Keeping an eye on your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about their health. The color, texture, and what it contains can alert you to parasites, gastrointestinal conditions, and even infections. But have you ever noticed what looks like slime when your dog poops? If you have, it is probably mucus produced by their intestines as they digest their food. But why does it happen, and what does it mean?
What Is Mucus in Dog Poop?
What is mucus? Mucus is a slimy substance produced by the body to help protect itself. It is made in the nose to help catch the microscopic things we breathe in, like pollen and dust. It is produced in the stomach to protect the lining of the stomach from the harsh acids used for digestion. And it is created in the intestines to protect them from being damaged while they process food.
Because mucus is a normal part of the body’s inner workings, a small amount in your dog’s poop is normal. You probably won’t even notice it. But if there’s a problem in their stomach or intestines, you might see an increase in the amount of mucus in their poop.
Mucus in dog poop might look like a coating of slime wrapped around your dog’s stool. It might be mixed into the poop, it might come out after, or there might be just mucus when your dog tries to poop. But what does mucus in dog poop mean? Let’s talk about some of the possibilities.
Types of Mucus in Dog Poop and What They Could Mean
Even though mucus itself is clear, it is often given color by the things it is combined with, like white or red blood cells. So you can use the appearance of the mucus in your dog’s poop to help figure out what is going on.
White Mucus
White mucus is the most common type of mucus in dog poop. It looks like a white, milky, or clear slimy layer outside your dog’s stool. Sometimes, it even looks like the stool was wrapped in plastic before it came out!
White mucus is most commonly seen with irritation of the large intestine (also called the colon). This irritation could be due to your pup eating something that doesn’t agree with them, dehydration, or constipation. The mucus helps lubricate the passage of stool when the colon is irritated and gives the tissue a chance to heal.
Yellow Mucus
As expected, yellow mucus in dog poop appears more yellow than clear. It can be wrapped around or mixed into the stool or even appear on its own. This is the second most common type of mucus in dog stool, most common with diarrhea.
Yellow mucus usually indicates a problem with digestion and the digestive system. It could be a sign of food intolerance, bacterial overgrowth, a stomach bug, or liver or gallbladder disease. In rare cases, it can also indicate a gastrointestinal tract blockage where the small and large intestines meet.
Red Mucus
Often pink rather than red, but it all means the same thing. Red mucus in your dog’s poop indicates that blood is mixed into the mucus. Because it is always abnormal, this type of mucus usually means you should get your pup checked out as soon as possible.
Bloody mucus can indicate serious diseases such as parvovirus or acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (also called AHDS or HGE), so it always deserves attention. Other causes include intestinal parasites, injury of the intestines, and masses in the colon or rectum. But if you’re only noticing a tiny bit of red mucus, it is probably due to irritation of the intestines and colon. Your veterinarian can help you determine how serious the problem is and the appropriate treatment for your pet.
Gray Mucus
It can be difficult to distinguish gray from white mucus, so you may need your veterinarian’s help to sort this out. The difference is important because gray mucus can indicate a problem with digestion. If there is gray mucus in their poop, your pup might not be producing enough digestive enzymes or may not be able to absorb nutrition properly.
Clear Mucus
Because mucus is naturally clear, this kind of mucus only indicates an increase in mucus production within the intestines. It generally indicates irritation of the small or large intestine and can happen with almost any disease process affecting the gastrointestinal tract, including stomach upset from stress.
6 Causes of Mucus in Dog Poop
1. Dietary Changes
Some dogs, like some people, have sensitive stomachs and can’t handle changes in their regular diet. Suddenly switching from one food to another (even if they’re the same brand!) can irritate the intestines. Which can lead to lots of mucus in your dog’s poop.
2. Infections
It is normal for bacteria to be inside the intestines. Still, the overgrowth of certain types of bacteria or infections within the wall of the intestine can lead to excessive mucus production. The mucus is produced because the infection causes irritation or damage to the walls of the intestine, and the cells there produce mucus to protect themselves from the attack.
Viruses can cause excessive mucus production in a similar way. To build more virus particles, one of those particles must get inside one of the body’s cells to hijack the cell’s equipment. Producing mucus makes it harder for the virus particles to grab onto the cells. Because it helps protect the cells from invasion, mucus production in the intestines is an essential defense against diseases like parvovirus.
Worms within the intestine cause damage to the lining of the intestines by biting the walls. To help protect themselves, the intestines will produce more mucus than usual. The mucus helps keep the worms from getting a good grip but can also mean more mucus in your dog’s poop.
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD or IBS)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD or IBS) is a condition in which the intestines are chronically irritated. It can be associated with food allergies but requires more than a change in your dog’s diet to control the symptoms. The chronic irritation of the intestinal lining results in increased mucus production to protect against further damage, in addition to the diarrhea that is commonly seen with this disease.
4. Food Allergies, Intolerances, or Sensitivities
If your pup has a food allergy or intolerance, they will likely have mucus in their stool at some point. The symptoms of these conditions can come and go, but often the mucus in the poop stays even when other things get better. This is because the lining of the intestines is so irritated that even when other things settle down a bit, they still produce extra mucus to help protect against the next flare.
5. Colitis
Colitis is the technical term for inflammation of the large intestines (colon). Stress, dehydration, parasites, and other gastrointestinal diseases can all cause colitis. The inflammation of the colon causes irritation that leads to mucus in your pup’s poop.
Stress colitis is one of the most common causes of slimy stool. The increased stress hormones produced when your dog’s routine is disrupted can cause stomach upset. This results in excessive mucus production to protect against further damage, which shows up as slimy stool.
6. Constipation
This one isn’t obvious, but if you notice your pup straining to defecate and passing nothing but mucus, you should be concerned about constipation. Constipation means the poop can’t get out of the large intestines, and it is very uncomfortable. The colon will produce more mucus to help lubricate the stool and move things along. Sometimes, the mucus comes out without the stool, making it seem like your pup has diarrhea when the problem is actually constipation.
Diagnosing the Cause of Mucus in Dog Poop
Given all the different things that can cause mucus in your dog’s stool, you will probably need your veterinarian’s help to figure out what’s happening. A single episode of slimy stool isn’t a big deal as long as your pup is feeling well otherwise. However, if your dog is vomiting, not eating, feels poorly, or has more than a few drops of blood in their stool, they should be seen right away. Also, seek help from your veterinarian if your pup’s slimy poop lasts more than a day or two.
Your veterinarian will start with a physical exam to check for nausea, belly pain, and any other abnormalities you might not have noticed at home. They will likely also recommend some diagnostic tests. Which tests they recommend will depend on what’s been going on at home as well as their exam findings, but commonly include:
- A fecal floatation to check for intestinal parasites
- Tests for other types of parasites, such as Giardia
- Testing for parvovirus or other viruses
- Bloodwork to look for signs of liver disease, pancreatic disease, etc.
- Radiographs (X-rays)
- Ultrasound
Suppose your pup has had slimy stool for a while. In that case, your veterinarian may also recommend more advanced testing to check vitamin levels, intestinal biopsies, or even exploratory surgery to physically look at the intestines.
Treatment Options for Slimy Stool
What you need to do about mucus in dog stool depends on the underlying cause, but there are some very common treatment options you can discuss with your veterinarian.
Diet Changes
Even though a diet change can be a cause of mucus in dog poop, it is also one of the most common methods of treatment. However, which diet is right for your pup depends on the cause of their slimy stool, so you still need to talk to your veterinarian when picking one.
Bland Diets
If your pup’s slimy stool is caused by stress colitis or eating something they shouldn’t have, then a bland, easily digestible diet is often the solution. Your veterinarian can offer various dry or moist options, or you can make your own temporary bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice.
If you decide to cook at home, make sure not to use any salt, pepper, spices, or oils to add flavor. And remember, this isn’t a balanced diet, so check with your veterinarian to find out how long it is safe for your pup.
Limited Ingredient Diets
Limited ingredient diets include foods with very few or unusual ingredients (such as kangaroo or crickets) as well as hypoallergenic foods. These diets are used to treat food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. They also help control the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
While you can find dog food called “limited ingredient” at the pet store, the only ones that are truly limited are only available through your veterinarian. If you think your pup might benefit from a limited-ingredient diet, talk to your vet about choosing the right one.
Medications
Although many causes of slimy stool can be prevented or treated with changes to your dog’s diet, sometimes medications are needed. Always consult your veterinarian about the most appropriate medications for your pup.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics aren’t usually necessary for mucus in your dog’s stool. In some cases, the bacteria are so imbalanced that antibiotics are needed. But these shouldn’t be the first thing your pup gets. New evidence shows that using antibiotics for intestinal issues increases the chance that the problem will return in the future. So only use antibiotics under the direction of your veterinarian.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
If your dog has chronic intestinal inflammation due to colitis or inflammatory bowel disease, they may need anti-inflammatory medications to help control the mucus in their stool. There are a variety of drugs available, so talk to your veterinarian about the best option for your pup.
Household Changes
For pups with stress colitis, minimizing stress can go a long way toward reducing mucus in your dog’s stool. Most dogs thrive on routine, so stick to a schedule of feeding, walks, and playtime they can trust. Make sure to provide plenty of training and enrichment in your weekly routine.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to talk to your veterinarian if you think your dog might be experiencing stress and anxiety.
Preventing Mucus in Dog Poop
The best way to solve most health problems is to prevent them in the first place. So, how can you prevent mucus in poop?
Stick With The Same Food
Though humans prefer a varied diet, we can get an upset stomach if we change it too much too quickly. So, when your dog’s belly is used to a particular food and treat routine, a sudden switch can cause big problems. Avoid switching foods unless you really need to.
Make Slow Changes to Your Dog’s Diet
We all need to change our pups’ diets at some point, so how can we do that safely? The key is to change it slowly. Take at least one whole week, preferably longer, to change your pup’s diet. Start by mixing in just a little of the new food and slowly increasing it until you feed only the new formula.
Watch For Food Intolerance
Sometimes, our dogs will tell us when they need a change in their food. Pay attention to subtle signs of food intolerance or sensitivity. Such as a decreased appetite or a particularly rumbly belly after eating. If you notice these things, talk to your veterinarian about the pros and cons of trying a new food for your pup.
Regular Veterinary Care
Keeping up with your pup’s routine veterinary care can go a long way toward avoiding slimy stool. Routine parasite prevention and testing will minimize the chances of mucous in your dog’s stool. It is also helpful for your veterinarian to be familiar with you and your pup. This will help them give the best advice for your family.
Mucus in Your Dog’s Poop Final Thoughts
Mucus in dog poop is a very common problem with a wide variety of causes. Preventing it with a stable diet, home routine, parasite prevention, and veterinary care is always best. Even with all of that, you’ll need to keep an eye on your pup’s poop so you know if they start having problems.
As always, reach out to your veterinarian if you are worried about your pup. Slimy stool isn’t always a major problem, but your veterinarian will help you figure out what to do about it.
