While it’s not the most pleasant topic, monitoring your dog’s poop is one of the easiest ways to keep track of her health. Healthy dog poop is a good indicator of your dog’s gut and digestive health, while changes in her stool can be an early warning sign of potential health issues.
What Healthy Dog Poop Looks Like
Healthy dog poop should have these characteristics:
- Color: Chocolate brown is the ideal color, indicating proper digestive function.
- Consistency: Firm but not rock-hard, log-shaped, and holds its form when picked up.
- Odor: Mild to moderate smell (it’s never going to smell good).
- Coating: No mucus or blood.
- Frequency: Most dogs poop 1-3 times daily (puppies may go more often).
- Size: Proportionate to your dog’s size and food intake.
Knowing what’s normal and what’s not is crucial to understanding your dog’s health. Sudden stool changes can often result from a virus, bacteria, raiding the garbage can, or eating something outside on a walk.
Poop Color Guide: What It Means
| Color | What It Could Mean | When to Call Your Vet |
| Brown | Normal, healthy digestion | Only if you see white rice-like specks (could be worms) |
| Black or Tarry | Possible bleeding in upper intestines or stomach | Right away – this requires immediate attention |
| Green | Could be from eating grass, treats with green dye, or could indicate infection or gallbladder disease | If not diet-related and persists for more than 24 hours |
| Yellow/Orange | Possible liver issues, bile problems, or food intolerances | If persists for more than 24 hours |
| Gray/White/Clay | Possible liver/gallbladder disease or too much calcium in diet | If consistently this color for more than 24-48 hours |
| Red or Blood-Streaked | Bleeding in lower digestive tract | Call your vet – could indicate various issues |
Poop Consistency: What to Look For
Stool is often rated on a 7-point scale. A score of 1 is very hard and dry, scores of 2 or 3 are considered normal, and 7 is watery diarrhea.
- Too hard: Pebble-like or cracked logs could indicate constipation or dehydration.
- Too soft: Soft-serve ice cream consistency might indicate digestive upset.
- Watery/Runny: This is diarrhea and could be from stress, diet change, or more serious issues.
| Score | Characteristics |
| 1 | • Very hard and dry • May be individual pellets |
| 2 | • This is considered the normal/ideal stool • Firm, but not hard • Stays together |
| 3 | • Log shaped • Moist • May break apart • A normal stool |
| 4 | • Very moist and soggy • Loose when picked up |
| 5 | • Very moist • Log shaped, but in piles |
| 6 | • No defined shape • Difficult to pick up |
| 7 | • Very watery • Flat puddles |
Other Concerning Contents
- Mucus: A small amount is normal as a lubricant, but excessive mucus may indicate inflammation.
- Hair: Occasional strands are normal, but frequent or large amounts may signal allergies or anxiety.
- White Specks: Could be tapeworms or bone fragments.
- Undigested Food: Small amounts occasionally are normal, but frequent occurrences may signal digestive problems.
- Foreign Objects: Check your home for remaining pieces and monitor your dog for signs of distress.
When To Call Your Vet Immediately
- Straining without producing stool.
- Crying or showing pain when trying to poop.
- Black or bright red stool.
- Green or blue stool, especially if poison exposure is possible.
- Five or more soft poops in one day.
- Not eating or drinking.
- Lethargy or vomiting along with abnormal stool.
- Weight loss, especially with loose stools.
Dr. Betsy Redmond, PhD, MMSc brings nearly 20 years of clinical laboratory expertise to her role as co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Innovative Pet Lab. With groundbreaking research in gut health, her work includes helping develop the first commercial gut microbiome PCR test and researching how diet impacts colon health. Today, she’s dedicated to creating accessible testing solutions that provide pet owners with both deeper insights into their companions’ health and clear, actionable steps to improve it.
For More Information:
- 2025 Innovative Pet Lab Tests.
- “Blog – Poop – Innovative Pet Lab.” Innovative Pet Lab, 2025, innovativepetlab.com/blog-poop/?v=0b3b97fa6688.
- “Diarrhea: Causes and Treatments.” The Animal Medical Center, www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/diarrhea-causes-and-treatments/.
