Let’s face it, poo is unpleasant at the best of times, without some of the weird and wonderful variations that can make an appearance! Hold your nose and let’s have a look at poo and what it can tell you about your dog’s health.
Table of contents
- Why is my dog’s poo slimy like snot?
- Why does my dog’s poo smell worse than usual?
- Colour:
- Why does my dog’s poo look red?
- Why is my dog’s poo black?
- Or why is my dog’s poo white?
- Why is my dog’s poo yellow or orange?
- Why is my dog’s poo grey and greasy?
- What are these ‘bits’ in my dog’s poo?
- Why is my dog’s poo runny?
- Why is my dog’s poo hard and dry?
- Take home message:
Why is my dog’s poo slimy like snot?
An irritated large bowel can produce a snotty, jelly-like coating on the outside of your dog’s poo. Irritation of the large bowel is also known as colitis. As well as mucus, colitis can also lead to blood appearing in the poo and sometimes diarrhoea.
Colitis can arise when your dog is feeling stressed, or it might be down to something they ate. In these cases, it is usually self-limiting and may only last for a few days. Sometimes colitis is recurrent, or it may persist for longer. Contact your vet if your dog’s poo hasn’t improved within a couple of days. Your vet will want to investigate a few possible causes, including whether the colitis has been caused by a gut infection (parasites or bacteria), whether your dog has any food allergies, or whether their immune system is mistakenly attacking the bowel lining.
Why does my dog’s poo smell worse than usual?
Yes, poo smells, but if your dog’s poo has recently become particularly stinky, there may be a problem. Smells and gases are more likely to be produced when your dog’s diet isn’t particularly digestible. Treats and human foods are a common culprit. A change in diet may be called for. Have a chat with your vet clinic to find out what diets they would recommend.
Colour:
Why does my dog’s poo look red?
Red in your dog’s poo could be food-related (has your dog been eating any red foods lately)? However usually this colour indicates that blood is present. Fresh, red blood could be attributed to an irritated large bowel, perhaps because of scavenging or some other indiscriminate eating. If your dog is otherwise well, and it’s a one-off, it’s usually nothing to worry about initially. However, if the blood persists, and if your dog is straining or unwell, contact your vet for advice. Other causes of blood in the poo include worms, bleeding rectal polyps or anal gland problems, so it’s best to get these checked out.
Why is my dog’s poo black?
Black poo is a worrisome sign and should prompt a visit to the vet. It can be a sign of bleeding from the stomach or small intestine, which is not good news. Typically, your dog will be sick in other ways as well.
Or why is my dog’s poo white?
Dogs fed raw food with bones can produce chalky white poo, due to an excess of calcium from their diet. This isn’t usually an issue, but sometimes a high calcium diet can lead to constipation.
Why is my dog’s poo yellow or orange?
If your dog’s poo has changed from its usual brown to a more yellow or orange colour, it could just be something they ate. Pumpkin for example, can make the poo turn more orangey. However, it could be a sign of a liver issue. When the liver isn’t working well, there can be an excess of the liver product bilirubin. Bilirubin gives poo and urine a more yellowish colour. If your dog is not his normal self, or if there’s no obvious reason for the change, it’s time to see your vet.
Why is my dog’s poo grey and greasy?
Grey, greasy poo is caused by undigested fat. If it’s a one-off, it’s usually down to a particularly fatty meal your dog ate (table scraps are the usual suspect). However, if it’s persistent, your dog has been losing weight and if they seem unwell, it may signify a pancreatic problem. Call your vet and make an appointment if you are concerned.
What are these ‘bits’ in my dog’s poo?
Some contents, such as a little bit of hair or undigested food, are not a cause for concern. However, poo may contain worms, and if these are present your dog will need treating. Bits of toy or other foreign objects could make an appearance. If your dog is also acting out of sorts, this should prompt an immediate visit to your vet to look for any more bits and pieces that could still be stuck in the gut somewhere.
Why is my dog’s poo runny?
Poo doesn’t have to be watery for it to be classed as diarrhoea. Any poo that is difficult to pick up in one go would also come under this heading. Diarrhoea occurs when your dog has eaten something unusual or when they are feeling stressed. Most bouts of diarrhoea are self-limiting and will only last for a couple of days. However, if your dog has diarrhoea for more than 48 hours, it’s time to call your vet. Chronic diarrhoea can be due to something more serious, such as an infection or a disease affecting the bowel. Puppies and older dogs should see the vet sooner, as they can quickly become dehydrated. You can read more about diarrhoea here.
Why is my dog’s poo hard and dry?
Poo that comes out dry and in small, hard pieces can be a sign of slow intestinal movement. It may be that your dog’s diet could do with a tweak, to increase dietary fibre and moisture. However dry, hard poo can also arise due to dehydration, a symptom of a more serious disease, and this should be investigated (and treated) by your vet.
Take home message:
Unusual colour, consistency, contents, and coating on your dog’s poo could be a sign that your dog is feeling unwell. In all cases, taking a poo sample to show your vet can be very helpful. While a one-off bout of diarrhoea or constipation can be managed at home, if it lasts 48 hours or more it’s time to give your vet a call. The same goes for unusual poo that is accompanied by other signs of sickness such as vomiting, weight loss, loss of energy, or behavioural changes.
Further reading:
- Why is my dogs poo like jelly? – Vet Help Direct
- Colitis in dogs – PDSA
- Blood in Dog poo – Blue Cross.
- Diarrhoea in Dogs – Blue Cross
- How To Collect A Poo Sample From Your Dog: PDSA Petwise Pet Health Hub
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