Understanding Your Dog's Stool: Key Insights for Pet Health
- RFFDMSUK
- Apr 19
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 27
🐶 Your dog’s stool provides vital insights into their overall well-being! Regardless of diet, monitoring color, shape, and frequency helps detect early signs of health issues.
Why Monitoring Your Dog's Stool Matters
✔️ Poop consistency can signal digestive health.
✔️ Changes in stool may indicate underlying concerns.
✔️ Veterinarians rely on stool observations for accurate diagnosis & treatment.
🔎 Stay proactive in assessing your dog’s health by tracking their stool quality!
📌 See our Poop Scale below to determine what’s healthy & when further investigation is needed.
📌 Your dog’s stools can signal early signs of digestive or health concerns. While occasional odd stools may be harmless, knowing when to act can help maintain your dog’s well-being.
🐾 Understanding Stool Changes & What They Mean
Dogs can experience diarrhea or loose stools for various reasons. Many issues are linked to changes in their environment or daily routine. For instance, moving home can be stressful for a dog. Stress can disrupt their digestive system. Similarly, changes in diet must be handled with care. With appropriate gut support and a gentle transition process, such as the RFFDMSUK method, the impact of dietary changes can be minimized.
Vaccinations and Their Effects
Vaccinations can lead to temporary immune suppression, which may contribute to digestive upset. Introducing new treats too quickly can overwhelm a dog's system, leading to loose stools. Additionally, the natural stress that comes during physical and mental growth can significantly affect digestion, particularly in young and developing dogs.
Parasites: A Common Concern
Parasites such as worms, giardia, and other intestinal invaders can be significant causes of diarrhea. These can be picked up from contaminated environments, other animals, or even food and water sources. In addition, chemical flea and worm treatments, while designed to protect your dog, may sometimes trigger digestive disturbances as the body reacts to the medication. Sadly, these reactions can disrupt the gut microbiome.
Of course, allergies, infections, or underlying health conditions can also cause diarrhea, but these are less common. Monitoring your dog’s health and ensuring a balanced diet, combined with stress management and appropriate parasite prevention, can support digestive well-being.
Signs to Watch For in Your Dog's Stool
✔️ Speckles of Blood – One-off occurrences may indicate straining; feed boneless minces (raw shop or supermarket freezer) until stools normalize.
✔️ Streaks of Blood – The presence of blood in the digestive tract requires veterinary attention.
✔️ Black, Tar-Like Stool – Occasional cases may be fine, but regular occurrences could indicate too much offal in the diet—adjust accordingly.
🐾 Feed boneless minces until stools return to normal.
✔️ White, Crumbly Stool – Indicates too much bone in the diet; your dog’s tolerance has been exceeded.
✔️ Greyish Mucus Film – Occasionally occurs when anal sacs empty naturally; if repeated, consider a Giardia & worm count test (Feclab).
✔️ Green or Orange Stool – May indicate excessive grass or carrot consumption. Consult a holistic vet if stools remain abnormal.
Urgent Situations: When to Call the Vet
🚨 Seek veterinary attention immediately if:
3 bouts occur within 24 hours.
Diarrhea occurs alongside vomiting, lethargy, or difficulty breathing.
Monitor hydration—hand-feed water while waiting for vet guidance.
📌 here
For mild cases where home management is approved by your vet, follow our Recovery from Illness blog here for treatment steps.
🦴 Supporting Your Dog’s Anal Gland Health
🐾 Occasionally, dogs need extra support in expressing their anal glands. However, manual expression weakens their natural ability, increasing the risk of chronic anal gland issues & infections.
Recognizing the Signs
✔️ Scooting across the floor
✔️ Leakage from the bottom
✔️ Stains on bedding or soft furniture
✔️ Strong fishy smell (without rolling in anything outside)
🐶 Providing the right dietary support can help dogs express their glands naturally.
🟢 How to Help Your Dog’s Anal Glands
✔️ Boost Dietary Fibre – Add 1 teaspoon per 10kg body weight of:
✅ Organic Psyllium Husks
✅ Organic Chia Seeds
📌 Preparation Instructions:
Mix with a small amount of boiled & cooled water.
Stir into your dog’s food.
Benefits of Dietary Fiber
By increasing stool bulk, these supplements help with natural anal gland expression. They also support digestive health, relieving both diarrhea & constipation.
Feeding Guidelines for Dogs
🚫 No soaking required if feeding with raw food.
✔️ Small dogs (<10kg): ¼–½ teaspoon
✔️ Medium dogs (10–20kg): ½–1 teaspoon
✔️ Large dogs (20–40kg): 1–1½ teaspoons
✔️ Very large dogs (>40kg): 1½–2 teaspoons
📌 Can be given daily if needed.
🚫 No soaking required when mixed with raw food.
✔️ Small dogs (<10kg): ½ teaspoon
✔️ Medium dogs (10–25kg): 1–2 teaspoons
✔️ Large dogs (>25kg): 1½–2 teaspoons
📌 For extreme cases, can be given up to twice per day, then as needed.
🦠 Giardia in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options
Giardia is a tiny intestinal parasite that can affect both dogs and humans. Known as Giardia duodenalis, Giardia lamblia, or Giardia intestinalis, it exists worldwide, feeding off the host and leading to digestive disturbances, malabsorption, and weight loss.
Recognizing symptoms early & implementing targeted treatment strategies can support your dog’s recovery.
How Do Dogs Get Giardia?
✔️ Contact with infected stool
✔️ Rolling or playing in contaminated soil
✔️ Licking themselves after touching contaminated surfaces
✔️ Drinking contaminated water
📌 Dogs in shared environments (kennels, shelters) are at higher risk due to exposure.
Symptoms to Watch For in Giardia Cases
🚨 Check stool consistency—Giardia can cause:
✔️ Unusually soft or oddly formed stools
✔️ Pale-colored or greenish stools
✔️ Extra-foul-smelling stools
✔️ Mucus-covered stools
✔️ Fatty appearance in stool
✔️ Blood in stool
📌 Dogs may experience recurring, intermittent diarrhea & vomiting—prolonged infections can result in weight loss. One instance may not mean it's giardia, but if a second instance occurs, testing for the condition is advised.
Diagnosing Giardia
✔️ Standard Worm Count Test – Detects Giardia cysts, but false negatives are possible.
✔️ Giardia Antigen Test (Feclab recommended) – Provides more accurate detection.
📌 If Giardia is suspected, testing is crucial for proper treatment.
🌿 Natural Remedies for Giardia
🐾 Alongside testing & treatment, maintaining a clean environment is critical—use Ingenious Probiotics to disinfect home & outdoor areas without harming beneficial bacteria.
Recommended Natural Treatments
✔️ Oregon Grape – Acts as a natural antibiotic & liver tonic that targets parasites.
📌 Dosage: 10 drops per 20 lbs of body weight daily.
✔️ Garlic – Boosts immunity & fights parasites.
📌 Let chopped garlic sit for 15 minutes to activate Allicin before feeding.
📌 here for dosage and best practices.
✔️ Goldenseal – Works in combination with garlic against Giardia.
📌 Dosage: 1 tsp per 20 lbs of body weight, mixed into food.
✔️ Bone Broth – Strengthens gut health and aids recovery—serve daily alongside meals.
✔️ Crushed Organic Pumpkin Seeds – Provides natural protection against future parasites.
🚨 Strict Cleaning Regimen for Giardia
🐾 Implement these sanitation measures until receiving a negative test result:
✔️ Wash dog bedding daily.
✔️ Disinfect household floors daily using hot water & a pet-safe indoor cleaner.
✔️ Keep home dry—Giardia thrives in damp environments.
📌 Practicing hygiene reduces the risk of reinfection & supports long-term parasite control.
🩺 Veterinary Treatment Options
🚨 Vet-prescribed medications exist but may cause side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, or neurological issues.
🐾 Common Medications & Side Effects:
✔️ Fenbendazole – May cause facial swelling, hives & excess salivation.
✔️ Metronidazole – Can lead to blood in urine, muscle stiffness & neurological symptoms.
✔️ Albendazole – Associated with low energy, reduced white blood cell count & convulsions.
📌 vet
Managing Worms in Dogs: Detection, Prevention & Natural Treatments
Worms aren’t always visible, and subtle symptoms can be the first indicators of an infestation. Regular worm count tests & monitoring stool changes can help catch issues early before they worsen.
📌 Some worms remain undetectable to the naked eye, so testing every 3 months is ideal for prevention.
Signs Your Dog May Have Worms
✔️ Mucus-covered stools, diarrhea, or vomiting – Occasional cases may be fine, but Giardia, worm count & lungworm test.
✔️ Scooting or excessive licking/nibbling at the back end – This may indicate a problem requiring further investigation.
✔️ Loss of appetite & weight loss – Unexplained weight loss requires vet investigation.
✔️ Lethargy & dull coat – This could signal illness, parasites, or nutrient deficiencies—vet evaluation is recommended.
📌 Maintaining regular worm count tests ensures early detection & proper management.
🩺 Testing for Worms
✅ Worm Count Tests – Available from Feclab & similar providers.
📌 Easy-to-follow instructions are included in test kits.
🚨 Pregnant bitches should be tested at:
40-45 days of pregnancy.
2 weeks post-whelping (along with puppies)—use pooled puppy kits for testing.
📌 here
🌿 Natural Worm Prevention & Treatment
🐾 While conventional treatments exist, natural options help avoid potential side effects.
📌 supplements list & filter for "parasites" to find products like Prodog Repel.
✅ Recommended Natural Dewormers
✔️ Neem Leaf – Eliminates most worms except tapeworm.
📌 Dosage: 150mg (small dogs), 250mg (medium dogs), 500mg (large dogs).
📌 here.
✔️ Crushed, Raw, Organic Pumpkin Seeds – Boosts gut health & expels parasites.
📌 Dosage: ½ teaspoon per 10kg body weight, up to twice daily (maintenance = once daily).
✔️ Fermented Veggies – Sauerkraut or kimchi, free from onions.
📌 Dosage: 1–3 tsp per 10kg body weight, daily.
✔️ Pineapple – Contains bromelain, a natural worm expeller.
📌 Dosage: 1 tsp per 5kg body weight, daily (flesh only—no skin or core).
✔️ Papaya – Contains papain, another natural enzyme for parasite removal.
📌 Dosage: 1 tsp per 5kg body weight, daily.
✔️ Dorwest Herbs Green Relief Tablets – Supports digestion & parasite defense.
📌 Dosage: 1 tsp per 5kg body weight, daily.
✔️ DAF Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – Must be mixed well into food, with added water if necessary.
📌 Dosage: 1 tsp per 10-20kg body weight, daily.
✔️ Grapefruit Seed Extract – Natural anti-parasitic.
📌 Dosage: 10-15 drops per 10kg body weight in food.
📌 🚨 Must be GRAPEFRUIT seed extract (not grape seed extract—grape is toxic to dogs).
✔️ Cooled Chamomile Tea – Natural calming & anti-parasitic properties.
📌 Dosage: 1–3 teaspoons daily (based on dog size).
✔️ Herbal Dog Co Wormwood – Shake well & give 1ml directly in food for 2 consecutive days per month (safe for pregnant & nursing dogs).
✔️ Verm-X Liquid – Follow the bottle’s dosage instructions.
✔️ Raw, Organic Garlic – Natural immune support & anti-parasitic benefits.
🚨 Precautions:
✔️ Chop garlic & let sit for 15 minutes before feeding to activate beneficial compounds.
✔️ Do NOT give to pregnant/lactating dogs, those on blood thinners, or breeds sensitive to garlic (Akitas, Shiba Inus).
✔️ Puppies <6 months—avoid entirely (half-dose okay for 6+ months).
📌 here for detailed dosage & safety information.
🚨 When to Seek Veterinary Support
📌 If a worm count test returns positive for lungworm, consult a holistic or conventional vet immediately. 🐾 Lungworm migrates from the gut to the lungs, requiring urgent professional treatment.
Poop-Eating Puzzles: Understanding & Managing Canine Coprophagia
🐾 Caught your dog eating faeces? While this behavior seems perplexing, it’s more common than you think. Known as coprophagia, it can stem from nutritional, behavioural, or medical factors.
📌 Understanding the causes helps pet owners manage & reduce coprophagia effectively.
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
✔️ Nutritional Deficiency – Dogs lacking essential nutrients may consume faeces to compensate for dietary gaps.
📌 Feeding a balanced raw diet? Check our here.
📌 If not raw-fed, consider working with a qualified canine nutritionist.
✔️ Attention-Seeking Behaviour – Dogs may repeat coprophagia if they notice a strong reaction from their owner.
✔️ Instinctual Roots – Mother dogs clean up faeces in the den to protect puppies from predators, reinforcing this evolutionary behavior.
✔️ Medical Factors – Malabsorption disorders or pancreatic insufficiency can lead to nutrient deficiencies resulting in coprophagia.
📌 Consult a vet to rule out medical issues.
✔️ Stress or Anxiety – Boredom, anxiety, or environmental stress can trigger coprophagia as a coping mechanism.
📌 Enrichment Blog for mental stimulation tips.
✔️ Puppy Exploration – Young dogs often exhibit curiosity toward faeces, usually outgrowing this behavior over time.
Managing Coprophagia
✔️ Veterinary Consultation – Always rule out medical conditions before addressing behavioral causes.
✔️ Balanced Diet – Ensure complete nutrition to minimize diet-driven coprophagia.
✔️ Digestive Enzymes & Probiotics
🐾 Durham Animal Feeds sells pigs pancreas—chop into small portions for enzyme support.
📌 Probiotics Blog for gut health recommendations.
Whole Foods That May Help
✅ Pineapple – Natural sugars & enzymes may alter faeces taste, making it less appealing.
📌 1 tsp per 5kg body weight, daily.
✅ Pumpkin – Adds fiber & alters stool consistency, reducing poop attraction.
📌 Not pie filling—use pure pumpkin puree.
✅ Papaya – Freeze-dried or fresh papaya contains enzymes that affect stool taste.
✅ Odorous Vegetables – Broccoli, Brussels sprouts & green beans change stool odour, acting as deterrents.
📌 Introduce dietary changes gradually—dogs respond differently to specific foods.
Additional Strategies to Discourage Coprophagia
✔️ Supervise & Redirect – Intervene when your dog attempts coprophagia & offer alternate rewards.
✔️ Teach “Leave It” – Training your dog to ignore faeces helps prevent the habit.
📌 Reward obedience with treats & praise.
✔️ Increase Exercise & Mental Stimulation – Ensuring adequate physical & mental engagement reduces stress-driven behaviors.
✔️ Prompt Clean-Up – Remove faeces quickly to eliminate opportunities for coprophagia.
✔️ Avoid Punishment – Negative reinforcement increases anxiety, worsening the issue.
📌 Use positive reinforcement instead.
✔️ Seek Professional Guidance – If the behavior persists, consult a professional trainer or behaviourist for personalized solutions.
References:
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