Do dogs poop less on farmer s dog food
Here are the Absolute Best Dog Foods for Less Poop
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Last Updated on April 22, 2023
Dog owners know that their pups can produce a lot of waste, and it seems to get worse with certain foods. If youre looking to reduce the amount of poop youre picking up, this guide can help.
Well go over the best dog food for less poop, whether you have a puppy, a senior, or a dog somewhere in between. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Picks for Best Dog Food for Less Poop
| Dog Food Recipes | Our Rating | |
| Best Overall Dog Food for Less Poop | Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Salmon and Peas
| 5 |
| Best Budget Dog Food for Less Poop | Natures Recipe Easy To Digest Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Recipe
| 4 |
| Best Puppy Food for Less Poop | ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
| 5 |
| Best Adult Dog Food for Less Poop | Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Patties
| 5 |
| Best Senior Dog Food for Less Poop | Merrick Senior Grain Free
| 5 |
Best Dog Food for Less Poop (by Life Stage)
Whether you are on a tight budget or youre willing to spend a lot on your pet food, there are lots of options out there that can be a perfectly balanced diet and also reduce waste.
Stella and Chewy make excellent freeze-dried raw food, while people on a budget might look at Natures Recipe.
Best Puppy Food for Less Poop
1. ORIJEN Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy Food
Our rating: 5Top ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey MealType: Dry
This grain-free food gives your pup the right start in life with lots of real chicken and turkey, along with whole fruits and vegetables, and some salmon oil for lots of healthy fat.
No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors, and no meat by-products.
Pros:
- Contains antioxidants and Omega fatty acids like DHA
- Has carrots, parsley, apples, spinach, blueberries, and kale
- Contains probiotics for a healthy digestive system
Cons:
- A few dogs refuse to eat this recipe
CHECK PRICE HERE
Best Adult Dog Food for Less Poop
1. Taste of the Wild Grain Free High Protein Natural Dry Dog Food
Our rating: 5Top ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken MealType: Dry
This food contains novel proteins like water buffalo and bison. It also has antioxidants and amino acids with no wheat, corn, grain, fillers, or artificial ingredients.
The brand features human-grade ingredients to make your dogs digestive system happy. And if you want to go chicken-free, they have the Pacific Stream flavor made with salmon and ocean fish meal.
Pros:
- Packed with probiotics
- Real fruits and veggies like raspberries, blueberries, and sweet potatoes
- Features Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
Cons:
- Some owners think their dogs dont like the taste or flavor of this dog food
- One pet parent complained that it made their dogs coat dull, dry with dandruff, and was falling out
CHECK PRICE HERE
2. Stella & Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Super Beef Dinner Patties
Our rating: 4.5Top ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef KidneyType: Freeze-Dried
The first six ingredients in this recipe are beef, followed by things like cranberries, spinach, broccoli, beets, carrots, squash, blueberries, and kelp all organically sourced.
While the food costs more per pound than dry foods, you get a lot of nutrition packed into each bite, so you feed less.
Pros:
- Hormone-free, grass-fed beef makes up the first 6 ingredients
- Formulated to be closer to a canines natural diet
- Organic, whole veggies and fruits, with limited ingredients
Cons:
- There are owners who said this freeze-dried dog food are like rocks, while others think it was too expensive
CHECK PRICE HERE
3. The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain, Dehydrated Chicken Recipe
Our rating: 4.5Top ingredients: Dehydrated Chicken, Organic Barley, Dehydrated PotatoesType: Dehydrated
Featuring free-range chicken and high protein, along with lots of produce and some barley, this food is made with high-quality ingredients right in the USA.
There are no by-products, GMOs, or preservatives, so dog owners can feel safe knowing theyre feeding their friends healthy food.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- High-protein diet thats suitable for all breed sizes
- Limited ingredients with chicken, barley, oats, peas, carrots, bananas, and kelp
Cons:
- Picky eaters may not like this recipe
- Features grains like oat and barley, which some people avoid
CHECK PRICE HERE
4. Natures Recipe Easy To Digest Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Recipe
Our rating: 5Top ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brewers RiceType: Dry
No corn, wheat, or by-products helps make this food a nutritious option for your pup. Its made in the USA and more affordable than many of the other options on this list.
Pros:
- Affordable option for canines needing a diet for sensitive digestion
- No pea protein, which some dogs are allergic to
- Made in the USA
Cons:
CHECK PRICE HERE
5. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Our rating: 5Top ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken MealType: Dry
This food is packed with protein and healthy carbohydrates to give your pooch a healthy diet.
Made without grains, it has taurine and lots of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, beta-carotene, calcium, and phosphorus.
Pros:
- Real deboned turkey is the first ingredient
- Has ground flaxseed, broccoli, spinach, carrots, apples, blueberries, and kale
- Contains probiotics, glucosamine, and fatty acids
Cons:
- Pricier than some options
- While some dogs think its bowl-lickin good, other canines disagree
CHECK PRICE HERE
6. Natural Balance Ultra Premium Liver Formula Wet Dog Food
Our rating: 5Top ingredients: Beef Liver, Beef Broth, BeefType: Wet
This wet food has high-quality meat like beef liver, along with real veggies and brown rice for a healthy source of carbs. It also has Vitamins A and B12 for a healthy immune system.
It also has yucca schidigera extra, which is thought to aid digestion, ease sensitive stomachs, and reduce the smell of your dogs poop.
Pros:
- Made for healthy digestion
- Healthy source of protein and carbs
- Chicken-free and no common allergens
Cons:
- Some owners said they have to mix it with dry kibbles for their dogs to eat it
- One pet parent complained about the strong smell of this canned dog food
CHECK PRICE HERE
7. Hills Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
Our rating: 4.5Top ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken MealType: Dry
Made for adults of all breed sizes with a sensitive digestive system, this recipe is backed by decades of cutting-edge research.
It has omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E that promotes healthy coat and skin, and prebiotic fiber for healthy digestion and less waste.
Pros:
- Recommended by vets
- Contains amino acids, natural ingredients, plus added minerals and vitamins
- Highly digestible and crafted with beet pulp as a source of nourishing prebiotic fiber
Cons:
- It may not agree with some dogs stomach as a few pets experienced a bit of weight gain and diarrhea
CHECK PRICE HERE
8. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Our rating: 4.5Top ingredients: Salmon Meal, Potatoes, Sweet PotatoesType: Dry
If you want to feed your pooch dog food with a taste of the fresh flavors of the sea, try this formula. It has flaxseed, sweet potatoes, apples, whitefish, and salmon for balanced and complete nutrition.
Its also crafted to promote healthy skin, coat, and strong nails, reduce shedding, and support healthy digestion.
Pros:
- A grain-free diet that uses wholesome and natural ingredients
- Cooked in the US using only the brands high-quality ingredients
- Free of soy, wheat, and corn
Cons:
- Some dogs dislike this flavor
- There was an owner who said that their dog got dandruff after switching to this diet
CHECK PRICE HERE
Best Senior Dog Food for Less Poop
1. Merrick Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Our rating: 4.5Top ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet PotatoesType: Dry
Improve your senior dogs health with Merricks grain-free formula for older canines.
Its crafted with 77% protein from animal sources and designed to have lower fat and calories to maintain a healthy weight.
Pros:
- Has chondroitin and glucosamine for joint health and L-carnitine to help dogs with digestive issues to have healthier metabolism
- Made with omega fatty acids for a shinier coat and healthy skin
- Contains probiotic and prebiotic fiber
Cons:
- Some dogs dont even want to try this formula so other pet parents recommend getting a smaller bag first
CHECK PRICE HERE
Is too much poop all that bad?
If your dog is maintaining its weight, has plenty of energy, and looks healthy, then you probably dont need to be worried about how much theyre pooping.
But if something changes and your pal suddenly has more poops, or they are softer, there must be an underlying issue.
Pooping too much and too often can indicate that theres something going on in your pups stomach.
Generally, it means that your dog is eating a lot of stuff that the body cant use, so it passes through the digestive system and out the other end.
A high-quality food results in less poop, and the poops will be firmer because it contains ingredients that your dogs body can use. In other words, its not stuffed with cheap fillers.
Most dogs poop between one and five times a day, though puppies will need to go more often since they have such small bodies and their digestive systems are still developing.
Infections, kidney issues, liver problems, and colitis can all cause an increase in the volume of your pups poop.
If your dog is healthy but you want to reduce the amount that theyre pooping in order to ensure that theyre eating a healthy, high-quality diet, then any of the foods above should help.
How do I know if my dogs poop is healthy or not?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are a few ways to tell if your dogs poop is healthy.
First, observe the color. It should be chocolate brown, not greenish, orange, yellow, or light brown. If your dog is eating food with artificial colors in it, you might see some of these colors in there.
Next, look at the shape. It should hold its form and should be long, like a log.
If it is loose, your dog might not be feeling well or their food contains something that doesnt agree with them. If its small and round, it can be a sign of dehydration.
Consistency comes next. Normal poop should be compact but not dry.
It should have some moisture, but not too wet. If you clean up your dogs poop using poop bags, try giving the feces a gentle squeeze. It should feel like Play-Doh.
Next is size. If your dog is eating a lot of fiber or ingredients that its body cant use, your dog will have larger poops. Dehydrated dogs will have small poops.
The stool should be in proportion to the size of your dog, as well.
Finally, look at the content. There should be nothing but poop in there. If you see chunks of food, that means his food isnt being completely digested.
You might also see mucus, worms, or grass. If so, a trip to the vet is in order.
Reasons your dog poops so much
Dogs fed with diets that contain fillers can initially make them feel nice and full, but their body cant use the ingredients. That alone can cause frequent pooping.
Some of the most common fillers are corn, soy, wheat, and rice. But manufacturers are coming up with new ingredients that most people dont recognize.
These can include cellulose (which is sawdust!), beet pulp, soybean hulls, cornstarch, pea flour, tomato pomace, etc.
Fiber is an important part of a dogs diet. They help maintain healthy digestion, regularity and keep the colon happy.
But cheap fibers arent the same thing as healthy ones. Whole fruits, veggies, and legumes are good sources of fiber.
But those cheap fillers like we mentioned above are considered inferior sources of fiber.
On top of not being as healthy for your dog, they can increase the amount of poop your dog has and can cause flatulence.
What sort of food causes bulky or loose stools?
While increased poop can just mean that your dog is eating more than it needs, it can also mean that their food is low quality.
A dogs stomach can handle a lot, but daily meals with cheap ingredients tend to move through their bodies without being absorbed.
You might think that you should avoid lots of fiber since fiber moves through the digestive system without being absorbed, but fiber is key to improving your dogs stool.
It improves digestive function, blood sugar levels, and it bulks up the food so your dog is satisfied with less.
A high fiber diet can help with diabetes, colon issues, constipation, and heart disease. Just as it does in humans, it can help lower cholesterol, as well.
What things apart from food can cause my dog to poop excessively?
So youre sure your dog isnt eating crappy food, but theyre still pooping a lot. What could it be? Sometimes it can be bad dietary habits, like too many treats.
It could also be that youve recently changed the amount, frequency, or recipe that your dog eats.
It could also be a health condition, a bacterial infection, a parasitic infection, or another physical issue. In that case, its time to get checked by a vet.
Dont forget that emotional stress can impact your dogs stomach just as it can.
If your dog has been through a big change or loss, it could be suffering from the emotional stress that is impacting its digestive system.
How to make dog poop less with food?
To help your dog poop less, pick a good food.
Any of the ones mentioned above are good options, but also consider Blue Buffalo, Whole Earth Farms grain-free, Hills Science Diet, or any other top-quality food.
What is a Low-Residue Diet?
A low-residue diet is one that limits dietary fiber in order to reduce the amount of activity in the bowels.
This is absolutely NOT what you want if you are trying to keep your dog healthy while reducing stools. While it might reduce the amount of poop they have, it isnt a long-term option.
When are residue diets a good idea?
A low-residue dog food diet is for dogs who have physical issues that increase their stools, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, colitis, diarrhea, or constipation.
Most of the time, its a temporary switch to give their guts a chance to recover.
Dogs with extremely sensitive stomachs may stay on this diet indefinitely but check with your vet, first to chat about what your dog needs.
Best Dog Food for Less Poop Buying Guide
So how do you choose the best food for less poop for your dog? What should you look for and what you should avoid? Heres what to know:
What makes a dog food good for less poop?
When shopping, look for foods that have a high protein content and high-quality fibercontent. The amount depends on your dogs age and activity level, so be sure to read the label.
Also, look for foods that are highly digestible. Fish, whole veggies, turkey, venison, wild game, and whole fruits are all good options with high digestibility.
On top of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein, you want a healthy amount of fat. You might also want to consider adding healthy supplements to your dogs diet, but again, chat with your vet.
Dry kibble tends to be the most digestible and you should be mindful of how much youre feeding. Stick to the recommended amount.
Look for probiotics, prebiotics, and foods that are free from allergens if your dog is allergic.
Avoid mystery meats or byproducts, or any food that doesnt identify specifical what the food is, such as foods labeled as having meat by-products.
Dont choose anything with additives or artificial colors or flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Wet, Semi-Moist, or Dry? Which food for less poop is best for your dog?
As long as you are buying high-quality food with top-notch ingredients, including a high-quality protein source, it doesnt matter if you feed your dog wet, semi-moist, or dry food.
All foods can reduce the number of stools if they are high quality.
To grain or not to grain: Do dogs need grain-free food for less poop?
Grain-free food can be better for dogs who are allergic to grains or have food sensitivities. Otherwise, grain-free wont necessarily help reduce poop.
Can you give homemade food for less poop for your dog?
Some dogs might poop less on homemade dog food. Thats because homemade foods contain less junk, fewer additives, and are generally made with whole, natural ingredients.
This video has a great recipe for homemade food:
Improve your dogs stools with the right food
For the average pup, Nulos Freestyle Grain-Free food is going to be an excellent option.
It has high-quality ingredients and none of the bad stuff you need to avoid. For raw diet lovers, Stella and Chewys patties make feeding raw easy.
With one of the healthy options above, your dog is sure to have better stools. No matter which dog breed or breeds you have, these foods are formulated to keep your dog healthy from end to end.
How about you? Which is the best dog food for less poop? Let us know what works with your dog by leaving a comment below.
Further reading: Dog Food for All Situations
Reference
Cess Gamas( Head of Content Marketing and Editor )Cess is the Head of Content Writing at K9 Web and a passionate dog care expert with over 5 years of experience in the Pet Industry. With a background in animal science, dog training, and behavior consulting, her hands-on experience and extensive knowledge make her a trusted source for dog owners.
When not writing or leading the K9 Web content team, Cess can be found volunteering at local shelters and participating in dog-related events.
