If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably had a few moments when cleaning your pet’s poop where something looks out of the ordinary. One of the fastest ways to indicate a change or issue with your pup’s gut health is actually by looking at their poop, particularly the colour. As gross as it is, assessing the colour and consistency of your dog’s stool can help you learn a lot about what’s happening on the inside.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through the dog poop colour chart and explain the different colours, what they mean and when it’s a cause for concern.
To help maintain a healthy gut, take a look at our range of dog digestive supplements at VetUK.
Dog poop by colours – What does each one mean?
Just like for us humans, there is a wide range of digestive issues that can affect dogs. The first indication that something is wrong for many pups is the colour of their poop, but what do the different colours indicate?
Brown dog poo
This is the golden standard of dog poop, so to speak, and is healthy in almost all dogs. If your dog has a balanced diet and normal gut health, it will be shown in well-formed, brown poop. There’s no indication of anything wrong here, and you should stick to the current dog food and care routine you’re using with your dog.
Light brown/tan dog poop
This is another common dog poo colour and is also usually an indicator of a healthy dog, especially if you feed your pup a diet with more grains or light meat like turkey and chicken. If your dog’s poop changes from brown to light brown, this could be a reaction to a change in their diet. If it’s a one off things should be fine, but if this colour persists, it’s best to consult your vet, as light or tan dog poop can indicate low bile production.
Green dog poo
Green dog poop can be fine if your dog has been eating lots of grass, especially if you can see grass in the stool. It could also be tinting from treats with green food colouring, but if your dog hasn’t been eating grass or green dyed foods, it could be more serious.
Whilst green dog poop is often fine, it can also be a sign of intestinal parasites or issues with the gallbladder. If this colour continues for a few days or coincides with other symptoms like vomiting, it’s time for a vet trip.
Yellow dog poop
This is not a natural colour for dog poop and is usually associated with irritation or inflammation in the gut. This can be caused by food allergies or an intolerance of certain foods, but it can also indicate pancreatic issues. If you notice yellow dog poop or any signs of illness, keep a note of what your dog has eaten, and if the colour doesn’t change after a day or two, head to your vet for a check.
Orange dog poop
Orange poop is another indicator of inflammation or issues with the digestive system and can mean that food is passing through the system too fast to break down. If your dog has been moved onto a different food, orange poo could indicate an intolerance. If you haven’t changed your pet’s diet, this can indicate liver or gallbladder issues. If orange stool continues, or you notice your dog is lethargic or vomiting, call your vet.
Red streaks or spots in your dog’s poop
Red in your dog’s poop is an immediate indicator of fresh blood and a sign that your dog could be bleeding from their lower GI tract. Red spots or streaks can be a sign of bleeding in the colon, rectum or anus area, but there can be a number of different causes for this.
These symptoms can be caused by anything from anal gland irritation or injury from swallowing sharp objects to more serious disorders like colitis and IBD.
Even if your dog only poops fresh blood once, it needs to be reported to your vet so they can advise the best course of action.
Purple dog poo
This is a rare but very serious colour. A deep reddish purple colour often means the presence of digested blood and mucus, suggesting severe inflammation or possible haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, which can be life-threatening if untreated. Always seek urgent veterinary care should you notice your dog has passed purple poop.
Black or tarry dog stool
If your dog’s poop is black, deep red or tarry, this is usually a sign that bleeding is happening higher up in the digestive system. Black stool typically gets its colour from digested blood, suggesting the bleeding is occurring in the small intestine or stomach. Blood in dog poo can have a number of causes, from stomach ulcers to more serious illnesses like cancer. Black is the most important colour on the dog poo colour chart and requires immediate vet treatment.
Grey or greasy dog poop
Grey poop accompanied by a greasy texture may mean your dog has a problem absorbing fat from its food. If your dog is on a high-fat diet, this could explain this particular dog’s poo colour, and you may need to introduce new foods. If, however, you’re feeding your dog a balanced diet, fat malabsorption can indicate more serious problems like chronic digestive issues and should be checked by a vet.
White specks in your dog’s poo
If you notice white specks in your dog’s poop that look like grains of rice, this is a sign of parasites. When you notice any white specks in your dog’s poop, the vet will likely request a stool sample to test for parasites. This problem can be effectively treated with worming medications, but it’s important to check your dog’s stool regularly to see if the issue recurs.
White or chalky dog poop
Sometimes, white or chalky residue in your dog’s poop can be an excess of calcium from eating bones, but it can also signal bile duct issues, liver or gallbladder problems. If you haven’t been feeding your dog a raw diet with bones, it’s best to have a vet check them over.
Dog poop colour chart
For an easy visual aid to reference, we’ve created this chart. Whether you own a doggy daycare or want to keep on top of your dog’s health, this dog poo colour chart should make it easy to remember when to be concerned.
When to take your dog to the vet
You should make an appointment with your dog’s vet if you notice any of these colours alongside these symptoms:
- Black tarry stool
- Refusal to eat
- Large amounts of blood in your dog’s poop
- Persistent unnatural colours like grey, white or yellow
- Vomiting or lethargy
- Abnormal colour poops lasting longer than 2 days
- Persistent loose stool
Ensure healthy digestion with the right dog products and care
Whilst one unusual poop is not a major cause for concern, continuous fluctuation in colour, accompanied by any symptoms, can be an indication that something is wrong. You should book an appointment with your vet, where they will be able to assess if there is a problem or recommend a new veterinary diet to help resolve any irritation from certain foods.
If you’re searching for quality pet care products and veterinary-approved foods to help support your dog’s gut health, take a look at our range at VetUK. For trusted advice on the right products for your pup, get in touch with our expert team today.
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