What Should Dog Poop Look Like?

Wondering “What should dog poop look like?” Don’t worry, I’ll explain it all to you!

Last week, my friend Fenway was sick with a stomach ache. It seemed so bad in the middle of the night that her parents even considered bringing her to the emergency vet in the middle of the night. Turns out, the little pup was simply backed up and constipated! When she finally started pooping, the color and texture of her feces made her parents nervous, so they came to me for advice about what should dog poop look like.

Before I begin, I’d like to make an important announcement. If you’re concerned about your pet’s health, the best decision you can make is to visit your veterinarian or pet emergency hospital. I’m not a medical expert, just a very smart dog who loves to research. If you’re comfortable just keeping an eye on your dog and her poop, here are some things you should keep an eye out for.

What Should Dog Poop Look Like?

Check the color

What shade of brown is your dog’s normal poop? Ideally, your dog’s droppings should be about a chocolate-brown color. It’s normal for the poop to change shades from time-to-time depending on diet and stomach issues, but a consistent color is important for good health.

If you’re noticing that your dog’s poop is black or tarry-like, there may be some bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Are there red streaks in your dog’s feces? There’s a chance that this could be a sign of bleeding as well. Light-colored poop, especially orange or yellow-tinted could be signs of liver issues. Call the vet if you’re noticing any of these abnormalities.

Examine the content

Now that you’ve noticed the color of your dog’s droppings, what else can you see? Your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about what’s going on with her body based on what’s inside of it. If you’re noticing a lot of mucus, there might be some inflammation of your pup’s colon. Mucus could also be a symptom of colitis.

Notice anything resembling rice or spaghetti in there? If so, your dog might have worms. Make sure to save the stool sample and bring it (and your dog) to the vets. She’ll need to take medicine to remove the worms. Is there a lot of grass in the poop? Sometimes dogs eat excessive grass when they are experiencing stomach issues. You might also find a lot of hair in there if your pet is grooming herself too often. Grass and hair aren’t a sign for concern; however, if they are consumed in an overwhelming amount, they might cause an obstruction that your vet will need to address.

Evaluate the size

Not all dogs poop the same amount. Would it make sense that a Chihuahua and a Great Dane have the same size droppings? Absolutely not! Once you know what to expect from your dog’s poop, keep an eye out on their regular outtake. Something could be wrong if your dog is suddenly pooping a lot less – or even a lot more. It could mean that food is moving too slowly or too quickly through her body.

Look at the shape

Does your dog’s poop look like little balls, a big wet puddle, or a log? The more log-shaped, the better! If your dog is dropping tiny ball-like droppings, it may be because she is dehydrated and needs more water. Increase her water intake and see if this helps. If your dog’s droppings are wet and puddle-like, she might not be getting proper nutrients. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, so be sure to keep an eye on your dog’s health.

Consider consistency

Sometimes a dog’s poop can often change, but overall, you should be aware of the different textures and how they relate to your pup’s health. Ideally, the poop should be well-formed so that when you pick it up off the grass – by the way, thanks for cleaning up after us – it comes up in one grab. You wouldn’t want the poop to be too hard (like a rock) or too soft (like sand or like pudding). If it is too hard, this might be an indication of constipation. Too soft, and your dog might have diarrhea.

Poop is important, folks! Aren’t you glad you no longer have to wonder what should dog poop look like anymore?

Has your dog ever experienced a pooping problem? Let us know how you handled it in the comments section!

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