Why is my senior dog dropping small poops randomly around the house?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed | 13 lbs
My 15yr.old+ female mixed carne terrier, 11 lb. is dropping solid round poo the size of malted milk balls randomly around the house...especially in the morning...just one every now and then, when she walks. What is going on? Sometimes she does t even after a walk outside.
3 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 6th, 2019
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. Elderly pets can experience fecal incontinence where the feces will fall put without the dog realizing it. Other times, the pet has severe arthritis and it is painful to assume the position for defecation. This leads the pet to either avoid defecating outside or not going the full amount. It is worth having her see her veterinarian to see if there are options to help the situation. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 25th, 2018
If her stool seems firm then you could increase the fiber in her diet and see if that helps. You could either look for a dog food that is higher in fiber or just add a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to her diet. She could also be developing some arthritis in her hips or spine making it painful and more difficult to defecate. You could take her to a vet for an examination and then your vet could prescribe an anti-inflammatory and pain medication, if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
-
Published on February 18th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. If Hannah is having difficulties defecating, this could be dietary related or something going on in her GI tract. Her anal glands may also be full making it difficult for her to defecate and there may also be a tumor in her colon causing this problem. I would recommend having her examined by a veterinarian. The veterinarian can perform a rectal exam and check her anal glands at the same time to see if a cause is identifiable. Abdominal x-rays / ultrasound would also help determine what the cause could potentially be. In the meantime, I would suggest adding canned pumpkin into her food to see if this helps her defecate. I would add in 2 tbsp to each meal. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
I have an older dog 16 human year. He has always been house broke. Recently he started peeing in the house month or so ago now he poops in house to. What could be the cause?
My 18 year old dog had been healthy. Her last checkup last year, she was fine no problems. But since we made an out of state move shes been acting weird. Normal, except shes been having bathroom control issues. And yesterday nov 7, she pooped unctrol
I have a 9 yr old Presia and he is pooping on himself, will just be lying there and cant control it at all. A yr ago he was on antibiotics for a urinary problem
He seems to have loss control of his poop. He. Poops in bed at night and I don't think he knows it. He can just be walking and poop will come out.
My dog has started to go to the toilet without him knowing he can be walking along and do a poo he also poos in his sleep. What could this be?
My 10 pound mini pin who is 9 years old is paper trained but lately she has been dropping a little nugget of poop on the floor not sure if it’s happening before or after she goes on the wee wee pad
why has my 13 year old dog been pooping in the house lately?
My 13 year old dane would rather lay down in house and go #2 we need to food bribe him to get up sometimes on his own or with some help How can i stop this
My older dog has recently begun to pee and poop on the kitchen floor. She never did this, I have pee pads set up nearby and she's always been good about using them. Is this sound like a health issue or do dogs get dementia?
my blue merle collie has in the last week been going to the bathroom in the house when lying down like he doesnt know he is doing it.He has always been a healthy dog ,urinates fine just the other.I am very concerned as he has never done this.Could yo
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
