As vets, we love talking about poo. We deal with all kinds of poo on a daily basis – hard poo, soft poo, lots of poo, no poo! We also see poo that comes in all different colours. One of the more unusual colours that we come across is white. But what causes white dog poo and when could it be a worry?
Dietary factors that could lead to white dog poo
White poo is most commonly encountered in dogs that are fed a raw diet. This is because they are more likely to consume large amounts of bone – which contains calcium. It’s the calcium which can cause the white discolouration. If your dog’s poo is white and they are on a raw diet then it is unlikely to be anything to worry about. But it is a sign that they may be taking on excess calcium. So the diet may need to be adjusted. It is also worth noting that ingesting bones, especially cooked bones, can potentially be dangerous for dogs, as they could lead to a blockage of the intestines or splinter and cause damage to the guts as they pass through.
Mucus as a cause of white dog poop
When the gut becomes inflamed due to conditions such as colitis, it can lead to the production of mucus. This coats the faeces and can sometimes make it appear like a covering of white. If it’s a one off and the dog is otherwise well, then it is unlikely to be of concern. But if it happens regularly, is persistent or is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhoea or inappetence, then it would be a good idea to seek veterinary advice. The causes are multiple, ranging from an infection to a food intolerance and your vet will likely carry out a thorough examination before possibly recommending imaging, blood tests or faecal tests.
Drugs that can make a dog’s poo white
The only drug that could really cause genuinely white faeces is barium. This is a medication which is administered orally when investigating digestive problems in dogs. It will be given just prior to a series of x-rays being taken. The barium shows up bright white on the x-rays and can highlight any abnormalities. When it passes through, it can cause the faeces to appear white, grey or just pale. This is normal if your dog has undergone this procedure and is nothing to worry about.
Tapeworm’s effect on dog poo colouring
If you notice your dog’s poo appears to be covered in small grains of rice, then it may be that they’re suffering with tapeworm. These are a type of gut worm that are made up of multiple segments containing eggs. When these segments are shed in order to expel the eggs, they look like rice grains. In severe cases, tapeworm infections can cause malabsorption and weight loss. Dogs should be wormed against tapeworm every three to six months and because some tapeworms can also affect people, preventative treatment is important from a human health point of view.
The role of bile in white dog poo
A more serious cause of white faeces can be a lack of digestive pigments, specifically bile which gives the faeces its usual colour. Bile is produced in the liver and stored in the gall bladder from where it is released into the gut. There are two situations that can result in a lack of bile – either a lack of production, such as in severe liver disease or liver failure, or when there is a blockage of the gall bladder or bile duct meaning bile cannot be excreted. With both of these, there are usually other symptoms like vomiting or abdominal pain so as always, if you have any concerns, always speak to your vet.
Sun-dried!
If, when clearing the garden, you come across a white poo but it’s dry and has clearly been there for a while, don’t worry – it’s likely an old deposit that’s been dried out and bleached by the sun.
Although it’s not a pleasant thing to deal with, the colour of your dog’s poo can give a great insight into their health. And don’t be afraid to take a photo if you think it looks abnormal, and share it with your vet! A picture paints a thousand words and can really help with a diagnosis.
You might also be interested in:
Discussion