Have you Looked at your Dog’s Poop Today?
Although potty talk is usually discouraged, it shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to your pup. Unhealthy dog poop can be unpleasant, but crucial in showing us how they are feeling. Their everyday (or not) excretions tell us a lot about their internal health. While we all want our dogs to “do their business”, it is just as important to see how their business went. So before you blindly pick up their poo, next time try and take a look (and a whiff), to see what their body is trying to tell you.
We get customers all the time who start their inquiry with “sorry to be gross, but…”, before describing their dog’s droppings. This is because they know, when something is wrong with the poop, there could be something internal contributing to this. But it isn’t always what you think that’s a sign of unhealthy dog poop.
Big Business
A big (no pun intended) sign that we should change the diet is large poops. Ideally, their body is using most of the food we give them through nutrient absorption. What is not needed, otherwise known as filler calories, will be excreted.
If you have ever thought “That’s a lot of poop for that size dog”, this could be a good time to discuss what they’re eating. Many times we see this with a purely kibble diet, but mainly with certain formulas.
Not all kibbles are made equal. Most contain a high amount of fillers like corn, wheat gluten, and brewer’s rice. These ingredients will pass right through your dog’s digestive system, as they cannot absorb any nutrients from them.
When you notice consistently large, unhealthy dog poop, this tells us that they aren’t getting all the nutrients they need to thrive! Luckily, there are solutions. Switching to a kibble that utilizes nutrient-dense ingredients can make a huge difference in their health. Keeping the food in their system through nutrient absorption will help not only gut health, but overall vitality.
We have many suggestions based on your dog’s needs to upgrade their bowl and their bowels. Wonderful kibble options include Open Farm, The Honest Kitchen, and Nature’s Logic. If you’d like to explore other options with few to no filler ingredients, we have great options in the gently cooked or raw spaces to try!
Quality Matters!
What if we are dealing with more than just quantity? Well, now let’s talk about the quality of poop.
We’ve all had the moment as dog owners where one unhealthy dog poop shows up and we panic. Do we need to rush to the vet? Are they okay?! Unless this is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like lack of appetite & lethargy, one bad poop is usually not cause for much worry.
Here are the top things to look out for when considering medical intervention:
- Symptom length. Have these concerning movements persisted over 2 days or 5 poops? Most inconsistencies will resolve themselves in a healthy dog, so watch out for repeat offenders.
- Color. Certain colors in your dog’s poop can simply be due to an ingredient in their diet. For example, beets can cause a pinkish hue & turmeric can give it a yellow tint. Colors to watch out for are white, grey/pale, red, and black. Red & black indicate blood in the G.I. tract and should be met with medical care. Grey can indicate too much fat & a hard time processing it, which could be pancreatitis. White usually shows excess calcium and can be altered easily with diet.
- Contents. I know you don’t want to look at their poop anymore, but this is an important one! No need to dig through, but if you notice ingredients from their diet are consistently passing through, you may want to avoid them as your dog isn’t digesting them. If you notice any foreign objects, this may be a sign there is more stuck in their system and it’s important to monitor them closely.
Unhealthy Dog Poops… Now What?!
Now that we have thoroughly discussed your dog’s droppings, you may have a better idea of what your dog needs. Or, you may be super overwhelmed and unsure where to start.
Either way, we are here to find your solution for perfect poops!
Whether your dog needs a pup-grade to their diet or an added supplement like fiber or probiotics, our team is knowledgeable in finding the right fit. Book a call with us or come in to discuss your dog’s diet, needs, poop (duh), and more so that we can personalize their bowl for optimal health.
