One of the best ways to monitor your dog’s health is by keeping an eye on their poop. Our canine friends can’t articulate to us when they’ve got a stomachache or other physical discomfort–so it’s up to us to look for clues to ensure they are in a state of good health. One practical way to do this is by monitoring dog poop signs, especially if you change food, environments, or medications. In fact, dog poop can tell you a lot about what is going on inside your dog’s body, and can provide hints whether or not they are suffering from any health problems. In this article, we will discuss the most common things to watch out for in dog poop, and what they mean for your pup’s health. Keep reading for the ultimate guide to understanding your dog’s health, one poop at a time!
Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea?
Of course, if your dog has diarrhea, it can be indicative of a serious health problem that could leave them dehydrated, weak, and unmotivated to eat—or it could be a fleeting problem due to something they ate that could pass within a few hours.
If your dog has diarrhea, it’s best to do some digging: did indulge in any high-fat human foods such as chicken skin or pork fat after digging through the trash? Did they drink salt water at the beach? Have you switched up their regular diet recently? All of these examples can lead to diarrhea, but usually don’t pose a serious, ongoing health risk.
However, if your dog has ongoing diarrhea and associated lethargy, vomiting, or disinterest in eating or drinking, you should consider taking your pup to the vet as soon as possible. A veterinarian will be able to get your dog rehydrated, look for the root cause of the illness, and set your pooch on the path to recovery!
What Does It Mean When Dog Poop Is Dry and Crumbly?
If you’ve found that your dog’s poops have lately been on the other end of the poop spectrum, you may be wondering what it means when dog poop is dry and crumbly. Typically, crumbly dog poop indicates dehydration, constipation, and/or an intestinal blockage. At times, this can be remedied by offering them more water and fiber, but there are other circumstances that might make your dog’s poop crumbly as well, such as eating non-food items, changing a dog’s medication, lack of exercise, or even infected anal glands. In general, it’s best to keep an eye on your dog’s dry, crumbly poop—and if it doesn’t get better with walks, water, and fiber, it’s likely time to take them to the vet.
Signs of Worms in Dog Poop
Parasites in dog poop are not terribly uncommon, especially if your pooch has a—let’s say, “adventurous”—palate. There are four primary types of worms in dog poop that owners need to look out for: hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms. With each of these parasites, you should be able to see either visible worms in your dog’s feces, or in the case of tapeworms, egg sacs that appear similar to grains of rice.
Other signs your dog might have worms include:
- Diarrhea or stool with blood or mucous
- Vomiting
- Lethargy and loss of appetite
- Stomach bloating
- Unhealthy coat or hair
- Pale gums
- Rapid weight loss
- Or coughing
Why Is My Dog Pooping Blood?
If you’ve found blood in your dog poop, it can initially seem like an immediate cause for concern—however, sometimes blood in dog poop can simply occur as a result of eating non-food items like trash, dog toys, bones, or sticks. On the other hand, it can also indicate more serious problems, such as viral or bacterial infections, worms, or even cancer.
If your dog is pooping blood, it’s important that you take note of the color of the blood when it exits your pup’s body. This can help veterinarians pinpoint a diagnosis and get your dog taken care of faster. There are two main types of bloody dog poop: hematochezia and melena.
Hematochezia is immediately recognizable by bright red poop in your dog’s stool, often accompanied by mucus or diarrhea, that looks fresh and vibrant. It’s important to tell your vet if your pup’s bloody poop appears bright red in color, as this generally indicates that the blood has not passed through the entire digestive tract. This means that the problem is likely in the colon or lower digestive tract, and allows them to treat your dog more efficiently.
Melena, on the other hand, contains poop that looks nearly black—to the degree that some owners will not even recognize black dog poop as bloody. However, black dog poop can indicate an issue with the upper intestine or stomach, including cancer, ulcers, and inflammation. Typically, melena dog poops are more solid while hematochezia tends to be more like diarrhea.
Dog Mucus Poop: A Cause for Concern?
A little mucus in your dog’s poo here and there is normal—especially if you’ve just changed their diet. In fact, your dog’s colon regularly produces mucus to avoid constipation by lubricating the gut.
However, too much mucus in your dog’s stool can actually be a cause for concern. An excess of mucus in dog poop can mean everything from an adverse reaction to food, to parasites, to colitis. It can even indicate inflammatory disorders or other GI tract issues; as such, it is important to monitor the amount and frequency of dog poop with mucus over the course of several days. It’s not unusual for dogs to have mucus in their poop when you’re transitioning their food or medication—but if you haven’t made any big changes in your dog’s life lately, an excess of mucus means it’s likely time to take them to the vet.
What Do White Specks in Dog Poop Mean?
There are any number of reasons why a dog might have white specks in their poop. This can be as simply explained as their diet or non-food intake (rice or toy fibers), changes in medication, or fly larvae making a home in your pooch’s poo immediately after they defecate. Another possible explanation is a fungal infection, which is generally accompanied by red, dry, itchy skin with a foul odor. This warrants a visit to the vet so they can either provide you with an anti fungal, probiotic supplement, or both to get your dog’s health back on track. Additionally, if you notice the white specks in your dog poop moving, however, it’s possible your dog has worms and you should likewise seek veterinary care right away.
Dog Poop Color Chart
Who knew there was so much to unpack about your dog’s health simply by paying attention to the state of their poop! In caring for our canine companions, we have to do our best to look for signs of illness or discomfort using non-verbal cues—and analyzing the color, texture, and content of your dog’s poop can help you better care for your four-legged friend.
If you suspect your dog might have a health issue based on their poop, be sure to take them to the vet right away with a stool sample, if possible. For a complete look at dog poop, check out this Unhealthy Dog Poop Chart!
For more health tips check out our post on Pet First aid