Your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about their digestive system. Let’s explore the various types of dog poop, then take a deeper look at the positive impact raw and air-dried food can have on gut health.
Consider the 4 Cs:
Consistency - Ideally, it’s a formed stool with the consistency of Play-Doh (holds its form, but can easily be squished).
Coating - There should be no mucus coating or film on your dog’s poop. You should be able to scoop it up and leave no trail behind.
Content - Watch out for:
- Grass (which could be an indication of a tummy upset)
- Spaghetti-like strands (possibly ringworm)
- Rice-like flakes (possibly tapeworm)
- Lots of fur (could indicate overgrooming due to stress or allergies)
- You should also see no sign of foreign objects - although some dogs are more inclined than others to swallow the odd toy.
Colour - A ‘normal’ poop is a shade of chocolate brown, but it depends on the individual dog and the diet they’re eating.
Dog poop colour chart
Find out what’s healthy and what could be cause for concern.
The impact of diet on your dog’s poop
Raw or raw alternative diets (like ZIWI Peak®, which is gently air-dried) are more digestible, so dogs will have naturally healthy stools, which tend to be smaller and darker in nature.
Try raw alternative air-dried foods for added convenience
The benefits of a raw diet are widely documented, but it can be difficult to get the balance of nutrients right when you’re preparing your own raw diet at home.
A raw alternative diet like ZIWI Peak works perfectly for many pet guardians. Each recipe has high inclusions and variety of meat, organs, seafood and bone in PeakPrey® ratios and a ready-to-serve format.
If you’re transitioning to ZIWI Peak, make sure you follow our transitioning guide. Dogs with existing digestive issues will benefit from switching to ZIWI®, but transitioning needs to be done carefully.
Remember to scoop, check, chuck
Once your dog has adjusted to an air-dried diet, keep an eye on their daily bathroom habits. The odd less-than-ideal poop isn't necessarily cause for concern, but if it starts happening regularly, talk to your vet.
Sources:
- https://www.littlethings.com/dog-poop-colors-health/1
- https://www.caninejournal.com/dog-poop-color/
- https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-should-my-dogs-poop-look
- https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Dog-Stool-Information-What-do-Normal-Dog-Stool-Look-Like
- https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/07/15/assessing-dog-poop.aspx
