Mighty Petz

What does the color of your dog's poop mean?

Every dog parent needs to know what their fur baby’s stool color and texture mean. This could be crucial in saving their lives when they are hit with a sudden illness. Follow along to learn about the 8 types of Dog Stools.

8 types of Dog Stools

brown color

1- Normal Dog Poop


In general, normal dog poop should be medium brown and neither too soft and liquid or too hard to pass comfortably.

black color

2- Black Or Very Dark Stools


Black stool in dogs may have a “tarry” or “sticky” consistency. The black color comes from partially digested blood. Black stool may be a sign of an ulcer in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as a stomach ulcer.

red color

3- Bright Red Dog Poop Or Streaks Of Blood In Stool


The bright red color comes from undigested blood in the GI tract, specifically the lower GI tract. Streaks of blood in your dog’s poop may be a sign of colitis (inflammation of the colon), a rectal injury, an anal gland infection, or possibly a tumor.

pink & purple color

4- Pink Or Purple Dog Poop


Anything that resembles raspberry jam could indicate hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). This potentially fatal disease causes a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea. 

grey color

5- Grey Or Greasy-Looking Poop


Doggy-doo that appears fatty, glistens, or comes out in large, soft amounts could indicate Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). Commonly referred to as maldigestion, EPI is a disease in which the pancreas doesn’t produce the necessary enzymes to digest fat. The good news is EPI is treatable, so see your vet. 

green color

6- Green Dog Poop


Green poop can be common if your dog eats large amounts of grass. However, it can also be a sign of intestinal parasites or rat bait poisoning. If your dog has green poop, see your vet to be safe.

orange color

7- Orange Dog Poop


It could indicate a liver issue or biliary disease, or it could just mean that your dog’s food moved too quickly through the GI tract to pick up the bile. Bile is made in the liver and is what changes poop to the normal brown color we expect. 

yellow color

8- Yellow Dog Poop


Yellow mucus usually indicates a food intolerance, especially if you’ve recently changed your dog’s diet.

Take a look at what your pet’s been eating and try to rule out any new ingredients that could be causing an upset stomach. 


9- White Specks In Poop


Worms, particularly tapeworms, often look like white grains of rice in your pup’s stool. This is treatable, so see your vet.

 

As you can see, your fur baby’s stool color can be a great way to determine their health, so make sure to do it as often as you can. It could be a lifesaving routine!

This is just a general distinction - if you have any concerns about your pup's health always consult your veterinarian.

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