Dog Poop Colors Decoded: A Crap-Tastic Guide to Canine Health

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Here at Canine Journal, we consider it our solemn, stinky responsibility to inform you about what’s coming out of your pup. After all, your dog’s poop is basically a daily health report.

Mild changes in stool color typically aren’t a big deal. But sometimes, poop color is a flashing warning sign that something is seriously wrong. That’s why, as gross as it sounds, making your dog’s “business” your business is a must.

Thus, we welcome you to our grossly enthusiastic investigation of dog poop colors, where we break down exactly what each shade means so you never have to panic over a mystery turd again.

So, grab some gloves (hopefully metaphorical), and let’s embark on a disgustingly enlightening journey through the world of dog poop colors—because knowledge is power, and in this case, it might also save your rug.

Dog Poop Colors: A Field Guide For The Deeply Unfortunate And Morbidly Curious

You never planned to become a poop detective, but here you are. Good for you. Knowing what’s normal and what’s not could save you unnecessary panic—or help you catch a serious problem before it spirals.

Most of the time, poop is just poop—a familiar shade of brown, firm but not too hard, and nothing to stress about. But when your pup starts producing a stoplight of red, yellow, or green, it’s time to pay attention. It could be something minor (like an overload of carrots turning things orange) or a serious warning sign (like internal bleeding making it jet black).

So before you brush off an unusual hue as a harmless quirk, let’s dive into the spectrum of stink and figure out precisely what your dog’s poop is trying to tell you.

The Normal Stuff: What Healthy Dog Poop Looks Like

Not all healthy dog poop looks the same. It varies by breed, diet, and even hydration levels, but there are some universal truths when it comes to a prime canine bowel movement.

In general, a dog’s poop should be:

• Firm, but not rock-hard: Holds its shape without being difficult to pass
• Medium to dark brown: The gold standard of normal dog digestion
• Moist, but not sticky: Shouldn’t leave a mess behind when picked up
• Well-formed and segmented: Think log-shaped, not a pile of mush or tiny pebbles

Knowing what’s normal for your dog is the key to catching potential health issues early. Pay attention to their usual poop color, consistency, and frequency so you can spot a problem before it turns into a real mess.

Vet or Chill? A Quick Decision Guide For Panicked Dog Parents

We get it. One glance at an unusual dog poop color, and you’re spiraling. Before you rush to the vet, take a deep breath and use this quick guide to assess whether you need to panic or just monitor the situation. Later, we’ll get into the dirty details of what each color could mean, but for now, here’s your rapid-fire decision chart.

Vet ASAP: Serious Emergency Colors

These poop colors require immediate veterinary attention, as they can signal life-threatening conditions.

• Pink or purple (raspberry jam poop): Emergency! This could be hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, which can cause rapid dehydration, shock, and death.
• Black, tar-like poop: Possible internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines. If your dog’s poop looks like road asphalt, get them to a vet.
• Bright red poop with heavy bleeding: If your dog is passing large amounts of fresh blood, this could indicate a severe gastrointestinal injury or clotting disorder.

Vet Soon: Concerning But Not Immediate Emergencies

These cases don’t require a middle-of-the-night ER visit, but you should schedule a vet check-up soon if symptoms persist.

• Bright red streaks in poop: Often due to mild colitis or rectal irritation, but if it keeps happening, you’ll want a vet to rule out infections or more serious GI issues.
• Gray or greasy poop: May indicate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bile duct issues, or chronic pancreatitis. Watch for weight loss or an oily sheen on poop.
• Yellow or orange poop: Could mean liver or bile issues, rapid food transit, or a diet-related reaction. If it lasts more than a couple of days, get it checked.

Monitor Closely: Likely Dietary Or Mild Digestive Upset

These colors can often be explained by diet but should still be monitored in case they persist.

• Green poop: Probably okay if your dog has been munching on grass or eating green foods. But a vet visit is wise if it’s persistently green, slimy, or foul-smelling.
• Polka-potted poop (white specks): If the specks are wiggling, congratulations, your dog has worms—call your vet. If they’re static, it’s likely undigested food or calcium deposits.
• White, chalky poop: Too much calcium or bones but persistent white stools could signal other health problems.

Chill: Probably Nothing, But Keep An Eye On It

If your dog is acting normal, eating well, and has no other symptoms, these poop changes may resolve on their own.

• One-off weird poop color: If your dog ate a crayon or some other non-toxic “treat,” expect some technicolor poop but no actual harm.
• Mild diarrhea after a diet change: This happens with abrupt food transitions but should improve within 24 hours.

The Poop Rainbow: What Each Color Says About Your Dog’s Health

Here’s the deal: Dog poop comes in a glorious range of shades. However, normal dog poop is some shade of brown—the universal signal that all is well in the digestive kingdom.

When your pup starts producing something that looks more like a traffic light than a bowel movement, it’s worth a closer look. Because while most poop colors fall into the “nothing to worry about” category, some scream, “vet visit now.” Below, we break down the most common colors and what they mean.

Pink Or Purple Dog Poop (Raspberry Jam Stool)

If your dog’s poop is pink, purple, or has a jelly-like consistency, it could be a sign of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), also known as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS). Often described as “raspberry jam” feces, this appearance is caused by a mixture of blood, mucus, and fluid.

Dogs with HGE often experience sudden onset bloody diarrhea and vomiting. While the exact cause of HGE isn’t always clear, it is frequently associated with bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion (ingesting non-food items), immune system dysfunction, pancreatitis, and toxin exposure. Left untreated, HGE can lead to life-threatening dehydration and shock, making immediate veterinary care essential.

While true raspberry jam poop is always a medical emergency, some dietary and environmental factors may cause temporary pinkish or reddish discoloration that is less concerning:

• Eating beets or red food dye: Can mimic blood in stool but won’t cause mucus or diarrhea
• Raw or undercooked meat: May pass through the digestive system with pinkish streaks
• Severe food intolerance or allergies: Can trigger inflammatory diarrhea with blood-tinged mucus
• Sudden diet changes or spoiled food: May cause bacterial overgrowth, leading to bloody diarrhea

If your dog has raspberry jam stool along with vomiting, weakness, or refusing to eat, seek immediate emergency care.

Black Dog Poop Or Very Dark Stools

If your dog’s poop is black, tarry, or sticky, it may indicate digested blood in the stool, which can signal internal bleeding in the stomach or upper gastrointestinal tract. Blood turns black as it travels through your pup’s digestive system, resulting in a melena, or a black stool.

Causes of upper GI tract bleeding and melena may include:

• Cancer in the esophagus, stomach, or pancreas
• Gastrointestinal perforation (tear in the lining of the GI tract)
• Ingesting blood (e.g., licking a bleeding wounds)
• Intestinal parasites (i.e., hookworms)
• Liver or pancreatic disease
• Metabolic diseases (e.g., Addison’s disease)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g., aspirin, Deramaxx, Metacam, Previcox, and Rimadyl
• Poison ingestion (e.g., anticoagulants, rat poison)
• Severe inflammation (esophagitis or gastritis)
• Stomach ulcers (often caused by prescription medications)
• Tumors

If your dog shows other signs of blood loss, such as weakness and pale gums, you should immediately seek medical support. You can also recognize melena for its sticky texture and pungent odor, a byproduct of blood being broken down and digested.

Alternatively, certain foods, medications, and supplements can cause your dog’s stool to appear black. For example, over-the-counter human medications containing bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto-Bismol) can cause black stools due to a chemical reaction between the sulfur in saliva and bismuth forming bismuth sulfide—a black substance.

Is your dog on a raw diet? Ingesting large amounts of red meat or liver can contribute to a dark stool color thanks to their high iron content.

Did your dog get into the burned wood in the firepit? Ingesting charcoal can cause stools to appear black. Activated charcoal is also sometimes administered by vets in situations where dogs ingest certain toxins.

Potential causes of black stools besides melena include:

• Activated charcoal
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
• Iron supplements
• Large amounts of liver or red meat
• Large amounts of dark foods, like blueberries

While some causes are benign, black stools can also signal potentially life-threatening health issues, so it’s always best to confirm with your dog’s vet.

Bright Red Dog Poop Or Blood-Streaked Stools

Bright red stool or red streaks in dog poop indicate bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, often originating from the colon or rectum. Unlike black poop, where the blood has been digested, red poop signals the blood is fresh and hasn’t passed through the upper digestive system.

Common medical causes of bright red, bloody stools include:

• Anal gland infections
• Bacterial colitis
• Blood clotting disorders
• Constipation (straining can cause small rectal tears)
• Dietary indiscretion (eating sharp or rough objects that can cause tears in the lower intestines or rectum)
• HGE
• Intestinal parasites (i.e., whipworms)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Poison ingestion
• Rectal cancer or tumors
• Recent surgery or trauma

Mild, occasional streaks of red may resolve if your dog is acting normal, but you should monitor closely. Call your vet immediately if the bright red blood is persistent, increasing, or accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, or weakness.

Chalky Gray Dog Poop Or Greasy-Gray Stools

Gray dog poop often falls into two distinct categories: chalky gray and greasy gray. Understanding the difference can help determine whether the cause is dietary or a sign of a serious health issue.

Chalky gray stools are usually dry, firm, and clay-like in texture. This type of stool may indicate liver disease, gallbladder dysfunction, or bile duct obstruction preventing bile from properly breaking down fats and giving poop its standard brown color. Dogs with this type of stool may show other signs of liver problems, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), weight loss, or lethargy.

Greasy gray stools, on the other hand, have an oily texture and foul odor and sometimes leave a shiny residue behind. This often signals fat malabsorption, a hallmark of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or chronic pancreatitis. Without proper enzyme production from the pancreas, fats pass through undigested, leading to pale, greasy, and often voluminous stools. Dogs suffering from these conditions may also experience weight loss, excessive hunger, bloating, or chronic diarrhea.

Potential causes of gray or greasy dog poop include:

• Chronic pancreatitis
• Bile duct obstruction
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
• Liver disease
• High-fat diets or sudden diet changes
• Poor-quality dog food

If your dog is also losing weight or showing changes in energy levels, a vet may perform tests to check pancreatic enzyme levels, liver function, or bile duct health. Pancreatic and liver-related conditions can be managed with dietary adjustments, enzyme supplements, or medications, but early diagnosis is crucial.

Orange Dog Poop

If your dog’s poop is orange, it may indicate that food is moving too quickly through the digestive tract, preventing bile from fully breaking it down. Bile is produced in the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and released into the intestines to help digest fats and give poop its normal brown color. When bile doesn’t have time to fully process, stool may appear orange instead of brown.

In many cases, a single episode of orange stool is harmless, especially if your dog recently ate carrots, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes. However, persistent orange poop may signal an issue with bile production, liver function, or gallbladder disease. If your dog’s stool is also soft, greasy, or accompanied by vomiting and lethargy, a vet visit is recommended to rule out underlying health concerns.

Potential causes of orange stools include:

• Bacterial infections (e.g., Salmonella, Clostridium, E. coli)
• Biliary diseases
• Consumption of orange-pigmented foods
• Gastrointestinal inflammation or irritation
• Fatty or greasy meals (interfere with bile processing)
• Medications (e.g., antacids, certain antibiotics, deworming medications)
• Rapid food transit (bile hasn’t fully processed food)
• Sudden dietary changes

If your dog has one or two episodes of orange poop but is otherwise acting normal, it may be a temporary reaction to diet or mild digestive upset. However, if the orange stool is persistent, watery, greasy, or accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, it could signal liver or gallbladder dysfunction, requiring veterinary evaluation. A vet may recommend bloodwork, bile acid tests, or imaging to assess liver health and bile flow.

Yellow Dog Poop

Diet is one of the most common non-medical causes of yellow poop. Some foods and feeding habits that can contribute include:

• Fatty or rich foods: High-fat diets can lead to bile imbalances, causing greasy yellow stool
• Food allergies or intolerances: Dogs with sensitivities to certain proteins (chicken, beef, grains, etc.) may develop chronic yellow diarrhea
• Highly processed foods or artificial dyes: Some commercial kibbles and treats contain color additives that may temporarily tint stool yellow
• Sudden diet changes: Switching foods too quickly can cause digestive upset and yellow diarrhea

Usually, bile—produced by the liver—gradually changes stool from yellow to brown as it moves through the digestive system. However, certain medications and medical conditions can alter bile absorption and affect digestion, leading to yellow stool:

• Antibiotics: Can disrupt gut bacteria, leading to malabsorption and color changes
• Dewormers: May temporarily affect stool color as parasites are expelled
• Liver or gallbladder medications: Drugs that impact bile flow may result in lighter-colored stool

Other medical conditions that may result in yellow feces include:

• Bacterial infections
• Biliary diseases
• Giardia (a parasitic infection)
• Food allergies
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or IBD
• Malnutrition

If yellow poop occurs once or twice and your dog is otherwise acting normal, it may be diet-related or a mild reaction to digestive irritation. However, persistent yellow stool could indicate a more serious underlying issue, especially when soft, greasy, or paired with other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.

A vet may recommend bloodwork, stool analysis, or bile acid tests to check for liver, pancreas, or intestinal disorders. A dietary trial or allergy testing may help pinpoint the cause if food intolerance is suspected.

Green Dog Poop

If your dog’s poop is green but they seem otherwise normal, it may be diet-related:

• Eating too much grass: The most common benign cause, often due to boredom, an upset stomach, or instinctive behavior
• Green food dyes in kibble or treats: Artificial coloring in commercial dog food can pass through undigested
• High-vegetable diets: Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli can add a green tint to stool
• Supplements: Owners who supplement their dog’s diet with pigmented products like chlorophyll or spirulina may notice an uptick in green stools

While diet is a common reason for green poop, it’s not always as simple as too much spinach or an afternoon grass binge. Sometimes, a persistently green stool can signal an underlying medical issue.

Gastrointestinal upset is a common culprit behind green dog poop, often occurring when inflammation or irritation disrupts normal digestion. Conditions such as gastroenteritis, infections, parasites, and even stress can lead to rapid food transit through the intestines.

When food moves too quickly, the body has less time to absorb nutrients and properly process bile, the digestive fluid produced by the liver that typically gives poop its brown color. Instead, the stool may take on a green hue due to unprocessed bile or undigested food.

If green poop is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, mucus, or a foul odor, it could signal a more serious gastrointestinal disorder, such as bacterial overgrowth, food intolerance, or a parasitic infection like Giardia.

Potential medical causes of green poop include:

• Bacterial infections
• Food allergies
• Gallbladder or bile production issues
• Giardia
• IBD
• Toxin exposure
• Liver disease
• Stress-related digestive upset

If your dog’s poop remains green despite no recent dietary changes—or if it’s paired with symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy—it may be time to look beyond their food bowl and consider potential health concerns. While mild digestive upset may resolve on its own, persistent green stool or additional symptoms warrant a vet visit to rule out infections, inflammation, or organ-related issues.

White Dog Poop (Chalky, Dry, or Hard Stools)

If your dog’s poop is chalky white, dry, or crumbly, the most common culprit is excess calcium in the diet. This often occurs in dogs fed a raw diet with too many bones or those consuming large amounts of calcium supplements. Unlike soft, well-formed stools, white dog poop is usually hard, brittle, and turns to dust when crushed due to undigested minerals.

Potential causes of white dog poop include:

• Calcium supplements or fortified treats
• Excessive bone consumption
• High-calcium diets (including certain homemade or prescription diets)
• Poor digestion of minerals in low-quality kibble

While a single white stool may not be a cause for concern, consistently chalky stools can lead to constipation and difficulty passing waste. If left unaddressed, this may result in impacted bowels requiring veterinary intervention.

If your dog has white, dry stools but is otherwise healthy, adjust their diet by reducing bone content and increasing fiber. Consult your vet if your dog strains, seems constipated, or has repeated white stools despite diet changes. If chalky white poop is paired with vomiting, lethargy, or bloating, it may indicate a more serious digestive issue requiring immediate care.

White Specks In Dog Poop

If you notice your dog expelling polka-dotted poop, the first step is to determine whether the white specks are moving or static. Moving specks are almost always parasites, while non-moving specks could be undigested food, medication residue, or something your dog ate.

Parasites like tapeworms and roundworms are common culprits behind speckled dog poop. Tapeworm segments often look like tiny grains of rice, while roundworm eggs or larvae may appear as tiny white flecks scattered throughout the stool. If parasites are to blame, deworming medication from your vet will be necessary.

If the white specks aren’t moving, they may simply be leftover food particles. Dogs on raw diets frequently pass small bits of bone, and certain high-calcium foods or supplements can result in chalky white particles in stools.

Potential causes of white specks appearing in stools include:

• Bone fragments
• Calcium deposits from high-mineral foods or supplements
• Deworming medication expelling parasites
• Non-food items like paper, plastic, or fabric your dog ingested
• Roundworms or other intestinal parasites
• Tapeworm infection (tiny, rice-like segments)
• Undigested food particles (grains, seeds, or fillers from kibble)

If the white specks are moving, a vet visit is necessary for deworming treatment, as tapeworms and roundworms won’t go away on their own. If the specks are not moving and your dog is acting normal, monitor their diet and stool for a few days. Bringing a stool sample to your vet may help rule out other health problems if the problem continues.

Dog Poop Color Chart Infographic

Check out our visual guide to dog poop colors.

Our Personal Experience With Colorful Dog Poop

My Chihuahua, Cookie, was prone to constipation. She was also a very picky eater and a huge food thief. She experienced blood in her stool on a few occasions. She would sometimes have a loose movement or diarrhea with bits of bright red blood mixed in. It had a powerful odor as well.

The vet examined her regularly, and I took a stool sample for testing. The sample helped determine if there was any underlying medical issue. Her veterinarian believed the blood in her stool was due to digestive upset, picky eating habits, or possible food allergies. To solve the problem, I worked with her vet to keep her on a diet formulated for her sensitive stomach.

I stopped giving her human foods as treats, sticking only to dog foods and treats for sensitive tummies. She liked boiled chicken, so I would mix bits of that with plain, cooked white rice and some pumpkin puree. This helped regulate her stool and keep her belly full without upset.

–Danielle DeGroot, Dog Owner & Canine Journal Researcher & Writer

More Poop Horror Stories: Tales Of Turds And Terror

While some dogs deal with ongoing digestive issues, others turn bathroom breaks into all-out chaos. From mysterious colors to indoor disasters, the Canine Journal Team has seen it all.

If there’s one lesson we’ve learned, it’s this: Never underestimate a dog’s ability to turn household objects into digestive nightmares. And for the love of sanity, keep your crayons out of reach unless you want to turn your backyard into an abstract art exhibit.

• The Week-Long Rainbow: “My husband’s dog growing up literally ate a bucket of crayons and produced technicolor turds for a week. Every yard pickup felt like cleaning up after a unicorn.” – Kimberly Alt, Writer & Pet Insurance Expert
• The Crayola Catastrophe: “I thought my dog was dying when I saw neon blue poop in the yard. Turns out he ate my kid’s crayons.” – Sally Jones, Writer
• The Case of the Missing Tennis Ball: “I nearly panicked when I saw my dog pooping bright orange, convinced something was seriously wrong. Then, a few hours later, I noticed his favorite orange tennis ball was missing. I’m no detective, but the evidence was … conclusive.” – Danielle DeGroot, Writer
• The Unholy Scoot Marks: “I was watching my parents’ toy poodle when he decided to turn their carpet into a minefield of skid marks. I left the room for a moment, and when I returned, he had scooted his way across nearly every inch of the living room carpet, leaving a trail of poop streaks. I spent the next hour scrubbing out poop stains and questioning my life choices.” – Tara Maurer, Writer

Bonus Horror Story: The Crime Scene Cleanup

While poop stories tend to steal the spotlight, sometimes, a dog’s stomach disaster takes things to a whole new level. Enter: projectile vomiting.

This one isn’t about poop, but it’s just as horrifying—maybe worse. My parents’ dog, Joey, got into my dad’s deer carcass. How did we find out? He projectile vomited what seemed like gallons of blood at the bottom of our staircase. It looked like a full-blown crime scene. For a split second, I thought we’d either stumbled upon a murder or that Joey had somehow lost an internal organ. It turns out that deer guts and a dog’s stomach don’t mix.

– Tara Maurer, Dog Mom & Canine Journal Researcher & Writer

Think your dog’s poop disaster tops these? We dare you to try. Drop your most horrifying, hilarious, or downright unbelievable dog poop story in the comments—because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that there’s always a worse one out there.

The Four C’s Of Dog Poop Consistency

When it comes to evaluating your dog’s poop, color isn’t the only thing that matters. Consistency is just as important. A healthy poop should hold its shape, be easy to pick up, and not leave behind an unpleasant surprise on the grass. Enter the Four C’s of Dog Poop Consistency, a simple way to assess whether your dog’s digestive system is in top shape or needs a little help.

We’ll break down each category with examples so you can recognize when your dog’s poop is normal and when it might signal a problem.

1. Consistency

The ideal dog poop should be firm but not rock-hard—think Play-Doh or a slightly overripe banana. Stools that are too soft, watery, or crumbly may indicate digestive upset, dehydration, or an underlying health issue.

• Firm and formed? Healthy
• Soft but holds shape? Mild digestive upset, dietary changes, or food sensitivities
• Loose, cow-patty-like stool? Possible malabsorption issues like EPI
• Watery diarrhea? Time to call the vet—this could signal infection, parasites, or severe GI distress

2. Coating

Healthy dog poop should be coating-free—clean, with no mucus or residue left behind. If your dog’s stool looks slimy or has a jelly-like coating, this often means the colon is inflamed and producing excess mucus.

• Mucus-covered poop? Colitis, food sensitivities, or intestinal infections
• Blood-streaked coating? Lower GI tract irritation, anal gland issues, or rectal injuries

If you’re noticing frequent mucus in poop, especially with diarrhea or discomfort, a vet visit may be needed.

3. Contents

Sometimes, you need to take a closer look. What’s inside your dog’s poop can reveal hidden health issues.

• Undigested food? Your dog may not be properly breaking down certain ingredients
• White specks (moving)? Tapeworms—time for deworming
• Excessive hair? Possible overgrooming, stress, or digestive slowdown
• Foreign objects? Grass, plastic, socks. If your dog is eating weird things, it could indicate boredom, pica, or a potential blockage

If you see something unusual in your dog’s stool, monitor them closely and contact your vet if symptoms persist.

4. Capacity (Volume And Frequency)

A dog’s poop volume and frequency should generally match their size, diet, and eating habits. Changes in how often or how much they poop can tell you if their digestion is running smoothly or going off track.

• Sudden increase in poop volume? Malabsorption issues, like EPI, can cause excessive stool production
• Pooping too frequently? High-fiber diet, stress, or mild digestive upset
• Pooping too little? Constipation, dehydration, or an obstructed bowel

A dog should generally poop once or twice a day, though some may go more often depending on their diet. Extreme changes in frequency or volume, especially with other symptoms, should be checked by a vet.

Help Your Dog Poop Like a Pro

If you’re monitoring your dog’s poop using the Four C’s (Consistency, Coating, Contents, and Capacity), you’ll be one step ahead in keeping their digestive health in check. Changes happen, but persistent abnormalities may signal something more serious.

What Your Dog Eats Matters

The best way to prevent digestive tract problems is to know exactly what your dog is eating. Here’s how to help promote healthy dog poop:

1. Feed a consistent diet of the highest quality dog food you can.
2. Limit human food. Make sure kids and other family members know what not to feed your dog.
3. Prevent your pup from rummaging in trash and compost piles.
4. Know what’s growing in your yard. Mushrooms and many types of plants (including some berries) can make your dog super sick.
5. Keep medicines, household trash, cleaning products, lawn and garden products, and pest-control chemicals out of reach because they all pose serious threats to your dog’s health if ingested.

How To Save Money At The Vet

Unexpected vet bills can be a crappy situation. Fortunately, there’s a way for you to manage your money to cover unplanned bills when they arise.

Should your pup become sick or injured, pet insurance can help cover the cost of eligible conditions. If you’re considering pet insurance, you can read up on the companies we rank in our pet insurance reviews. We share our top recommendations for the best pet insurance companies and review their key features, including plan and cost options, coverage, and exclusions.

And if this is an entirely new topic for you, it’s a great idea to learn all about how pet insurance works. The video below helps explain how dog insurance works and how it can save you money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the dog poo FAQ, where you’ll get answers you never wanted but definitely need. Don’t see yours? Ask us in the comments!

Why Is My Dog’s Poop Two Different Colors?

A two-toned poop can happen when digested and undigested food passes through at different rates. Some common causes include diet transitions, slow digestion, and medical conditions affecting gut motility.

If this happens once, it’s probably nothing to worry about. If it keeps happening or is paired with diarrhea, weight loss, or vomiting, it’s worth a vet visit.

Why Does My Dog’s Poop Smell So Bad?

Dog poop never smells great, but if it suddenly smells extra horrific, something may be off. Possible reasons include:

• Dietary changes: New food, table scraps, or high-fat diets can create more pungent odors
• Malabsorption issues: If food isn’t digesting properly, poop can smell sulfuric or rotten (think pancreas problems or bacterial imbalances)
• Parasites or infections: Giardia, C. diff, and other gut bugs can create stinky, greasy, or slimy stool
• Anal gland problems: Sometimes poop smells worse because your dog’s anal glands are irritated or infected

If your dog’s poop smells noticeably worse than usual for more than a few days, check with your vet.

Why Is My Dog Pooping So Much?

If your dog is pooping more than usual, diet, stress, or illness could be to blame.

A high-fiber diet increases stool production, while food sensitivities can trigger more frequent poops as the body tries to eliminate irritating ingredients. A sudden diet change may also temporarily speed up digestion.

Stress and excitement often cause “nervous poops.” Dogs may poop more when anxious, overstimulated, or adjusting to a new routine, like during vet visits, car rides, or meeting new people. Once they relax, their digestion typically returns to normal.

Frequent pooping can also signal gastrointestinal infections, parasites, or digestive disorders, especially if stools are loose, mucus-covered, or foul-smelling.

If your dog’s poop is firm and their behavior is normal, monitor for changes. But if diarrhea, blood, or persistent issues develop, it’s time to call the vet.

Why Does My Dog’s Poop Look Like A Cow Patty?

If your dog’s poop is soft, unformed, greasy, and foul-smelling, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) could be the culprit. EPI occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to fat, protein, and carbohydrate malabsorption. As a result, the undigested fat passes directly into the stool, causing a condition called steatorrhea—essentially, poop that looks like a cow patty with an oil slick.

Of course, other conditions could also cause soft, unformed stools, so it’s always best to consult your dog’s veterinarian.

What Does Parvo Poop Look Like?

Parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs. One of the most recognizable symptoms is foul-smelling, bloody diarrhea. Parvo poop is typically:

• Dark brown to black or bright red if actively bleeding
• Foul-smelling (worse than normal dog poop—think rotting meat level bad)
• Liquid or extremely soft

If you suspect parvo, contact your vet immediately.

What Does Giardia Poop Look Like?

Giardia poop is the stuff of nightmares—for both you and your carpet. If your dog has Giardia, their stool will likely be:

• Mucus-covered or slimy
• Occasionally frothy, greasy, or unusually foul-smelling
• Pale yellow, green, or brown
• Soft, loose, or watery

Unlike regular diarrhea, Giardia poop tends to be intermittent—one day, it’s normal, and the next, it’s a puddle of slime. Dogs with chronic Giardia infections may also lose weight, seem bloated, or have a dull coat due to poor nutrient absorption.

If your dog has persistent, slimy diarrhea and seems otherwise normal, it’s worth bringing a stool sample to the vet. Giardia is a highly contagious protozoan parasite that spreads through contaminated water, soil, or poop. It won’t go away on its own and requires medication to clear up—otherwise, you and any other pets in your household might be next.

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

Why does your beloved pet eat literal turds? The short answer? Because they’re gross.

The long answer? Some dogs eat poop out of boredom. Others do it for attention. Some cases stem from nutritional deficiencies, an attempt to repopulate gut bacteria, or pica. Stress or trauma could also be a component.

But let’s be honest—some dogs are disgusting little goblins who think poop is a delicacy. Talk to your vet to rule out medical causes if it becomes an obsession.

Why Is My Dog Scooting on Their Bum?

Is your pup spreading their poopy butt all over your carpet? Scooting can indicate issues such as anal gland problems, parasites, or skin irritation. Schedule an examination with your dog.

Healthy Food Means Healthier Poop

Monitoring your dog’s doody is one part of the process, but it all starts with what your dog eats. The higher the quality of food in their bowl, the healthier your dog’s poop and overall health will be. Consider your pup’s breed, size, age, and specific medical concerns when selecting food. Many dogs appreciate the flavors of fresh and human-grade dog food. Not only will these provide top-notch nutrition, they will help make your dog’s poo less stinky, which is always a welcome benefit.

Why Trust Canine Journal

Tara is part of the Canine Journal team, which has over a decade of experience researching, testing, and writing about anything and everything dog-related. She has 8+ years of experience in the wellness industry, with experience in pet nutrition and supplementation.