Although it may seem strange to you, know that checking and observing your dog’s stools is one of the daily tasks that every owner should do. The color, consistency, frequency, quantity or any change in the deposits of our dog, can alert us to a possible pathology or a change in his organism.
This subject can be unpleasant, but it is very important that you know what the different types of stool in dogs are and what they mean. Thanks to this article Types of dog stool and their meaning, walkidoggy offers you a complete guide to dog stool! Are your dogs normal?
What is a healthy dog’s stool like?
The owner is the first to detect any change in his dog’s stool. It is important to underline the fact that it is not because we observe a change that something serious is happening, sometimes it is just a slight gastrointestinal disturbance as it happens to us.
In any case, you must remember that the dog is not able to tell you that he is not feeling well, so you will have to be attentive to any anomaly, such as changes in mood. urine, the frequency with which he defecates or behavioral changes…
How should a dog’s stool be?
If you have been living with your dog for a while, you will know all too well what his stool should look like by picking them up daily… There are, however, 4 parameters that veterinarians use to assess dog stools:
Color: The normal color of a dog’s stool should be “chocolate” brown, due to the Stercobilin pigment. Changes in stool color can indicate various health problems which we will discuss below.
Consistency: A dog’s deposits should have a firm consistency. Stools indicate that the intestines are not carrying out proper absorption but, on the other hand, stools that are too firm can be a symptom of dehydration. If your dog has changes in consistency from time to time, there is no point in worrying more than that, but if the change persists for more than a day, you will need to make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. .
Content: the appearance of the residues must be uniform. However, it is precisely in the content that we can find worms, foreign bodies or hairs…
Finish: Saddles must not have a layer or “coating” surrounding them. When you pick up your dog’s stool, you should never see traces of mucus or blood.
Why does a black-colored dog defecate?
Black diarrhea in dogs or heavy black colored stools are cause for concern. Generally, these type of deposits indicate the presence of blood in the upper part of the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. There are several causes that can cause it, but very often it is an ulcer in the stomach. Are your dog’s stools black? Consult your veterinarian immediately!
Worms In Dog Stool
Does your dog’s poop have white dots that look like little grains of rice? This is probably due to the presence of worms in the stool. Internal parasites are generally eliminated through the deposits, it is at this time that we were able to detect them although we can see them directly by observing the dog’s anus. Faced with the doubt of a possible parasitic infection, we recommend taking a sample of fecal matter and bringing it to the veterinarian so that he can choose the most appropriate treatment.
If you suspect your dog may have internal parasites, go straight to the vet to have them cleared. Parasites eat up all of your best friend’s key nutrients and cause a major drop in his immune system’s defences. That’s why it’s important to follow your deworming schedule religiously.
Dog stool containing giardia
Giardia is a protozoan that attacks the digestive tract, the main symptom of which is diarrhea. It is important to emphasize the fact that a dog with Giardia will not have any parasites in the stool, so to diagnose it you will have to go to the veterinarian so that he can analyze your dog’s deposits under a microscope.
The stools of dogs with Giardia can vary and be either completely normal or watery. If you are in doubt, you should keep an eye out and see if other symptoms appear or not:
- Weightloss
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Green stools in dogs
Green stools in dogs may indicate the presence of parasites of any type, such as giardia. They can also be a symptom of too much grass ingestion or an allergy or some type of bad reaction to certain elements of his diet.
If your dog’s stools are green on various occasions, it’s best to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian to have them tested. It is common for the specialist to request that we carry out two or more tests, this is due to the fact that many parasites, such as giardia, are eliminated intermittently, hence the importance of repeating the tests.
Stools Containing Yellow Mucus in Dogs
If you’ve noticed mucus in your dog’s stool, you need to be on the alert. Mucus that is clear, yellow, or with a gelatin-like texture can be an indicator of several problems. There are many causes that can lead to yellow stools in dogs, here are a few:
- Food allergy
- Parasites
- irritable bowel syndrome
- White Stools in Dogs
White-colored stools in dogs may indicate that the dog is on a diet that contains too much calcium. This is common in dogs on the Barf diet, which includes meaty raw bones. Another possible reason is that the dog ingested something he shouldn’t have.
Especially when talking about anxious or stressed dogs, behavioral problems related to chewing can appear, so that’s when they start eating stones or other objects. We could also be dealing with a possible case of Pica Syndrome, when dogs eat anything, although it is in no way food.
Paying attention to changes in your dog’s behavior is fundamental, as is making an appointment with a veterinarian if the events occur on an ongoing basis.
Gray Stools in Dogs
Gray-colored feces in a dog is also cause for concern. They may indicate a gallbladder or liver disorder. The most common health problems related to gray stools are:
Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes and therefore the stools are not as brown as they should be.
Liver problems: The liver does not work properly.
Blockage of the common bile duct: In the event of a blockage, the enzymes cannot pass from the gallbladder into the intestines and the dog’s feces are therefore gray.
Bloody Stools In Dogs
There are many reasons that can cause the presence of blood in the dog’s stool, but without a doubt they are all considered a veterinary emergency. It will therefore be very important to take your dog to the vet in all these cases and, especially, when the blood is abundant.
Here are some of the things that can cause your dog to have blood in his stool:
- Parvovirus
- Parasites
- Foreign body in the intestine
- Cancer
- Anal injuries
There are many reasons for the presence of blood in the stool, from simple ingestion of soil, an object that has irritated the rectum to more serious situations, such as cancer. You need to stay calm and contact a professional as soon as possible and, if possible, bring a stool sample. If the bleeding is profuse, do not wait a single second longer and go to the emergency room as quickly as possible. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis.
