Dog Poop 101: What’s Healthy & What’s Not

It might seem strange, but one of the easiest ways to keep tabs on your dog’s health is to keep tabs on your dog’s…poop.

Yep, we said it! From color to stool consistency, it turns out that poo gives us a lot of clues as to what’s going on inside your pup’s adorable, tail-wagging body. 

Not sure what to look for? Never fear! The team at Allure Veterinary Partners is here to help you decipher the delicate intricacies of doggy doo. 

What Does Healthy Dog Poop Look Like? 

The ideal dog poop—yes, there is such a thing—should be chocolate brown in color, log-shaped, and firm—think Play-Doh texture. If you previously loved Play-Doh, we’re sorry for ruining it.

It should be easy to pick up with a doggy bag without leaving much residue behind. Consistent, well-shaped stools usually mean your dog is digesting food the right way and doesn’t have any major digestive upsets or infections. 

Changes in Stool Consistency

Stool consistency is just as important as appearance. If the poop is too hard, your dog might be dehydrated or not getting enough fiber in her food. On the other hand, if it’s soft, runny, or watery, your pup could be struggling with a dietary allergy, parasites, or sickness.

A sudden change in stool consistency isn’t always a reason to panic, though. The dramatic change could be caused by something as simple as a treat that didn’t agree with your furry family member. But if soft or overly hard stools keep coming for more than a day or two, it’s time to call your vet.

What Different Dog Stool Colors Might Mean

Your dog’s stool color tells an important story about their health. If you’re noticing any other colors, it’s a sign to pay closer attention to what your dog’s bowel movements are trying to tell you. 

Here’s a guide to what different stool colors in your dog could indicate:

Black/Tarry-Looking: This often points to bleeding higher up in the digestive tract. It could also suggest parasites, other microbial issues, or even cancer.

Red: If you see red, it usually means bleeding in the lower digestive tract. Other causes include inflammatory bowel disease, acute trauma, straining from constipation, colitis, or intestinal parasites.

Green: This might be due to your dog eating too much grass, a gallbladder issue, or even potential exposure to rodenticides.

Orange or Yellow: These colors can signal digestive problems, a food intolerance, or a liver issue.

Gray: A gray stool could indicate malabsorption, too much fat in their diet, or problems with the pancreas or bile.

White Specks: These might suggest malabsorption, too much calcium, or, if they’re moving, worms or a parasitic infection.

Purple: A purple stool could be a sign of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HE) or certain viral diarrheas.

If your dog has abnormal poop color for two days or more—especially paired with vomiting, unusual sleepiness, or lack of desire to eat—check in with your vet as soon as possible. 

The Clue is in the Poo

You don’t need to obsess over every pile of poo in your yard, but a periodic check-in won’t hurt. Keeping an eye on stool color and consistency is an easy way to stay in tune with your pup’s health. 

If you notice anything unusual about your pup’s poo, call the caring and poo-friendly team at Allure Veterinary Partners.  We have Fecalizer kits in our lobby. You can take a kit home to collect a sample and then drop it off in the lobby once it’s ready.

We’ll help you decipher the clues and get your pup feeling good again. Reach out at (916) 680-9975 today!