Best Dog Food for Firm Stools

Did you know that your dog’s poop says a lot about their nutritional needs and diet? In fact, loose stool, diarrhea, and a lack of digestive health can be because of poor nutrition or even food allergies.

If you’re looking for the best dog food for firm stools and to help your dog with their gut health, you’ve come to the right place. 

Our favorite option is ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. 

It contains gentle fiber to firm up stool and novel proteins for dogs sensitive to certain proteins. 

But we have many other options on our list, too — from puppy food to wet food and everything between. Here are the best dog foods for firm stools. 

Our Best Dog Food for Firm Stools

• ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best Overall)
• Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Dry Dog Food(Best for Puppies)
• CANIDAE PURE Senior Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food (Best for Seniors)
• Zignature Turkey Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food (Best for Small Breeds)
• ACANA Singles Beef & Pumpkin Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best for Large Breeds)
• Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Canned Dog Food (Best Wet Food)
• Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best Budget Food)
• Go! SENSITIVITIES Venison Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best Premium Food)
• Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food (Best for Sensitive Stomachs)
• Nom Nom Turkey Fare Dog Food (Best Fresh Food) 

10 Best Dog Foods for Firm Stools Reviewed 

The brands and formulas listed below follow AAFCO’s nutrient profile guidelines. Before switching your dog to a new recipe, please consult with your veterinarian. 

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ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Monkfish, Acadian Redfish, Flounder
• Guaranteed Analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 468 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High-protein and grain-free dry pet food with pumpkin and probiotics for firm stool

Dogs with loose stool need fiber and quality proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to firm it back up. These high-quality nutrients help your dog process their food slower, thus removing additional water.

If you’re looking to help your dog with their digestion, and keep them regular, try Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free dry dog food. 

This formula includes novel proteins and is grain-free to avoid potential food sensitivities. Instead, gentle legumes, pumpkin, and other vegetables aid in healthy digestion and firm up stool. 

It starts with whole raw mackerel, whole herring, monkfish, and Acadian redfish. They provide high-protein dog food and offer a natural source of omega fatty acids for healthy joints.

Plus, since Orijen follows a “whole prey” approach, these animal proteins also include the organs and bones. 

Safflower oil and vitamin E provide linoleic acid, omega fatty acids, and DHA to fight inflammation and give your dog’s coat some luster. 

Instead of grains, this recipe includes whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, and whole chickpeas. These low glycemic carbohydrates help your dog digest their food in the digestive tract, helping them avoid diarrhea.  

Last but not least, this food also contains probiotics, which are essential for gut support. These microorganisms can aid in better digestion and firmer stool. 

ORIJEN Six Fish doesn’t include corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or colors.

Dog parents love this wholesome food, and many exclaim that their dogs’ digestive system has never been better. 

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Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes
• Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 408 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain-free dry puppy food with probiotics and DHA for brain and gut function

Puppies are susceptible to loose stool. This is because their bodies are acclimating to new ingredients and changing and growing well into adulthood.

If your puppy is experiencing tummy issues, one of the easiest ways to fix it is by feeding them food that offers digestive system support. 

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Puppy dry dog food is an excellent option. This grain-free formula is free of ingredients that could cause stomach problems. And it offers many components that support overall health. 

It starts with novel proteins like deboned salmon and ocean fish meal. It’s free of chicken, beef, and by-product meals. These proteins are easier to digest and provide essential vitamins like vitamin D and B2 for bone health and energy. 

Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and green peas offer prebiotic fiber — an essential nutrient for easy digestion and firm stool. But they also include nutrients like vitamins C to boost your pup’s immune system and beta-carotene for eye health. 

Salmon oil is a great addition and includes DHA for cognitive function. And added probiotics aid in a healthy dog with a happy tummy. 

Puppy parents say that this food does tend to make their dogs’ stool a bit stinky. But, they note a positive change in the regularity and firmness, which was their primary concern.

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CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Senior Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Garbanzo Beans
• Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 409 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High-protein and low-fat dry dog food with limited ingredients for better digestion

Like with puppies, senior dogs need a bit more support in their gut function. As they age, your dog’s whole body changes — from their metabolism to brain function and even their digestion. 

CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Senior dry dog food is perfect for the senior pet parent who wants to offer them support. It’s high in protein to help your dog keep lean muscle mass while being low-fat to avoid diarrhea. 

This formula starts with real deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal. These provide a healthy dose of glucosamine and chondroitin to promote limber and supple joints.

And chicken also contains taurine, which is perfect for heart health. 

Like many other grain-free recipes, CANIDAE includes sweet potatoes and peas. These complex carbohydrates aid in satiating your dog and are a healthy source of vitamin C and vitamin A for immune support. Plus, they contain fiber, which can help firm up stool. 

This recipe also includes live probiotics sprinkled on the kibble after cooking. These fight off harmful bacteria and keep your canine’s gut working smoothly. 

Senior dog owners note that this food is perfect for picky dogs. And, they enjoy the short ingredient list and that it doesn’t cause any digestion problems. 

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Zignature Turkey Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Pea Protein
• Guaranteed Analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 394 kcal/cup 
• Key Feature: High-protein and limited ingredient dry dog food with kibble size made for small dogs 

Small breed dogs can be picky about the food they eat, but this doesn’t mean they can’t suffer digestive issues or loose stool. Even the most particular pup may experience discomfort or a lack of digestive health if they aren’t eating the right food. 

To ensure your tiny pooch gets the nutrition and digestive support they need, feed them Zignature Turkey Formula dry dog food. 

While they have many different flavors and options, a fan favorite is their turkey. It features real deboned turkey and turkey meal. They have as much protein as chicken but are safer to feed dogs with protein allergies. Plus, turkey contains glucosamine and l-carnitine for healthy joints and lean muscles. 

Chickpeas and flaxseeds offer a grain-free approach to prebiotic fiber. Chickpeas are high in potassium and vitamin C concentrations — essential for bone and immune health.

For some healthy omega-3 fatty acids, this recipe also includes sunflower oil. This aids in strong joints and offers a boost in brain health. Plus, the omegas give your dog’s coat some shine. 

Have a pup with some allergies? No problem. This formula is free of potatoes, grains, corn, soy, eggs, and chicken. 

Pet parents love that they can feed their fussy eaters this food. And, many note a significant improvement in their dog’s gut health, including less gassiness. 

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ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Beef Liver, Sweet Potato, Whole Chickpeas
• Guaranteed Analysis: 31% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 371 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: High-protein dry dog food with limited ingredients for sensitive dogs

Ah, big dogs — what cute little trash bins. Unfortunately for many dog owners, their big dogs love food, any food. And many are willing to eat anything, even if it’s not good for them.

To keep your big pal on track and away from foods that don’t help their digestion, try ACANA Singles Limited Ingredient Diet is a great first choice.  

This formula has the “good,” with no ingredients that can cause loose stool. It starts with deboned beef and beef liver sourced right in the US.

These high-quality proteins offer B vitamins for energy and iron for growth and development. And, the beef liver offers natural flavor to entice pups to eat. 

This is another grain-free recipe. Instead, sweet potatoes and whole chickpeas provide complex carbohydrates. These offer gentle fiber for firm stools and vitamins like calcium and potassium for strong bones. 

Pollock oil and beef tripe provide both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and ARA for strong joints and healthy brain function. Plus, whole pumpkin and supplemented probiotics draw out moisture from your dog’s gut and keep diarrhea away. 

This formula doesn’t contain peas, corn, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. 

Large breed owners say this food is perfect for big dogs with gut problems or allergies. 

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Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Potatoes, Ground Flaxseed, Carrageenan
• Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 8% Crude Protein, 7% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 469 kcal/can
• Key Feature: Limited ingredient wet dog food with chicory root extract for firm stools

If you want a super simple and nutritious wet food for your dog, look no further. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet is the perfect canned option for dogs who can’t have or don’t like dry kibble.

This grain-free recipe contains 4 simple ingredients with chicory root extract. This offers an easy-to-digest formula that’s free of fillers and additives. 

It starts with real deboned turkey and turkey broth. This high-quality protein has natural sources of glucosamine and taurine for heart and joint health. And turkey broth adds tons of flavor to entice picky pups while helping them get in more liquids. 

Potatoes are the only carb source in this food — offering plenty of prebiotics and fiber. And flaxseed adds a punch of omega fatty acids acids to fight inflammation and aid in supple joints. 

The real star in this canned food is the chicory root extract. Since the ingredients cook in the can, live probiotics would die during the cooking process.

So instead, Wellness adds the chicory root extract. It offers inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber that can improve both digestion and metabolic function. 

Dog moms and dads love feeding this food as is or as a mixer in more “bland” kibble that their dogs don’t enjoy. They think it’s the perfect solution for picky dogs or those with digestive problems.  

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Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Chicken Meal, Peas
• Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber
• Caloric Content: 371 kcal/cup 
• Key Feature: Budget-friendly grain-free dog food with novel proteins for digestion

Finding a high-quality, grain-free, and kibble without allergens can seem challenging. But, it’s not impossible.

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free dry dog food is an excellent option. It’s great for dog owners on a budget who still need food that won’t give their dogs loose stool. 

Their Salmon & Whitefish is the perfect solution for sensitive pups. And it can help firm stool, restore digestive health, and keep your dog’s tummy happy.

It features salmon meal, real deboned salmon, and whitefish. These novel proteins provide amino acids for healthy joints and potassium for strong bones.

While it does include chicken meal, it’s lower on the ingredient list. So it may not cause issues for dogs that are sensitive to it.

Vitamin E and canola meal aid in joint health and brain support with added antioxidants — while sweet potatoes and peas offer easy-to-digest carbs.

And these low-glycemic vegetables contain prebiotic fiber. These aid in gut health, as well as beta-carotene for healthy eyes. 

This formula doesn’t include corn, wheat, soy, or artificial additives. And Whole Earth Farms adds probiotics for digestive system health and keeps your dog’s stool firm.

Canine owners say this food is crunchy, so be sure to add broth if your dog is older or missing tetth. But many enjoy the ingredients and love that it doesn’t include some allergens. 

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Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Venison Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Venison, Venison Meal, Tapioca, Peas, Pea Flour
• Guaranteed Analysis: 22% Crude Protein, 12% Crude Fat, 4.5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 442 kcal/cup 
• Key Feature: High-protein and limited ingredient premium dry dog food with novel proteins

Dogs with sensitivities and food allergies usually need premium dog food to meet their needs. If you’re willing to buy top-quality dog food, Go! SENSITIVITIES Limited Ingredient Venison dry dog food is the best option.

It’s a mono-protein formula featuring one real animal protein — deboned venison. This novel option is excellent for dogs with severe allergies to beef and poultry. And, some dogs may be picky about fish formulas, while venison offers a fatty and robust flavor to allure particular dogs. 

The salmon oil added is an ASC and MSC-certified marine microalgae oil. This sustainable option is rich in omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and DHA for brain development.

Pea flour, lentils, and dried chicory root provide prebiotic fiber. This helps protect sensitive stomachs and clear out the digestive system while keeping stool firm. And these ingredients contain magnesium and potassium for heart health and strong bones. 

This recipe doesn’t contain by-product meals, grains, chicken, potato, wheat, corn, or soy. It’s also free of artificial colors and flavors.  

Pet owners say this is the best food for super sensitive dogs and pups who suffer from loose stool, gas, and constant burping. 

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Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Yellow Peas, Potatoes, Potato Starch, Chicken Meal
• Guaranteed Analysis: 20.5% Crude Protein, 13% Crude Fat, 4% Fiber, 10% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 405 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Grain-free dry food with beet pulp for a healthy digestive system

Loose stool is usually an issue of a sensitive stomach. If your dog had a check-up and didn’t have any significant health issues, they may need a dog food that keeps their digestion in check.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach dog food is the perfect option for dogs with sensitive tummies that can’t handle grains. It includes chicken as its primary protein — so it’s not great if your dog has poultry allergies. But if they don’t, this food can aid in better digestion. 

Real deboned chicken provides taurine and glucosamine for flexible joints and a strong heart. And this lean protein, along with chicken fat, keeps the fat content low, which can cause loose stool because of extra acid in your dog’s stomach.

And, the chicken fat still offers essential fatty acids for healthy skin and a shiny coat. 

Yellow peas and potatoes provide prebiotic fiber to support your dog’s digestive tract health and bulk up the stool. And apples and cranberries are full of antioxidants to boost your dog’s immune system. This helps them fight inflammation and keeps their gut happy. 

Pet parents say their vet recommended this food for their dog, and it makes a massive difference. Many exclaim that their dogs no longer suffer from diarrhea or gassiness. 

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Nom Nom Turkey Fare Dog Food

• First 5 Ingredients: Ground Turkey, Brown Rice, Eggs, Carrots, Spinach
• Guaranteed Analysis: (wet matter basis) 10% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1% Fiber, 72% Moisture
• Caloric Content: 201 kcal/cup
• Key Feature: Human-grade dog food that’s cooked and customized to your dog

Good food doesn’t have to be bland. And while some sensitive dogs need simple ingredients to keep their tummies happy, that doesn’t mean they can’t have flavor.

Nom Nom offers fresh-cooked, human-grade, and complete and balanced diet made for your pup. 

To get started, you’ll take their 5-minute quiz. You’ll answer questions about your dog’s age, height, weight, activity level, and potential food sensitivities. Once you submit your answers, Nom Nom will craft a nutritious diet that fits your furry friend’s needs. 

They have four delicious recipes — including turkey, pork, beef, and chicken. You can choose one formula or multiples if you want to test which one works best for your dog. 

Nom Nom will ship your dog’s food within 24 hours of preparing it based on the subscription schedule you pick. You can receive the food every two to four weeks, which helps keep the food fresh!

And, if your dog doesn’t do well with the dog food you receive, Nom Nom also has a guarantee for a full refund. This makes it easy to test a fresh food diet without the worry of being stuck with feeding your dog a diet that may not work for them. 

Dog owners say this food is so appealing, even they want to eat it! And they love that their dogs are getting fresh ingredients that protect their guts. 

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Your Guide to Buying the Best Dog Food for Firm Stools

Ready to buy dog food that will help your pup have firmer stools? Here’s what you need to know. 

What Causes Loose Stools

First, let’s look at what can cause loose stools. 

Change in Diet

If you’ve recently changed your dog to a new food, and they start to have loose stool, the food may be the issue.

A fast change in diet, especially with ingredients that don’t agree with your dog’s tummy, can cause diarrhea and an upset stomach. While it resolves by itself (usually), there are ways to switch your dog without trouble. 

When or if you change your dog’s diet, start slow. Mix the food with their old food for a few days to get them used to it. Then you can switch them over to the new formula. 

Poor Diet

Low-quality dog foods without enough protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients can cause havoc on your dog’s digestive system.

This is why a dog food formula that meets AAFCO requirements, and provides plenty of beneficial ingredients, is essential. 

Bacterial Infection and Viral Diseases

Even if your dog eats well and is active, they can still pick up an infection or disease. These are usually contagious, and some can be life-threatening. 

These diseases include Parvovirus, distemper, salmonella, and inflammatory bowel disease. And that’s to name a few.

If your dog has blood or mucus in their poop, vomits, or has a lack of appetite, get them checked by your vet immediately.

Intestinal Parasites

Do you have a dog that likes to play outside or loves stagnant water? Be careful, as parasites lurk outside.

And, if your dog drinks or eats anything that’s contaminated, they’ll swallow these parasites. This can cause all types of issues — including diarrhea.

The most common parasites are roundworms, hookworms, Coccidia, and Giardia. If you suspect your dog may have eaten or drank something they shouldn’t, you can take them to the vet.

They will be able to test for parasites and prescribe medication that rids your dog of them. 

Emotional Upsets

Yes, your dog has feelings too. And in extreme cases, these emotions can cause issues like a sensitive stomach or loose stools. This is especially common with toy breeds and working dogs too. 

If you’ve had a recent event like moving, taking them to a kennel, or even dealing with grief (like the loss of a loved one), your dog may have acute diarrhea. 

What to Look for When Buying Dog Food for Firm Stools 

If your dog has diarrhea or loose stools, some ingredients and diets can help firm up their stool. Here’s what to look for. 

Natural Ingredients

Most commercial dog foods are great at offering natural ingredients. Real animal proteins, fruits and vegetables, and healthy carbohydrates and fats are essential. 

But, some may include additives that don’t add any nutrition to your dog’s food. Try to avoid fillers like by-products, corn, wheat, and soy when possible.

While many dogs can handle these ingredients, dogs with sensitive tummies and loose stool may not process them very well. 

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Prebiotics and probiotics introduce healthy bacteria into your dog’s stomach. This aids in better digestion and can keep them regular without causing diarrhea or constipation. 

High Fiber Content

High-fiber content helps keep stool firm by soaking up extra fluids in the digestive tract.

And fiber from carbohydrates like brown rice, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes helps break down food during digestion. This helps firm up the stool and keeps your dog regular. 

Grain-Free Diet

Some dogs with sensitive stomachs need to avoid certain ingredients that can cause intolerance. This may include grains. If your pup can’t handle grains well or is allergic to them, you may want to switch them to a grain-free diet. 

Be sure to find one with healthy carbohydrates, like peas, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. And, a grain-free formula with prebiotics, probiotics, and healthy fats is better than one without. 

Low-Fat Content

Did you know that a high-fat diet can cause loose stools? In some dogs, many oils and fats in food can irritate the stomach.

This is because they can’t absorb all the fat, so it sits in their stomach and can’t be cleared out.  

To help your dog keep their stool firm, look at low-fat foods. These will still offer beneficial fats (like salmon oil) but be under 15% Crude Fat to keep your dog healthy. 

Our Verdict

Your dog doesn’t have to suffer from loose stool. The dog foods on this list can help their digestion and keep diarrhea at bay. 

In our opinion, the best dog food for firm stools is ORIJEN Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. 

But each of the formulas that we’ve listed contains fiber content, natural ingredients, and even prebiotics and probiotics. These are all essential potential food for firm stools.