What Your Dog’s Poop Means

Dog parents are used to having to clean up after their dogs, especially in public. The next time you pick up your dog’s poop, make sure you pay attention to what was left behind. They say a lot about your dog’s health and can help you make better dietary decisions for your dog.

Here’s what you need to know:

Normal Stool

Normal, healthy dog poop is firm and a bit moist. You should be taking note of the volume, color, and odor. If your dog’s poop is high in volume and has a strong odor, he/she may be eating too much fiber. This is common for dogs with dry food diets. They are unable to process all the nutrients and end up pushing them out. Dogs on raw food diets tend to produce less volume with a milder odor.

White, chalky stool

White, chalky stool is usually a result of a raw food diet that is high in calcium. It may mean your dog is at risk of being unable to poop without help. This can lead to loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting, and you may need to vet to step in. You may have to save samples of the stool for your vet.

White or Tan Specks

If your dog has this type of stool, save a sample for your vet. This can mean your dog has a parasitic infection, such as roundworm and tapeworm.

Black, Tarry, Green, Yellow, or Red Stool

This indicates an issue in the intestines or anal cancer. This may mean your dog has an injury to the gastrointestinal tract, or even cancel. See your vet immediately.

Soft or loose Stool

This may indicate giardia or another intestinal parasite. It may also be a result of a change in diet.

Greasy, grey stool

This is an indication of excess fat in your dog’s diet. This may lead to inflammatory conditions such as pancreatitis.

Watery diarrhea

Watery diarrhea in high volume may be a sign of an issue in your dog’s small intestine. It may be a result of injury, viral infection, or food allergies. Watery diarrhea in low volume indicates an issue in the large intestine. It may also be a result of worms, polyps, ulcers, or even cancer.

Soft stool with mucus

This may be a sign of parvovirus or parasites, especially if you notice worms or eggs present. Take your dog to the vet immediately.