How often should a pug poop

Question
Hi.  I have a 17 month old pug.  He's the love of my life and I do everything possible to keep him healhty and happy.  There is some concern about his potty habits.  We try to keep his routine "consistant" but sometimes life happens.  

On the norm in the morning he will pee, eat breakfast, go outside to poop 30 to 40 mins later, sometimes pee and then gets his treat as I leave for work.  

Then after work I take him straight outside for pee and poop.  We then play for a few minutes (15 plus mins) and then he gets dinner shortly there after.  That's our routine (he is completely potty trained (except for the time that he was sick but that wasn't his fault))...

but there are some days when he only poops once...there have been times that it's been almost 24 hrs between poops.  at first it freaked me out but no one would tell me "yes he has to poop twice a day or 3 times or ??"  At a vet check up I asked them and the only thing they would say is "he should have to poop 30 mins after eating."  

I check his poop for consistency every time he goes and even after 20 hours his poop looks good-firm, brown, no addatives (that I can see) and smelling like poop (sorry hope I'm not grossing anyone out too bad).  It isn't often that he only poops once a day (normally it's two times about 10 hrs apart) but do you think I need to be concerned?  Should he be going a few times a day?  I am constantly taking him outside giving him ample opportunity to do his business.  We feed him Iams dog food (green bag) and at night I give him a spoon of mighty dog purnia.  I have been known to give him yogart but no other table food.  Please help!  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Victoria,

Having just one bowel movement a day might be normal for your particular dog, especially if you aren't seeing him straining to go to the bathroom. Typically, dogs have anywhere from one to a few bowel movements a day. The frequency depends on what type of food the dog eats (dry or canned), the amount of food eaten, and the amount of fiber in the diet. Diets with higher fiber content typically cause more bowel movements.

Going more than 24 hours without a bowel movement probably means that your dog a little constipated, and just needs a little extra fiber in his diet, to help keep him "regular". Fiber in the diet is important for normal defecation in dogs, just as it is for humans.

You can add a little cooked oatmeal or canned pumpkin (the unsweetened kind used in pies) as either a snack, or mixed in with his regular food. If you choose to use the oatmeal, cook it with water rather than milk.

Other ways to add fiber to your dog's diet:

Share an apple with him! Apple is high in fiber and other nutrients. Remove the seeds and core, apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide which can be harmful to dogs. One wedge is a good amount to start with, you don't want to over do it.

If you make brown rice for a family meal and save leftovers for your dog. Brown rice has three times the fiber of white rice. Spoon a little brown rice as a topper onto you dog's regular diet.

Mix healthy vegetables in your dog's food, or use them as treats. Many dogs love baby carrots, or carrot sticks, peas or green beans.

Be careful when adding fiber. A little is good, too much is bad. It takes only a small amount of fiber with regular food to help a dog. If your dog poops a lot or develops loose stools, cut back on the fiber. For a small dog like a Pug, try starting him out with as little as 1 teaspoon of whichever fiber rich food you choose (working up to twice a day if he tolerates it). You you might be able to increase up to 2 teaspoons.

Fiber rich foods can makes a dog have more gas. Too much gas can be painful for a dog, but an extra walk or two can often help work out the flatulence.

If after increasing your dog's fiber intake, he continues to have mild constipation, you should discuss the problem with your veterinarian.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti