Life would be much easier if our dogs could tell us when they’re not feeling their best. They might not be able to verbally communicate, but they definitely show signs when things are functioning as they should…or when they need a little help. Did you know that the state of your dog’s poop can give you valuable information about his gut health? Keep reading to learn more about this connection and what your dog’s poop can tell you about their gut health.
A Full Range of Colors
A quick glance at the color of your dog’s poop can provide you with a lot of information about how the gut is functioning. Here is a quick overview of what different colors of poop mean for your dog’s health:
- Brown: Good news, brown poop is usually a sign that everything is functioning well inside the gut! Poop can come in various shades of brown. Usually, this is merely a side effect of the amount of certain nutrients in your pup’s food. Darker brown poop is usually found in pets who eat fresh, dark proteins like beef or duck. Lighter brown poop is typically the byproduct of lighter proteins like chicken or fish.
- White: Sometimes poop that has been sitting out in the sun for a while will turn white. If your pup’s poop is white when it exits the body, though, this could be an indicator that a raw diet is not sitting well in the gut. Switching to food that has been cooked should be enough to solve this issue.
- Multi-color: While mixed colors in poop tend to freak dog owners out, they are usually nothing to be alarmed by. Pets that eat fresh diets with a variety of types of protein will often have feces that range in color from light to dark brown.
- Black: If your dog’s poop is black, that might be a sign of an underlying health issue. The black color generally means blood in the feces. If you notice this more than once, it’s best to schedule a visit with your veterinarian.
- Yellow or Orange: These are other poop colors that should inspire you to call your veterinarian for a checkup. Please bring a sample with you so the veterinary team can perform tests to determine the cause.
Lots of Textures, Too
The texture of poop is also an indicator of gut health. Ideally, poop should be pretty malleable in texture, and stay together as it leaves the body and heads to the ground. If poop is too hard or does not maintain its consistency, it could mean that something isn’t right in the digestive tract and poop is lingering in the digestive tract. Poop that is too soft might be a sign that your pet isn’t properly digesting food (or getting the right kind of nutrients). Very loose and soft stool could also be letting you know about a problem in your pup’s gut. If you have any questions about the texture of your pet’s poop, feel free to ask the veterinary team at your next wellness exam.
Sizes and Amounts
If your dog is eating the same amount of food each day, he should produce roughly the same amount of poop. Significant changes in the size of bowel movements may mean a problem with digestion or diet. If you feel like your dog needs to poop too often, his food could be full of too many filler ingredients that aren’t really providing nutritional value. Genetic factors like size and breed can also determine how much a dog should be pooping. If you are unsure whether the number of times your dog poops is normal, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian.
We’ve identified some of what your dog’s poop can tell you about their gut health and given you signs to watch for that might indicate a visit with your veterinarian. We hope this has helped.
Whether you’re worried about your dog’s poop or it’s time to schedule your next wellness exam, the caring, knowledgeable team at Union Lake Veterinary Hospital is here for you. Call (248) 363-1508 to learn more.