Look before you scoop

What is your dog’s poo really telling you? Not the most glamorous subject to talk about, but one of the easiest ways to keep an eye on your dog’s health is to look at what comes out the other end. 

Your dog's stools can tell you a surprising amount about their digestion, diet and overall wellbeing. Catching a small change early can save you, and your dog, a much bigger headache down the line - so next time you're out on your walk, look before you scoop. Here’s a short guide of what to look out for...

What does a perfect dog poo look like? 

A healthy stool should be:

• Firm but not rock hard
• Well formed
• Easy to pick up
• Medium to dark brown
• Leave very little residue behind

Generally, this tells us your dog’s digestive system is doing exactly what it should.

Soft poo

Soft stools can happen for several reasons, including:

• Eating too many rich treats
• A sudden change in diet
• Stress or excitement
• A mild tummy upset
• Too much fat in the diet

If your dog is otherwise bright and well, it will often settle on its own. However, if it continues for more than a couple of days, or your dog seems unwell, it’s always worth speaking to your vet.

Hard, white or chalky poo

White or chalky stools are usually a sign that your dog has eaten a little more bone than usual.

If you’ve treated them to something like a chicken foot, duck neck or another natural chew containing bone, seeing a pale or white stool the following day is completely normal and isn’t usually anything to worry about.

However, if your dog is only eating their usual meals and their stools are consistently white, hard or crumbly, it may suggest there’s a little too much bone in their regular diet. In many cases, a small adjustment to the balance of the food is all that’s needed.

Every dog is different, so their stools are one of the best indicators of whether their diet is working well for them.

Loose poo with mucus

A small amount of mucus is perfectly normal because it helps protect the bowel. However, larger amounts can suggest the gut is irritated.

This can happen after eating something unusual, following a sudden diet change or during a mild digestive upset.

If it persists or is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy or blood, seek veterinary advice.

Black poo

Black, tarry stools can indicate digested blood from higher up in the digestive tract and should always be treated as a reason to contact your vet promptly.

Bright red blood

A tiny streak of fresh blood can sometimes happen if your dog has strained to pass a stool or has a small irritation around the rectum.

However, larger amounts of blood or repeated episodes should always be investigated by your vet.

Yellow or orange poo

Sometimes this can simply be caused by something your dog has eaten, but if the colour persists or your dog seems unwell, it’s worth arranging a veterinary check.

Green poo

Green stools are often seen after dogs have eaten grass. If they continue or your dog has other symptoms, it’s best to seek veterinary advice.

How often should dogs poo?

Most healthy adult dogs will pass stools once or twice a day, although every dog is slightly different. Dogs fed a fresh raw diet often produce:

• Smaller stools
• Firmer stools
• Less smell
• Less waste overall, as more of the food is digested and used by the body

When should you speak to your vet?

Contact your vet if your dog has:

• Persistent diarrhoea
• Repeated vomiting
• Black stools
• Large amounts of blood in their stools
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Signs of pain or discomfort

My final thoughts

Your dog’s poo is one of the simplest health checks you can do every day. Taking a quick look before you pick it up can tell you a lot about how well their digestive system is functioning and whether their diet is right for them.

Small day to day variations are perfectly normal, but persistent changes are worth paying attention to. Knowing what is normal for your own dog is one of the best ways to spot when something isn’t quite right. Lancashire Dog Treats are always here for advice, too.