A Comprehensive Guide to Dog Poop - What Pet Owners Need to Know

We’re talking about dog poop... and this dog poop guide is going to tell you what you need to know about dogs and poop. Since dogs cannot tell us if they are unwell and often hide their symptoms until they are quite serious, dog poop is a good indicator of health so it’s a good idea to take a closer next time before you scoop the poop. 

The responsible pet owner’s checklist for taking care of a pet necessitates that you will frequently be looking at your dog’s poop as you scoop it from sidewalks and your front lawn, so by educating yourself on what is normal and what isn’t, you are being proactive in the care for your furbaby, whilst ensuring no one is left with poop between their toes. 

How Many Times a Day Should a Dog Poop?

If you’re wondering how many times a day should a dog poop, the answer is about as murky as the topic. As a rule of thumb, puppies will poop more than adult dogs with the younger a pup, the more frequent the bowel movement. 

This is mainly due to younger dogs having faster metabolisms. Just like in humans, a dog’s metabolism will slow with age. As digestion slows down, the need to defecate is less frequent as well. 

In adult dogs, however, the normal frequency of daily poops is going to vary due to several factors. The quality of their diet will play a huge factor in how often a dog will poop. The consensus is anywhere between one to five poops per day is considered normal. 

If you’re looking for a definitive answer, the majority of dog owners would say that two poops are normal. 

Factors That Help Identify If Your Dog Poop Is Regular

Unhealthy dog poop can be identified by several factors. A dog stool should be easy to pick up, yet squishy, brown and proportionate to what they eat. Remember that what goes in, must come out, so dog waste is going to mirror their diet.  

Colour

A chocolate brown colour is what you should be looking for in a healthy dog poop. Any other colour may indicate a health problem and you must consult a veterinarian if it persists for more than a day.

Consistency

Your dog’s stool should be easy to pick up, yet not too hard. In general, it should be firm yet squishy and stay in one piece when you gather it off the grass. 

Shape

A log or sausage shape is normal and in one complete piece. Rounder nuggets can indicate dehydration and a stool without shape indicates diarrhoea. 

Content

When you pick up your dog’s poop, you might notice a mucus or oily mark left behind, fur, material, parasites or other content in their poop that shouldn’t be there. 

Size

A lack of fibre in your dog’s diet can lead to smaller poops, which isn’t healthy. Consider the size of your dog and the amount they eat to determine the healthy size of their stools.

What Does the Colour of the Poop Tell About Your Dog's Health?

There are so many indicators that can alert you to an unhealthy dog. If you're wondering why is your dog’s poop solid/wet/runny, then take a look at their diet and their overall well-being to help you decide if they are unwell. 

Another factor is the colour of your dog’s poop. Take a look at this dog poop colour guide to see whether your dog’s poop is normal. If possible, take a sample of your dog’s stool to your vet to help them to understand your concern. 

Green

Green poop can indicate that your dog is eating too much grass. Always consider what your dog is eating to help you understand why their poop is a certain colour. Green stools can also be due to a gallbladder problem. 

Orange

Orange or yellow stools can indicate a biliary or liver problem and something you should have a chat with your veterinarian about. 

Red

Red streaks are a telltale sign of blood present in your dog’s poop. The blood can be coming from their anus, caused by cuts or perhaps something more sinister. Talk with your veterinarian so that they can figure this out. 

Black

Black poop is also a sign of blood, but further up in the upper gastrointestinal tract. This could be something serious and you should discuss this with your veterinarian. 

Grey

Grey dog poop is often quite greasy as well and this can be a sign of a pancreatic or biliary problem that your furbaby may have. 

White freckles

Unfortunately... those white speckles are likely worms in your dog’s poop. Worms are often rice sized when found in your dog’s poop. 

Tips to Clean and Dispose of Dog Poop

Dog waste cleaning is never fun but an essential part of dog ownership. Below are some tips to clean and dispose of dog poop with some dog poop products that pet owners should have. 

Use poop bags

You can give bread bags or paper bags a second life by becoming dog waste carriers or you can purchase specifically made ones. 

Poop bags are convenient and easy to have on you at all times, making them great options for walks out in public.  

Use scoopers and other gadgets

When you’re at home, scoopers and other gadgets can make poop scooping a breeze. You can make your own scooper by cutting a plastic bottle.

Your hands don’t need to be anywhere near the offending waste and if you’re dealing with wet dog poop, it’s that much easier. 

Do not flush dog poop down the toilet

Flushing dog poop can cause issues with the wastewater treatment process. Even if you use dog poop bags that are labelled as compostable or flushable, you should keep these out of your pipes to avoid costly blockages. 

Create a separate pet waste composting system

Instead, consider creating a separate composting system for your dog’s poops. You can create your own or you can take a look at some pet waste composting systems that are available. This is preferable to throwing these smelly parcels in the rubbish bin. 

Take Home Message

Understanding your dog’s poop is a great way to determine whether your dog is healthy or whether it might have an underlying health issue. Considering colour, size, shape and consistency are some of the things you can look at when deciding if your dog’s poop is normal.

Your veterinarian is used to all the questions you have, including reasons why dogs eat poop or offering tips to make dogs poop quickly. 

So if you have any questions about your dog’s poop or pooping behaviours, make sure you have a chat with your veterinarian for some professional guidance and advice.