What should my dog’s poop look like?
Dr. Tory Waxman, VMD
Your dog’s poop should be a shade of brown and firm enough to pick up but not so hard that they struggle to defecate.
For those of us that don’t have backyards, we get the pleasure of picking up our dog’s poop at least once (usually more) times per day. Although not a pleasant task, it does give you one daily metric to monitor your dog’s health.
Consistency - Your pup’s poop should be firm enough to pick up but not so hard that they struggle to defecate. Overly soft and overly firm stool can both be a cause for concern.
Color - Your pup’s poop should be light brown to dark brown in color. Sometimes their poop can be multiple shades of brown depending on the variety of food and treats they eat. Other colors - such as yellow, orange/green, red, grey or black could be a sign of an underlying health issue and a cause for concern.
Shape - Their stool should be formed into little logs - if it is too round (think small little balls) that can mean your dog is constipated or if it’s very skinny that could be a sign of soft stool or impending diarrhea.