Did you know your dog's poo can give us clues to their health?! We call them "Poo's Clues"! Our medical team teaches us how to look out for signs that they may be due for a vet visit ASAP and puts it in an easy to read and save infographic. Save/share/print the infographic to keep those clues close and ready when you need them!
Healthy & Happy
- Chocolate brown - perfect! A milk chocolate color is ideal for your pup’s poo
Should be Monitored
- Hard and pebbled, dry, hard to pass - may be a sign of dehydration and/or constipation
- log shaped but very soft, does not keep shape or leaves residue
- Yellow/Orange - may be a sign of a biliary or liver issue
- Green - may be a sign of excessive grass or gallbladder issue
- Gray - may be a sign of biliary or pancreas issue
- Black - may be a sign of bleeding in upper GI tract
- White specks - specks that look like rice may be a sign of tapeworm
If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, be sure to monitor for 24 hrs. If symptoms persist, call your vet!
Raises Concern
- Red/Red streaks - may be a sign of blood either from a small tear near their anus or inflammation within their lower GI tract
- Black - may be a sign of bleeding in upper GI tract
- White specks - specks that look like rice may be a sign of tapeworm
If your pet is showing any of these symptoms, call your vet right away! Bleeding of any kind showed be checked out, as well as any signs of worms.
Have more questions about your dog's poo? We have answered some commonly asked questions below.
1. What if I am finding grass in my dog's poop?
Grass in your dog’s poop may simply mean that they enjoy the taste of grass, but are eating a bit too much. However, it can also be a sign of gastric upset and nausea, and eating grass is a way to soothe it.
2. What causes dog constipation?
- Too much or too little dietary fiber
- Not enough exercise
- Blocked or infected anal glands
- Excessive self-grooming (look out for dog hair in the stools).
- Foreign bodies such as gravel, bones, plants or plastic caught in the intestinal tract
- A side effect of medication
- Dehydration (which can be a possible symptom of more serious diseases)
3. What causes dog diarrhea?
- A stressful event like adopting a new dog, the arrival of a new family member, moving home etc.
- Quickly switching to a new dog food or eating human food they are not used to
- Accidentally eating something toxic to their systems, such as certain foods or household items
- New medication
- Drinking water from a puddle or stagnant pond with foreign bacterias
Note: This is not a comprehensive list, make sure to call your vet if diarrhea persists
4. What if my dog’s poop has mucus?
Mucus in dog poop could indicate an inflamed colon or a mild infection in the gut. The mucus may also occur due to parvovirus or parasite infestation. If it persists for more than 48 hrs, make sure to call your vet.
5. When should I call my vet?
If symptoms of “unideal poops”, including colors, consistency, or atypical content persist for more than 48 hrs, call your veterinarian to bring them in for a full diagnostic. Remember: it is always helpful to bring a sample!
6. What if there is a string, hair, or worm exiting the rectum?
Whatever you do, DO NOT PULL! As tempting as it may be, do not pull, but simply clip the item as close to the rectum as you can safely. If the item does not pass naturally, call your vet immediately for further instructions.
