If you’re a dog owner, you might be having more conversations about poop than you ever thought you’d have. To anyone who’ll lend an ear, I find myself waxing poetic about the day’s drop – what it looked like, smelled like, felt like (briefly, of course, and through a bag).

Dog ownership means loving every part of your dog, from snout to tail, even when the business end is having some pretty severe diarrhea.

And boy did my dog Bear have experience with that! His stomach was so sensitive, even the slightest change in his environment would have him releasing the kraken – and me investing in a Costco-sized amount of wet wipes.

Looking into it, I found that part of it was the food I was feeding him. As much as kibble was convenient and cheap for me, it simply wasn’t great for Bear. I started doing a deep dive into the best fresh foods for dogs, and that’s how I came across Ollie, a subscription service for human-grade, vet-formulated recipes. Promising not only better poops, but a shinier coat and more energy, I was pretty much sold from the get-go.

Read on to learn how Ollie made poop scooping a little more joyous, for both me and Bear.

The good, the bad, and the stinky

Basically, poop is a great indicator of health. Good poops = healthy dog.

First, let’s break down good poop vs. bad poop. For more experienced owners, this might be obvious, but I’m here to educate everyone else!

When looking at your dog’s poop, take note of the color, shape, size, consistency, and content:

And, of course, any changes in your pup’s poop could be a sign of an intestinal issue. If you’re noticing anything off, don’t hesitate to visit the vet!

Often, Bear’s poops would come out watery, with a mucus-y coating, and a bit green from the grass she’d snack on. While this just seemed like the norm for him – no significant changes in his poop, and the vet gave him a clean bill of health – I knew that it could always be better. And I wanted that for him!

Luckily, Ollie takes dog poop seriously.

Top-Notch Toilet Time

Now that I’ve got you really getting into the nitty gritty of your dog’s poop, here are some ways to make sure it stays exactly as it should be, every time:

1. Regular vet visits: We can’t emphasize this enough! These visits ensure your dog is healthy, up-to-date on shots, and disease-free. Once a year is ideal for a physical check. And, of course, any time you notice something might be off with your pup’s digestion, it’s a good idea to call your vet!

2. Daily exercise: Your pooch might need more than just a daily walk – running and playing can help stimulate bowel movements. Try to incorporate more puppy play time daily. It’s good for both you and them! Plus, who doesn’t want more time to bond?

3. Drinking water: If your dog isn’t drinking enough water, it can lead to digestive issues and harder poop. To encourage more water consumption, make sure it’s always clean and fresh, and try placing more water bowls around your house. On hotter days, you can also give them ice cubes!

4. Healthy diet: This is where I was slacking. Dry, filler-filled kibble isn’t the best for any dog – which is where Ollie comes in. Using only human-grade ingredients, vet-formulated recipes, and slow-cooked whole foods, Ollie guarantees both nutrition and flavor.

The Heart of the Fecal Matter

At the end of the day, changing Bear’s food was what made a world of difference in his poop. 

With my Ollie starter box (at 60% off, no less!), I got Bear’s first two weeks of food, a handy transition guide I put on my fridge, and a scoop and container that made storage and serving a breeze.

And, to show that they’re really the experts on excrement? Ollie offers a free Digestion Scan while you’re transitioning your pup, for tailored recommendations on the best ways to make the process smooth. This is important because your dog’s microbiome needs to adjust to their new diet, which can cause some unpleasant reactions (read: more diarrhea). Just snap a pic of your dog’s deposit, send it to Ollie through their app, and get an analysis within 24 hours.

Starting out, Bear was eager to try some new, delicious food but suddenly his poop looked a bit…smaller. Immediately concerned, I took full advantage of the Digestion Scan. I got results surprisingly fast – and my team let me know I was right on track. It turns out, since the new food is more digestible, the poop ends up smaller. Not to mention, some of their ingredients are specifically meant to aid in digestion (as well as provide nutrition): butternut squash, green peas, rice, and carrots all make walks a little less messy.

The 10 days of transitioning flew by, and Bear, thankfully, did not have any issues. I continued to send pictures for posterity’s sake, but it came out just how it was supposed to: regular, well-formed, and chocolate brown. Plus, the feature is free for members of the Ollie pack, so why not take advantage?

Now, Bear devours his Ollie and poops cleaner and less smelly. What more could I ask for?

The Inside Scoop

Wondering how other owners’ journeys went, or just curious to read more? Here are a few reviews that express gratitude for how Ollie changed their pups’ movements.