The scoop on poop: what does your dog’s stool say about their health?
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A healthy digestive system should result in healthy poo. But what does a normal dog poo actually look like? We’re going to explore the basics, including what colour and consistency your dog’s faeces ought to be and when you should give the vet a call.
Table of contents
What does healthy dog poo look like?
Some vets use a faecal scoring chart which allows them to grade your dog’s poo from 1 to 7, with 1 being a very firm, hard and constipated type of stool and 7 being watery, diarrhoea. Grade 2 is the ideal poo, and this is what you should be aiming for with your dog.
A healthy grade 2 poo should be a uniform chocolate brown colour with no blood or noticeable mucus. The stools must be well-formed and look like small logs with some segmentation. When you pick your dog’s poo up it should not leave much residue behind on the ground and must have a firm consistency (but not too hard).
Healthy Vs Unhealthy Dog Poo Chart
We have put together our dog poop chart to help you identify why your pet’s stools may have strayed away from normal.
Hard pellets |
Firm Sausage-shape |
Soft/Mushy/Liquid/Diarrhoea |
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If your dog is passing small, hard pellets then this is a sign that your dog is constipated.
Constipation can occur for several reasons including eating something that has caused a blockage, dehydration, eating a diet that is lacking in fibre, medical problems or lack of exercise.
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Normal healthy poo is sausage or log-shaped and firm. It should be easy to pick up.
Normal healthy poo is what we should be aiming for in all dogs. Puppies may have slightly softer stools than this, but adult dogs should consistently pass well-formed stools.
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Soft or liquid poo is abnormal. Stools that are difficult (or impossible) to pick up cleanly indicate that there is a problem.
Dog diarrhoea can occur for a number of reasons including (but not limited to) parasites, infectious disease, dietary sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic issues, stress and sudden changes in diet.
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Hardpellets |
Firm Sausage-shape |
Soft/Mushy/Liquid/Diarrhoea |
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If your dog is passing small, hard pellets then this is a sign that your dog is constipated.
Constipation can occur for several reasons including eating something that has caused a blockage, dehydration, eating a diet that is lacking in fibre, medical problems or lack of exercise.
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Normal healthy poo is sausage or log-shaped and firm. It should be easy to pick up.
Normal healthy poo is what we should be aiming for in all dogs. Puppies may have slightly softer stools than this, but adult dogs should consistently pass well-formed stools.
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Soft or liquid poo is abnormal. Stools that are difficult (or impossible) to pick up cleanly indicate that there is a problem.
Dog diarrhoea can occur for a number of reasons including (but not limited to) parasites, infectious disease, dietary sensitivities, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic issues, stress and sudden changes in diet.
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What do different dog poo colours mean?
Our dog poo colour chart explains what changes in your dog’s faeces could mean.
Dog Poo Colour |
What could this mean? |
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Light to medium brown dog poo
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This is the colour of normal, healthy dog poo
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Black dog poo
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Black, tarry-looking poo could be digested blood (melaena). This could indicate a serious bleed in the upper digestive tract. This is serious and needs urgent veterinary attention.
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Red or blood-stained dog poo
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Fresh blood in dog poo can appear as streaks, droplets or generalised bloody stools. This can indicate a bleed in the lower digestive tract which could be due to many reasons, so your vet will help to work things out.
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Orange/yellow/beige dog poo
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Sometimes lighter coloured stools could be a variation of normal. They may also be seen following a change in diet.
However pale poo (especially if it is softer than usual) can be an indication that your dog is struggling to digest fats e.g. there is an underlying liver or pancreas issue.
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Green dog poo
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Could indicate that your dog has eaten a lot of grass, vegetables or food containing colouring.
It can also be a sign of digestive upset or parasitic infection, with normal green bile pigments released by the liver not being broken down by gut bacteria as normal.
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Greasy or grey dog poo
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Grey faeces can indicate a problem with the digestion of fats. This often happens when there is an issue with the liver or pancreas.
Things may also appear grey if there is a large amount of jelly-like mucus in dog poo.
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White dog poo
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White dog poo used to be more commonly seen in the past due to the high calcium levels in commercial pet food at that time.
Dogs that eat a diet high in bones may have white faeces.
Mucus coating the surface of faeces can give it a white appearance.
Worms in dog poo may appear white. Small white grains of rice could be tapeworm segments, whereas long spaghetti-like worms are usually roundworms.
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How often should a dog poo?
Dogs should poo between one and three times a day , though puppies may pass stools a bit more often. If your dog is passing stools more frequently than usual, or if they are not passing poo at all, then contact your vet for advice.
How long does it take for a dog to digest food and poop?
The gut transit time is the time it takes for food to travel through the stomach, small intestine and large intestine and be expelled as faeces. This time varies between individual dogs but is usually around 1 to 2 days.
Different factors affect gut transit time including the dog’s diet, fluid intake, health issues, age and size. Feeding a fresh wholefood diet, made from highly nutritious ingredients, can help to support a dog’s digestive health. In some dogs, this can help regulate bowel movements that are too swift or frequent.
Conclusion
If there are any changes in the colour or consistency of your dog’s stools, then you must speak to a vet for advice. Underlying medical complaints must be ruled out first. If all is well, then your vet may discuss a change of diet to help improve your dog’s stool quality. Our fresh dog food is 100% grain-free and loaded with high-fibre vegetables to keep your dog's digestion running smoothly. With every meal, your dog benefits from a probiotic supplement that delivers up to 400 million CFU of good bacteria for a happy, healthy gut and microbiome.
About the author
Dr. Becky
Rebecca MacMillan – BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Rebecca is a companion animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009. Since then, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever, George!
