Why Is My Dog Leaving Little Poop Balls? [Explained]

Dogs are one of the best things in life. They offer us companionship, love, and security. But, unfortunately, they also sometimes leave us little presents in the form of poop balls.

There are a few possible explanations if your dog is leaving behind small stool balls. One possibility is that your dog is constipated. They may break off into small balls if their stools are hard and difficult to pass.

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why is my dog leaving little poop balls — Why is my dog leaving little poop ball? [Explained]

Another possibility is incontinence. If your dog is leaking small amounts of stool, it may collect in balls.

Pica is also something to consider. If your dog is eating things they shouldn’t, such as dirt or grass, this could cause them to poop balls.

Another possibility is an injury. For example, if your dog has a cut or other injury in their anus or rectum, they may have trouble controlling their stool.

Finally, a neurological condition can also cause problems with bowel control. If your dog is having trouble controlling their bowels, it’s important to take them to the vet for an evaluation.

No matter the cause, if your dog is leaving behind poop balls, a vet must check them out to ensure that there isn’t a bigger problem.

In this article, we will discuss each of the reasons and some remedies:

Bowel Incontinence

If your dog is leaving small stool balls, it’s possible that they have bowel incontinence. This means that they are leaking small amounts of stool. There are two types of incontinence:

Reservoir Incontinence

It’s not unusual for a dog to have an occasional accident. But if your dog is regularly pooping indoors, it could be a sign of reservoir incontinence.

This is a condition where the rectum fails to hold the poop in. As a result, your dog may pass small poop balls, even though they know it has to poop. As a result, the stool may be soft and bloody.

Reservoir incontinence can be caused by diarrhea, cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease. If your dog is showing signs of this condition, it’s important to see a vet for diagnosis and treatment. With the proper care, many dogs can live happy and healthy lives despite this condition.

when does puppy poop become solid — When does puppy poop become solid?

Remedies for Reservoir Incontinence

If your dog is a sufferer of reservoir incontinence, you can do a few things to help alleviate the problem. First, talk to your veterinarian about possible medications. Anti-diarrheal medication can be helpful in reducing the frequency and severity of accidents.

In addition, a diet change may be necessary. For example, adding fiber to your dog’s diet can help bulk up stools and make them easier to control.

Finally, there are several supplements on the market that claim to improve incontinence in dogs. While there is no scientific evidence to support their efficacy, some owners find that these products are helpful.

With a mix of medication, diet changes, and supplements, it is often possible to significantly improve reservoir incontinence in dogs.

Sphincter Incontinence

If your dog is leaving small stool balls, it’s possible that they have sphincter incontinence. This type of incontinence is caused by a problem with the anal sphincter muscle.

The anal sphincter muscle is responsible for keeping the anus closed. If this muscle is weak or damaged, it can cause stool to leak out. Sphincter incontinence can be caused by surgery, injury, or birth defects.

Dogs with this condition may pass small amounts of stool regularly. As a result, the stool may be soft or runny. In some cases, there may be blood present.

Aside from little poop balls, you may notice other symptoms such as an inflamed anus, redness, involuntary urination, and limping.

If your dog is showing signs of sphincter incontinence, it’s important to see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.

puppy owner picks poop — An owner picks up her puppy’s poop in the garden.

Remedies for Sphincter Incontinence

Sphincter incontinence is a fairly common problem in dogs, and it can be frustrating for the dog and its owner. There are a few different options for treating the condition, but it is important to keep in mind that it can be more challenging to treat than other types of incontinence.

Surgical intervention might be necessary in some cases, but in most cases, focusing on managing the symptoms is a better alternative. One way to do this is to adjust the diet.

For example, adding more fiber to the diet can help bulk up the stool and make it less likely to leak. In addition, there are several medications that can help to improve communication between the nerves and muscles.

In some cases, nerve damage can contribute to sphincter incontinence, so medications might help improve the symptoms.

Overall, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for sphincter incontinence in dogs, but with a little trial and error, it is usually possible to find a treatment that works well for both the dog and their owner.

give small dog a pill — Dr Burstyn from Vanvoucer Vets demonstrates the technique to give a small dog a pill.

Constipation

Another possibility if your dog is leaving behind small stool balls is constipation. They may break off into small balls if their stools are hard and challenging to pass. Constipation can be caused by a variety of things, including:

Lack of fiber in the diet
Dehydration
Intestinal blockages
Medications

If your dog is constipated, it’s essential to take them to the vet so that they can rule out any serious medical problems. They may also recommend changing your dog’s diet or giving them medication to help relieve constipation.

my dog has diarrhea but is acting fine — My dog has diarrhea but is acting fine.

Remedies

Making sure that your dog is getting enough fiber in their diet is vital for several reasons. First, fiber can help bulk up the stool and make it less likely to leak. It can also help to reduce constipation and prevent intestinal blockages.

You can add fiber to your dog’s diet by feeding them high-fiber foods or giving them a fiber supplement. There are a number of different types of fiber supplements available, so it’s important to talk to your vet about which one would be best for your dog.

In most cases, constipation is a relatively easily treated condition that is not usually serious. However, if it is left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as intestinal blockages.

fiber for dogs — Is high fiber foods good for dogs?

Pica

Another possibility if your dog is leaving behind small stool balls is that they have a condition called pica. Pica is a disorder that causes dogs to eat things that are not food. This can include dirt, rocks, paper, and even feces.

Pica can be caused by boredom, stress, or malnutrition. If your dog is eating their own feces, it’s important to take them to the vet so that they can rule out any underlying medical conditions.

dog chews shoe — A small dog chews a shoe.

Remedies

In most cases, pica can be treated by providing the dog with more mental stimulation and increasing the amount of exercise they get. However, in some cases, medication might also be necessary.

Rottweiler running on the beach with other dogs.

Injury

Another possibility is that your dog has an injury in their anus or rectum. This could be from something as simple as anal sac disease or a more severe problem like a foreign body lodged in the rectum.

If your dog has an injury in their anus or rectum, it’s important to take them to the vet so that they can be treated. In most cases, the vet will recommend surgery to remove the foreign body or anal sacs.

In some cases, the injury might be more serious and require hospitalization. If this is the case, your dog will likely need to stay in the hospital for a few days so that they can be monitored.

If your dog has an injury, it’s important to take them to the vet so that they can determine the cause and treat it accordingly.

A sad French Bulldog is lying on the floor.

Neurological Problems

As our dogs age, they may start to experience neurological problems that can cause a multitude of issues, including bowel problems. One common sign of neurological problems in dogs is the formation of small, hard fecal balls instead of softer, more normal-looking stool.

This is because the muscles used to produce bowel movements become weak and unable to expel all the waste adequately. In addition, many senior dogs suffer from memory loss, which can lead them to forget where they are supposed to go to the bathroom.

As a result, they may start having accidents indoors. While these problems can be frustrating for pet owners, it’s important to remember that they are often a natural part of the aging process.

With a little patience and understanding, you can help your furry friend through this difficult time.

senior dog Boxador — Senior Boxador in the garden in a sunny afternoon!

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the reasons why your dog might be leaving behind small poop balls. But, no matter the cause, if your dog is leaving behind poop balls, a vet must check them out to ensure that there isn’t a bigger problem.

In most cases, the problem is easily treatable, and your dog will return to their usual self in no time. However, if the problem is more serious, the sooner you catch it, the better.

If you have any concerns about your dog’s health, be sure to talk to your vet as soon as possible.