The Meaning of Poop Watch!
Regardless of what you feed your dog, it is absolutely crucial as a pet parent that you monitor their stools as this is a gateway into your dogs health.
Pet parents should understand what their dogs stools look like in colour & shape, as well as how often they go.
This is important information that a veterinarian will need in the event that you dog needs treatment, it is also a great way to help you to identify if a problem is occurring or not.
See our Poop Scale for help with what is a healthy poop and what requires investigation:
Our dog's stools are the first signs we often see to tell us something isn’t quite right, however they can also have a random ‘odd’ stool for no apparent reason. This blog will help you to determine when it is time to act.
Speckles of what may be blood: As a one off, this can be a sign of straining so it is worth feeding boneless minces (from raw shops or even from a supermarket's freezer aisle) until stools are passed more easily.
Streaks of Blood: Indicates blood is present in the digestive tract so requires veterinary assistance
Black tar-like: One off is OK but see ‘Grey-ish mucus film’ too. Regularly may indicate too much offal
White, crumbly stools being passed: This is a sign that your dog's tolerance to bone has been exceeded. It does not necessarily mean what you fed is higher in bone, it may be your dogs tolerance level is less than you thought. It is worth feeding boneless minces (from raw shops or even from a supermarket's freezer aisle) until stools are passed more easily.
Grey-ish mucus film: As a one off this can simply be a sign that your dog has naturally excreted their anal sacs themselves. If this happens more than once though we would recommend a Giardia & worm count test kit such as those from Feclab.
This is especially needed if you then find the stool becomes very smelly & tar-like after the first mucus one.
If the test comes back positive for Giardia, please see the section below about Giardia for support beating this parasite, it can be difficult but we have a tried and tested method to help you.
Green or Orange Stool: This may be too much grass or carrot has been consumed but if more than 1 stool like this please consult a holistic vet as it can be an indicator needing further investigations
Rice-like pieces in stool / moving stool: May indicate a parasite is present. Please carry out a wormcount & lungworm count which can be purchased from places such as Feclab.
If the tests come back positive, please see our worms section below for support with beating this, it can take a while but we have a tried and tested process to help.
Urgent and / or watery diarrhoea: If your dog has 3 bouts within 24 hours, or also vomits, or is lethargic or unable to regulate breathing - please contact a vet, normal or out of hours whichever you can reach. Hand feed water whilst you await the vets response & if hot weather, see our blog on heatstroke
If they do not need medical attention / vet is happy for at home management, please follow our recovery from illness blog
Anal Glands
At times, a dog may need a little extra support with expressing their anal glands.
Every time anal glands are expressed manually, this weakens the dogs natural ability to do this and can lead to more anal gland issues, as well as infections, further down the line.
Signs of anal glands needing to express:
Scooting across the floor
Leakage from their bottom
Stains on bedding or soft furniture
A strong fishy smell from the bottom area, without having rolled in anything outside.
How to help when a dog shows this signs:
Add 1 teaspoon per 10kg dog weight of Psyllium Husks or Organic Chia Seeds.
Mix this with a small amount of boiled and cooled water
Mix this into your dogs food
Organic Psyllium Husks and Organic Chia Seeds are great sources of dietary fibre so they can provide extra bulk to stools which helps dogs to express their glands naturally. They can also help to relieve symptoms of both diarrhoea or constipation
Organic Chia Seeds feeding details: No need to soak if feeding with raw food as raw has a high moisture content. Under 10kgs give 1/4-1/2 teaspoon, 10-20kg give 1/2 - 1 teaspoon, 20-40kg give 1-1 1/2 teaspoon, over 40kg give 1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons. Can give up to daily if needed.
Organic psyllium husks feeding details: No need to soak if giving with raw food due to raw having a high moisture content. Can give up to twice per day for extreme cases then as and when needed. Less than 10kg give 1/2 teaspoon, 10-25kg give 1-2 teaspoons, over 25kg give 1 1/2 - 2 teaspoons.
Another great addition is to add up to 10% of dark leafy greens such as Broccoli, Spinach, or Kale
For longer term anal gland support, adding some organic chia seeds as and when needed, or added some fibre such as dark leafy greens and even occasional furry treats can help.
Giardia
Giardia is a parasite that once in your dogs system it will feed off them and create an infection. This can lead to a myriad of symptoms from bouts of diarrhoea, to malabsorption issues, to issues with gaining healthy weight.
There are several reasons why dogs are susceptible. Your dog could pick up giardia from:
Contact with an infected stool of another animal
Rolling or playing in contaminated soil
Licking himself after contact with a contaminated surface
Drinking contaminated water
Giardia is a difficult parasite to get rid of because it’s easy for your dog’s environment to stay contaminated. If you don’t take extra measures to deep clean your dog’s space, they may need longer treatment.
If you suspect your dog has giardia, there are signs you can watch for. Keep an eye on your dog’s stool:
Unusually soft or Oddly or poorly formed
Pale-coloured or greenish
Extra-foul smelling
Contains mucus more than once
Appears fatty
Blood in stool
Your dog may have recurring, intermittent diarrhoea. Some dogs may develop vomiting. If the infection lasts a few weeks, your dog may lose weight.
If you suspect this is Giardia, we strongly recommend a Giardia Test which is available from Feclab
What precautions can I take to reduce the risks?
Washing your hands regularly (especially after poop pick-up!)
Cleaning your dog’s bedding, toys and bowls
Cleaning household surfaces
If you garden, wearing gloves to avoid contact with infected poop
Keeping your environment dry (giardia likes damp conditions)
How do I treat Giardia?
Where yes you can use vet prescribed medicines, these can cause adverse effects of diarrhoea / vomiting and worse such as:
Fenbendazole: facial swelling, hives, and excess salivation.
Metronidazole: blood in urine, muscle stiffness, and dilated pupils, neurological issues.
Albendazole: low energy, lower white blood cell production, and convulsions.
Alternatives are available to help:
Oregon Grape: Oregon Grape is an effective natural antibiotic and liver tonic that can attack parasites.
Oregon grape dosage for dogs: Give 10 drops of tincture per 20 pounds of body weight per day. If you prefer a glycerite (glycerine tincture instead of alcohol), give 25 drops per 20 lbs, as the herb doesn’t extract as well in glycerine.
Garlic: Garlic is a safe option to help boost your dog’s immune system. You can release Allicin by letting garlic sit for 15 minutes after chopping and peeling.
See the Garlic blog for more information
Goldenseal: Combined with garlic, it’s very effective against parasites like giardia.
Goldenseal dosage for dogs: You can mix goldenseal as a dried powder into your dog’s food. Use 1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
On top of this, it is crucial that you adopt a strict cleaning regime:
Wash down garden / patio areas used by your dog with hot water & a outdoor cleaner such as Ingenious products. Do this after every poop your dog does until you get a negative test result completed.
Wash all dog bedding daily until you have a negative test result.
Wash all household floors daily with hot water and an indoor cleaner such as Ingenious products
Feed bone broth every day alongside or after food to strengthen gut health.
Feed a daily dose of crushed organic pumpkin seeds to help protect against future parasites
Should your dog become worryingly ill or show no signs of improvement, we strongly recommend consulting a pro-raw or holistic vet
Worms
Not all worms are visible to the naked eye, so subtle signs need to be watched for:
Mucus covered stools, diarrhoea or vomiting. If a one off this is OK but if regularly occurring it is worth doing a Giardia, worm count & lungworm count kit.
Scooting the back end or nibbling / licking it. This may be as simple as an itch but if it's regularly occurring they either need help from our Anal gland section above, or testing as above.
Losing appetite plus weight loss. The odd self regulation is fine but to a point of weight loss is an indication to check as above or it may be a sign of illness so it is always worth getting a vet check to rule out illness.
Lethargy and / or a dull coat. These are both signs that there is either illness, parasites in the body, or vital nutrients are not being fed. Rule out illness via a vet check as a priority in this event.
To keep a check on worms, we recommend watching stools, overall health and behaviour to know if something is a warning sign.
Alongside this, regular worm count tests should be done.
These kits can be purchased from a variety of places including Feclab or similar
The kits have full instructions that are easy to follow.
Conventional treatment may affect your dogs health & wellbeing, so as a group we instead recommend natural preventatives, the below are all possible methods, specific products can be found on our supplements list by filtering for “parasites” for the likes of Prodog Repel
Neem Leaf: Give twice a day for one week to eliminate most worms, though not effective against tapeworm. Healthful pets offers several neem based products here:
Use 150mg daily for small dogs. 250mg for medium dogs and 500mg for large dogs.
Crushed, raw, organic pumpkin seeds: Must be organic and must be crushed before feeding to avoid blockages and enable digestion. 1/2 teaspoon to be given for ever 10kg of dog weight, up to twice a day but maintenance is once per day.
Fur and / or feathers: Although they may help to cleanse the gut there is no science to show they are an effective dewormer, although they are a great natural source of fibre
Fermented veggies: Can use sauerkraut or kimchi BUT be careful it contains no harmful ingredients such as onions.
Start slow and low with just a bit and build up to 1-3 teaspoons a day per 10kgs dog weight.
Pineapple: Contains bromelain naturally so may help expel worms. Only feed the flesh not the skin or core
Give 1 tsp per 5kgs dog weight, per day
Papaya: Contains papain naturally, another enzyme which can expel worms
Give 1 tsp per 5kgs dog weight, per day
Veggies: Watercress (in Dorwest Herbs green relief tablets only as wrong dosing MAY cause gut irritation, following dosing advice from Dorwest)
Greens, cucumber and fennel can help aid digestion & help with worms.
Add 1 tsp per 5kgs dog weight, per day
DAF food grade diatomaceous earth: Also known as DE, this MUST be mixed well into food with added water if necessary.
1 tsp for every 10-20kgs of dog weight.
Grapefruit seed extract: 10-15 drops per 10kgs dog weight into the food.
Note: must be GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT, not grape seed extract as this is toxic to dogs.
Our recommended product is found here
Cooled chamomile tea: 1-3 teaspoons depending on the dog's size, daily.
Herbal Dog Co Wormwood: Shake well, 1ml directly into the mouth or food for 2 consecutive days of the m9nth. Safe for pregnant & nursing dogs.
Verm-X Liquid Only: As per dosage on the bottle.
Raw, organic Garlic: Chop the garlic and leave to sit for 15mins to release the beneficial compounds before feeding.
Do NOT use in pregnant or lactating dogs or those on blood thinners. Akitas and Shiba Inus. These breeds are more sensitive to the haemolytic effects of oxidants such as N-propyl disulphide found in garlic
Don’t give garlic to puppies under six months.
Puppies eight weeks or less don’t produce new red blood cells so never give them garlic.
For puppies aged six months to a year, you can be cautious and feed half the regular dose.
See the Garlic blog for more information
Should you get a positive Wormcount result for lungworm, please seek support from a holistic vet or even conventional vet as this means the worm has migrated from the gut to the lungs.
Poop-Eating Puzzles: Investigating the Complexities of Canine Coprophagia
Have you ever caught your beloved canine companion in the act of eating their own or another animal's faeces and wondered, "Why on earth would they do that?" You're not alone. This perplexing behaviour, known as coprophagia, is a common yet often misunderstood aspect of canine behaviour. While it may elicit feelings of disgust and concern among dog owners, the reasons behind this habit are multifaceted and intriguing.
The act of dogs consuming faeces, termed coprophagia, is a behaviour not uncommon in the canine world, with various underlying reasons driving this behaviour.
Potential causes:
Nutritional Deficiency: Dogs lacking certain nutrients in their diet may resort to eating faeces in an attempt to fulfil those nutritional gaps. This tendency is particularly prevalent in dogs fed an unbalanced or incomplete diet.
If you are feeding a fully raw diet (no kibble, cold pressed, freeze dried, wet food etc) then please check out our Mastering the essentials blog to ensure you are feeding all of the essential components of the raw diet
If you are not feeding a full raw diet, and do not want to, we recommend working with a fully qualified canine nutritionist:
Independent nutritionists
Caroline from Canine Holistic Science Academy: canineholisticscienceacademy.com
Louise from Barnaby’s Happy Healthy Pets: barnabyspets.co.uk
Katie from The Pet Diet: thepetdiet.co.uk
Olivia from Batch Cook With Bailey (raw and cooked diet consults): olivia@batchcookwithbailey.co.uk
Attention-Seeking Behaviour: Dogs may engage in coprophagia as a means to garner attention from their owners, even if it results in negative attention. If they perceive a reaction from their owner, they may continue this behaviour to maintain that attention.
Instinctual Roots: Coprophagia may have ancestral origins, with traces found in a dog's evolutionary history. For instance, mother dogs instinctively clean up after their puppies to maintain the den's cleanliness and safeguard them from potential predators.
Medical Factors: Underlying medical conditions such as malabsorption disorders or pancreatic insufficiency can lead to nutrient deficiencies, prompting coprophagia. It's crucial to consult a vet to rule out any medical issues contributing to this behaviour.
Stress or Anxiety: Dogs may resort to coprophagia as a coping mechanism in response to stress, anxiety, or boredom. Providing adequate mental and physical stimulation, along with a structured environment, can help alleviate these underlying triggers. Please check out our enrichment blog to help in this situation
Puppy Exploration: Coprophagia is commonly observed in puppies and often reflects their natural curiosity about their surroundings. As puppies mature, they typically outgrow this behaviour, viewing it as a phase of exploration.
How to manage poop eating:
Veterinary Consultation: Always remember to advocate for your dog and to get a vet visit to rule out underlying medical issues contributing to coprophagia.
Balanced Diet: Ensure your dog receives a nutritious diet to address any potential nutrient deficiencies that might trigger coprophagia.
Enzymes or Probiotics: Consider incorporating digestive enzymes (Durham Animal feeds sells pigs pancreas which can be chopped into small portions and fed for a boost of digestive enzymes) or probiotics (check out our blog on probiotics to help you with regards to this) into your dog's diet to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption, potentially reducing interest in faeces.
Whole foods that may help
Pineapple: Incorporating pineapple may alter the taste of faeces, thanks to its natural sugars and enzymes.
Pumpkin: Adding pumpkin (not pie filling) can change faeces consistency, making it less appealing due to its fibre content.
Papaya: Fresh or freeze-dried papaya contains enzymes that may affect faeces taste, offering a potential deterrent.
Odorous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or green beans, known for their distinctive odours, can make faeces less enticing.
Introduce dietary changes gradually and in moderation, recognising that individual responses may vary.
Other things you can to do discourage the behaviour are:
Supervise and Redirect: Keep a close watch on your dog outdoors, intervening if you catch them trying to eat faeces. Redirect their attention with a command or a more enticing treat.
Teach "Leave It": Train your dog to respond to the "leave it" command to prevent them from approaching or consuming faeces. Reward them with treats for obeying.
Increase Exercise and Stimulation: Ensure your dog gets enough physical exercise appropriate for their age and size, and mental stimulation to combat boredom, a potential contributor to coprophagia.
Prompt Clean-up: Keep the environment clean by promptly disposing of your dog's faeces, removing the opportunity for coprophagia.
Avoid Punishment: Punishing your dog for coprophagia is ineffective and may increase anxiety. Focus on positive reinforcement for desired behaviours.
Seek Professional Help: If the behaviour persists, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviourist for personalised guidance.
Studies (Please note, whilst we can share links to studies some may require payment to the resource library to access them fully. This is in no way an affiliation with RFFDMSUK, we cannot control this as it is external sources)
Evaluation of the Influence of Coprophagic Behavior on the Digestibility of Dietary Nutrients and Fecal Fermentation Products in Adult Dogs - PMC (nih.gov)
Thyrotoxicosis in a dog induced by the consumption of feces from a levothyroxine-supplemented housemate - PMC (nih.gov)
Suspected carprofen toxicosis caused by coprophagia in a dog in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 243 Issue 5 () (avma.org)
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