On Duty: What Does My Pet’s Poop Mean?
Have you ever wondered: why does my pet’s poop look like that? Your pet’s poop — sometimes called feces or stool — can give us a lot of information. Among other things, it can help determine if their gastrointestinal system is healthy, if they are on an appropriate diet, if they are ingesting foreign items, or if they have an underlying illness.
There are seven characteristics of your pet’s stool to watch for include color, consistency, shape, size, contents, frequency and smell. And don’t forget flatulence!
If you have a yard, consider observing your pet as they eliminate and pick it up immediately after. For cats, scoop the litter box once or twice daily, and consider using a glove or bag to palpate the stool consistency frequently. This allows you to observe these important characteristics.
What does my pet’s poop color mean?
Brown: normal poop is brown and can range from light to dark
Red: blood that comes from the end of the intestinal tract can suggest an infection, irritation or cancer
Black: suggests a bleeding in the stomach or intestines that is digested into dark, tarry stool
Green: may indicate an infection, bile issues, ingested grass or green-colored treats
Gray or White: can suggest a problem digesting fat indicating an issue with the pancreas
Using a Fecal Scoring Chart
The best way to monitor, record and communicate your pet’s fecal health to your veterinarian is the fecal scoring chart. And you can always take a photo to show your vet too.
This information is from the Purina® Pro Plan® Fecal Scoring Chart:
Score 1: hard, dry pellets, no residue left on the ground
Score 2: firm, not hard; segmented with little to no residue left on the ground
Score 3: looks like logs, very little to no segmentation, moist casing, leaves a slight residue on the ground, and holds its shape when picked up
Score 4: soggy, log-shaped, moist, leaves a residue, and squishes when picked up
Score 5: super moist, distinct shape in piles instead of logs, leaves a residue, loses shape when picked up
Score 6: textured, no defined shape, forms in piles or spots, leaves residue
Score 7: watery, flat puddles, no texture or form
An ideal fecal score is 2.
Normal frequency can be 1–3 times a day and normal smell is neutral or stinky, but not completely foul or putrid.
The way your pet poops is also important. Prolonged posturing, walking while defecating (pooping), vocalizing or expressing discomfort, or defecating in abnormal places (i.e. outside the litterbox or in the home) can be signs of pain and should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Can my pet’s poop change as they get older?
Ideally, your pet’s poop would remain at a fecal score of 2 regardless of their age. However, diet change and/or disease may change their poop. This should always be discussed with your veterinarian to ensure you stay on top of their health.
When should I talk to my vet about my pet’s poop?
Anytime your pet has a check up, you can share any updates about your pet including how their poop has been. If you notice changes but it is not an emergency, it is a good idea to mention it to your vet so they can stay updated.Including a photo can be a helpful way to communicate the change clearly.
When should I be concerned about my pet’s poop?
Poop can be a good indicator for hydration. In general, a small hard poop can be a sign of dehydration. And likewise, diarrhea or liquid poop can dehydrate your pet.
If your pet’s stool changes from its normal score, or is inconsistent in its scoring, you should talk to your vet. Some things that are never normal include blood, foul-smelling or frequent flatulence, or foreign material like toys, grass or string.
If your pet doesn’t poop for more than 48 hours despite eating well, or cannot stop pooping, your vet needs to know.
If your pet defecated bright blue or green, this can indicate ingestion of rat poison. This is an emergency and warrants an urgent care or ER visit.
Know what is normal for your pet so you can identify changes.
Gentle Journey Vet Care offers virtual consults where a veterinarian will go over your pet’s history and help to assess your pet’s GI health. If you have questions about your pet’s poop, we would be honored to help. Schedule your appointment today.
