Think about it. How often do you look at your pet's poop when you scoop? Really look at it. We're not talking about putting it under a microscope or anything. But taking a close look at your pet’s business can give you valuable clues about how they're feeling.
Is Your Pet’s Poop Trying to Tell You Something?
If you’re a pet parent, then your furry friend's health is a top priority. Therefore, you likely already know that when you bring your dog or cat to their annual vet visit, part of the process is getting a stool sample. But have you ever really thought about why your pet’s poop is so important?
Think of your pet’s poop as a window to the inside of their body. By assessing certain factors of your pet’s droppings, you can figure out if various issues are present.
Information about things like hydration, stress, digestion, and parasites is all readily available by examining your pet’s poop. So the next time you scoop poop, take a peek before you toss it.
What Does Normal Pet Poop Look Like?
Now that you understand why decoding pet poop is such an important pet-parent skill, you also need to know how to do it. Although every pet is unique, healthy poop typically shares a few essential qualities.
To do a quick assessment, check out what vets like to call the Four C’s. Look at the color, content, consistency, and coating. If your pet’s poop is normal, this is what you should see:
- Color — Normal poop is a chocolate-brown color.
- Content — Nothing should be in your pet’s poop. Keep an eye out for worms, which could be long and skinny or short, rice-like pieces. (Make sure to make observations when things are fresh, because as it sits, things can collect on it that didn’t actually come from inside your pet.) You may also notice foreign objects in your pet’s poop if they ingested things like grass, small rocks, or even socks.
- Consistency — Healthy stool should be firm and segmented. Some vets rate stool consistency using a numerical system from 1 (hard pellets) to 7 (all liquid), with the ideal being 2.
- Coating — Your pet’s poop shouldn’t have anything coating the outside, including mucus or blood.
If your pet’s poop is in line with these pointers, then you’ve likely got a healthy hound or kitty on your hands. Even if one of these things is a little off, for example, a looser stool, but then it returns to normal, this isn’t usually cause for concern.
However, if you notice any of these issues for more than a day, or they occur alongside any other symptoms (like dragging their butt), you should contact your vet.
Six Things That Shouldn’t Be in Your Pet’s Poop
Now that you know what normal poop should look like, it’s time to talk about what shouldn’t be in your pet’s stool.
1. Worms or Eggs
If you see rice-like grains or long spaghetti-shaped worms, it’s likely a sign of intestinal parasites. You can spot some of these parasites with the naked eye, but others require a closer examination, which is why fecal testing is so important. If your pet has worms, your vet will put them on a deworming treatment and schedule follow-up testing.
2. Blood
Noticing blood in your pet’s stool can be alarming. If the blood’s bright red, it could be an issue in the lower GI tract. Darker, tarry stools could signal problems higher up in the digestive system. Blood could also be a result of an injury to the rectum, mild inflammation, or a more serious complication, so always call the vet.
3. Mucus
A slimy coating on your pet’s poop usually signals colitis, which is inflammation of the colon. This inflammation can result from diet changes, stress, or a minor infection.
You may typically notice mucus in your pet’s stool alongside diarrhea. Keep an eye on your furry friend to see if their poop returns to normal in a day or so. If not, or if you notice any other concerning symptoms, visit your vet.
4. Fur
A few bits of your pet’s fur in their poop could be normal if they’re a big shedder and it’s shedding season. However, large clumps could clue you in to a bigger problem.
Your pet could be struggling with a compulsive habit, like over-grooming or constant licking, due to anxiety and stress. Schedule a visit with the vet to rule out potential triggers like allergies, fleas, or other parasites and to figure out a plan of action.
5. Foreign Objects
Finding things like plastic, pieces of aluminum foil, grass, and other things in your pet’s stool means they’re eating things they shouldn’t be. Household hazards are everywhere when it comes to your pets. A primary concern is that ingesting these things can lead to an intestinal blockage.
Monitor your pet for signs of appetite loss, vomiting, low energy, and behavioral changes. Call your vet for more guidance on how to proceed and to clarify when you should bring your pet in for a visit. If your dog or cat starts showing symptoms of a blockage, your vet will need to do X-rays immediately to see if surgery is necessary.
6. Undigested Food
If your pet’s poop consistently has undigested bits of food in it, it could signal some potential problems. Your pet could have malabsorption issues, or they could eat too fast. You may need to adjust their diet or feeding routines, but if the problem persists, talk to your vet.
What Should You Do If Your Pet’s Poop Isn’t Normal?
A one-time weird poop usually isn’t a reason to panic, but consistent changes or a pattern of abnormal poop is a red flag. If you notice something that’s off, stay vigilant about checking your pet’s business to see if anything improves. If the problem persists through multiple stools, it’s time to take action.
When to Call the Vet
If you recently changed to a new food or treats, minor changes in consistency or color may not be an issue. Trace amounts of mucus following a stressful event could also be harmless since your pet may just have a little upset tummy.
However, if these things persist for more than a day or two, it’s time to see the vet. Always contact your vet if your pet’s abnormal poop coincides with vomiting, lethargy, or other behavioral changes.
If you see visible worms, blood, or black, tarry stools, call the vet ASAP. Likewise, if your pet is straining to poop or is suddenly going much more often, talk to the vet about your next moves.
Take a pic of your pet’s abnormal poop and send it to your vet to help describe the problem over a phone call. You can also use the pics in person if you’re unable to grab an actual sample to bring with you. If you’re monitoring poop for hours or more, keeping a journal to notate times, frequency, and changes is also helpful.
Your Pet’s Poop Can Tell You Plenty
It’s time for a gut check (literally). Your pet may not be able to tell you with words when something isn’t feeling right, but their poop sure can.
To help maintain a healthy gut, stick to high-quality pet food and make dietary changes slowly. Make sure your pet has access to clean, fresh water at all times, limit stress, and maintain a poop-free yard to reduce the risk of intestinal parasites and other illnesses.
Most of all, monitor your pet’s poop to keep an eye out for any abnormalities or changes. The sooner you notice something, the sooner you can do something about it.
For more helpful tips about taking care of your fur babies, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog.