If it feels like you’re going through an excessive amount of poop bags, you might wonder if there is a way to decrease the amount of waste your dog creates. Sometimes, your dog may be dealing with a medical issue causing them to poop more. In other cases, a food change might be just what they need to go less. In this article, we’ve rounded up reviews of what we think are the 10 best diets for less poop this year. After you read up on our selections, browse our buyer’s guide for even more guidance in picking the right diet.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
The Farmer’s Dog ‘Chicken’ Fresh Dog Food Subscription
Made with simple, whole-food ingredients
Nutritionally dense, no unnecessary additives
Made by a small business, not a corporation
Click to Save 50%
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Best Value
Nature’s Recipe Chicken, Rice & Barley Dog Food
Formulated for easy digestion
Made in the USA
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Check Price
Royal Canin Vete Diet Adult Low Fat Dry Dog Food
Formulated especially for sensitive stomachs
Easily digestible proteins
Contains prebiotics, fibers, and fatty acids for gut health
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Purina ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach
Gentle protein and carb sources
Contains prebiotics and live probiotics
Formulated for growing puppies
Check Price
Vet’s Choice
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin
Easy to digest proteins and carbs
Most dogs enjoy the taste
Contains fatty acids and antioxidants
Check Price
The 10 Best Dog Foods For Less Poop
1. The Farmer’s Dog ‘Chicken Recipe’ Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall
Click Here to Save 50% + Get Free Shipping with The Farmer’s Dog
Main ingredients Chicken, Brussels sprouts, chicken liver, bok choy
Protein content 11.50%
Fat content 8.50%
Calories 295 kcal/0.5 lb
Our choice for the best overall dog food for less poop is The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe. It is made from whole chicken and vegetables, gently cooked with no preservatives, and the food is shipped directly to your house on a regular schedule, selected by you. The Farmer’s Dog is high in protein, nutritionally balanced, and nutrient-dense. It is a small business with meticulous sourcing and food prep standards. It will appeal to those who wish they had the time to cook for their dog but worry that what they make would be missing key nutrients. The Farmer’s Dog does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
Pros
Made with simple, whole-food ingredients
Nutritionally dense, no unnecessary additives
Made by a small business, not a corporation
Cons
Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally
Our pick for the best dog food for less poop for the money is Nature’s Recipe Easy-To-Digest Chicken, Rice, And Barley dry food. The more food your dog can absorb and digest, the less will come out the other end, and this food is designed for maximum absorption and minimum defecation. This diet contains lean protein, gentle grains, and a blend of prebiotics and fiber to improve overall gut health. Several customers specifically mentioned that it decreased the amount of poop their dogs produced. Others noted that it made their pups less gassy as well. The food is made in the USA, but some ingredients may come from outside the country. The size of the bag was recently reduced as well, with the price staying the same, which some users did not appreciate.
Made with simple, whole-food ingredients
Nutritionally dense, no unnecessary additives
Made by a small business, not a corporation
- Made with simple, whole-food ingredients
- Nutritionally dense, no unnecessary additives
- Made by a small business, not a corporation
Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally
- Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally
Main ingredients Chicken, chicken meal, brewer’s rice
Protein content 23%
Fat content 12%
Calories 344 kcal/cup
Check Price on Chewy
Pros
Formulated for easy digestion
Made in the USA
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Users report decreased poop and gassiness
Cons
Bag size recently decreased
Not all ingredients are sourced in the USA
If your dog struggles with overall digestive health or can’t handle the fat content of a normal diet, consider Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat. This prescription diet is formulated for dogs with highly sensitive stomachs and those that can’t properly digest fat. Royal Canin is made with prebiotics and easily digested proteins, and it also contains additional ingredients designed to help your dog’s gut work as efficiently as possible. This recipe does require a prescription and is one of the more expensive foods on our list. Owners of small dogs report that the kibble size may be too large for tiny mouths to chew properly.
Formulated for easy digestion
Made in the USA
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Users report decreased poop and gassiness
- Formulated for easy digestion
- Made in the USA
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Users report decreased poop and gassiness
Bag size recently decreased
Not all ingredients are sourced in the USA
- Bag size recently decreased
- Not all ingredients are sourced in the USA
Main ingredients Brewer’s rice, chicken by-product meal, wheat
Protein content 20%
Fat content 5.5 %
Calories 248 kcal/cup
Pros
Formulated especially for sensitive stomachs
Easily digestible proteins
Contains prebiotics, fibers, and fatty acids for gut health
Cons
Higher priced than other foods on our list
Requires a prescription
Kibble may be too big for small dogs
Housetraining is hard enough, but if your puppy seems to be constantly pooping, it becomes even harder. Try feeding your baby dog Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin And Stomach Dry Diet. This food contains lamb and oatmeal as the primary protein and carb sources, both considered gentle on the stomach. It also contains prebiotics to maintain gut bacteria and live probiotics to improve digestion. Besides these extras, the recipe contains everything your pup needs to grow at the right pace: calcium, extra protein, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Most users reported positive experiences with this food, although some noted that their puppies didn’t like the taste.
Formulated especially for sensitive stomachs
Easily digestible proteins
Contains prebiotics, fibers, and fatty acids for gut health
- Formulated especially for sensitive stomachs
- Easily digestible proteins
- Contains prebiotics, fibers, and fatty acids for gut health
Higher priced than other foods on our list
Requires a prescription
Kibble may be too big for small dogs
- Higher priced than other foods on our list
- Requires a prescription
- Kibble may be too big for small dogs
Main ingredients Lamb, oatmeal, fish meal
Protein content 28%
Fat content 18%
Calories 428 kcal/cup
Pros
Gentle protein and carb sources
Contains prebiotics and live probiotics
Formulated for growing puppies
Cons
Some dogs don’t like the taste
If your dog prefers canned food, try offering Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin And Stomach Turkey And Rice Stew. This tasty (according to dogs) meal features a blend of easy-to-digest poultry proteins and rice. It also contains real vegetables and is made in the USA. Fatty acids and vitamin E help keep your pup’s coat looking good as they poop less. Most users reported their dogs enjoyed this food and had no issues digesting it. Some didn’t care for the soupy consistency, while others reported issues with damaged cans during shipping and complaints about the pull tab on the can breaking off easily.
Gentle protein and carb sources
Contains prebiotics and live probiotics
Formulated for growing puppies
- Gentle protein and carb sources
- Contains prebiotics and live probiotics
- Formulated for growing puppies
Some dogs don’t like the taste
- Some dogs don’t like the taste
Main ingredients Chicken broth, turkey, carrots
Protein content 2.80%
Fat content 1.90%
Calories 253 kcal/can
Pros
Easy to digest proteins and carbs
Most dogs enjoy the taste
Contains fatty acids and antioxidants
Cons
Has a very liquid consistency
Pull tab breaks off easily
Some concerns with shipping damage
Some dogs poop a lot because they have food sensitivities that don’t allow them to digest their meals properly. These dogs may benefit from a limited ingredient diet, such as Natural Balance Grain-free Salmon And Sweet Potato Dry Food. With fewer ingredients to digest, your dog may produce less poop. While this diet is grain-free, not every pup needs to avoid grains, so double-check with your veterinarian before trying this food. Users report that Natural Balance has a strong odor and that some dogs dislike the taste of the fish-based recipe.
Easy to digest proteins and carbs
Most dogs enjoy the taste
Contains fatty acids and antioxidants
- Easy to digest proteins and carbs
- Most dogs enjoy the taste
- Contains fatty acids and antioxidants
Has a very liquid consistency
Pull tab breaks off easily
Some concerns with shipping damage
- Has a very liquid consistency
- Pull tab breaks off easily
- Some concerns with shipping damage
Main ingredients Salmon, menhaden fish meal, sweet potatoes
Protein content 24%
Fat content 10%
Calories 373 kcal/cup
Pros
Limited ingredient list
Novel protein source
No chicken, good for dogs with food sensitivities
Cons
Strong fishy smell
Not all dogs like the taste
Another option for dogs that are pooping more due to food sensitivities is Acana Limited Ingredient Duck and Pumpkin. It features duck, oats, and pumpkin as the primary protein and carb sources. This recipe will also appeal to those who prefer buying from small companies rather than large corporate manufacturers. Acana is manufactured at one facility, allowing tighter control over quality and ingredients. Pumpkin helps maintain digestive health and good poop quality, while the duck is a novel protein ideal for dogs with known food allergies. This is a higher-priced brand, and some users report the kibble is too big for smaller dogs.
Limited ingredient list
Novel protein source
No chicken, good for dogs with food sensitivities
- Limited ingredient list
- Novel protein source
- No chicken, good for dogs with food sensitivities
Strong fishy smell
Not all dogs like the taste
- Strong fishy smell
- Not all dogs like the taste
Main ingredients Deboned duck, duck meal, oat groats
Protein content 27%
Fat content 17%
Calories 371 kcal/cup
Pros
Made by a small company
Novel protein and carb ingredients
Pumpkin helps maintain poop quality
Cons
Expensive
Kibble may be too big for small dogs
Purina One + Digestive Health is an affordable digestive health option designed with easily absorbed ingredients and added probiotics to keep the gut working. Added antioxidants and fatty acids support overall immune health and nourish the skin and coat. Purina One is a more cost-effective option for those on a budget, which means it contains less expensive ingredients such as chicken by-products. Some owners prefer to avoid these, although they are an approved protein source for dog food. Purina is widely available in most stores, as well as online retailers. It is not a good choice for dogs with food sensitivities because it contains chicken, a common allergen.
Made by a small company
Novel protein and carb ingredients
Pumpkin helps maintain poop quality
- Made by a small company
- Novel protein and carb ingredients
- Pumpkin helps maintain poop quality
Expensive
Kibble may be too big for small dogs
- Expensive
- Kibble may be too big for small dogs
Main ingredients Chicken, rice flour, whole grain corn
Protein content 25%
Fat content 16%
Calories 384 kcal/cup
Pros
Affordable and widely available
Added probiotics for digestive health
Cons
Not good for dogs with food allergies
Contains by-products
As a prescription-only offering from Blue Buffalo, Natural Veterinary Diet contains the real chicken, fruit, and vegetable ingredients the company is known for. The proteins and grains are easy to digest, while prebiotic fiber helps keep your dog’s gut in balance and their poop regular. This recipe is not as low in fat as the Royal Canin GI brand and may not work as well for dogs with weight issues. Blue Buffalo GI Support is only available in two sizes and is a bit more expensive than regular recipes from this company. Most users reported that the food worked as intended for their pups with sensitive bellies. However, small dog owners feel that the kibble is too big for tiny mouths.
Affordable and widely available
Added probiotics for digestive health
- Affordable and widely available
- Added probiotics for digestive health
Not good for dogs with food allergies
Contains by-products
- Not good for dogs with food allergies
- Contains by-products
Main ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal
Protein content 24%
Fat content 12%
Calories 344 kcal/cup
Pros
Made with chicken, easy-to-digest grains, fruits, vegetables
Contains prebiotics
Most users felt it worked well for sensitive stomachs
Cons
Requires a prescription
Kibble too big for small dogs
Wellness Core Digestive Health contains kibble coated in probiotics. It also contains both prebiotics and added digestive enzymes, helping your dog absorb as much nutrition as possible and expel less poop. It also contains unique ingredients like papaya for added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Two different fish meals are a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health support. Most users found this food helpful for their dogs with sensitive stomachs and appreciated that it contains no chicken ingredients. Some noted that it gives their dogs fishy breath, though!
Made with chicken, easy-to-digest grains, fruits, vegetables
Contains prebiotics
Most users felt it worked well for sensitive stomachs
- Made with chicken, easy-to-digest grains, fruits, vegetables
- Contains prebiotics
- Most users felt it worked well for sensitive stomachs
Requires a prescription
Kibble too big for small dogs
- Requires a prescription
- Kibble too big for small dogs
Main ingredients Whitefish, menhaden fish meal, herring meal
Protein content 30%
Fat content 12%
Calories 394 kcal/cup
Pros
No chicken ingredients
Multiple added nutrients to support digestion
Contains glucosamine for joint health
Cons
It may cause fishy breath
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Food for Less Poop
Before making your final decision on the best food for your pet, here are a few additional points to keep in mind.
No chicken ingredients
Multiple added nutrients to support digestion
Contains glucosamine for joint health
- No chicken ingredients
- Multiple added nutrients to support digestion
- Contains glucosamine for joint health
It may cause fishy breath
- It may cause fishy breath
Is There a Medical Cause for Your Dog’s Extra Poop?
Before trying to fix your dog’s pooping with a diet change, see your vet to determine if there is a medical reason for their bathroom habits. Some dogs may have food sensitivities or not tolerate higher fat diets. Others may have trouble with grain-free food. There’s also a possibility your dog could be dealing with a chronic condition that’s causing them to poop more, such as inflammatory bowel disease. Any of these causes of extra poop will impact your food choice and may require additional medications or supplements as well.
What’s Your Budget?
With the cost of seemingly everything going up these days, it’s fair to consider the price of your dog food options while shopping. Unless your dog requires one of the higher-priced prescription diets, you probably don’t need to empty your bank account feeding your dog. Many over-the-counter brands charge higher prices because they use “whole” or “high quality” ingredients. These terms don’t technically tell you anything about the quality of the product. Most dogs are happy to snack on roadkill and rabbit poop, so they probably aren’t going to care whether their dog food is made of free-range duck or not.
What Else Is the Food Good for?
Most of the brands on our list contain similar added nutrients to support digestive health: probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber. To help decide between them, you may need to dig deeper and see what other additional benefits the food offers. For example, does it also contain glucosamine for a dog that struggles with joint pain? Does it offer the nutrients a growing puppy needs to maintain a healthy development?
Conclusion
As our best overall dog food for less poop, The Farmer’s Dog Chicken Recipe offers dense nutritional value. Our best value pick, Nature’s Recipe Easy-To-Digest, features maximum nutrient absorption for less. Royal Canin GI Low Fat is the heavy-duty option for dogs with medical conditions. ProPlan Puppy Sensitive Skin And Stomach features gentle ingredients to minimize puppy poop. Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Skin And Stomach Turkey is an easily digestible canned food option. We hope our reviews of these 10 diets helped you learn more about what to feed your dog as you try to minimize the amount of daily poop you clean up.
Featured Image Credit: Pezibear, Pixabay
