Dog poo is a hot topic among owners. We know our dog’s poo can tell us a lot about their health and wellbeing. But since our canine friends can’t talk to us, it’s our job to pay attention to the signs. Because when poor Fido has a case of dog diarrhoea, we know something’s not quite right.
All dogs react to dog food in different ways, and stinky or runny dog poos can often signal poor nutrition. Some dogs are also sensitive to certain ingredients and would benefit from a special diet.
In this post we’ll explore the ins and outs of dog poos and what you can do to ensure your dog has a healthy tum.
What causes stinky or runny dog poo?
It’s not unusual for dogs to have stinky or runny poos. In fact, dog diarrhoea is one of the most common problems vets see every year. There are many causes for dog or puppy diarrhoea, but here are a few of the most common.
Sudden change in diet – A sudden change in your dog’s diet can cause irritation leading to diarrhoea. If you’re changing your dog’s diet, it’s best to do it gradually as explained in our guide to changing dog food.
Dietary indiscretion – If your dog eats something new or inappropriate, this can cause digestive upset. Whether that’s a piece of ham, rocks, a plant, or even dog poo!
Stress – Stress, anxiety and excitement can all cause dog diarrhoea, just like in us humans.
Parasites – Intestinal worms can cause irritation to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract resulting in stomach upset. However, parasites that cause diarrhoea are more common in younger puppies.
Infections – Viral and bacterial infections can cause dog diarrhoea. This occurs more frequently in younger dogs.
Inflammatory disorders – Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease are common in both dogs and people. Many gastrointestinal disorders can result in diarrhoea.
What makes a good dog poo?
Consistency – the ideal poo is log shaped and firm, but not too solid. If your dog’s poo is too hard, this can cause constipation. If your dog is constipated this could be due to a lack of water or fibre in their diet, or a case of worms. More commonly, when diarrhoea or loose, runny poo occurs, this can result from many different causes.
Frequency – most dogs poo around twice a day, but this can depend on their feeding schedule. Puppies tend to poo more frequently because they eat more regularly. If your dog poos more than three times a day, this could signal there’s something not right with their diet. Equally, if your dog has a food intolerance, this can also make them more poo more often. If your dog doesn’t poo every day or only once a day, they could be constipated. Always consider what’s normal for your dog. If your dog’s toilet habits have changed dramatically after switching diet, we can help.
Volume – sudden larger or smaller poos can indicate internal problems. Huge volumes of poo can mean your dog isn’t digesting their food properly, or their diet is high in fibre. Low volumes could indicate gastrointestinal problems or even a blockage. If it’s out of the ordinary, always get your dog checked over by a vet. If your dog has experienced any changes after switching to tails.com food, get in touch and we’ll happily help.
Odour – dog poo should have a mild odour; any dramatic changes can indicate problems. Flatulence or a particularly stinky poo could signal a change in your dog’s gut flora, or they’re struggling to cope with a new diet or ingredient. Treats and human foods are common culprits! Dog poo is always going to smell, but with a good diet your dog’s poos should be bearable.
Colour – the colour of your dog’s poo depends a lot on your dog’s diet. Only you know what is normal for your dog. Shades of greenish brown, red brown or dark brown are all normal. However, abnormal colours like dark black tarry substances could indicate internal bleeding and digested blood in the stool. Pale, yellowy or greasy poo can indicate fat digestion issues with the pancreas, or malabsorption where your dog can’t absorb fat. Any dramatic changes in colour, from very pale, bright orange or visible blood is a cause for concern. In this case, always see your vet and take a stool sample with you.
What to do about your dog’s irregular poos?
So if your furry friend’s poo seems out of the ordinary, always get them checked out by a vet.
If your vet rules out other reasons as the cause of their diarrhoea and you think their diet is the cause, we’d love to help. Here at tails.com we can create your dog’s unique recipe with the exact nutrients they need. We’ll tailor their recipe based on their health, lifestyle, breed and more. And what’s the result? A waggy tail and all the goodness their body needs. Get 50% off your first box today.
Our Labrador Retriever has his daily meal amount divided into 3 meal times. 7.15 am, 12.30 and 5.30pm
He poo’s 4 times a day. His first poo in the morning is firm and a dark greenish brown colour. His further poo’s are a lighter brown and stools start firmish but end soft and difficult to pick up.
Have I cause for concern or change of diet.
Hi Brian,
This is a question that are team can help with. Can you please send an email to hello@tails.com ?
Kind regards,
Sophie
I would have appreciated seeing your response as I have the same problem with my dog.
For more help, our Customer team are here – just pop us an email to hello@tails.com 💙
I alao have the same problem with my Golden Retriever. Her poop is too smelly and sometimes soft hence difficult to pick for it tends to “disengage” or scatter when picked up.
Our dog has been recommended to eat anallergenic dry food by the vet. This has cured the severe vomiting that he began to experience with other types of food. However although he drinks plenty of water as well, he now has a problem with constipation. His stools are very hard, the size and shape of marbles. Can you recommend a fibrous supplement we could give him that would also be non allergenic?
Hi Rose,
This is a question that are team can help with. Can you please send an email to hello@tails.com ?
Kind regards,
Sophie
Try and add in veggies like carrots, kale leaves, apple. That sort of thing grated up or chopped finely into the food. I do this for my Rex and it helps firm up his poos a lot! Give it a try.
our puppy shit tzu has a fowl smelling poops and swollen anus. i think itchy also because she scratches it on our floor. But she is still playful
Since moving my 7 month old lab to a tails.com diet a few weeks ago she has developed a terrible fart habit and has deteriorating stools. Of a fairly noxious nature.
She’s on three meals a day – and poops probably 3 times a day too – stools are fairly normal in the morning (first thing) but become sloppier as the day goes on.
Her previous diet was wet food only – might she continue to struggle with the grains in the kibble?
Hi,
It can take a few weeks for your dog’s digestion to settle after a change in diet, but it may be that your dog is a bit sensitive to something in her food. Working out what it might be can be tough, so we do have an in-house Nutrition Team who would be happy to help. Just send an email to hello@tails.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
All the best,
Millie
Hi we recently changed to tails just over a week Now our dog is pooping 8 or so times per day before it was 3-4. Can you advise
Hi Declan,
It can take a few weeks for the digestive system to adjust to a change in diet, so it’s good to give your dog a chance to settle. If you’re still concerned, please send us an email at hello@tails.com and we’ll have a look at your dog’s recipe.
Millie
Hi my puppy molly 3 weeks old labrador puppy have poop liquid brown and stink and not eat what should I do
Hi Edjennie,
I’m sorry to hear Molly has been feeling under the weather! There can be a number of reasons she’s got loose poos – if you’re not sure, take her to the vet for a checkup to make sure everything is okay.
Millie
I’d like to know which is the best dry food to my 7 week old coton poodle puppies the ate some of their moms pedigree dried food but I don’t think it would be good for them to grow with , I would appreciate any suggestions
Hi Lillian,
Please get in touch with us at hello@tails.com – we’ll be able to give you some more specific advice.
Millie
Check its anal ducts under Meath her anus if it’s swollen out they need xpressing
Hi my dog is 7yrs old she is a jack russel she has got a tail gland the vet told us yesterday since then she has got a light yellow runny poo and it smells terrible .Can you advise me what to give her .she has been baught up on arden grange but since yesterday I am giving her chicken and boiled white rice .Am I doing right
Chicken and rice is really gentle on the stomach so it’s a great option if she’s having runny poo!
Hi I have a 7 month old lab that I feed freeze dried food (SoJo’s puppy food). She is pooping 4-7 times a day. She has now begun pooping in her crate. She poops first thing in The AM and then 30-60 after she eats. Then she has a walk and sometimes poops on that. Then in the afternoon she again poops and then after dinner, but then sometimes she has pooped at 10:00 PM time frame and has pooped over nite in her crate. We are really frustrated because here evening schedule is all over the place. It also is extremely smelly and smells up the entire house. I don’t understand why she is pooping in her crate after pooping around 10:00 at night as well as why it is so smelly.
Hi Karin – please get in touch with us at hello@tails.com so we can help 🙂
I have a Siberian husky he’s two years old he’s had strange bowel movements ever since I rescued him he will have two normal bowel movements brown informed and then after that it turns yellow and slimy I don’t know what this is all about I’ve had him dewormed when he was younger and no worms happened so I don’t know what this is all about he Anxiety issues and we just moved but I’m not sure what this is all about. Is he seriously ill
Hi Debra – dogs do need worming regularly, but if this has been done recently then your best point of contact will be your vet to get some advice. You can also email us at hello@tails.com and one of our team will be happy to help.
I feed my husky homemade food chicken and brown rice every day mixed with dry dog food he eats twice a day. My vet says he’s in good shape but I don’t see that.
Our dog poos smell why