When your dog is healthy, his poop shows it. It can be large, firm and range in shades of brown. A sudden change, like blood in your dog’s stool, tells you something is wrong. Keep reading to learn how you can spot health problems simply by looking at your dog’s poop.
“The proof of a pet’s digestive health is in the poop,” says Purina Senior Research Nutritionist Gail Czarnecki-Maulden. There are several ways to evaluate your dog’s digestive health:
Frequency: Your dog should poop at least one time a day.
Color: May depend on the food you feed your dog
Consistency: Firm stools are ideal
What does blood in dog stool look like?
If your dog is pooping blood, it is a sign of a problem. Blood in your dog's poop (or stool) can show up in a couple of ways.
If your dog is pooping blood, or you suspect he is, call your veterinarian. No worries about sharing too many details. The more thorough your description, the easier it will be for your veterinarian to determine what is happening.
Blood in your dog's poop (or stool) can show up in a couple of ways:
Black and tar-like: May indicate blood that has been digested
Bright red with streaks: May indicate that a little blood has been digested, if at all
Your veterinarian may ask you to bring a sample of your dog’s poop. And he or she will ask you what you’ve noticed: diarrhoea, straining, or a change in frequency or mucus in the poop.
There are many characteristics to look at beyond the presence of blood in dog stool. They include:
“A healthy gut microflora balance can help promote a healthy immune system, healthy digestibility and good stool quality,” explains Czarnecki-Maulden. A good balance of microflora in your dog's digestive system can also:
How to promote your dog’s digestive health?
You don’t have to wait until your dog has a digestive issue. Here are some proactive steps you can take today:
To avoid digestive upsets, transition your pet’s food slowly over 7-10 days. Each day gradually add more of your pet’s new food as you decrease the amount of the previous food.
Your sample will reach you in 10 working days. We are excited to offer tailor-made nutrition for your pets.
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