German Shepherd poop frequency varies and generally lessens as they age. Puppies for instance, may poop up to five times a day whereas adults may only do so once or twice. This however, may also change depending on a dog’s dietary habits and the health of its bowel movement.
In this article we’ll further discuss what factors into poop frequency, how to deal with conditions that cause abnormal pooping.
WARNING! THE FOLLOWING VIDEO FEATURES A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOING ITS BUSINESS. PLEASE SKIP IF YOU DON’T WANT TO WATCH SOME POOPING ACTION
What Affects Poop Frequency?
Your German Shepherd’s poop frequency may be affected by factors such as age, eating habits, and complications like diarrhea and constipation.
Age
As mentioned, poop frequency typically lessens as a German Shepherd ages. Meaning, puppies tend to do their business more than adults. This is because puppies generally don’t have the capability to hold it in, eat more, and have faster metabolism.
That said, senior German Shepherds may also poop more frequently than younger adults. This could be because of weakened sphincter muscles or other medical conditions that affect their ability to control their bowels.
Diet
There are two things about diet that you have to consider, how much, and what your German Shepherd eats.
What goes in, must come out. And so generally speaking, the more a German Shepherd eats, the more it will need to poop. The inverse of this is also true, and German Shepherds that eat less or fast, will need to handle their business less frequently.
As to what they eat, certain nutrients are known to affect bowel frequency. Fiber, for example, is an insoluble nutrient that promotes bowel movement by adding bulk to poop and softening it. So a German Shepherd that eats a high-fiber diet will tend to have a higher poop frequency than ones that don’t.
Medication
Some medications like opioid may also affect poop frequency. So if your German Shepherd is currently on medication, be sure to ask the vet if they have side-effects that may affect your dog’s bowel movement.
Constipation
Constipation refers to the infrequent or difficult passage of poop. It’s usually caused by the following:
- Lack of exercise
- Poor diet (lacking in fiber)
- Dehydration
- Ingestion of indigestible materials such as bones
- Stress
- Enlarged prostate
- Anal gland abscesses and tumors
- Pelvic trauma
- Cancer
Dogs that have the condition tend to not poop at all or strain when they do. If your German Shepherd is suffering from constipation, it will poop less and have the following symptoms:
- Rock-hard stools
- Straining
- Painful and difficult defecation
- General discomfort
- Mucus or blood with stool
If left unchecked, it may eventually introduce toxic materials into your German Shepherd’s bloodstream and cause shock, organ failure, and death.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea on the other hand is a condition characterized by faster movement of fecal matter through a dog’s system due to decreased absorption of water and nutrients. It’s usually a symptom of underlying medical conditions including life-threatening illnesses like cancer and organ dysfunction. That said, it’s more commonly caused by the following:
- Sudden changes in diet
- Dietary indiscretion
- Allergies
- Parasites
- Ingestion of indigestible or poisonous substances
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Stress
Symptoms of diarrhea include:
- Increased frequency of poop
- Watery stools
- Dehydration
- Voming
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
What If Your German Shepherd Has Diarrhea Or Constipation?
Aside from effects on frequency, diarrhea and constipation may both severely affect your German Shepherds health. And so it’s imperative that you deal with them to avoid further complications.
Dealing With Constipation
You can usually deal with constipation by simply providing your German Shepherd with foods rich in fiber, enough exercise, and plenty of water.
Severe cases however, will require you to take your German Shepherd to the vet for medication and treatment to remove any obstructions in your dog’s rectum.
Dealing With Diarrhea
Mild cases of diarrhea on the other hand, can be treated without taking your German Shepherd to the vet. Here’s how to do so:
Fasting
Letting your German Shepherd fast for about 12 to 24 hours will allow its digestive tract to settle down. Just be sure to provide it with enough water or Pedialyte (as needed) to prevent dehydration.
Slow Feed
If the diarrhea stops, you can then proceed with feeding your German Shepherd small amounts of bland low-fat food like boiled chicken or white rice until stool consistency improves.
Medication
Over-the-counter medication may also work well in treating your German Shepherd’s diarrhea, but you should only use them with approval from the vet.
These home remedies may at times fail to work for severe cases of diarrhea. If your German Shepherd’s stool consistency isn’t improving and you notice symptoms such as dry or pale gums, vomiting, and lethargy, consult with a veterinarian immediately.
How Often Do German Shepherds Poop?
To recap, German Shepherd generally poop between one to five times a day depending on several factors such as age, diet, and complications such as diarrhea and constipation. So don’t be surprised if your German Shepherd’s poop frequency changes.
As long as your German Shepherd’s poop is brown in color, firm, free of worms or other foreign objects, and has no coating, you don’t really have much to worry about.
Other than that, just continue to feed your German Shepherd right, and provide it with enough exercise and water so you can keep your dog’s stools healthy.
Related Questions
What Should A German Shepherd’s Poop Look Like?
A German Shepherd’s poop should be brown in color with a firm consistency and rid of coating, worms, and other foreigh objects such as fur, glass, or clothing.
When Do German Shepherds Usually Poop?
It varies depending on age, but in general German Shepherds poop 8 to 12 hours after their previous meal. So this could be mornings or evenings, depending on mealtimes.
