteins
- Loaded with probiotics
- Created with easy to absorb ingredients
- Balanced well with essential minerals and vitamins for body health
- Includes taurine for healthy eyes, brain, and heart cells
Cons:
- Some pooches become bored with the food after a short while
3- Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food
If you are dealing with dog rescue, you may encounter these two common problems: digestive and skin issues. Parenting a canine rescue is both challenging and rewarding, and it is ideal for picking the right food that will be helpful for their whole well-being.
Good thing the Purina Plan recipe focuses on these particular requirements, so it is a smart option for dog parents who are fighting with both of these issues. As for mushy and loose stools, fret no more as this formula includes easily absorbable ingredients. Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber and also is helpful for your pet’s digestive health.
What’s more unbelievable is it is improved with a natural prebiotic fiber that supports digestive health by feeding gut-friendly bacteria. This best dog food for firm stools will undoubtedly be an excellent partner to help your puppy thrive and overcome stomach upset.
Pros:
- Made with nutrient-rich salmon
- Free from soy, corn, artificial colors, or flavors
- Suitable for all dog breeds
- Enhanced with omega fatty acids
Cons:
- Pricey
4- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Like our first three dog foods on our list, this Diet Sensitive Skin & Tummy Food from Hill’s Science is an additional go-to choice to deal with stomach problems.
It is a tasty chicken formula made without grains, flavors, colors, or preservatives that may cause allergic reactions.
Every component used to prepare the food is easy on the stomach, providing your canine to absorb most of the nutrients.
The recipe is made with real poultry as the main ingredient, while brewer’s rice, chicken meal, and yellow peas follow in that order, precisely.
The recipe is rich in crude fibers and probiotics that help to support healthy digestion and further firm the stool along with high protein content.
Vets additionally suggest this diet since it is rich in vitamins (especially Vitamin E) and omega-6 fatty acids for a glossy coat.
Moreover, the vitamins work with the minerals and amino acids to reinforce your pet’s immune system.
Consequently, as the food firms up your dog’s stool, you are sure to make fewer trips to the veterinarian.
Pros:
- Includes high-fiber ingredients
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
- Vitamin E & C are combined to help in immune system function
Cons:
- It contains less-than-premium ingredients like barley and chicken meal
5- NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Small Bites
NUTRO Limited Ingredient is prepared with lamb and brown rice, both known to be easy to absorb ingredients; This implies his stomach needs to work less hard, which means less gas and firmer stools.
It is an exceptional value food, and you get a great deal of value with this item. NUTRO has a below-average protein content (22%), giving it an excellent choice for canines who find meaty products too rich.
It is a grain-inclusive food, making it a good alternative for some canines, as their digestion system requires the additional grainy fiber for balance. It uses refined grains such as chickpeas, brown rice, and oatmeal.
NUTRO has a range of vitamins and minerals to help with overall health and regular digestion.
The only objection I have to this food is that it does not include as many probiotic ingredients as the other foods on this list. However, parents of dogs with sensitivities are highly evaluated, so this certainly isn’t a concern for all canines.
Pros:
- Its first ingredients, sweet potato, and lamb are excellent for supporting healthy digestion and metabolism.
- It doesn’t include soy, corn, gluten, wheat, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors.
- Its limited ingredients make it an excellent food for canines with sensitivities.
Cons:
- Pricey
Tips For Switching Up Your Dog’s Diet
When you can switch out your pet’s food to the new diet you have picked, make sure to do it slowly.
You don’t wish to cause your canine digestive upset by making a sudden switch on their stomach.
Start by including a little of the new diet to the old. Slowly eliminate the old food throughout around 15 days.
Your pet’s symptoms should clear up rather quickly. If they become worse, stop the trial and try another diet.
You may find that it needs some experimentation to determine the best dog food for firm stools for your dog.
Here’s another tip:
If you are considering switching to wet dog food for constipation but find it too pricey– consider including a small portion to your pooch’s regular kibble.
The added fiber and moisture from a small portion of wet food may be sufficient to get things moving.
Why do dogs have loose stools to begin with?
Here are three general causes of loose stools
- An allergy to a particular ingredient in their dog food
- A lousy diet with limited nutrients, minerals, and absence of fiber
- Underlying diseases such as stress, anxiety, and IBS, and so on
This guide aims to consider the first two factors; however, attempting to tackle the first two will be evident if they have an underlying disease.
Dogs occasionally enduring loose stools is natural and can be caused by them eating new meals they should not or a sudden switch in their diet. You must ask yourself if anything has changed recently.
Do you always feed them table scraps in addition to their regular food? This can usually lead to a bout of loose stools.
Next, naturally, is the overall quality of the dog food they’re on. Do you see at the label of the food you’re purchasing and making sure it has added than just the calories they require? Does it include fiber, vitamins, and minerals which maintain the digestive system healthy and help bulk up the stool?
Our final factor on the causes of loose stools includes ingredients that might cause inflammation of the bowels, which then causes diarrhea. 10% of sensitivities experienced by canines are food allergies. 10% of something that isn’t normal is rare; however, it can and does occur.
Canines can get allergic reactions at any stage of their life, and they’re not indeed born with it– this implies they can develop one over time. If your pet always had firm poops and then gradually saw them deteriorate in quality, it might well be down to a new allergy.
It’s hard to find out the cause, yet every Vet around the world would concur that the first step is to change their diet to get even more nutrients and fiber and then work from there.
Best Dog Food for Firm Stools – FAQ
Can I give my canine a human laxative for constipation?
No. Don’t do that. You must never give your pet a medicine without a veterinarian’s prescription! Is your canine’s constipation relatively unexpectedly? If you do not believe it has a lot to do with his food in general, you may be searching for a quick fix. To help your pooch have looser stools, think of giving your pet a portion of canned pumpkin combined with his regular diet; This is a common quick-fix that can be effective to smooth out your canine’s digestion.
Conclusion
While your dog can not verbally tell what they are feeling, you can quickly identify what is occurring inside by inspecting their stool.
A loose stool is the last point you need to see, and if you do, the initial course of action must be choosing the best dog food for firm stools.
The foods I have reviewed above are top suggestions by veterinarians, and dog parents recommend them. So, you can trust them to firm the stool of your dog and make him happy again.
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