What colour should dog poo be?
Normal dog poo is usually:
- medium to dark brown
- firmly formed
- not extremely smelly
The colour can partly be influenced by the food you give. Still, unusual colours can sometimes point to a problem.
Dog has yellow poo
Yellow poo can be caused by:
- a change in diet
- poor digestion of fats
- intestinal problems
- problems with the liver or bile
Dog has red poo
Red poo or red blood in the poo may indicate:
- irritation of the large intestine
- inflammation
- wounds around the anus
- diarrhoea
Do you see blood in the poo? Then it is sensible to contact your vet.
Dog has brown poo
Brown is normal, although lighter or darker variations can occur because of diet.
Dog has green poo
Green poo can occur because a dog:
- has eaten a lot of grass
- has eaten something unusual
- has bile moving through the intestines more quickly
Dog has black poo
Black, tar-like poo is always a warning sign. This may indicate digested blood higher up in the gastrointestinal tract. Always contact a vet if your dog has black poo.
What does the consistency of the poo say?
Not only the colour, but also the texture of the poo is important. This can vary from diarrhoea to very hard poo.
Diarrhoea
Watery or loose poo is called diarrhoea. Possible causes are:
- incorrect diet
- stress
- infections
- parasites
- food sensitivity
Read our detailed blog too: Diarrhoea in dogs
Hard poo or constipation
Very hard or dry poo can indicate:
- constipation
- too little fluid
- too little exercise
- incorrect diet
A dog can also have hard poo after eating bones. Therefore, do not let your dog chew on a bone for too long or without supervision. Some dogs struggle to strain when they have hard poo.
Mucus in the poo
A little mucus can sometimes occur, but a lot of mucus may indicate:
- intestinal irritation
- inflammation of the large intestine
- parasites
White coating around the poo
A white slimy coating or white bits can sometimes indicate:
- intestinal irritation
- worms or tapeworm segments
In cases of persistent diarrhoea or mucus in the poo, it is sensible to visit your vet for a check-up. The same applies to hard poo that lasts longer. Hard poo can cause your dog to strain so much that the muscles around the anus are damaged and a perineal hernia develops.
The smell of poo
Poo never smells pleasant, of course, but a suddenly strong change in smell can be a sign that something is wrong.
An unusual smell is often linked to:
- diarrhoea
- a different colour
- poor digestion
- infections
A very sour smell, an extremely pungent smell or a rotten smell may indicate problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
How often should a dog poo?
The frequency differs per dog and depends on, among other things:
Most dogs pass poo 1 to 3 times a day.
Pooing more often
Passing poo more often is commonly seen with:
- diarrhoea
- intestinal irritation
- parasites
Difficulty pooing
Difficulty passing poo may indicate:
- constipation
- pain
- problems around the anus
- a perineal hernia
Parasites and poo
Parasites regularly play a role in abnormal poo. Think, for example, of worms or Giardia.
These can cause symptoms such as:
- diarrhoea
- mucus in the poo
- weight loss
- flatulence
- varying poo
Take a look at our range of deworming products for dogs too. Here you will find not only products to deworm your dog, but also natural worming remedies to help protect the intestines and self-tests for worms and Giardia.
When should you go to the vet?
Contact your vet if there is:
- blood in the poo
- black poo
- persistent diarrhoea
- severe constipation
- a lot of mucus
- sudden major changes
- lethargy or vomiting alongside abnormal poo
Your dog’s poo provides a lot of information about their health. By paying close attention to colour, consistency, smell and frequency, you can sometimes spot problems early.
A one-off unusual poo is not immediately a reason to panic, but ongoing changes do deserve attention. Especially when blood, black poo or severe diarrhoea occurs, it is wise to involve a vet.
Do you still have questions about your dog’s poo? Then contact us via veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.
