The Best Dog Food for Firm Stools: How to Keep Your Dog Healthy

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A common problem that you might notice in your dog is loose stool or diarrhea. It's very safe to say that every dog will suffer from this condition at some point in their lives. According to vets, this might be due to the food consumed, allergic reaction to certain nutrients or medication, the presence of bacteria, or an indication of being stressed out.

In most cases, it does not have to be serious! However, you don't want to see your furry friend walk around with frequent diarrhea, runny stool, stomach cramps, or a rumbling sound in their tummy. 

With that, you probably think of a solution on how to firm up your dog's stool. The answer is simpler than you think - finding the best dog food for firm stools!

You can ask your veterinarian for proper guidance, but you can also do your research. We've done the hard work for you! In this article, we will provide you with a great guide to help you choose the perfect food for your pet.

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Best Dog Food for Firm Stools - Top 3 Recommend

Editor's Picks

Product​​​​ Name

Price

Best Choices

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive

Best Wet Dog Food for Firm Stools

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe

Runner-Up Dog Food for Firm Stools

Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Lamb

Best Adult Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach

Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive

Best Natural Dog Food for Sensitive Dogs

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free

Best L.I.D. Food for Sensitive Stomach

Natural Balance L.I.D.

Top 6 Dog Food for Firm Stools

Having a good dog food to promote firm stool can be of great help for you and your dog.

Here are our 6 picks of the top firm stool dog foods that you can try!

Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Dog Food - Overall Best Dog Food for Firm Stools

Hill's Science Dog Food is a gentle recipe with a wide range of intestine-friendly ingredients to help care for your dog's sensitive digestive system. 

This savory chicken recipe hardens the stool while promoting healthy skin and coat. It contains highly digestible ingredients that aid for better nutrient absorption and promotes firmer stool.

Being an excellent digestive meal, Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food offers a good source of prebiotic fiber to calm the stomach, improve nutrient absorption, and maintain proper metabolism, thus making bathroom breaks more pleasant. 

Also, the blend of omega-6 fatty acids present in the formulation gives dogs healthy skin and a nourished coat while its healthy dose of Vitamin C and Vitamin E aids for a healthier immune system.

To top it all, the formulation contains no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, making the blend gentle for your dog's stomach.

With its formulation, Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food allows you to see firmer stools in addition to the nutritional benefits and total well-being.

Pros
  • Improves nutrient absorption
  • Contains prebiotic fibers
  • Rich in omega-6 and vitamins
  • All-natural and no artificial components
Cons
  • Big-sized kibble pieces; not suitable for small dog breeds

Blue Buffalo Natural Senior Wet Dog Food - Best Wet Dog Food for Firm Stools

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food is formulated using high-quality ingredients to meet the needs of all dog breeds at any life stage.

It is made with real chicken to ensure high-quality protein, which in turn supports healthy muscle functioning and maintenance. Other than the tasty chicken chunks, this hearty stew is loaded with potatoes and vegetables for added vitamins and minerals.

As a natural dog food, Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food uses the finest natural ingredients which are rich with vitamins and minerals. It is made with wholesome ingredients as it contains no chicken by-products, corn, wheat, and artificial flavors or preservatives. 

Its savory gravy gives a big appetite appeal to dogs, and its flexibility allows you to feed your dogs in three ways - as a delicious treat, as an addition to dry food, or as a meal on its own.

With its healthy and holistic formulation, Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food is a high-quality meal containing real ingredients to ensure that your dogs get what they truly deserve.

Pros
  • Comes with real and natural ingredients
  • Rich in vitamins and minerals
  • No artificial flavors 
  • Easy to prepare and serve
Cons
  • A bit pricey

Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Natural Dry Dog Food - Runner-Up Dog Food for Firm Stools

Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food is produced using only the best ingredients available to ensure hardened dog poop and healthy gastrointestinal tract. 

Being a good gut food, its formulation uses juicy lamb as its primary ingredient. This is carefully sourced to ensure easily digestible properties while providing the essential amino acids and vitamins needed by your dogs to maintain lean muscles and healthy organs.

Also, Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food promotes healthy joints due to its glucosamine and chondroitin components. This lamb meal is blended with five different nutritious items to ensure enrichment with vitamins and minerals. 

The addition of brown rice and ground rice naturally delivers carbohydrates for wholesome fiber, essential vitamins, and quick energy. Its dried plain beet pulp component offers a rich fiber source that provides prebiotics for healthy digestion.

Lastly, Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food lacks any artificial flavors, grains, and dairy products, which is something you look forward to when it comes to choosing food for firm stools.

Pros
  • Cooked using the finest ingredients
  • Great nourishing ability
  • No wheat, grain, soy, and dairy
  • Suitable for all dog breeds
Cons
  • Not suitable for picky eaters

Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food - Best Adult Dog Food for Sensitive Stomach

Purina Pro Plan Focus Dog Food is specially made using a balance of high-quality protein, fiber, antioxidants, and fat to nourish your dog and to help with healthy digestion.

As its primary ingredient, this recipe uses nutrient-rich salmon to ensure high levels of the protein that your dogs will surely love. It also contains highly digestible and prebiotic fiber formulation, which is recommended for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

The rice and oatmeal components of Purina Pro Plan Focus Dog Food are great sources of easy-to-digest carbohydrates and fiber, making it more beneficial for dogs with sensitive tummies and digestive tract. 

Moreover, this formulation is packed with omega-3 and omega-6 to help support better mobility while maintaining healthy joints, clearer skin, and luscious coats. It doesn't contain any corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives, which is recommended even for sensitive dogs.

Being manufactured with excellent quality and premium standards, Purina Pro Plan Focus Dog Food is a convenient yet reliable formulation to help nurture adult dogs with sensitive skin and stomach.

Pros
  • Comes with easily digestible carbohydrates
  • Rich in protein
  • Contains healthy fatty acids
  • Lacks any grain and artificial additives
Cons
  • A bit pricey

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food - Best Natural Dog Food for Sensitive Dogs

Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food provides naturally nutritious ingredients crafted into one delightful meal to ensure your dog's proper shape and nutritional needs.

This dog food features pork meal, beef, and lamb as their primary sources of protein. It is blended with flavorful sage, rosemary, and thyme for additional vitamins and minerals.

Moreover, Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food is a high-quality food that comes with fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and dried blueberries to support easier digestion and gut health. 

As a grain-free dog food, this recipe comes with all the natural goodness. In fact, it also lacks any corn, soy, artificial flavors, preservatives, and poultry by-products, making it an ultimate choice for dogs with a sensitive stomach and digestive tract.

The presence of the multiple protein sources, vitamins, and minerals truly make Whole Earth Farms Dry Dog Food a naturally nutritious ingredient from the earth. Plus, it ensures increased energy while bringing out the best features of your dogs.

Pros
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Protein-rich meal
  • Rich in vitamins and minerals
  • No added preservatives
Cons
  • Contains pea and plant proteins

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food - Best L.I.D. Food for Sensitive Stomach

Natural Balance L.I.D. Dry Dog Food is designed to solve digestive problems such as firm stools for small breed dogs. 

Being a limited ingredient diet, this dog food uses a few natural components in its formulation. Duck, being a single animal protein source, also reduces allergies and food sensitivities that are often manifested on loose stools.

Moreover, the potato component of Natural Balance L.I.D. Dry Dog Food acts as the single vegetable carbohydrate source and provides the energy needed by your dogs for their activities. 

Together with brown rice, venison, and green peas, among others, this dog formula aids in proper digestion and promotes healthier and firmer stools.

Each of the kibbles is adequately sized to promote better eating and swallowing. This dramatically prevents improper chewing, fast eating, and overeating in dogs, which are also known causes of loose stools.

Overall, Natural Balance L.I.D. Dry Dog Food offers premium quality of limited ingredients and healthy nutrition to keep your pets happy and healthy at all times.

Pros
  • Single protein and carbohydrate source
  • Supports healthy digestion
  • No artificial flavors and preservatives
  • Available in adequately sized kibble
Cons
  • For small breed dogs only

Dog Food for Firm Stools Buyer's Guide

Choosing the best dog food for firm stools for your furry friends can easily get confusing.

While there are so many different brands to choose from, you should always do your research to be able to address the digestive issues of your pet, as well as to rule out any more serious health issues. 

1. Diarrhea in Dogs

best dog foods for firm stools

Dogs tend to suffer from loose stools for a certain number of reasons, but there is generally no reason to panic. Diarrhea is one of the ways dogs remove toxins from their body. This might also be an indication of digestive upset or a reaction to the food they've eaten.

Some of the common symptoms of loose stool in dogs include.

  • A tummy ache
  • Flatulence or persistent gas
  • Loss of appetite
  • An itchy rear
  • Diarrhea in Dogs
  • Reduced urination
  • Vomiting

2. Causes of Loose Dog Stools

best dry dog food for firm stools
  • Diet Changes
    Both puppies and adult dogs should have gradual transitions to a new recipe, for a week or two. The quick exposure to a new diet tends to shock their system, thus resulting in diarrhea.
  • Overeating/Fast-Paced Eating
    Dogs, especially larger breeds, have a habit of overeating which puts excessive stress to the gut, which in turn leads to indigestion. The same digestive unpleasantness occurs when your pet tends to eat too fast.
    As a result, these bad eating habits lead to an upset tummy, flatulence or gassiness, and loose stools.
  • Allergies and Intolerances
    Food sensitivity also leads to loose stools. The allergies and intolerances may develop at any dog's life stage, thus triggering pain, discomfort, and runny waste.
    Dogs diagnosed with these conditions usually require a limited ingredient diet or a hypoallergenic recipe as a possible treatment in addressing digestive problems.
  • Foreign Objects
    Dogs tend to be sneaky about going into the trash and eating leftovers and other stuff without your knowledge. Unfortunately, these actions may lead to swallowing of things such as weeds, scraps, and poisonous substances that can cause adverse reactions to their body, especially the digestive system.
  • Illnesses
    Severe bouts of diarrhea more often accompany medical conditions in the digestive tract.
  • Medication
    There are some drugs known to induce diarrhea in dogs. Antibiotics are a huge culprit that can cause loose stool in your pet, thus should be managed appropriately.
  • Emotional Upsets
    Dogs can suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, these emotional upheavals can cause diarrhea as its side effect.

3. How to Choose Dog Food for Firm Stools?

best dog food for firm stool

Not all commercially dog formula has the potential to stop or prevent loose stools. Some are made using specific ingredients to avoid your furry buddy from experiencing any digestion issues.

Here are the essential things that you should look for.

  • Carbohydrates Rich
    Carbohydrates are easily digestible in your dog's body. This component also allows them to have enough energy for exercise and play. Thus, dogs with diarrhea issues should be given foods rich in carbohydrates.
  • Essential Healthy Fats
    Healthy fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 help the pet to pass the stool easily. Ensure that plenty of these fat content is included in your dog's meal.
    Avoid too much unhealthy fatty diets as they are barely absorbed in the digestive system, thus causing diarrhea.
  • Protein Content
    Foods rich in protein help soothe the digestive tract of your dogs as it deposits the needed nutrients as it passes through the system. The more the lean the premium content, then the better the result in your dog poop.
  • Vitamins and Minerals
    The presence of vitamins and minerals in your dog food helps fight against the bacteria and viruses present. This will also help keep digestion in perfect working condition.
  • Fiber-Rich
    Fiber tends to absorb the excess water present in your dog's digestive system, thus resulting in the firmer stool.
  • Probiotics and Prebiotics
    Choose foods that promote the growth of good bacteria to help bring back the balance in your pet's digestive system. The presence of probiotics ensures the well-being of the gastrointestinal tract.
    Also, food should contain prebiotics to help protect and maintain the balance of probiotics present in the digestive tract.
  • Dairy-Free
    Some dogs are lactose-intolerant, so it is best to know the reaction of their body over dairy products. Stay off the dairy products until your dog resumes its firm stool.
  • Grain-Free
    Stay away from dog foods with wheat, corn, and fillers. These low-quality grains provide no nutritive value to your dog's body. Instead, choose dog foods with whole-grain or no grain at all.
  • Natural Ingredients
    Artificial ingredients such as coloring, flavoring, and preservatives do not contain any nutritional value. These components can also end up irritating the sensitive stomach of your dogs, thus causing diarrhea and other digestive issues.

4. Advantages of Dog Food for Firm Stools

Choosing the perfect food for loose stool or diarrhea can give several benefits to you and your dogs.

  • Provides a well-balanced diet that dogs can easily digest
  • Helps soothe an upset stomach
  • Prevents food allergies and sensitivities
  • Reduces risk of other diseases
  • Promotes positive recovery and response

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should a Healthy Poop Look Like?

A healthy dog's poop should be firm, the shape of a log, and chocolate brown. It should not be runny and lacks anything noticeably sticking out.


Why Does My Dog Have Loose Stools All the Time?

good dog food for firm stool

There are numerous reasons why dogs may be suffering from loose stools. But the most common ones may be due to their diet.

A lot of dog food includes fillers to make it a lot cheaper. These foods will make your dog full but cause gut irritation, especially when eaten for an extended period. Thus, causing issues such as loose stools, frequent pooping, and overeating.


What Can I Feed My Dog to Firm Up His Stool?

If your dog has digestive issues, make sure that their diet is consistent. Changing the diet frequently can affect their stool, so it is ideal for keeping using a consistent brand and type. Try to feed your dogs with grain-free dry food and non-poultry protein products for the best results.

Watch for other things that your dogs might be eating, such as grass, plants, and other household items. You may also try to keep them away from human food scraps to keep their digestive tract healthy.

Moreover, keep an eye on their access to clean drinking water as this can as well affect the quality of their stool.


Does Pumpkin Firm Up Dog Stool?

best canned dog food for firm stools

Adding pumpkin to your dog's diet can help absorb moisture and firm up the stool.

Pumpkins have soluble fibers that absorb the excess water present in your dog's digestive tract.

Also, the right amount of pumpkin in the diet can be a healthy addition to their body as it is an excellent source of potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and carotenoids.

Final Thoughts

Dogs are part of the family who also needs special care and proper diet to ensure a healthy life. However, despite the attention that you are giving, they may still suffer from diarrhea, loose stools, and other digestive issues. Thus, the best special treatment that you can give them is to choose the right food.

Among the food products we reviewed, Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dry Dog Food is the overall best dog food for firm stools.

This dry food formulation contains the essential ingredients needed by your dogs to digest food easily while staying healthy and metabolically active. Having this as your dog food guarantees only the best for your furry buddies.

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