Hey all My 14-yr old yellow lab has started pooping in the house at night. Nothing has changed regarding her diet and the vet said it could be she just can't hold it in as long anymore (which is odd, since she seems to last all day without needing to go). I currently feed her when I get up around 7-8am and then again at 5pm. I give her 1.5cups-ish kibble each time. She's a healthy 70lbs. No matter what I've tried, she will only poop after breakfast. Tried long walks after dinner, taking her out in the yard multiple times at night, and even at midnight she'll just sniff the grass for 20 mins and not go. For the last couple of days I've been giving her 2 cups for breakfast and 1 cup at noon and now she goes poop around 6-7pm without issue and so far, fingers crossed, no more accidents in my dining room! Of course, I don't know if I'm doing the right thing with the schedule? Thanks!
Dogs, like humans have all sorts of changes once they get elderly and that can change their normal. Vision disturbances, dementia, hearing loss, anything could be going on that may not seem obvious. Whilst you have a solution, it seems a long time to go from lunch to breakfast without a meal. Have you tried reducing her access to rooms at night, and maybe add a small supper ? Its going to be trial and error I guess, with the focus on her wellbeing. She is a fabulous age.
Thanks for the reply. I have changed her schedule to 8am/3pm and so far this seems to be working fine. I agree that it's a long time from 1pm to breakfast. She still comes to pester me at 5pm even after feeding her at 3pm! She sleeps downstairs as she can't make it up/down like she used to and thankfully our house is tiled. She's never been one to let us know when she needs to go out so if no-one is around she'll just go wherever. I will try a small supper like you suggested. Maybe half a cup just to see how she copes. Thanks again.
