What does a dog’s stool say about its health?

It may not be the most appetizing subject, but did you know that you can tell from your dog’s stool whether they are feeling well or not? The smell, texture, frequency, and color of your dog’s stool can tell you a lot about the health of your four-legged friend. That is why it is important to keep a close eye on your dog’s stool and know how to assess it. In this blog, we will tell you more about the different types of dog poop, what they mean, and how to recognize healthy dog poop.

What does normal dog poop look like?

It is difficult to describe the ideal dog poop. This depends on the food a dog eats, and every dog’s stool is different. Using the following factors, we will give you some guidelines on what to look for when assessing a dog’s stool:


Smell. Poop is still poop; it will never smell nice. But if the stool has a truly pungent odor, there is a good chance that something is not being properly digested in the dog’s body.


Consistency. Naturally, loose stool is not desirable, but stool that is too hard is not pleasant for the dog either. The texture of good dog poop falls somewhere in between: a firm piece that can break into pieces but does not completely fall apart when it hits the ground.


Amount. The size of the stool naturally depends on the size of the dog. A small dog produces smaller stools than a dog from a larger breed. Food also has a major influence on the amount of stool. Dogs that eat high-quality food containing plenty of meat generally produce less stool than dogs that eat food containing a lot of carbohydrates, such as grains. This is related to digestibility. Does your dog poop frequently during the day? Then there is a good chance that they cannot digest their food properly or are eating too much.


Frequency. How often a dog poops each day varies from dog to dog. It is therefore more important to look for regularity in the number of times a dog poops each day. Does the dog poop several times one day and not at all the next? Then something is not right.


Mucus. Normal dog poop does not contain a layer of mucus. If there is a layer of mucus around your dog’s stool, this may indicate giardia or inflammation of the large intestine. You should be able to pick up normal dog poop easily, and it should not leave a mark on the ground.


Color. Normal dog poop is chocolate brown. However, the color can vary, and this is not always a cause for concern. The food your dog eats has a major influence on the color of their stool. Certain types of animal ingredients, for example, can make dog poop look darker or lighter. We will discuss this in more detail below.

Different stool colors

Brown stool
Yes, good news! Brown dog poop is normal and healthy. The shade may vary from dark to light, depending on the ingredients in the food.


White stool
White, chalky dog poop may mean that your dog’s food contains too much calcium. Calcium is found in raw meaty bones, among other things, as well as in certain types of vegetables and grains. Too much calcium often also results in overly hard stool. If your dog’s stool is white, reduce the amount of bones in their raw meat diet or look for dog food with a lower calcium content.


Yellow stool
A dog with yellow stool may be eating food that is too high in grains. Yellow stool may also indicate a food intolerance or problems with the gallbladder, pancreas, or liver. Always consult a veterinarian if you suspect any of these issues.


Green stool
Green dog poop is usually caused by the dog eating too much grass or other green foods. Find out here why dogs eat grass.


Red stool
Red-colored stool may indicate bleeding in the final part of the digestive system. The causes can vary widely, such as an infection, parasites, or a foreign object stuck in the intestine. In this case, always contact a veterinarian.


Black stool
Black stool usually indicates bleeding higher up in a dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Contact a veterinarian again if you discover that your dog’s stool is black.


Stool with white spots
Brown poop with white spots (or longer white strands) may indicate that a dog has worms. In most cases, worms are relatively easy to treat with a deworming treatment, which is available from a veterinarian or pet store.