Dog Poop 101 2025: What Your Dog’s Stool Says About Health 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Poop might not be the most glamorous topic, but for vets, it’s a goldmine of information. Your dog’s stool can reveal problems with digestion, diet, parasites, and even stress levels.

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of Ask A Vet. Let’s break down what normal dog poop looks like, what’s a red flag, and when to scoop and scroll vs. scoop and sprint to your vet.

💩 What Healthy Dog Poop Looks Like

• Chocolate brown
• Firm, but easy to pick up
• Log-shaped and consistent
• Passed once or twice daily

This “ideal poop” is a sign that your dog’s digestion, hydration, and diet are working well together.

🔍 Common Poop Problems and What They Mean

1. Soft or Runny Stool

• Diet change, stress, or mild GI upset
• Try bland diet (boiled chicken and rice) for 1–2 days

2. Diarrhea

• Could indicate parasites, infection, or food intolerance
• Persistent diarrhea = vet visit

3. Mucus in Poop

• May suggest colitis (inflammation of the colon)
• Can be caused by stress, parasites, or food sensitivities

4. Blood in Stool

• Bright red blood = lower GI issue (like rectal irritation)
• Dark/tarry stool = possible bleeding higher in the GI tract

5. White or Pale Stool

• Possible liver or bile duct issue (rare but serious)

6. Greasy, Gray, or Fatty-Looking Stool

• Could signal exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)

🪱 What If You See Worms in Poop?

• White rice-looking pieces = tapeworm segments
• Spaghetti-like worms = roundworms
• Bring a fresh sample to the vet for testing

📅 When to Worry About Poop Changes

• Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours
• Vomiting or appetite loss with stool changes
• Blood in stool
• Sudden changes in color or frequency without diet changes

🛠️ What You Can Do at Home

• Feed a bland diet for 1–2 days (chicken and rice)
• Use vet-recommended probiotics (Purina FortiFlora, Proviable, etc.)
• Ensure plenty of water intake
• Don’t give human medications without vet approval

💩 What to Bring to the Vet

• Fresh stool sample (within 12 hours)
• Notes on color, texture, frequency, and changes
• Any recent diet, medication, or stressor changes

🔗 Helpful Tools from Ask A Vet

• Dual Pocket Dispenser – Keep poop bags and hand wipes handy on every walk
• Ask A Vet – Track poop changes, upload photos, and get fast vet feedback on what’s normal and what’s not

📋 Summary Excerpt

Your dog’s poop tells a health story. A vet explains what normal stool looks like, which changes are red flags, and when to seek veterinary care.

❓ FAQs

• Q: How many times a day should my dog poop?
  A: 1–2 times is normal for most dogs, depending on diet and activity.
• Q: Is blood in dog poop always an emergency?
  A: Not always—but any bleeding should be checked if it persists or is paired with other symptoms.
• Q: Should I change my dog’s diet if their poop is soft?
  A: Not immediately. Try bland food first. If soft stools persist, discuss options with your vet.