Abnormal colored stool: Stool Colors | What Poop Colors Mean & When to Worry

29.09.202303.07.2023 by alexxlab

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Stool Colors | What Poop Colors Mean & When to Worry

If your stool is not normal-colored (light or dark brown), it means you have some gut issue, whether it’s just food that didn’t sit right, food poisoning, or a virus. But sometimes it can be a sign of bleeding (red/black stool), or a liver or gallbladder issue (very pale stool), so don’t ignore a discoloration.

Medically reviewed by

Shria Kumar, MD.

Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Last updated April 14, 2022

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Black stool

Green stool

Light-colored stool

Bright red stool

Yellow stool

When to call the doctor

Should I go to the ER?

Treatment

Table of Contents

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Medically reviewed by

Shria Kumar, MD.

Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Last updated April 14, 2022

Stool quiz

Take a quiz to find out what’s causing your stool.

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Stool quiz

Take a quiz to find out what’s causing your stool.

Take stool quiz

Checking the color of your stool is a very good way to monitor your overall health. Most of the time, stool will be light to dark brown in color. But stool that’s a different color, texture, or consistency, are all signs there’s something different going on in your body.

In many cases, it could be caused by the food you eat or a medication you’re taking. But if your stool is discolored for a few days, or you have other symptoms, it could be a sign of something more serious.

Black, tarry stool or bright red stool could be a sign of blood in the stool. Pale, clay-colored stool can be a sign of a blockage of your bile duct. Contact your doctor if you are concerned about the color of your stool.

Does stool color matter?

“Our stool is a marker of our gut health, but it is also a reflection of what we ate, how we ate, and what medications we may have taken, among many other things!” —Dr. Shria Kumar

Black stool

Stool that’s darker than your typical brown is quite common. Black stool can be a cause for concern. Black or tarry stool can be a sign of blood in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The main causes of dark stool are:

Upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding, which can be from an infection, medication, trauma (like a car accident), or lesions of the blood vessels
Stomach/peptic ulcers that cause bleeding in the esophagus
Acid reflux that causes bleeding and irritation in the esophagus
Colon cancer
Swallowing blood from a mouth injury or a nosebleed
Large amounts of foods like black licorice
Iron supplements
Anti-diarrheal drugs like Pepto-Bismol

Green stool

Bile is a greenish fluid that helps your body digest fat. Bile travels through the GI tract and changes to brown when it interacts with certain enzymes. If your stool is green, it usually means that you have changed your diet slightly or your food is traveling through the large intestines faster than normal so it doesn’t have enough time to break down and change color.

Green stool may be caused by:

Diarrhea, since food is moving through your intestines faster
Green foods like leafy green vegetables
Foods that have been dyed with green food coloring
Iron supplements

Stool quiz

Take a quiz to find out what’s causing your stool.

Take stool quiz

Light-colored stool

If your stool is pale in color or white, it usually means that bile isn’t moving through your GI tract. This would mean that there’s an obstruction of the bile duct that isn’t letting the bile flow into the intestine. Sometimes, the color can be from large doses of medications.

The main causes of light-colored stool include:

Gallstones, or hardened deposits of bile that form in the gallbladder and block your common bile duct
Pancreatic cancer
Liver disease

Bright red stool

There are quite a few reasons why your stool can appear bright red in color. It can be from bleeding in the rectum or large intestines, or simply eating certain foods.

Red stool may be a sign of:

Hemorrhoids or anal fissures, causing lower intestinal tract bleeding.
Diverticulosis, small outpouchings of the wall of the large intestine that can bleed.
Colon or rectal tumors.
Ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes ulcers and inflammation in the GI tract. It can cause bleeding and loose stools.
Crohn’s disease, the other type of IBD, causes inflammation that can be anywhere in the GI tract (mouth, small intestine, large intestine, even outside the GI tract). It also can cause bleeding and loose stools.
Foods like beets, tomato juice, cherries, or cranberries, though this is usually not accompanied by other symptoms.

Yellow stool

If your stool is yellow, or more likely, contains yellow droplets (seen floating on the toilet bowl), it is a sign of fat in the stool. It can also have a bad odor and a greasy texture. You may see noticeable amounts of fat in your stool when it’s not absorbed properly by the body. Yellow stool can be a sign you’re having malabsorption issues—along with other signs like difficulty maintaining or gaining weight.

Yellow stool may be caused by:

Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that may be causing malabsorption. One of the most common is giardiasis (also called giardia infection), caused by a microscopic waterborne parasite.
Surgery, including removing the gallbladder, bariatric surgery, or for another GI issue (like a structural blockage or tumor) where part of the colon is removed. These can all change fat absorption.
Stress. The brain can signal distress to the gut, affecting how the gut functions. Stress can cause disruptive changes to how nutrients pass through the digestive system.
Celiac disease, a gluten intolerance in which eating wheat, barley, or rye damages the small intestines and triggers the production of certain antibodies. These antibodies flatten the small intestines villi—structures crucial to proper nutrient absorption.
Chronic pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing enzymes that help digestion. Chronic pancreatitis inhibits this.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease that causes mucus, sweat, and digestive juices to be thick and sticky rather than thin and slippery. They then block ducts, tubes, and passageways in the pancreas, intestines, liver, and gallbladder. It causes poor absorption of fat.

Stool quiz

Take a quiz to find out what’s causing your stool.

Take stool quiz

When to call the doctor

You should call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms that don’t stop.

Weight loss
High fever
Severe pain
Diarrhea
Lightheadedness or dizziness

Should I tell my doctor about unhealthy stool?

“Stool is important to look at. Yes, it’s gross! But knowing whether you are having any color or texture changes in your stool is something your doctor will want to know. ” —Dr. Kumar

Should I go to the ER for abnormal stool colors?

You should go to the emergency department if you have any of these signs of a more serious problem:

Black, tarry stools or blood in stool
Very pale stool
Weight loss
High fever
Severe pain
Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting

Should I be worried if my stool changes color?

“One-off changes in stool color is not, in and of itself, an issue. It’s when it signifies something more than a dietary change (by being persistent or accompanied by new issues) that it becomes something to investigate.” —Dr. Kumar

Treatments

Abnormal stool color by itself is not a problem. It’s the underlying cause that may need to be treated. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your stool color, note any other symptoms (diarrhea, fever) or foods you’ve eaten recently, and talk to your doctor.

If your stool color has changed because of a change in diet and there are no other symptoms, no treatment is needed.
If you are bleeding, you may need to go to the hospital, have laboratory and imaging tests, and possibly even a procedure, such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
If you have an infection, you will need laboratory testing and, possibly, medications for the infection.

Ready to treat your stool?

We show you only the best treatments for your condition and symptoms—all vetted by our medical team. And when you’re not sure what’s wrong, Buoy can guide you in the right direction.See all treatment options

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Shria Kumar, MD.

Therapeutic Endoscopy Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dr. Kumar is a gastroenterologist, who completed her fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She received her undergraduate degrees in Religious Studies and Chemistry from New York University (2010) and graduated from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2014), where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She is completing her t…

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Appearance, color, and what is normal

Poop, stool, or feces contains waste products, such as undigested food particles, bacteria, and salts. A bowel movement that is hard, runny, or has an unusual color may indicate a health problem that needs attention.

Sometimes, poop can vary in color, texture, amount, and odor. These differences can be concerning, but usually, these changes are not significant and will resolve in a day or two. Other times, however, changes in poop indicate a more serious condition.

Keep reading to discover more about the different types of poop, including what is and is not typical.

Fast facts on types of poop:

Poop can come in different shapes, colors, and smells.
A person should pass a normal, healthy poop easily and with minimal strain.
Anyone who has blood in their stool should seek urgent medical attention.

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Devised by doctors in the Bristol Royal Infirmary, England, and based on the bowel movements of nearly 2,000 people, the Bristol stool chart characterizes the different types of poop as shown above.

Types 1 and 2 indicate constipation, types 3 and 4 are healthy stool, while types 5–7 suggest diarrhea and urgency.

Poop is generally:

Medium to dark brown: It contains a pigment called bilirubin, which forms when red blood cells break down.
Strong-smelling: Bacteria in excrement emit gases that contain the unpleasant odor associated with poop.
Pain-free to pass: A healthy bowel movement should be painless and require minimal strain.
Soft to firm in texture: Doctors consider poop passed in one single piece or a few smaller pieces to signify a healthy bowel. The long, sausage-like shape of poop is due to the shape of the intestines.
Passed once or twice daily: Most people pass stool once a day, although others may poop every other day or up to three times daily. At a minimum, a person should pass stool three times per week.
Consistent in its characteristics: A healthy poop varies from person to person. However, people should monitor any changes in the smell, firmness, frequency, or color of poop as it can indicate an issue.

How long should a poop take?

It should take 10–15 minutes to pass the stool.

People that take longer than this may have constipation, hemorrhoids, or another condition.

While brown poop is considered the “usual” color of poop, some greenish-brown hues may also be acceptable.

Poop can be other colors too, such as:

Black

Black stools, especially if they have the appearance of tar, suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Other substances may also cause black poop, such as:

iron supplements
black licorice
black stout
bismuth medications

White

If stools are white, gray, or pale, a person may have an issue with the liver or gallbladder, as pale stools suggest a lack of bile. Some antidiarrhea medications cause white stools.

Green

Spinach, kale, or other green foods can cause green poop. However, a green-colored stool may signify too much bile and not enough bilirubin in the poop.

Red

Poop that is red-colored may be the result of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Small amounts of blood in the stool can indicate hemorrhoids.

Eating beets or red berries or drinking beet or tomato juice also turns poop red. Once these foods have passed through the digestive tract, poop should become brown again.

Orange

Consuming many orange-colored foods, which are rich in a pigment called beta-carotene, causes orange stool.

Carrots, sweet potatoes, and winter squash are among the many foods that contain this pigment.

However, blocked bile ducts or certain medications, including some antacids and the antibiotic rifampin, can cause orange poop.

Yellow

If stool appears yellow or greasy-looking, the poop contains too much fat. This may result from absorption issues or difficulty producing enzymes or bile.

Most people will experience variations in stool color at some stage. Usually, this is down to diet or some other minor cause.

However, anyone who experiences changes in poop color that last 2 or more weeks or has red or black stool should consult a doctor.

If parents or caregivers notice any changes in their baby’s poop, it is usually not a cause for concern, but they can consult a pediatrician for further advice.

Read on about the baby’s poop color.

The following situations may suggest a digestive issue:

pooping too often — more than three times daily
not pooping often enough — less than three times a week
excessive straining when pooping
poop that is red, black, green, yellow, or white
greasy, fatty stools
pain when pooping
blood in the stool
bleeding while passing stool
watery poop — diarrhea
very hard, dry poop that is difficult to pass
floating poop

People experiencing any of these types of poop should consult a doctor.

There is a range of reasons why a person may experience poop that is different from usual, including:

Stress

Stress can trigger and exacerbate digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can affect how quickly food moves through the body, which can cause either diarrhea or constipation for some people.

Find out what remedies can alleviate stress.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water and other fluids can lead to constipation, as stool requires moisture to move more easily through the digestive tract. Too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration.

Read on how much water a person should drink.

Lack of dietary fiber

Fiber acts as a binding substance to give stool its form. It also helps poop to move smoothly through the digestive tract. A diet low in fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can lead to bowel problems.

Learn what fiber-rich roods are.

Food intolerances and allergies

People with an intolerance or allergy to certain foods can often experience diarrhea, constipation, or other traits of abnormal poop when they consume problematic food.

For example, people with lactose intolerance often experience diarrhea if they have dairy, while those with celiac disease will have an adverse reaction to gluten.

Find out more about common food allergies.

Medical conditions

Certain conditions can cause constipation, diarrhea, or other poop abnormalities. Examples of such conditions include:

depression
cancer
an overactive or underactive thyroid
inflammatory bowel disease
IBS
Parkinson’s disease

Constipation

A person may have constipation if they:

have difficulty emptying the large bowel
are straining when pooping
are passing less stool than usual
the stool is lumpy, dry, or hard

Alongside the above causes of constipation, it may also result from lifestyle or routine changes such as physical inactivity or the overuse of laxatives.

Learn more about the remedies for constipation.

A person should contact a doctor if changes to poop persist for 2 weeks or more.

People should seek immediate medical treatment if the stool is bright red, black, or a tarry substance. These symptoms suggest blood loss, which could become a medical emergency if left untreated.

How to ensure healthy bowels

To help ensure healthy bowel function and healthy poops, people can follow the tips below:

Eat enough fiber: Aim to get the recommended minimum daily amount of fiber, which is 25 grams (g) for women and 38 g for men under 50 years old. Women over 50 should aim for 21 g while men over 50 should consume 30 g daily.
Drink plenty of water: A reasonable amount is about 8 glasses (64 ounces) per day. It is especially important to stay hydrated when consuming more fiber.
Take probiotics: Probiotics may help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. Although some yogurts and drinks can also provide probiotics, these beneficial bacteria are in capsule form.
Try magnesium: Magnesium hydroxide often treats constipation. It is safe for most people, although doctors do not recommend it for people with renal insufficiency.
Lifestyle changes: This may include stopping smoking, type, and level of exercise, and anxiety management to help control a person’s bowel movements.

A well-functioning digestive system is essential for health and well-being. It also suggests that a person is eating a balanced diet.

Poop abnormalities that persist can lead to complications. For example, ongoing diarrhea can result in nutritional deficiencies or, in severe cases, malnutrition, while constipation can cause bowel obstructions.

A person’s poop tends to be brown, soft to firm in texture, and easy to pass. If someone experiences changes in poop, they should monitor the changes and consult a doctor if the issue does not resolve within 2 weeks.

To encourage bowel function, a person should eat a fiber-rich diet, exercise regularly, reduce stress, and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

Read this article in Spanish.

Chair in babies: norm and deviations

Infant chair norms

What should be the child’s chair? This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Babies of different ages and on different feedings have peculiarities in the frequency and consistency of the stool. Let’s look at this issue in more detail.

In children from birth to 4 months, stool frequency is considered normal if there are from 1 to 7 acts of defecation per day, from 4 months to 2 years – from 1 to 3. On breastfeeding, the frequency of bowel movements is from 2 to 6-7 times, on artificial feeding – from 1 to 4 times a day.

For breast-fed babies, the stool is normally light yellow, homogeneous, mushy with a sour smell, while in children on artificial feeding, the stool is darker and denser. A small amount of indigestible lumps of food is acceptable. The green color of the stool is a variant of the norm if it does not contain pathological impurities in the form of mucus and blood.

Stool options in the presence of various diseases in a child

Consider stool options that can be a manifestation of various diseases in a baby. In the presence of such changes, you should contact a specialist to clarify the nature of the violations and select appropriate methods of therapy.

In view of the immaturity of enzyme systems, most newborns often have transient (temporary) lactase deficiency. Stool in this condition is quickened up to 8-10 times a day, it is liquid, frothy with a large water spot and sour smell. In this case, the baby can throw the breast or nipple in the presence of appetite, be restless during feeding. This condition is being corrected by a pediatrician.

The presence in the stool of a copious amount of mucus, a streak of blood, rapid or, on the contrary, rare emptying when a rash appears on the skin of a baby, may be symptoms of a food allergy to cow’s milk protein. This is mainly observed in children of the first year of life and also is corrected by the pediatrician.

Absence of stool in the first 48 hours after birth and then profuse, greasy (poorly washed off from the potty), shiny, fetid stool in the absence of weight gain – is also a reason to consult a specialist in order to exclude a genetic disease – cystic fibrosis.

In the presence of liquefied, frequent and abundant stools (polyfecal matter) and an increase in the volume of the abdomen with a decrease in body weight or no weight gain, observed 4-8 weeks after the introduction of gluten-containing foods (semolina, oatmeal, wheat porridge, crackers, drying, cookies , vermicelli) it is necessary to exclude celiac disease in the baby by contacting a pediatrician or a gastroenterologist.

Diarrhea, discoloration (dark green, black, etc.), the appearance of pathological impurities in the stool in the form of mucus, blood, pus – the most common manifestation of intestinal infection. All this may be accompanied by fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, while the baby becomes lethargic and restless. Intestinal infections are dangerous with serious complications, therefore, with such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If the child shows anxiety, cries, and blood is visible in the stool in the form of “raspberry jelly” – this is a reason for an emergency visit to the surgeon, in order to exclude an emergency pathology.

A decrease in the frequency of stool, a change in its character (dense consistency, an increase in volume, or like a “sheep”, possibly with streaks of blood), as well as the absence of self-emptying for more than 3 days, speaks of constipation , which are organic and functional . The causes of constipation can be different, in this regard, you should not self-medicate them.

Remember, changes in the nature and frequency of stools require medical advice. It is he who will prescribe the necessary examination, if necessary, hospitalization may be required for an in-depth examination in order to correct the condition in a timely manner.

What should be the feces of a dog – what does the color of the stool indicate?

Article reviewed by the chief veterinarian
Konchevoi Elizaveta Sergeevna

Contents

What determines the color of a dog’s feces?
What should be the normal stool for a dog?
- Puppy normal stool
Abnormal stool in dogs
- Bad smell
- Size
- Loose stool
- Hard and dry stool
- Black chair
- Yellow and orange chair
- White chair
- Red chair
- Green chair
- Light chair, gray and white
- Mucus in stool
- Fat chair
- Inclusions in the chair
What to do if the dog’s stool is not normal?
- Stool collection for analysis
Main
Answers to frequently asked questions

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What determines the color of a dog’s feces?

Stool color should be medium to dark brown. A dog’s stool color should be fairly consistent from day to day, provided he eats a regular diet. The brown color of the stool comes from the bile component bilirubin, which changes from green to brown during digestion.

Poop of other colors is not always a cause for concern, especially if it reflects what your dog may have eaten.

If your dog snatched a few carrots from your plate, don’t worry about orange stool the next day.

But notice the unusual colors that you can’t explain by eating certain foods. Especially if it lasts more than one day. Also, the color of feces can be changed due to medications and diseases of the digestive tract.

How normal should a dog’s stool be?

Dog stool should generally be the same shade each time, always the same size and texture. Abnormalities in the color and consistency of feces may indicate a health problem.

Healthy dog feces are generally easy to identify. The feces are segmented, slightly moist, chocolate brown, hard, with a slight odor.

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Normal puppy stools

Young dogs are prone to many health problems. And the appearance of the feces will change as they develop and the diet changes: the transition from milk to soft food to standard food will be reflected in the stool.

It is important for a dog owner to know what normal and healthy feces look like.

Healthy puppy stools should range from medium to chocolate brown, more specifically milk chocolate. Any color other than brown should be alarming.

The ideal puppy stool is a hard and segmented piece that resembles a caterpillar.

As a rule, dogs defecate once or twice a day. Some pets can even up to four times a day. However, stability is key. If your dog goes from pooping twice a day to four or five, he may be in trouble.

Abnormal stools in dogs

Pet owners should be on the lookout for anything that might be considered unusual in dog stools, as it is often other symptoms that accompany stools that can signal problems – colors, consistency, smell, inclusions, and even volume .

Offensive odor

The stronger odor is due to the fact that the dog’s body is not designed to absorb certain nutrients found in diets. It can poorly digest grains and starch. Therefore, if the animal eats a special food, the smell of the stool changes. Another reason for the sharp fetid odor may lie in the development of putrefactive microflora in the intestines.

Size

A natural diet will produce less stool than prepared foods. If only the volume of the stool has changed, but the smell is the same, most likely this indicates overeating or a large amount of fiber in the food.

Loose stools

Soft stools without blood or mucus may simply be a sign of a change in diet or a disordered diet. In such cases, it does not take long as the dog adjusts to the new diet or returns to its normal diet. It could also mean that there is an intestinal parasite, such as giardia, or a severe food intolerance.

Watery stools may indicate stress or be a warning sign of a viral (parvovirus) or parasitic infection.

Soft stools with mucus are another indicator of parasites or parvovirus.

Another example of abnormal stools is feces that are first partly hard and then partly soft. This is a case of small bowel diarrhea that points to a variety of causes: an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine, food intolerances, parasites, stomach problems, or other serious problems.

Hard and dry stools

Indicates insufficient water intake or pathology in the large intestine, since it is there that water is absorbed from the food bolus.

Black stools

Black stools, sometimes described as tarry, indicate the presence of digested blood in the digestive system. The darker the color of the dog’s stool, the more serious the problem. This may be due to an injury caused by disordered eating, or it may be a warning of a serious danger, such as cancer.

Yellow and orange stools

Orange or yellow colors are associated with problems with bile, so they can signal problems with the liver, pancreas or gallbladder.

White stools

White, chalky textured stools in a dog on a natural diet indicates too much calcium or bone in the dog’s diet. A small change in diet usually returns the stool to normal. Or it could be a symptom of the development of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Red stools

Red stool means that there is fresh blood or clots in the stool. The brighter the shade, the lower in the digestive tract bleeding will be found. This sign warns of a serious health problem, an acute inflammatory process that requires urgent veterinary care.

Green stools

May occur in a dog due to the development of putrefactive bacteria in the small intestine. As a result, bilirubin, which normally colors feces brown, is oxidized and gives a green color.

Light gray and white stools

The stool usually loses its color if no bilirubin enters it. The cause of this condition is blockage of the bile ducts by stones, helminths, and an inflammatory process.

Mucus in stool

A small amount of mucus may be normal as it is found in the large intestine and helps move stool to the exit. However, a large amount of mucus or in combination with other changes indicate the development of a pathological process in the large intestine, which can be caused by helminths, infections, and dietary errors.

Fatty stools

Fatty looking stools may indicate excess fat in the diet, which can cause painful inflammation of the pancreas or be a sign of an enzyme deficiency.

Stool lumps

White spots in soft, watery or normal looking stools are actually worms or helminth eggs. Worm segments, adult worms or eggs indicate the presence of parasites.

What should I do if my dog’s stool is abnormal?

If you notice abnormal stools in your dog, first determine what is wrong. It can be: color, portion, smell or consistency.

If only the color has changed, just see if it repeats. With a single color change, there is rarely cause for concern. If this is repeated regularly, consult a doctor, you need to examine the digestive tract: perform an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and take blood tests.

When changing the portion size, first of all analyze what and how much the dog eats. Is there an excess of fiber in the diet, is the daily allowance of feed appropriate for the weight of the animal. With prolonged symptoms and weight loss in the dog, it is necessary to conduct an examination.

If the stool is liquid, mucus, semi-formed or watery, then these are signs of inflammation of the small or large intestine. First of all, you need to try to fix the chair – give sorbents, antispasmodics and give the dog a lot to drink. With natural feeding, add rice and rice water with lean poultry meat to the diet.

In any case, it is best to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Usually, to find out the cause of stool changes, it is recommended – ultrasound, blood tests, helminth treatments and feces for research.

Collection of stool for analysis

To collect dog stool for analysis, purchase a sterile jar with a spatula from the pharmacy. On a morning walk, put a shovel of feces without earth, snow, leaves in a jar, close it and deliver it to the laboratory no later than 12 hours after collection.

Before taking feces for examination, the animal should not be given laxatives, activated charcoal, vaseline oil, barium, enemas.

For protozoan stool testing, it is best to bring your pet to the clinic to have a doctor take a swab right there, as these parasites only live for 30 minutes in the sample, and it will be difficult to deliver feces from the moment of collection to the laboratory in less time.

To test feces for helminths, it is necessary to pour a preservative (Turdiev’s solution) into the same jar with a spatula in a veterinary clinic and collect a small portion of feces into it after each defecation for 5-7 days. It is stored in the refrigerator. After that, you need to deliver the resulting mixture to the laboratory.

Main

A dog’s normal stool should be moderately firm, brown in color, with a moderate odor, come out in a single “sausage” and not have foreign inclusions.
The color of feces in a dog can indicate diseases of the digestive tract: intestines, liver or pancreas, as well as the presence of coloring components in the diet.
The main criterion for a normal stool is stability. It should be the same every day. The exception is if the dog eats everything, but then that’s the problem. After all, such a diet cannot be called correct.
Any change in the feces is a reason to see a doctor and conduct an examination.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Sources:

Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs — Retrospective Study in 136 Cases M. Volkmann, J.M. Steiner et al Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2017.
Wingfield Vane. Secrets of emergency veterinary care.

Abnormal colored stool: Stool Colors | What Poop Colors Mean & When to Worry

Stool Colors | What Poop Colors Mean & When to Worry

Stool quiz

Black stool

Green stool

Stool quiz

Light-colored stool

Bright red stool

Yellow stool

Stool quiz

When to call the doctor

Should I go to the ER for abnormal stool colors?

Treatments

Ready to treat your stool?

Appearance, color, and what is normal

Fast facts on types of poop:

How long should a poop take?

Black

White

Green

Red

Orange

Yellow

Stress

Dehydration

Lack of dietary fiber

Food intolerances and allergies

Medical conditions

Constipation

How to ensure healthy bowels

Chair in babies: norm and deviations

What should be the feces of a dog – what does the color of the stool indicate?

What determines the color of a dog’s feces?

How normal should a dog’s stool be?

Normal puppy stools

Abnormal stools in dogs

Offensive odor

Size

Loose stools

Hard and dry stools

Black stools

Yellow and orange stools

White stools

Red stools

Green stools

Light gray and white stools

Mucus in stool

Fatty stools

Stool lumps

What should I do if my dog’s stool is abnormal?

Collection of stool for analysis

Main

Answers to frequently asked questions

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