Shit Happens (Literally): What to Do When Your Foster Puppy Has an Accident
We all love puppies. The snuggles, the playtime, the joy of watching them grow. But then there are the mornings you wake up to... a biohazard in a crate. If you've fostered for more than five minutes, chances are you’ve already learned this one unavoidable truth: shit happens.
Today, we’re talking about what to do when it literally does. Simba - one of our foster pups - gave us a masterclass in this just this morning, waking up in a full-blown poop disaster. So here’s what you need to know (and do) when you’re cleaning up more than just cute paw prints.
1. Stay Calm and Grab the Gloves
The mess might be epic, but your response doesn’t have to be. First things first: don’t panic. Find your gloves, breathe through your mouth, and get into cleanup mode. If your foster is covered, they’ll need a bath first - and yes, that might mean giving them a quick scrub before you’ve even had your coffee.
Pro Tip: Have a “disaster cleanup” kit ready to go. Include gloves, unscented baby wipes, enzyme cleaner, paper towels, and an old towel you won’t miss.
2. Check In on Your Pup
Once the immediate mess is handled, do a quick health check. Diarrhea can mean a lot of things: stress, a sudden diet change, parasites, or illness. If your foster puppy is acting lethargic, refusing food, or continues to have diarrhea, contact your rescue or vet ASAP.
Document the mess (we know, ew) with a photo if needed — it’s helpful for vet records, especially if it’s recurring.
3. Sanitize, Don’t Just Spray
Foster puppies are germ factories - it’s part of their charm. Use an enzyme-based cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle or Rocco & Roxie) to thoroughly clean the crate, floor, or wherever the mess landed. These products break down organic waste and help eliminate odor, which reduces future accidents in the same spot.
4. Consider What Caused It
Ask yourself:
Did we just switch foods?
Did they get a treat that was too rich?
Have they had a lot of stress or changes lately?
Are they current on deworming?
Sometimes the cause is obvious (hello, cheese stick left out at toddler height), and other times it’s more subtle. Keep track in your foster log if it seems like a trend.
5. Prevent the Next Poopocalypse
Feed on a schedule and don’t introduce new treats or foods all at once.
Use crate pads or machine-washable beds that can survive the washing machine (or trash bin).
Monitor water intake — too much or too little can affect digestion.
Make sure the puppy goes out before bed — even if it’s just to sniff and pretend.
6. It’s Okay to Laugh Later (Maybe Much Later)
Right now it’s gross. Later, it’ll be a story. Every seasoned foster has one. File it under “things no one told me about fostering,” laugh about it in your group chat, and move on. You're doing the messy, important work: poop and all.
Final Thoughts:
Simba’s crate got deep-cleaned. He got a bubble bath. I got a strong cup of coffee. The work we do as fosters is full of joy, learning, and yes, some serious stink. But every blowout, every bath, every paper towel roll - it all brings these puppies one step closer to the home they deserve.
