Evanger's Tips: The Scoop On Poop

While it’s not likely at the top of your list, monitoring your pet’s poop gives you great insight to its overall health. By accessing color, consistency, smell and volume – even when your dog or cat appears healthy – you can establish their normal range and behavior for helping you more easily identify any potential health issues.

Photo: Donna M.

Color – Poop should typically be in shades of brown. Those pets on a higher protein diet (and most cats) will have dark brown poop. A pale greenish or yellow tint may indicate a digestive system issue (often parasites). A very dark, almost black tar-like stool or those with any bright red color could indicate the presence of blood. In both instances, take your pet to the vet.

Consistency – Depending on your pet’s diet, a healthy fecal consistency may vary. Stools should always be moist, with either a firm or slightly mushy consistency. Diarrhea (watery, loose stools) can be the result of a diet that’s too rich, parasites, consumption of something from the house or yard, infection or allergies. Severe or chronic diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration. If your pet has small, hard or crumbly poop and is straining, it may be dehydrated, have a blockage or need more exercise. Especially if you suspect a blockage, see your vet immediately.

Smell – Poop should typically have only a mild odor – nothing too strong or distinctive. The latter could indicate a digestive disorder, or a poor quality and poorly digested diet.

Quantity – Big lofty voluminous stools may indicate a poor diet that’s short on nutrients and high on fillers. Instead, it should be relatively small and compact. But ones that are too small and thick indicate probable straining and shortage of good fiber. With a firm and compact stool, your pet’s anal glands are constantly and naturally cleansed.

Parasites – Take your pet’s fecal samples to your vet at least once a year or when you suspect an issue. Your vet can detect worm presence long before these creepy crawlies are evident to the naked eye.

Abnormal Signs – Is your pet scooting or straining? Does it lick its behind excessively? Since these could indicate impacted anal glands, be sure to see your vet. Also check for any foreign objects in the poop like grass, strings or even crayons. Since things like entire corn kernels show an overall lack of dog digestion, omit these from your dog's diet.

Higher quality foods will produce smaller stools because your pet needs less food, and the body is able to digest (and use) more of it! For a high protein, high quality pet food that’s free of fillers, check out Evanger’s Grain Free Signature Series Stews for dogs or for cats. Slow cooked flavors include beef, chicken, turkey and lamb in 5 and 12 oz. sizes. Also consider livening up mealtime for your dog or cat with a unique variety of exotic 100% Grain Free Game Meats. These single source proteins are excellent for pets with food sensitivities or allergies since they’re both grain and gluten free. Add it to our Super Premium Dry Foods for a boost in protein and nutrition. 

For pets with intestinal issues, Evanger's Chicken & Rice and Lamb & Rice dinners offer protein-rich flavors including cooked chicken, beef and bacon, liver snacks, beef with chicken and liver. When you size it up, Evanger’s can help improve your pet’s waste in a way that’s full of taste.