When we think of dog poop, it's safe to assume we all think of those brown, stinky piles. Well, that is what you should expect for a normal, healthy pile of dog poop. But what does it mean for your dog's health and well-being when their feces are a different color?
Honestly, a dog's poop is a great indicator of potential health issues that your dog might be dealing with. As such, it's important to inspect their feces regularly as a precautionary measure. Below, we will break down what some of these poo variations might be telling you.
Brown Dog Poop:
Healthy dogs will produce a rich brown colored fecal matter that has a firm, yet soft consistency. The shade of brown may vary from light to dark but should stay consistent from day to day. If your dog is consistently producing firm, brown poop, it is a good sign that they are healthy and receiving the proper nutritional needs in their diet.
Black Dog Poop:
If a dog's poop is extremely dark in color, it is typically a sign of blood in their stool. Black poop is usually attributed to internal bleeding in the high gastrointestinal tract, often caused by ulcers, and will typically have a wet, sticky texture, similar to that of tar. If your dog has been having black sticky poops, it is highly recommended that you get them into a veterinarian for a check up right away!
Red Streaks in Dog Poop:
When a dog's feces is generally normal in color and consistency but appears to have red streaks in it, that is an indication that your dog is possibly bleeding from their lower intestinal tract. Though it is never a good sign to see blood in your dog's poop, this is pretty common and not nearly as urgent as the internal bleeding seen in black poop. Continue to monitor their feces for blood and call your veterinarian if it does not improve within a couple of days.
Yellow or Gray Dog Poop:
When a dog's poop is either yellow or gray in color, it is typically a sign that there is bile in their excrement. This can be an indicator of problems occurring in your dog's liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. This could be the result of a nutrient deficiency or a food intolerance. If your dog is producing yellow or gray feces, you should monitor it closely and contact your veterinarian if the problem persists for more than a day or two.
White Spots in Dog Poop:
If your dog's poop appears to have white spots resembling grains of rice or long white strings, it is sign that they have contracted intestinal worms. Though it is possible that it may just be fly larvae, it is recommended that you collect a sample of the feces and bring it to your veterinarian for a diagnosis. Aside from just plain being gross, if untreated worms can present some serious health issues for your dog and spread to other dogs.
White Chalky Dog Poop:
Dogs that produce white, chalky dog poop are typically being fed too much calcium in their diets. This is pretty common amongst dogs that eat too many bones or are being fed a raw food diet without the proper balance of nutrients needed for dogs to thrive (not all raw food is created equal). Though odd in appearance, white dog poop is quite normal in high nutrient diets. However, it is important to note that too much calcium in a dog's diet may lead to constipation.
By staying vigilant in monitoring your dog's feces, you can help prevent many common health issues by catching the signs early and taking preventative measures. At Poodini Pet Waste Removal, our technicians are all trained to observe for these conditions and alert our customers at the first sign of any abnormalities.
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