Oh. Yummy. A poop post!
Yep. An entire post on your dog's poop.
If you've owned a dog for any length of time, you've certainly observed many things about their poop.
But what should you read into those observations?
Well, wonder no more. And learn the truth of what your dog's poop means in this post.
Your Dog Has Their Own Normal
Every dog has a normal baseline for their poop. This includes the frequency, color, and consistency of their poop.
When it comes to unhealthy poop, however, the signs of that will vary.
Normal poop is, of course, brown. It's in the shape of a log. And while it should smell, the scent shouldn't knock you over.
The poop should hold its shape when picked up. But, it shouldn't be hard either. When you pick up your dog's poop from the ground, it should leave little or nothing behind.
Identifying Problems with Your Dog's Poop Consistency
Hard poop. Believe it or not, your dog's poop can be too hard. It may come out as pebbles or as logs with cracks. Many times your dog will strain to poop when it comes out too hard. This may be because they are constipated.
And constipation can be caused by dehydration, an intestinal blockage, pain in the anal region, or even a neurological disorder.
Soft poop. This type of poop can come out in log form, just like hard poop. But the simple fact is that it's too soft. If too soft, your dog's poop can also come out looking like soft serve ice cream or a cow pie.
Too soft of dog poop can be caused by infections, dietary changes, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, ingesting a toxin, and even a metabolic disorder.
Diarrhea. We all know what it looks like. And the causes of diarrhea are the same as those of soft poop.
What Does Your Dog's Poop Color Mean?
Brown. This is the normal color of your dog's poop. Your dog is a-okay if their poop is this color, or even a darker brown. Do be aware that if you change your dog's diet or give them different treats, this can change the color of your dog's poop. That's normal and fine. However, if the color of your dog's poop changes dramatically, that likely indicates a problem.
Red. Entirely red poop can be perfectly okay, or it can indicate a serious health issue requiring veterinary attention immediately. Red poop can happen because of the ingestion of red foods, like beets. If your dog hasn't eaten a red food, and their poop comes out red like blood, then that's likely a serious issue. Contact your vet right away.
Black. If your dog's poop is this color, it also indicates a serious health issue is going on. You should take your dog to the vet immediately. Black poop can mean bleeding is happening in the gastrointestinal tract.
Orange or yellow. Again, these colors can indicate a serious health issue is going on with your dog. Likely the issue is somewhere in their liver or biliary system. Get your dog into the vet immediately.
Green or blue. Yes, your dog's poop can turn to a green/bluish color. Unfortunately, if this happens, there's a chance they've ingested rat or mouse poison. Get your dog to a vet as fast as you can. And, if you can, figure out exactly what brand of poison they ingested.
Fortunately, blue poop can also mean your dog just ate the tip of a magic marker. Green poop can also caused by eating a lot of grass. And in some cases, green poop can also be caused by gall bladder disease.
White, gray, or greasy. Have we covered every color of the rainbow by now? Sure feels like it, doesn't it? Dogs with this color/texture of poop are likely having a hard time digesting food because of something awry in their liver or pancreas.
Red stripes. An infected anal gland or mass can cause red striping in your dog's poop.
There! Now we've covered practically every color of the rainbow!
...And there you have it! That's what your dog's poop means.