5 Highest Rated Dog Food for Less Poop – 2020 Review Guide
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Excessive pooping can mean many things. Typically, if your pet’s usual rhythm has been thrown off, it means that his current food doesn’t sit well with him. He also may have developed a sensitivity, or he may be going through a stressful period.
Whatever the cause, you may need to change his diet, and that’s where this guide comes in. We have carefully chosen 5 formulas that should lessen the amount of waste your dog produces. So, to see our choice of the best food for less poop, read on.
This guide should also help you understand causes of excessive pooping among dogs, as well as what disease that may be a symptom of, and along the way, we’ll even give you tips how to choose the best dog food that will lead to less waste.
Top 5 Low-Residue Dog Food Comparison
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | INGREDIENTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Overall
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Whole Earth Farms Best Overall |
✓ Chicken meal ✓ Dried potatoes ✓ Peas ✓ Chicken fat ✓ Sweet potatoes |
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|
All Sizes
 |
The Honest Kitchen All Sizes |
✓ Chicken ✓ Barley ✓ Potatoes ✓ Flax ✓ Oats |
Check Price |
|
Balanced Nutrition
 |
Taste of the Wild Balanced Nutrition |
✓ Buffalo ✓ Lamb Meal ✓ Chicken Meal ✓ Sweet Potatoes ✓ Peas |
Check Price |
|
Sensitive Stomach
 |
Hill's Science Sensitive Stomach |
✓ Chicken ✓ Brewer’s rice ✓ Chicken meal ✓ Yellow peas ✓ Cracked pearled barley |
Check Price |
|
Adult Dogs
 |
Castor & Pollux Adult Dogs |
✓ Salmon ✓ Salmon meal ✓ Herring meal ✓ Menhaden fish meal ✓ Dried peas |
Check Price |
Whole Earth Farms - Best Overall
Whole Earth Farms are a brand of pet food specialized in making natural, highly nutritious formulas, and their product based on chicken and turkey is our choice for the owners looking for a low residue formula. Those main ingredients will provide more than enough protein to keep your dog’s muscles lean.
It also has fruits and vegetables as sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, all to protect your dog’s immune system and general health. This recipe also contains just enough fiber to keep your pooch’s metabolism going and make sure all the nutrients get absorbed.
To make sure it’s safe for canines with sensitivities, and to preserve your dog’s long-term health, it doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients, such as flavors, colors, or preservatives. It is also free of poultry by-products, grain, wheat, corn, and soy, so it doesn’t strain your pet’s digestion.
This is the best overall choice for food that is so highly nutritious that most of its ingredients get absorbed. It provides a balanced daily diet, and it is low on filler, as well as fiber, so your pet’s residue should be lower, as well.
The Honest Kitchen – Fit for All Sizes
If your household has more than one dog, and you want to reduce, or at least control, the amount of poop they produce, we recommend The Honest Kitchen’s chicken and whole grain recipe. It is dehydrated food, and its preparation is simple – all you need to do is mix it with warm water, and it’s ready.
Based on chicken as a primary ingredient, it contains enough proteins to maintain your pets’ muscles lean and strong no matter how old they are. Barley, flax, and other whole grains, as well as fruits and veggies like bananas, kelp, celery, carrots, and green peas, all provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber to meet your dog’s daily requirements.
This formula is also free of artificial ingredients, as well as wheat, corn, or soy, so it should be safe for pooches with sensitive digestions.
So, if you want the best food to reduce or control the residue of your dogs, this formula has our approval. It is rich in nutrients, and it should cover the daily needs of both puppies, active adult dogs, as well as dogs approaching their senior years.
Taste of the Wild – Ideal for Balanced Nutrition
For the owners who want to reduce the amount of poop their pet produces by feeding it highly nutritious food, the best choice is Taste of the Wild’s formula based on bison and buffalo. Using such a novel source of protein not only protects your dog’s muscles, but it also produces less residue than formulas using lower quality protein.
The formula contains peas and sweet potatoes as healthy sources of energy, while Raspberries, Blueberries, and Tomatoes, among other ingredients, provide the daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. It even includes chicory root as a source of probiotics, making it extra-digestible.
At the same time, the formula is free of grain, wheat, soy, or corn, as well as artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or other such components, making it safe for canines with sensitivities, as well as ensuring its easy digestibility.
Food rich in easily digestible nutrients has been known to reduce the amount of residue your dog leaves behind, and this formula should provide just that. It also offers him everything he needs from a balanced daily diet.
Hill's Science – Ideal for Sensitive Stomach
Food for pooches with sensitive digestions usually must contain more natural ingredients, and at the same time, less filler or grain, both of which also contribute to better digestibility, and consequently, less poop. This Hill’s Science product is such a formula.
It is based on chicken as its primary source of protein, so it should provide for your dog’s daily needs to maintain his strength. Brewer’s rice, peas, and barley, as well as other whole grains, ensure it remains digestible and safe for sensitive pups, and at the same time, provide all the vitamins and minerals he needs.
This recipe is made from natural ingredients, and at the same time, free of wheat, soy, or corn, as well as artificial components, so together with all it includes, it should be a perfect fit for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
So, if you want a nutritious formula that is simultaneously safe for sensitive pooches, this is our choice. It avoids the harmful ingredients found in cheap food, and the components it does include deliver all the nutrients your pet needs.
Castor & Pollux – Fit for Adults
Among a selection of foods for adult dogs, that are also optimized for lower amounts of residue, this is our choice. It is a recipe based on salmon and other fish sources of protein, making it easily digestible, and appropriate for pooches with poultry-related sensitivities.
Peas, potatoes, bananas, carrots, and flaxseed, among other fruits and veggies, provide your dog’s daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and fiber, and omega-3 and 6 fatty acids take care of your dog’s immune system, as well as skin and coat.
At the same time, this formula is free of wheat, corn, or soy, as well as any artificial ingredients such as preservatives, colors, or flavors, which means it should be safe for doggies with allergies and sensitivities.
Overall, this is our recommendation for owners who want more control over their adult dogs’ residue. It provides all the nutrients they need, and at the same time, it also ensures more of those nutrients are absorbed, resulting in less poop.
What Is A Low-Residue Diet?
Normally, canines absorb the nutrients they need from their food, and the rest gets evacuated as poop. A low-residue diet is a diet in which your dog gets all the nutrients he needs, and very little other fillers that they can’t digest.
There are a few ways that can happen. His food can, for example, be lower in fiber, which they can’t digest, and it mostly winds up in their excrement. On the other hand, fiber is needed to ensure that the ingredients your pet needs are absorbed by his digestion.
The formula can also be more nutrient-packed, avoiding grain, wheat, or other such fillers. The idea is that most of your dog’s food will get absorbed, and consequently, there will be less residue. You can also try raw dog food, as it is known to reduce the amount of waste.
There is also the option of a so-called bland diet. It is basically a temporary fast for dogs during which they only eat a diet low in protein, fat, and fiber, and high in carbohydrates, and its primary purpose is, among other things, to normalize stool production and give their digestion a rest.
Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the amount of waste your dog produces depends primarily on him – his breed, size, age, as well as his temperament, and his lifestyle.
Causes of Too Much Dog Waste
If your pet poops too much, it can mean that his food disagrees with his digestion in some way. If, however, the problem persists even after changing his food, it may be a sign of an underlying disease.
This guide should cover the most common problems that can cause increased waste, and if you recognize some symptoms in your dog, you should take him to your vet immediately.
Colitis
When your dog’s colon gets inflamed or infected, the result is canine colitis. As a result, your dog may start pooping more, he may get diarrhea, or, on the other hand, he may get constipation or may display difficulty passing waste.
It can be caused by a wide variety of factors, among them stress, dietary sensitivity or allergy, it may be a reaction to antibiotics, or it may be a sign of a parasitic infection. Your vet should be able to determine the cause, and after treatment, your dog’s pooping rhythm should return to normal.
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Bacterial Infections
Another common cause of excessive pooping, if not diarrhea, is a bacterial infection. The most frequent bacteria that can cause digestive problems are Campylobacter or Helicobacter, as well as Tyzzer disease, or, in more rare cases, salmonella.
Most of these diseases have symptoms like diarrhea, or blood in the stool, so if you notice those signs, take your pet to your vet immediately. These infections are usually treated with antibiotics.
Kidney Disease
Frequent pooping can also be a sign of kidney problems, which can be either acute or chronic. Acute kidney failure is usually a result of poisoning with, for example, antifreeze. It is treatable and your dog can make a full recovery.
Chronic kidney failure happens slowly over a longer period, it is progressive and irreversible, and it can also be a result of acute failure. The most common symptoms also include vomiting, changes in water consumption or urination, fatigue, loss of coordination, and similar, and if you notice these symptoms, seek professional help.
Read more: Top 5 Food for Dogs with Kidney Disease
Parasites
While there are many parasites your dog may catch, only a handful will affect your dog’s digestion. So, while fleas or ticks can be problematic, they won’t cause excessive pooping.
Of those that can affect their digestion, the most common dog parasites are roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Some of them can cause bloody diarrhea, as well as anemia, which can be life-threatening, so if you notice such symptoms, consult your vet immediately.
Low-Quality Dog Food
There are several ways a lower-quality food can cause too much waste. It can be, for example, full of fillers which your dog can’t digest, such as corn, wheat, or soy. It can also be loaded with sources of nutrients canines can’t digest as easily, such as plant-based proteins, or even lower-quality meat by-products.
On the other hand, your pooch may be sensitive to an ingredient in his food, which could also cause excessive poop. In any case, a formula containing higher quality ingredients should clear the problem up.
Read more: 10 Top Rated Dog Food on The Market
Stress
Like humans, dogs are sensitive to stress. And just like humans, that stress may manifest itself through digestive problems, among them excessive pooping or diarrhea. Usually, the stress is caused by a change in the environment, such as moving, or a new pet or family member.
In most cases, their anxiety should subside over the next few days, and if the symptoms persist, you should contact your veterinarian.
Tips for A Low-Residue Diet for Canines
As we’ve said earlier, a low residue diet is a diet intended to reduce the amount of excrement your pet produces. No matter the cause for his excessive pooping, a diet that produces low residue should have certain features, and this guide should help you understand what to look for when choosing a low-residue formula for your dog.
Raw Diet
Raw food has been known to be highly digestible, especially when done right. Certain ingredients, particularly eggs and venison, lamb, duck, or rabbit meat, can improve digestibility if your dog eats them raw, and they can improve other digestive problems such as bloat or constipation, as well.
While raw diets can help reduce the amount of waste, there are drawbacks you should keep in mind. Unprocessed meat can contain bacteria that can be dangerous to both the canines and their owners. Bones or bone fragments also pose a choking hazard for your dog, and there can be long term effects if his raw diet isn’t properly balanced.
In any case, you should consult your vet before putting your dog on a raw diet.
Read more: Top 10 Raw Dog Food
High Protein
Since protein is the most important ingredient in their food, the source of that protein is vital. Lower quality meats or meat by-products can cause digestive problems, and among them, excessive pooping or diarrhea.
That’s why it’s important to choose a food containing a quality source of protein. And even with higher quality sources, some are better than others. If the primary ingredient is salmon, chicken, or bison, for example, your dog may absorb the protein better and produce less waste.
Read more: Top High Protein Dog Food Reviewed
Healthy Amount of Fat
While fat is useful as a source of energy, if your pet’s food has too much of it, it may end up making their poop oily and rare. The right amount of fat your dog needs depends on many factors, including their breed, size, weight, and age, but generally, it should be under 20% for dry food, and under 5% for canned food.
Fiber Content
Fiber has its place in canine diets. As canines are omnivores, they need a balanced daily diet to stay healthy and strong long-term. Fiber usually comes from plant sources, and it is needed to ensure their digestive systems work properly and absorb all the nutrients they need.
As the fiber is mostly not digestible, it usually ends up in their poop, and that’s why low-residue dog food usually contains less fiber.
Digestibility
If your dog’s food is easily digestible, he should have no problem absorbing all the nutrients he needs, and there should consequently be less waste. That’s why it’s important that your dog’s diet doesn’t contain ingredients that are not as digestible, such as corn, wheat, or soy, among other grains.
Artificial ingredients are also not digestible, so you should avoid food containing synthetic preservatives, flavors, or colorings.
Read more: Best Dog Food for Digestive Problems
Be Careful of Quantity
Overfeeding your pet may cause him to simply excrete all the ingredients his organism doesn’t need, as well as cause problems with their weight, so you should pay attention to how much food your dog gets.
To make matters even more complicated, the amount of food your dog needs in a meal can depend on their breed, size, age, activity level, and other characteristics, and on the caloric value of the chosen formula. The best way to make sure your dog gets all the food he needs is to watch his weight closely and adjust the amount of food accordingly.
Choose Dry Dog Food
Dry food is usually more packed with nutrients and should be a safer bet if you want to reduce the amount of waste your pet produces. Canned food contains additional liquids, generally water or a broth, and that can affect both the quality and the quantity of your dog’s poop.
Homemade Food Recipes to Reduce Pooping
Homemade recipes for your dog can certainly cause a drop in the amount of poop, but there are drawbacks you should be aware of. A 2013 study found that there are serious disadvantages to an unbalanced homemade diet for your canine companion.
Whether you plan to feed your dog a vegetarian diet or you plan to prepare a bone broth for him, or maybe even feed him raw food, there are nutritious aspects you should be aware of. As we’ve stated earlier, dogs have evolved to become omnivores and to maintain a balanced diet, they need multiple sources of nutrients.
Most of their diet should come from whole meat. There should also be fruits and vegetables as sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and fiber. And, if your dog doesn’t have any food sensitivities, you can even add whole grains such as barley, brown rice, oatmeal, or quinoa.
The proper ratio of those ingredients, however, depends on many factors. Smaller doggies need more calories to feed their faster metabolisms. Puppies and old dogs need more protein to maintain their growth, or to repair age-induced damage. To find the proper percentage of which ingredient is right for your dog, you should consult your veterinarian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does grain-free dog food produce more waste?
It depends on many factors, including the dog’s breed, age, weight, or possible sensitivities, as well as the other ingredients in the grain-free diet. If the recipe is high in fiber, it can result in more waste, and if your dog is allergic to an ingredient, he can get diarrhea.
While there isn’t a universal answer, a grain-free diet can cause an increase in waste production.
Does canned dog food make dogs poop more?
Generally, yes, canned food can make dogs poop more. It isn’t as nutritionally dense as dry food, which means that your pet needs to eat more, and consequently, he will produce more waste. His poop will also be looser if he’s exclusively fed wet food.
Is it normal for dogs to poop more with new food?
If it’s changed too quickly, new food can cause excessive pooping, maybe even diarrhea. That’s why we recommend you change your dog’s formula gradually over 7-10 days. If, however, you did exactly that, and the new food still caused diarrhea, he may be sensitive to an ingredient in the new formula. You should consult your vet to find out what it is, and then choose food without it.
Conclusion
The best way to reduce the amount of waste your dog produces is to change his food to something more appropriate. In most cases, that means either a recipe that is low in fiber or one that is highly digestible.
Barring any sensitivities or allergies, changing your dog’s food should clear that problem, and if it doesn’t, that may be a symptom of an underlying disease, and you should consult your vet before doing anything else.
Our choices of best low-residue food should cover most cases of excessive pooping, and if by any chance none of the chosen formulas work, you can consult our guide and try to find a recipe that will be more successful.
References:
- https://www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/digestive-disorders-of-dogs/disorders-caused-by-bacteria-in-the-digestive-system-of-dogs
- https://www.cuteness.com/article/stress-diarrhea-dogs
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/05/26/315111166/why-some-pet-owners-ditch-chow-to-cook-for-fido-from-scratch?t=1551620913815
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