What Your Dog's Poop Is Trying to Tell You

People do not usually pay much attention to their dog’s poop, but it can tell you quite a bit about your dog’s health. A standard color and consistency for your dog’s poop generally indicates good health. Changes in consistency and color might mean your pet has a health issue or needs some changes to its nutrition. Contact Eglinton Dufferin Animal Clinic in York, Ontario, if you are searching for a veterinarian near me to keep your dog healthy and happy. Our veterinary team serves the Toronto, Midtown York, York, and North York, Ontario area. We are here to tell you more about how your dog’s poop can reveal potential health issues.

Poop Color

Your dog’s poop should be a shade of brown. Other colors might indicate a health issue, such as a liver problem or bleeding. Green poop can occur if your dog eats too much grass, but it can also be due to a gallbladder problem. Orange poop might indicate liver issues, while red streaks might mean there is bleeding going on. A gray, greasy stool can happen due to problems with the pancreas. Black, tarry stools can occur if there is bleeding in your dog’s upper GI tract.

Poop Consistency

Your dog’s poop should be firm yet squishy when you clean it up. Watery poop indicates diarrhea, which can be due to several illnesses or your dog’s nutrition. Hard poop can indicate constipation, dehydration, or a lack of fiber in your dog’s diet.

Poop Size and Shape

Your dog’s poop can vary in size based on how much fiber it gets in its diet. Dog poop should be a log or sausage shape. A round-shaped stool could mean that your dog is not hydrated enough. Your dog may have constipation if its poop consists of smaller nuggets or is knob-like.

Poop Content

You might see grass in your dog’s poop if it has an upset stomach or a lot of hair in its poop if it has been licking or chewing due to allergies or other skin problems. Small white spots could be a sign of intestinal worms. You should contact an animal hospital near you if you notice anything out of the ordinary with the content of your dog’s poop.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

You should have your dog checked by a veterinarian near you if you notice any changes in its poop. We can look for underlying illnesses or nutritional issues that need correcting. Finding out the cause of these changes in your dog’s poop helps ensure that your dog receives prompt treatment or changes to its nutrition.

Find a Veterinarian Near Me in Toronto, North York, Midtown York, and York, Ontario

Your dog’s poop can indicate potentially significant health or nutritional problems, so contact Eglinton Dufferin Animal Clinic in York, Ontario, if you notice anything out of the ordinary with your dog’s poop or behavior. We can run tests to diagnose your pet and provide treatment if necessary. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (647) 352-2201 if you are searching for a veterinarian near me to keep your dog healthy and happy.