How to Check On Your Dogs Health Through Their Poop

When we talk about dogs, it’s often about how cute they are doing nothing and how much more adorable they become with each new trick they perform. But your dog’s health is also an important topic to discuss, and poop is a part of that.

While poop isn’t a window to your dog’s overall health, it can provide a valuable glimpse into how they’re doing. So if your furry friend has undergone proper dog training and is pooping regularly, pay attention to what you’re picking up.

Below, we outline some characteristics of dog poop and what they might indicate about your pup’s health.

Extremely dry and rock-like

Dry, pebble-like stool may indicate that your dog is constipated or dehydrated. This happens when they eat too much insoluble fiber, which can often be found in vegetables, or if they’re not drinking enough water.

Constipation also happens if your dog ingests a foreign object, like small articles of clothing, rocks, or an abundance of their fur. These things can cause intestinal obstruction, leading to constipation that could potentially be life-threatening.

It can be difficult and painful for your dog to excrete dry poop, so if this type of excretion persists, you might want to visit your vet.

Loose, soggy, or extremely wet

The occasional loose or soggy stool is nothing to be worried over, but if it happens frequently, it might mean your dog is suffering from diarrhea. This happens when they eat something they shouldn’t, such as garbage picked up from their walk. If this is the case, the condition should clear up on its own in a day or two.

Soggy stool from diarrhea can be a sign of more serious health problems, though. This may mean your dog has a food allergy or intolerance, making it difficult for their gastrointestinal tract to absorb food. If it doesn’t get better after a couple of days, a visit to the vet may be in order.

Weird color

If your dog’s poop comes out in any color but chocolate brown, it may be a sign that something’s wrong. The most common diversion from normal dog poop color is green, which indicates that your dog may have gallbladder problems.

Dog poop with streaks of blood may be from a bacterial infection or an injury in your pup’s rectal area. Orange and yellow usually indicate liver issues, and white spots amid the brown may indicate the presence of tapeworms.

Other color variations in dog poop are black and gray, with the former indicating upper GI tract issues and the latter signaling pancreas or biliary issues.

What Does a Healthy or Normal Dog Poop Look Like?

You’ll know your dog is mostly a-okay in the health department if their stool is firm and log-shaped. Even if it’s a little moist, as long as it retains the shape when you pick it up, it’s a healthy kind of poop, and your dog’s diet is working.

Keep in mind, though, that every dog is unique, and one’s “normal” poop may differ from another’s. As long as you know what’s normal for your dog, it will be easier to tell if and when something is wrong and helps you address your dog’s health issues right away.