|
Q: What affects stool hardness and volume?
A: The amount of food that your pet eats determines stool volume. Energy density in a diet is the main factor that determines the amount of food that is consumed. All other nutrients are balanced according to the energy content of the food. An animal will need less of a higher energy food to meet its daily requirements than if fed a lower energy food. Reduced consumption of an energy dense food results in smaller stool volume. A diet lower in energy requires greater food consumption to meet daily requirements which in turn means greater stool volume. Feeding a high-quality, energy dense pet food such as Exclusive™ translates into smaller stool volume.
One of the factors affecting stool hardness is the level of fiber contained in the diet. An adequate amount of fiber in the diet such as that in PMI Nutrition® and Exclusive™ Pet Formulas helps to maintain normal digestive function and keep stools firm. The higher the level of fiber contained in the food, the less firm the stool will be. Water consumption also contributes to stool hardness. Inadequate water intake will result in hard, dry stools. It is important that fresh, clean water always be available to your pet. Consistently providing a good quality food with adequate fiber, keeping “treats” to a minimum, and always having water available will aid in keeping stools firm.
Return to PMI Nutrition® - Ask The Experts
|
