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Can examining your dog’s stool alert you to health issues?
We can learn a lot about a pup’s health from their bathroom activities, just by looking at the consistency and frequency as well as color of the stool.
Here are some things you can learn by observing a dog’s stool:
- Consistency: The consistency of a dog’s stool can indicate how well their digestive system is functioning. Normal stool should be firm but not too hard or too soft. It should hold its shape without being too watery or runny.
- Color: The color of the stool can vary depending on a dog’s diet and health. Normal stool is typically brown, but slight variations in color can be normal. However, very dark or black stool, or stool that is consistently pale or gray, could indicate a health issue.
- Odor: While all stool has a certain odor, extremely foul-smelling stool could indicate a problem with digestion or absorption of nutrients.
- Contents: You might be able to observe undigested food particles or foreign objects in the stool, which could indicate issues with digestion or an ingestion of non-food items.
- Mucus or Blood: The presence of mucus or blood in the stool can be a sign of gastrointestinal irritation, inflammation, or infection.
- Frequency: Changes in a dog’s bowel movement frequency could indicate a problem. Both constipation (infrequent or difficult bowel movements) and diarrhea (frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements) can be concerning if they persist.
- Straining: Excessive straining to defecate, especially if it doesn’t result in a bowel movement, could indicate a potential problem.
- Worms or eggs: If your dog has intestinal parasites, worms or eggs may be present in its stool. Usually, parasites will cause your dog to produce softer stools, some of which will contain tiny pieces of worms or eggs as the parasite attempts to reproduce and spread.
A normal stool for a dog can vary somewhat depending on factors like diet, age, and individual variation. However, as a general guideline, a normal dog stool should be well-formed, moist, and easy for the dog to pass.
A raw fed dog will also have a smaller odorless stool than that of a kibble fed dog and that stool will turn white within 24 hours.
When the stool looks abnormal, it could potentially indicate a health issue. If you notice any of the following, it’s a good idea to consult a veterinarian:
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in the stool
- Black, tarry stool (a sign of digested blood)
- Pale or gray stool
- Excessive mucus in the stool
- Sudden changes in frequency or difficulty in defecating
- Changes in color, consistency, or odor that persist beyond a day or two
It’s important to remember that occasional variations in stool appearance can be normal, especially if they are brief and not accompanied by other signs of illness. However, if you have concerns about your dog’s stool, or if your dog is showing other signs of discomfort, lethargy, or illness, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian for proper evaluation and guidance.
The first item you may want to try if your dog has runny stool, or a hard stool is an organic pumpkin puree. Pumpkin is a great quick fix and solves both problems. Please note, if you have a dog that is prone to developing struvite crystals in their urine, this will not be an option for you. You can however try a slippery elm or marshmallow root instead.
If the diarrhea is explosive, you may need to get your dog’s stool examined for coccidia.
Coccidia is one of the most common intestinal parasites found in dogs.
It is caused by a microscopic one-celled organism called a protozoan and can cause severe diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, and lethargy.
Dogs can contract it by swallowing soil that contains coccidia or other substances that may contain dog feces.
Giardia is another intestinal parasite that can cause concern when you are experiencing a dog with diarrhea.
Both Giardia and Coccidia are highly contagious and difficult to get rid of. Testing a stool sample will be paramount in your first steps at getting either under control.
Overall, keeping an eye on your dog’s stool can be very helpful in getting ahead of any potential health issues and in some instances, collecting a stool sample can be your best method of diagnosis.
It may seem gross, but since you have to keep an eye out anyway as to not spend your days scraping the bottoms of your shoes, you might as well examine it and play it safe.
