Understanding Your Dog's Health Through Waste Analysis

What's Normal vs What's Not

Healthy Signs
  • Brown color (various shades)
  • Well-formed, firm consistency
  • Easy to pick up
  • Mild odor
  • Uniform color throughout
Concerning Signs
  • Red streaks or blood
  • Black, tarry appearance
  • Yellow or green colors
  • Excessive mucus coating
  • White spots or objects
  • Watery or very hard consistency

Color Interpretation Guide

Brown (Normal)

Various shades of brown indicate healthy digestion and proper bile production.

Red (Blood)

May indicate bleeding in lower digestive tract. Requires immediate veterinary attention.

Black/Tarry

May indicate bleeding in upper digestive tract. Requires veterinary consultation.

Green

May indicate rapid transit through intestines or bacterial overgrowth.

Consistency & Texture Guide

Bristol Stool Chart Adaptation for Dogs
Ideal (Type 3-4)

Well-formed, soft to firm, easy to pick up

Hard (Type 1-2)

Very firm, dry, difficult to pass - may indicate dehydration

Soft/Liquid (Type 5-7)

Loose, watery - may indicate digestive upset

Frequency & Timing

Normal Frequency
  • Adult dogs: 1-3 times per day
  • Puppies: 3-5 times per day
  • Senior dogs: 1-2 times per day
When to Be Concerned
  • No bowel movement for 24+ hours
  • More than 5 loose stools per day
  • Straining without producing stool

When to Contact Your Veterinarian

Immediate Attention Needed
  • Visible blood in stool
  • Black, tarry stools
  • No bowel movement for 48+ hours
  • Severe diarrhea with dehydration
  • Visible worms or parasites
Schedule Consultation
  • Persistent changes lasting 2+ days
  • Mucus coating on stools
  • Unusual colors (green, yellow)
  • Significant changes in frequency
  • Accompanying symptoms (vomiting, lethargy)

Factors That Can Affect Your Dog's Waste

Diet
  • • Food changes
  • • Treats and table scraps
  • • Food quality
  • • Fiber content
Health
  • • Medications
  • • Stress levels
  • • Exercise routine
  • • Age and health conditions
Environment
  • • Weather changes
  • • Water intake
  • • Activity level
  • • Routine disruptions

Maintaining Digestive Health

Healthy Habits
  • Consistent feeding schedule
  • High-quality, appropriate diet
  • Fresh water available always
  • Regular exercise routine
  • Stress management
Avoid
  • Frequent diet changes
  • Table scraps and human food
  • Access to garbage or foreign objects
  • Overfeeding or underfeeding
  • Ignoring changes in waste patterns
Analyze Your Dog's Waste