Why is My Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly?
It can be frustrating to dog owners to come home and find your dog pooping in the house. This problem can become especially worrisome if it starts happening multiple times with a dog that was previously housebroken. If your dog suddenly starts pooping in the house, you probably don’t know why he/she is doing it, or what to do about it.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the basic reasons you might suddenly find your dog pooping in the house. Some of them are small causes that may easily be resolved, but others are more involved and may indicate serious health issues.
Investigate Possible Medical Causes
An Aging Dog
If you have an older dog, your aging dog may suddenly be having issues controlling his bowels. This could be due to weakening muscles with age, or possibly even a mental condition such as canine cognitive dysfunction—a medical issue similar to human Alzheimer’s disease.
Medical Problems
Your dog also may have developed a health problem that is causing him or her to be unable to control pooping indoors. Some of those issues may include:
- Food intolerance
- Allergies
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, or Giardia
- Bowel cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Pain or arthritis
If your dog is already trained to go outside and he or she has suddenly started pooping indoors, it is best to consult with a vet first to rule out any of the above causes. Many of these medical issues will not go away without medicine or treatment and may cause even more long-term damage to your pet’s health if left unchecked. After determining that medical problems are not a factor, examine any changes in your pet’s lifestyle that may be causing your dog to poop indoors now.
Assess Contributing Lifestyle Factors
Stress Levels
As strange as it may sound, have there been any significant life changes in your dog’s household that may be causing him/her stress? A recent move to a new home or welcoming a new family member into the household (whether human or animal) can cause a lot of anxiety for a dog, which may then affect their bowels. Even something as simple as having a construction project done to upgrade your home may make them anxious, with the sudden strange loud noises and unfamiliar people around the house.
If you can pinpoint any changes that may be causing your dog stress, try and spend extra time with them to help them cope. A walk around the block while the contractors are dropping off supplies or an individual play session with you when a new dog has been adopted helps your dog know that they can feel secure in their attachment with you. It is also helpful if your dog has their own space where they can retire and feel safe, such as their own crate or bed.
New Schedule
When schedule changes happen to human household members (new job, school starting, etc.) they can affect your dog’s schedule, too. Has the timing of your dog’s meals, walks or time outside changed? Your dog’s digestive system may not have caught up yet with the timing of his or her new lifestyle.
If any schedule changes have occurred, make sure your dog isn’t being left alone inside for too long. Like us, dogs need the chance to relieve themselves on a regular basis and can’t be expected to hold it for unreasonable amounts of time. Long periods alone may also bring about separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior in addition to seeing your dog pooping in the house.
A Different Diet
If your dog has had any recent dietary changes, pooping inside may be the result. If introduced too suddenly, the flora in your pup’s gut will react differently to new foods, especially cheaper foods that use fillers like corn or wheat. When changing foods, it is advised to mix the old food and new food together at mealtimes, gradually adding more of the new food over the course of a few weeks to get your dog’s digestive system used to it. If your dog has been eating “junk food,” you’ll also want to change to a healthy, balanced dog food that’s high in protein and healthy fiber from fruits and vegetables rather than grains.
Also make sure to account for any human food that your dog has consumed. Many human foods can upset your dog’s stomach and may even be toxic to them. If you suspect your dog may have eaten something dangerous to their health, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Although it may be concerning to see your dog pooping in the house suddenly, don’t be discouraged! By taking a systematic approach and examining the causes above, you will be well on your way to reaching the root of the matter and solving this stinky issue. Once your dog has returned to pooping outside, keep your yard clean by scooping regularly or hiring a professional pooper scooper service such as Super Scoopers to do the work for you. Super Scoopers performs professional pooper scooper service in the Dallas & Fort Worth area of Texas.