Overview
Did you know your dog’s poo can be a window into their health? The colour, consistency and unusual features can help you spot a problem early. This guide explains what different colours and textures of dog poop might mean, when to monitor and when to contact your vet.
What does healthy dog poop look like?
A healthy dog poop is usually brown, and can range in colour from light tan to darker chocolate brown. Stools should be shaped like logs and firm without being too hard. They should be easy to pick up, and stay fairly consistent in size and shape, especially if your dog’s diet is healthy and stable.
Changes in colour or texture can be your first clue that something’s not quite right. If you notice anything unusual, speak to your vet. They may recommend bringing in a sample, which is a simple but effective way to check for problems like parasites or infections, even if your dog seems well.
Black dog poop
Black or very dark poop can be a sign that your dog has digested blood, usually from higher up in their digestive system. It may have a sticky, tar-like consistency. This could be linked to a stomach ulcer, internal bleeding, or other serious health issues, including mast cell tumours.
Sometimes, black poop can also be caused by certain medications (like anti-inflammatories) or if your dog has eaten something toxic like rat poison.
What to do: Contact your vet straight away, especially if black stools appear more than once or are accompanied by symptoms like vomiting or weight loss.
White dog poo
White, chalky poop is rare but can appear if a dog eats a raw diet rich in calcium. Older stools exposed to sun can also lose colour.
What to do: If it's fresh and chalky, mention it to your vet. It might signal an imbalance in your dog's diet, or even digestive problem.
Read more: Blocked anal glands in dogs
Worms in dog poop
White specks (like grains of rice) in your dog's poop often point to tapeworms.
What to do: Ask your vet for a suitable worming treatment. Regular worming is essential for all dogs, especially those that are prone to scavenging. Dog owners who join Pet Health Club get parasite treatment as part of their annual benefits.
Blood in dog poop
Bright red streaks or red patches in your dog's poop usually mean fresh blood. This could be caused by:
Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
Anal gland infections
A cut around the anus
A rectal injury
What to do: One-off small amounts may not be serious, but recurring or large amounts of blood warrant a vet visit. Err on the side of caution and speak to your vet if you ever see blood in your dog’s stools.
Green dog poop
Often a result of eating grass, green poop can also suggest exposure to toxins, parasites, or gallbladder issues.
What to do: If your dog seems otherwise well and you’ve seen them eating grass, it’s likely harmless. If they’re unwell or the green colour persists, get veterinary advice.
Yellow dog poop
Yellow or mustard-coloured stool can point to a food intolerance or digestive upset. It may be due to food moving too quickly through the digestive tract.
What to do: Consider whether you’ve changed your dog’s diet. If it continues for more than a day or two, speak to your vet.
Mucus in dog poop
A thin layer of mucus is normal. But a thick, jelly-like coating often signals inflammation, colitis, or intestinal parasites.
What to do: Occasional mucus isn't a worry, but recurring mucus or accompanying blood, diarrhoea, or lethargy means it’s time to call the vet.
it all comes down to circumstances. There’s probably not a lot to worry about if you know your dog has eaten a lot of grass, but if you’re concerned and if they’re displaying other symptoms such as restlessness and vomiting, take them to the vet as soon as you can.
Dog poop like jelly with blood
This often describes a serious inflammatory response in the gut, possibly linked to HGE (haemorrhagic gastroenteritis), parvovirus (especially in puppies), or severe colitis.
What to do: Don’t wait. This is a veterinary emergency, particularly if your dog is also off-colour or unvaccinated.
Orange dog poop
Orange stools may indicate that food is passing through too fast for bile to be absorbed, or it could be linked to liver or gallbladder issues.
What to do: Keep an eye on symptoms and speak to your vet if they recur. Watch out for other symptoms, such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and changes to urination.
Dog poop texture: what’s normal and what’s not
Vets use what’s called a faecal scoring system to evaluate the texture and quality of a dog's poop. These systems help identify health issues linked to digestion. Here’s what each score typically means:
Score 1: Very hard and dry, often passed as individual pellets. This suggests dehydration or constipation. Leaves no residue.
Score 2: Firm but pliable, segmented appearance. Leaves little or no residue. Considered healthy.
Score 3: Log-like with a moist surface, little to no segmentation. May leave some residue but holds form. Also considered healthy.
Score 4: Very moist or soggy, still holds a loose log shape but loses form when picked up. May suggest mild digestive upset.
Score 5: Very moist with little shape; appears in soft piles rather than distinct logs. Often linked to large bowel irritation or a change in diet.
Score 6: No defined shape, soft and may appear as spots or puddles. Indicates more significant digestive issues.
Score 7: Watery with no texture. Typically a sign of diarrhoea, infection, or serious gut imbalance.
Healthy dog poop generally falls around scores 2 and 3. Anything firmer or looser than that, especially if persistent, may mean your dog needs a diet change or a vet visit.
The last thing to monitor when it comes to your dog’s poo is the shape and size of their stools. Thin, ribbon-like strips of poo can indicate an obstruction in the large bowel. Very large, bulky stools can be a sign of constipation, especially when accompanied by straining or difficulties in passing motions.
What happened to white dog poop?
If you grew up in the 1970s or 80s, you might remember seeing crumbly white dog poop on the pavement. But where did it go?
Back then, dog food often included lots of bone meal, which was high in calcium and hard to digest
Cooked bones weren’t well absorbed and came out in the poop
Left outside, that poop dried in the sun, and the leftover minerals gave it that chalky white look
In the early 90s, we got better at feeding our dogs and cleaning up after them. So today, we see fewer white dog poops. If your dog’s poop still looks chalky white, you need to review their diet or check with your vet.
Need more advice?
If you’re worried about your dog’s digestion or bowel habits, your vet is best placed to help. You can also find your nearest practice using our Find a Vet page. Joining a health plan like Pet Health Club can help you manage worming, digestion checks, and routine consults, all in one simple monthly fee.
Join the club today
Get regular health checks, vaccinations, and more, all included in your plan.
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Medically reviewed by Lizzie Youens, BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Published on 11/06/2019 • Reviewed on 22/04/2025