Why You Should Monitor Your Dog’s Poop

Picking up your dog’s poop is probably not your favorite part of being a dog parent. However, your dog’s feces can provide valuable insight into their health. So, it’s wise to pay attention while cleaning up after your dog.

What Normal Dog Poop Looks Like

Normal dog feces should be consistent, compact, and chocolate-colored, or what vets call the three Cs.

In terms of consistency, every dog has different poop and different pooping habits. However, after having your dog for a few months, you should be familiar with your dog’s frequency and what their typical poop looks like. If they suddenly start going more or less, or their stools look vastly different, this would be inconsistent.

Healthy dog poop is compact, dense, and doesn’t fall apart when picked up. It’s also brown, with a medium chocolate color being ideal, but any normal shade of brown is typically okay. Any other colors — yellow, green, black, or red — could indicate a problem and may indicate you should take your dog to the vet.

Signs Your Dog Has Poop Problems

Constipation. If your dog is struggling to go to the bathroom or their poop seems extremely hard, they could be constipated. This can be caused by dehydration, insufficient exercise, or a lack of fiber in their diet.

Diarrhea. Diarrhea is when your dog goes too frequently and has loose or runny poop. This could be caused by a sudden change in diet, your dog ingesting something that upsets their stomach, or an illness or infection.

Both constipation and diarrhea are relatively common in dogs. However, they can also be signs of an underlying illness or condition and can cause additional health problems if left untreated. If your dog has constipation or diarrhea for more than a day or so, consult your veterinarian.
 

Tips for Maintaining Your Dog’s Digestive Health

What your dog consumes is critical to their digestive health. They need nutritionally complete and balanced food with the proper amount of fiber. Your dog should also always have access to fresh, clean water to stay properly hydrated and receive regular exercise.