How To Check if Your Dog’s Poop is Healthy

Dogs don’t typically show signs of discomfort. As pack animals, it’s not in their nature. One way of recognizing any digestive or immunity problems in your dog could lie in their fecal matter. There’s a reason why vets might ask you for a stool sample, as poop can tell a lot about overall health. But before it gets to that, there are certain things you could look out for. And they are, the four C’s….

The Four C’s of Healthy Dog Poop: Color, Content, Consistency, and Coating

There are four easy things to assess if you want to check your dog’s poop. They lie under the four C’s: color, content, consistency, and coating.

1. Dog Poop Color: What Color Should My Dog’s Poop Be?

Healthy dog poop is a chocolatey brown color. If your dog’s poop is black, green, orange, has white flecks or is entirely white, this is a sign that their poop is not healthy, and you should visit the vet. For more information about healthy dog poop color, read our article and check our printable dog poop color chart.

2. Dog Poop Consistency: What Consistency Should My Dog’s Poop Have?

The consistency of your dog’s poop should be reasonably firm, and if you’re not sure of how it would feel…you might have to feel it. Of course, use a plastic bag or some gloves, but if the stool is rock hard or lacks firmness, the intestines may not be working properly, or your dog could be dehydrated.

Vets actually rate the consistency of feces with a numerical scale, from 1 to 7; 1 being the hard end, and 7 being more like muddy water.

Ideally, you want a number 2 (no pun intended!). Feeling firm and looking a bit like a caterpillar, so that segments separate when you press it. If the stool is too firm, that could be a sign of dehydration and would be painful for your dog to pass. If the stool is runny and doesn’t really form a shape, the large intestine may not be absorbing water properly. Having runny poo or diarrhea can also be the cause of dehydration.

Having a particularly stiff or runny poop once shouldn’t be cause for concern, but if it persists, you should seek medical attention. Ensure your dog is hydrated, and only feed them simple foods if you have concerns.

3. Coating On Dog Poop

Your dog’s poop should not have a coating on it. When you pick it up, there shouldn’t be a trail left on the ground – for example, white mucus, which often occurs with large bowel movements or with diarrhea.

White Coating On Dog Poop

If you do see a strange white coating, film or layer in their excrement for more than 24 hours, it would be wise to take them to the veterinarian as this could be a sign of an inflammation in their bowel.

4. Content Of Dog Poop

Your dog’s poop should not have any foreign content. Most bacterial content can only be seen with a microscope, so it’s really a job for medical professionals! But dogs are explorers, and as they explore, they might pick up one or two things…

If you want to check their dog poop yourself, there are ways. Now, this is the least pleasant part, as it could include dissecting the poop. Again, use gloves or a bag to push the muck around, or perhaps a stick, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. The poo shouldn’t change when you reach the middle of it; it should stay the same density throughout.

If you suspect that your dog’s stomach is suffering, these things could be sitting within their poop:

• Worms In Dog Poop: It’s best to look for these from a fresh sample, as creatures may be attracted the excrement after it’s been planted. There are two types of worms; long and skinny roundworms, and little tapeworm segments. Worms can damage the intestine, so seek medical help if you do notice them.
• Foreign Objects In Dog Poop: The more curious of the pooches out there might be roaming your garbage can without you knowing or picking up bits off the street. So if you notice pieces of plastic, socks, rocks, or food wrapping, try to keep a closer eye on where they have access to, and restrict any access to things they may consume.
• Fur In Dog Poop: You may find large clumps of hair gathered in their poo, due to over-grooming. Dogs might do this due to stress, boredom, seasonal allergies, or possibly skin issues. So, finding fur is an indicator of other potential health problems and you should speak to a vet.

So, What Can I Do About Problematic Dog Poop?

The best thing to do is to keep an eye on your dog’s consumption, and their bowel movements, on a regular basis. Having an occasional funky stinker isn’t something to worry about, but consistent problems in their nether regions could be cause for concern, and something a veterinarian will want to check. When you do take them to the vet, save time by bringing a stool sample if you can.

Having a good diet and keeping hydrated is key to having well-working guts, which will keep their dog poop looking and feeling good.

To support their gut in the best way and support healthy dog poops, why not try out a dog-specific probiotic supplement? 

If you source from a reputable pet brand, a good dog probiotic will aim to support optimum gut and gastrointestinal health. Canine gut health can affect their immune system, energy levels, and even organ function – so ensuring their digestive system is in tip-top condition by way of using optimized natural probiotic supplements for dogs, can help ensure they live a healthy, happy, and active life.

PetLabCo. Tip: As part of being a responsible pet parent, your pet should be taking preventative flea and worm medication at regular intervals throughout their life. It’s good for their health, improves their life quality and protects other dogs they may come into contact with. Speak to your vet about what preventative product may suit your pet the best.

Related Reads: Dog Health & Daily Care Guides
Dog Poop Color & Consistency	Dog Health: Signs & Symptoms	Daily Care: Support for Your Dog’s Wellbeing
How Often Should Your Dog Poop? A Vet Explains	5 Health Issues Your Dog Faces Each Year	Top-Rated Probiotics for Dogs
8 Reasons Your Dog Is Straining to Poop	Healthy Vs. Unhealthy Dog Paws	Dog Daily Care Guide – Printable Routine Chart
How to Make a Dog Poop Quickly	Dog Gut Health: 5 Reasons Why It Matters	Top 10 Healthy Dog Treats
How Often Do Puppies Poop? What to Expect	Healthy Dog Teeth: What’s Normal	The Ultimate Dog Dental Care Guide
Unhealthy Dog Poop Chart: 5 Signs	Dog Gum Color Chart: Healthy Vs. Unhealthy	Seasonal Allergy Supplements for Dogs
8 Causes of Soft Dog Poop	7 Symptoms of Poor Gut Health in Dogs	7 Ways To Support Your Dog’s Immune System
How Can I Help My Dog Poop?		Natural Probiotics (& Prebiotics) for Dogs
Dog Poop Color – What’s Good & What’s Bad?		How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need?