What Your Dog's Poop Is Trying To Tell You

While it's not the most pleasant topic, paying attention to your dog's poop is essential for understanding their health. At TLC For Pets in Reisterstown, we prioritize the digestive health of your pup. Stomach upsets can not only be uncomfortable for your furry friend but may also indicate underlying health conditions.

To address these concerns, we integrate digestive health and nutrition counseling into all our routine exams. If you find yourself thinking, "I need a great veterinarian near me," don't hesitate to call us. In the meantime, read on for valuable information on interpreting your dog's stool.

What To Look For When Observing Canine Stool

When checking your pup's poop, consider these five factors:

1. Color: A healthy stool should be chocolate brown. Green may indicate excessive grass consumption or gallbladder issues, while orange could signify poor liver functioning. Grey and greasy might suggest pancreatic problems, and a tar-black color may indicate internal bleeding. White specks could signal the presence of parasites like tapeworms.

2. Consistency: A healthy bowel movement should resemble play dough – moist but easy to pick up.

3. Size and Shape: While variations exist, stool should generally be shaped like a log or segmented like sausage links. Diarrhea, signifying illness or infection, results in watery stool. Hard, pellet-like stool indicates constipation, possibly due to dehydration.

4. Contents: Examine the stool for mucus, blood, or foreign objects that could impact your dog's health.

Contact TLC For Pets in Reisterstown, MD

If you reside in the Reisterstown area and your dog requires medical attention for digestive or other issues, we're here to help. Contact TLC For Pets, and our friendly staff will gladly assist in scheduling an appointment.