Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Issues

New and inexperienced Cocker Spaniel owners often ask questions about puppy pooping schedules. They're worried that their pet is either pooping too much, too often or during the night. They all ask, what is normal?

Hopefully, some of these questions and answers will help to reassure worried pet parents!

Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much?

My cocker spaniel puppy is pooping too much, at least 8 or 9 times every day. Is this normal? He's eight months old and I feed him on dry food.

Puppy Pooping Question
Question By: Martha

Tired puppy - he's all pooped out!

Reply: Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much?

Hi Martha,

Puppies poop - it's what they do!

Unfortunately, you don't say how much you feed him or when, so I have little to work on. However, I'm often asked this question, so I thought I'd try to give a generalized answer here and see what our visitors have experienced with their Cockers.

If your cocker spaniel is pooping too much, you may be over-feeding him, especially if his poop is soft and he's pooping 8 times each day, which is probably too much.

If he has regular diarrhoea, it's best to take him to his vet because this may indicate an underlying health issue. Your vet is the best person to diagnose and treat any puppy.

Feeding Regime

Several questions need answering here:

• Is your puppy being fed the correct amount of food for his age?
• Is he free feeding?
• Is your pup fed to a regular timetable?
• Is someone else feeding him treats or table scraps?

Recommended Puppy Feeding

Ideally, your puppy should be fed either once or twice each day.

Check the manufacturer's packaging to ensure you're feeding him the right amount of kibble for his age. If you're uncertain, ask your vet, who will be able to advise you.

Personally, I would split your puppy's food allowance into two; feed him one half in the morning and the other half in the evening. If you prefer to feed him just once each day, that's fine also; it's a personal preference.

If you're still training your puppy, it's okay to give him a training treat or two as a reward unless he's overweight, in which case, you will need to take care.

If your puppy is overweight, why not use a small handful of kibble from his daily food allowance as a reward for getting his training right? This way, he won't be eating extra calories!

I suspect your puppy is being overfed (I may be wrong), and I believe that once you've got the amount you feed him under control (and a regular feeding time(s) established, together with daily exercise), it won't be long before your puppy's toilet times and frequencies settle down.

I hope this answers your question, but if not, please return with more detail this time. ;)

Question: Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much?
Answered By: Pauline (Website Owner) 

Our Visitors' Comments

Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much? 

Sounds to me like he's being a bit spoiled and is getting fed more than he should be. Not that I blame you; I'd do the same if I had an adorable little cocker spaniel puppy like that! :-)

If you feed him only what he's supposed to have for his age, plus, as Pauline has pointed out in this article, a few training treats each day to reward him for getting his training right, he should be okay.

Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much? 
Comments By: Den

Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much?

Hi all!

I was so guilty of over-feeding my puppy when I first got her. She got lots of treats and titbits from me every day. I just loved her so much and couldn't say no.

And, yes, she pooped a lot, but worst of all, she got fat!

I felt terrible. It was all my fault. My puppy is much better now. I am very strict with her food and limit her treats to one or two small biscuits daily and the occasional (probably weekly) dental stick.

I now understand that I was damaging her body and organs by feeding her too much.
Now, I just give her lots of love!

Is My Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Too Much?
Comments By: Tanya

Adult Cocker Spaniel Pooping During the Night

Hello, I have an adult cocker spaniel pooping overnight, and I'm at a loss to understand why! She only seems to do it at a certain time of the year.

During the summer, she's walked a lot, and we have no house-training issues, but as Autumn closes in, she is reluctant to go out in the rain (really, it is her, not us!) or in the dark.

Even when we make her go out, she still does not poop as she would normally.
Inevitably we wake up to an occasional unwelcome present in the hall (where she sleeps) because she can no longer hold it.

She appears to know this is wrong, but it happens every year at this time.

Generally, she's a well-behaved dog, intelligent and eager to please, so otherwise, it is totally out of character.

It doesn't help that we spend half the year in France and half in the UK, and the move coincides with this time of the year.

Can anyone shed some light on this, please?

Question By: Barbara
From: France

Visitor Comments: Cocker Spaniel Pooping Issues

Adult Cocker Spaniel Pooping During the Night

Cocker Won't Poop In The Rain
By: Anonymous 

Have you tried putting her in a crate overnight? Dogs very rarely poop in their own bed - she may hold it in longer because of this.

You could also try getting up an hour earlier and taking her straight outside. If you can do the same in the evening, one hour later, you might have it sorted.

By the way, I know lots of dogs that won't go out in the rain or the dark. I think you just have to persevere and continue with the walks. She might just grow out of this as she gets used to walking in the rain or at night.

Cocker Spaniel Pooping Overnight
By: Anonymous

Have you considered that this might coincide with the clocks going back? Is it possible that her own body clock is out of sync and needs a little time to adjust? 

Just a thought.  :)

Adult Cocker Spaniel Pooping During the Night - Update

Hello again!

Thanks for all your comments; I think you may be right.

When my Cocker Spaniel was a puppy, we made it very clear that noise at night was unwelcome, so I think we have ingrained in her not to wake us up!

So if she gets the urge during the night or early morning, she won't ask to be let out.

I now get up and let her out about an hour earlier in the mornings, and we take her out last thing at night and make a big fuss of her if she poops.

It seems to have resolved the problem, but we'll see when we return to the UK this spring!

Adult Cocker Spaniel Pooping Overnight
Update By: Barbara

Visitor Question: 

Cocker Spaniel Puppy Pooping Machine!

Hi, I'm Jane (Sophie's aunt), and I'm caring for Sophie Cocker while her parents are away. My query is this!

Sophie, the Cocker Spaniel, was born on June 11 and is active, beautiful and everything she should be! However - she is the ultimate 'Poo Producer'!

I feed her twice a day on the suggested (dry food) quantity, but even then, her output is enormous!

My Aunt Sophie says I'm a little poop machine!

The food supplier I bought from said I was feeding her too much and explained the ins and outs of overfeeding! (More out than stays in/can be usefully absorbed!) 

I have reduced her food, but she's still not much better!

She is also very slim, and I wonder if that is just being a skinny teenager (lucky her!). Any help on the topic will be gratefully received.

Thank you very much!

Jane

Question By: Jane
From: Dorset UK

Reply from Pauline (Website Owner)

Hello Jane,

Lucky you, looking after a little Cocker puppy!

I don't think you've anything to worry about, but there are a few things to check.

As I've mentioned above whilst answering a similar question, please check that you are feeding Sophie the correct amount of dog food for her weight and age, according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

If the manufacturer gives a lower and a higher recommended measure for the puppy's age and weight, use the lower measure.

You can always provide her more (staying within the recommended guidelines) if needed.

Once you're confident of the quantity, weigh it; don't try to guess it. If you guess the measure, you may be surprised at how wrong one can be!

It will take a few days for her 'output' to slow down to reflect how much she's now eating; it will take a little while for her 'insides' to empty. ;)

You mention that she's very slim - do you think she's underweight? If you do, have you checked her poo for worms? Is she wormed regularly?

Is she drinking plenty of water?

Are you sure the food you're giving Sophie is nutritious enough for her? If it's full of bulking agents, that may be why she has so much output! Is it good healthy dog food specially prepared for puppies?

Please read the answers on this page. If you've covered all of the above and feel she's not growing as she should, and you're worried about her, take her to see her vet; otherwise, wait until your friend returns and tell her about your concern.

I hope this helps!

Puppy Pooping Machine!

That's so right. Weighing your dog's food and not guessing it is essential. Try it yourself. Dish out one portion of your dog's everyday food (x 2 if you feed your Cocker twice daily) and then weigh it - I bet you get a shock.

The extra calories will undoubtedly make a difference, so take care.

Puppy Pooping Machine!
By: Ahmed