Ultimate Guide to Dog Poop

How do you know when you’ve become a parent? Some would say it’s the moment you care about another creature’s poop. 

As experienced pup parents know, poop is important. (See also: gross, smelly, messy, and — of course — funny.) The color, consistency, frequency, and mysteries of your dog’s poop can be helpful indicators of their well-being and offer valuable insights into their health. 

Ready to learn more? You’ve come to the number one place for all things number two! Here’s the scoop on poop. 

Is There Ideal Dog Poop?

Does the perfect pup poo exist? While every dog is an individual, there are some general guidelines that indicate a healthy, happy digestive system. The ideal dog poop ranges in color from light to dark brown, is formed and segmented, and leaves little mess behind when cleaned up. However, poop spans the spectrum — more on that below!  

Soft Dog Poop

Soft stool is defined as feces that are not fully formed, or that are soft in consistency and cannot be easily picked up. (Think: soft-serve ice cream.) Soft stool can progress to diarrhea, which can be serious.

Soft poop can be a sign that your dog’s microbiome is not balanced. Common causes include eating things they shouldn’t (for example, trash can snacks), changes to their diet, stress, and parasites.

Learn More: Soft Dog Poop Causes and Remedies

Learn More: How to Help Dog Diarrhea

Learn More: Vet-Approved Dog Diarrhea Medications

Mucus in Dog Poop

First things first: What does mucus in dog poop look like? Mucus usually appears slime-like and covers all or part of the poop. You may also see jelly-like chunks of mucus in your dog’s poop, especially if they have diarrhea. 

Mucus lines your dog’s intestines, so small amounts of mucus in poop are normal and may go unnoticed. However, frequent or larger amounts indicate that your dog is suffering from colitis (aka large bowel inflammation). Causes of colitis in dogs include sudden dietary changes, bacterial infections, parasite infections, irritable bowel disease, stress, and more. 

Learn More: Mucus in Dog Poop: Causes and Treatments 

Dog Poop Color

Did you know the color of your dog’s poop can reveal important information? Color us interested (and a little grossed out)! Brown is the gold standard, but you may also notice the following colors. 

Green

Green dog poop can range from dark green to light green, as well as yellow-green. Common causes of green poop include eating grass, eating foods with green dye, parasites, gastroenteritis, problems with food absorption, liver issues, and toxin exposure. 

Learn More: Why Is My Dog’s Poop Green?

Yellow

Good news: yellow poop is one of the least concerning off-color shades. A yellow tinge to your dog’s poop usually indicates an upset stomach or change in diet. Yellow poop can also be a sign of intestinal inflammation, which can result from parasites, bacterial infection, food intolerance, and foreign body ingestion. 

Learn More: What Does Yellow Dog Poop Mean?

Black

Poop can turn black after being left outside. However, a dark black “fresh” poop can be a sign of a serious illness or medical emergency. Black poop can indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract (stomach or small intestine). Bleeding can be the result of stomach ulcers, toxins, bleeding disorders, intestinal blockages, trauma, and more. Black poop can also sometimes be caused by relatively benign dietary factors, such as the consumption of soil or large amounts of blueberries.

Learn More: What Does Black Dog Poop Mean?

White

Similar to black poop, white poop might mean that you need to clean up your yard more often — poop may turn white while breaking down in the sun, or when moldy. If your dog is passing white poops, however, something isn’t normal. Chalky white, hard, crumbly poops can indicate a diet too high in calcium (a common problem with raw diets). Poop can appear white due to certain medications, tapeworms, and (rarely) problems with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

Learn More: Why is My Dog’s Poop White? 

Red

Red or red-streaked poop indicates blood in the large intestine, rectum, or around the anus. While a small, one-time amount of red may not be serious, bloody stools should always be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. A wide range of issues can cause red stools, including colitis, parasites, constipation, food allergies, trauma, infections, toxins, polyps, blockages, and parvovirus. 

Orange

Orange or yellow-orange poop points to an issue with the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or bile ducts. Orange poop can also occur when food passes too quickly through the system due to food intolerances or dietary changes.  

Frequency

How often a dog poops varies based on several factors, including diet, activity level, metabolism, age, breed, and size. Many dogs will go multiple times a day; younger dogs, more active dogs, and dogs with high-fiber diets tend to have more frequent bowel movements. Young puppies will need to defecate around 30 minutes after a meal (cue the walk!).

So, how long can your dog go without pooping? Again, there’s no magic number, so it’s important to know your dog’s schedule and recognize what’s abnormal for your pet. A day or two without a poo can be a harmless bout of constipation; however, multiple days without movement requires a prompt visit to your veterinarian. 

Learn More: How Often Do Puppies Poop?

Learn More: How Long Can a Dog Go Without Pooping?

Learn More: Can You Make a Dog Poop Quickly?

Healthy Stool Basics

Feeling good and pooping good go hand-in-hand (or paw-in-paw). To help keep your pup’s system running smoothly, consider the following best poop practices:

Stick to a balanced diet. Work with your veterinarian to select the best diet for your dog. Then be sure to feed consistent portions at consistent times. If you need to switch foods, do so gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid an upset stomach.

Focus on hydration. Ensure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water to help prevent constipation. Do not allow your dog to drink from puddles or streams, which can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. 

Incorporate exercise. Inactivity is a frequent cause of constipation, and a moving body means moving bowels! 

Consider parasite control. Keeping your dog on monthly parasite control can help avoid infection. 

Try probiotics. Probiotics can help restore gut health and support digestive health.

Learn More: Sources of Fiber for Dogs

Learn More: Best Vet-Approved Probiotics 

And there you have it, pup parents! Everything you wanted to know (and some things you probably didn’t) about dog poop to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.