Sometimes we need to have uncomfortable conversations.  Let’s face it, Dog and Cat poop are not the priority topic of most conversations, but, for the devoted pet owner, knowing the scoop on poop can give real insight to changes in your pet’s health.

The stool produced by dogs and cats give very valuable insight to the health of your “fur-baby.”  Everything from parasites to pancreatitis to life-threatening diseases can be identified by the color, consistency and smell of the poop.  (Side note, this applies to us humans as well, so pay attention).

Let’s begin this discussion with a broad / simple lesson on how stool is made.  We will follow a meal on its journey to becoming poop…

When food is eaten, the mouth chews the food and mixes it with saliva which contains enzymes that begin the break-down of the meal.  It is swallowed, churned with more enzymes and acids in the stomach, and then moves to the first part of the small intestines where the pancreas adds even more, enzymes to further break the food down.  Remember, the body’s goal is to make the molecules in the meal available for the body to absorb and use for growth and energy.  The small intestines then selectively absorb the nutrients, vitamins and energy into the blood stream while the unused waste is moved along.  This meal is now very watery and need further treatment.  Bacteria in the large intestines help digest even more of the meal and the body is now ready to “dry out” this watery waste.  As the food slowly moves along the large bowel, the water is reabsorbed into the blood (preserving the body’s hydration) and the stool is now waiting in the colon to be evacuated: Pooped Out.

How does the body know it’s time to poop?  As the waste builds up in the colon, it stacks up at the rectum and stretches the colon.  The stretching sends a signal to the brain that the colon is irritated it’s time to squat. The whole pooping things then happens.

If all goes well, the body evacuates a formed, not to hard and not too soft stool.  The stool should hold its shape well and have minimal odor.

Now let’s discuss what poop can tell us:

Loose or watery stool (DIARRHEA):

Diarrhea, tell us that the body failed to remove the water OR the stool was evacuated before the body had time to absorb the water.  Other irritations to the colon, like parasites chewing on the colon wall, or bacteria or viruses infecting the colon wall, will send a constant signal to the brain that “I need to poop… and NOW!”  Often the dog or cat cannot hold it long enough to get outside or to the litter box.  There can be multiple causes, but, bottom line, diarrhea is never normal and should be treated as quickly as possible.

Hard, Pebble-like Stool:

If you pup or cat strains and produces a hard, pebble of stool, constipation is the issue here.  Dehydration, poor diet or other diseases with the colon can contribute to constipation.  Constipation can be life-threatening, so this too needs immediate attention.

It is important to note that straining may ALSO be a sign of diarrhea, the opposite of constipation.  Recall that irritation to the colon wall from parasites, infections or viruses may send a signal to the brain to initiate defecation before the stool is truly ready to go.  If most of the watery stool has already been eliminated, the irritation is still present and the body will continue to strain to evacuate the stool when almost none is present.

Straining to poop does NOT mean it’s always constipation.

Foul odor to stool:

Sometimes the wrong kind of bacteria sets up a home in the intestines and produce exceptionally foul odor.  Many try to correct this using “pro-biotics” but remember that this bacteria in at the END of the digestive tract therefore it takes a lot of probiotics, a long time to correct the problem.  The best way to address this is feed a good quality, high QUALITY fiber diet.  I will discuss this at the end of the blog.

Color variations of the stool:

The most obvious is RED.  Red / Raspberry color to stool may simply be dyes in the food ingested.  Beet dyes and other red dyes can ultimately color the stool red.  Blood can also color the stool red.  If a stool contains RED blood, then the blood came from the large intestines / colon / rectum.  Any blood in stool is serious and needs to be diagnosed.

Red Streaks:

If blood is deposited along the formed stool as it exits the body, the stool may have distinct red lines in it.  This indicates that bleeding is most likely at the rectum or associated anal sacs.

Black, Tarry stools:

Black, semi-formed stool is likely an indication of bleeding “up-line” in the stool making process.  Blood released in the stomach and small bowel is digested by the body and turns jet black.  Stools with this coloration are a sign of serious disease and need emergency attention.

Grey / Fluffy Stools:

If food is not completely digested and absorbed by the body, the resulting stool may be grey in color and have an almost “whipped” airy appearance.  Usually these stools are associated with weight loss but normal appetite.  The malfunction of the pancreas may be the cause.

Orange or Yellow stools:

If there is a problem with the biliary or liver system of the body, stools may acquire a yellow or orange color.  This too is a sign of significant disease and needs quick attention.

Green Stool:

Eating a large amount of grass can cause this as well as some gall bladder issues.

White Specks in the Stool:

If the specks look like grains of rice and slowly move, there is likely a parasite issue.  Sometimes really poor quality diets will contain indigestible fillers that end up as white debris mixed in the stool.

The bottom line:

When the body is healthy and functioning properly, stools should be consistent, formed and brown.  Any changes in stools are likely an indication to some disease or digestive or parasitic problem…. To avoid most of these problems, feed a GOOD QUALITY, HIGH FIBER, CONSISTENT DIET.  (DON’T CHANGE YOUR PET’S DIET JUST FOR VARIETY, it causes so many avoidable problems).  Give regular parasite preventatives:  Heartworm preventatives prevent MOST intestinal parasites as well as heartworms.  Finally, have a fecal analysis performed on your dog or cats stool regularly.  Especially when you see changes in the color, consistency or frequency of you fur-baby’s stools.