The Scoop on
Dog Poop

Table of Contents

Poop Basics
Poop Colors
Better Potty Tips
Sources

Poop Basics
Poop Colors
Better Potty Tips
Sources

Poop Basics

Ready to decipher the hidden messages in your dog’s poop? Ready to decipher the hidden messages in your dog’s poop? Here's what you need to know about your dog's poop and it's hidden health messages.

Keep in mind that this will help you understand their potty better but is not a substitute for a proper medical exam. So if your pup has health issues, please see your vet.

Shape

Healthy dog poop looks like a little log of wood and isn’t runny. That means after your dog does her business, the poop should keep its form. If your dog has diarrhea it’s an indication of stomach issues, time to make a vet appointment.

Consistency

On a scale from a watery puddle to rock hard, healthy poop should be on the firmer side and feel like Play-Doh when you press it. If the poop is too hard and your dog is straining to go, it could be a sign of dehydration or other health issues. If it persists for more than a day or two, talk to your vet.

Size

The more fiber your dog eats the larger her poops will be. But generally, the poop should be consistent with how much your dog eats.

Content

As bad as it sounds, it’s worth taking a stick and dissecting your dog’s poop from time to time to see what’s inside. If you see worms it’s time to see your vet. Grass and pieces of toys are more common. If you see clumps of hair it may indicate that your dog is stressed or has allergies and is therefore overgrooming.

Coating

Your dog’s poop shouldn’t have a coating or mucous around it. Both of these can be a sign on a health issue.

Poop Color

Brown

Normal! This is what you want to see, a nice chocolate brown poop.

White Spots

Seeing small white spots that look like rice or short noodles may be a sign of worms.

Green

Either your dog has eaten a lot of grass or there could be a medical issue like parasites, gallbladder problems, or having eaten rat poison.

Yellow

Your dog could have a health issue with their liver, pancreas or gallbladder. It could also be an indication of food intolerance.

Red Streaks

This could be bleeding in the GI tract, cuts on the anus (from pressing too hard), inflammation of the colon, a tumor or an anal gland infection.

Black

This could be a sign of an ulcer or bleeding in the upper GI tract. Dogs that swallow human medications like aspirin by mistake can develop stomach ulcers.

Grey

Greasy and oily looking grey poop may be a sign of pancreas, maldigestion (EPI) or biliary issues.

Better Potty Tips

Consistency is Key

Feed a consistent diet at regular times (2-3 a day is ideal for many dogs) and provide plenty of fresh water for your dog. Follow up with regular walks and potty times.

Watch the Trash

Dogs can get serious health issues when they get into the trash. Make sure to use trash cans and compost piles with lids.

Check Your Yard

Mushrooms and other plants in your yard can make your pup sick, so take a look around and remove things your dog shouldn’t eat.

Eating Poop

A lot of dogs do it and scientists are still not quite sure why. It could be that it was a way for dog ancestors to absorb extra nutrients - or maybe they just find it delicious - we don't know.

The Butt Scoot

If your dog is scooting and dragging it’s but, that’s normal. A quick wipe, especially after a loose stool, doesn’t mean much. But if your dog does it a lot it may have issues with her anal glands.

Changing Food

If you’re switching foods you dogs poop will also look different. Make sure to transition foods slowly, see our Dog Food FAQ for more.