Why does my dog have dark stool? Black feces in a dog

Monitoring the quality of a pet's feces is the responsibility of any owner. The dog does not have the opportunity to complain that it has a stomach ache or feels unwell, so it is extremely important to constantly monitor the quality of your four-legged friend’s bowel movements in order to be able to provide him with timely help.

What is dog poop like?

Normal dog poop

Proper dog poop– moist but strong. Doesn't have a very strong smell.

However, dogs that eat dry food normally produce slightly different stool. In principle, it is similar to normal, but there is a lot of it. Often more than the dog has eaten. This is especially noticeable in dogs of decorative breeds. A dog can poop out as much as it is unclear how it ended up in it.

This “high potassium content” is due to the fact that dry food contains a lot of plant fiber, as well as other carbohydrates that are not natural food for predators. And dogs are predators. And therefore them.

In addition, dry food is enriched with ingredients such as soy, rice, and beets. And so-called “no-carbohydrate foods” usually include potatoes and peas.

It is obvious that all these components of food are not absorbed by dogs at all and come out. Therefore, a dog on dry food produces significantly more feces than a dog on natural meat feeding.

Those dogs that eat natural food with a very high calcium content (the food contains a lot of bones) produce little feces, and it is light in color, sometimes almost white, color. The stool is usually hard and weak-smelling. Often the animal has a tendency to.

All types of dog poop shown are normal. Signs of diarrhea are a cause for concern for owners.

Below are some types of dog stool that, if they do not disappear within 24 hours, require seeking veterinary help.

Types of pathological dog feces

Soft stools without blood or mucus

Usually occurs when the food is changed or when the dog is overfed with handouts from the table.

In most cases, no treatment is required. But if it persists for several days, it may indicate an infection in the intestines, usually in the Giardialamblia.

Yellow liquid stool

Associated with the dog’s consumption of food that is too fatty for it. Again, it often occurs when a dog is pampered with handouts of fatty treats. Or they give you fatty cottage cheese (more than 5% fat) and butter.

If it does not go away within a few days, it requires contacting a veterinarian, as it indicates the development of pancreatitis in the animal, which can threaten its life.

Black chair

It can occur while taking certain medications, as well as when switching a dog from dry food to natural or canned food, when the dog begins to walk noticeably less and less. But if the dog is switched to natural feeding, the stool is not completely black, it is just very dark.

Along with such harmless black feces, black dog stool can be a sign of bleeding in the animal's gastrointestinal tract, the cause of which can be anything from improper food to cancer.

Therefore, if black stool is not associated with switching the dog to natural food or taking medications, it always requires prompt attention to a doctor.

Extremely loose stools (with water)

Always open bleeding from the colon, anus or anal glands. Associated with damage to the gastrointestinal tract from inedible objects, ulcers and tumors.

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

Since diarrhea can be a reflection of a variety of animal health problems, it is logical to list these problems. Diarrhea in a dog can be associated with:

The main thing to remember is that a dog is also a “person”.

And just as any of us from time to time have digestive problems that do not require the intervention of specialists for their treatment, dogs also have similar problems.

Therefore, if you know the cause of your pet’s diarrhea, for example, it is a change in food, stress, or overfeeding a holiday dinner, there is no need to run to the veterinarian.

But in cases where a dog has loose stools more than 1-3 times, contacting a veterinarian is mandatory.

As for puppies and older dogs, medical attention may be required even after a single loose bowel movement, since in “old and small” dehydration occurs very quickly.

Here you no longer need to look at the dog’s behavior. Even if she is not yet showing signs of illness, she is seriously ill.

Treating diarrhea in dogs at home

If your pet behaves normally and does not show any signs of illness, except for one or two loose stools, you just need to isolate it from food for 12 hours. But at the same time give him something to drink.

After 12 hours, if everything is fine, you need to feed him boiled turkey (not chicken or beef). You cannot add any porridge to turkey meat. But you can add a little boiled pumpkin.

No more than 2-3 small meals a day.

It is also very good to introduce into the dog’s diet during and after treatment.

The duration of the diet is 72 hours from the onset of the disease. During this time, the stool should normalize. If it doesn’t return to normal, you need to go to the doctor! Even if the animal behaves normally.

When treating diarrhea in a dog at home, when the exact diagnosis is not known, you should not give your pet any medications.

The exception is activated carbon. But this is only the case when you know for sure that your dog was poisoned by something stale. For example, you yourself ate something bad and shared it with her.

In this case, you can distribute an activated carbon tablet in water and give it to your dog to drink. If she doesn’t drink, then you can try to squirt it into her mouth with a syringe.

This article does not constitute veterinary advice and does not exclude an appointment at a veterinary clinic. Here is information that will help you make the right decision in favor of providing quick and effective care to your pet. After all, it’s better to play it safe and consult with a specialist than to regret what you could have done and didn’t do.

1. The volume of stool is larger than usual

The most common cause of increased stool volume is overfeeding. Perhaps you feed your dog dry food “by eye”. Weigh your dog and feed him as much food as the food manufacturer recommends. Make sure the main diet is a source of calories and any treats are kept to a minimum. If you feed your dog “from the table”, be aware that not all ingredients are suitable for the dog’s normal digestion. Sometimes changing your diet gradually by changing your protein and carbohydrate sources can be helpful.

2. Loose stools

There are many reasons why a dog may have loose stools. Some of the most common causes are overfeeding, sudden changes in diet, stress, change in water source (especially for puppies).

Infectious causes may include:

Bacterial infection – for example, Campylobacter, Salmonella;
Viral infection – for example, parvovirus enteritis;
Dysbacteriosis.

Helminthic infestation - for example, roundworms;
Protozoal diseases - for example, giardiasis, isosporosis.

Other reasons:

Inflammatory bowel diseases;
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency;
Intoxication;
Pancreatitis;
Foreign body in the intestine;
Neoplasia (tumor);
Protein-losing enteropathy.

This is by no means a complete list of possible causes. Be sure to consult with a specialist to identify and eliminate the root cause of the disease.

3. Rare bowel movements (constipation)

Some potential causes of constipation:

Obstruction or partial obstruction of the intestine (for example, if the dog has swallowed a stone, toy, bone);
Gastrointestinal obstruction or partial obstruction due to another cause (eg, tumor or polyps); sometimes the cause may be more serious than expected (for example, rectal abscesses, anal tumors, or prostate enlargement);
Endocrine (hormonal) problems such as hypothyroidism;
Worm infestation;
Neurological problems (eg, spinal disorders, nerve damage from injury) causing a condition called megacolon. It is assumed that megacolon develops as a result of disruption of the conduction of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the smooth muscles of the intestine. Megacolon is primarily a problem in cats, but it also occurs in dogs;
Certain drugs (such as diuretics, antacids, opioids, and antihistamines).

Diet has a big impact on stool consistency. This depends on the amount of fiber in the diet. Therefore, one food that is ideal for one dog may not be suitable for another. Too much fiber in the diet can lead to diarrhea or, conversely, constipation; this is individual for each dog and depends on the specific case.

Fluid intake is another important condition. Constipation occurs when too much moisture is absorbed by the intestines from the feed. In such cases, increasing fluid intake may be beneficial. You can add water to dry food about 20-30 minutes before feeding or use canned food. Adding a small amount of oil to your diet may help relieve constipation. In addition, you can increase the frequency of meals up to 3 times a day, which leads to optimized activity and increased efficiency of the small intestine.

4. The presence of fresh blood in the stool

Small amounts of bright red blood may be a typical symptom of colitis. This occurs as a result of inflammation of the lining of the large intestine.

There are many reasons that cause colitis, ranging from improper feeding to infectious diseases. A large amount of blood may indicate a serious problem. Veterinary assistance should be sought immediately.

5. Black stool, dark blood in stool

Black stool containing dark blood is also known as melena. Melena indicates bleeding in the upper intestines or stomach. Veterinary assistance should be sought immediately.

6. Light (gray) or yellow stools

Yellow/gray or lighter-than-usual stools may be a sign of pancreatic disease, liver disease, or giardiasis.

7. Greenish stool

Greenish colored stool may indicate the presence of bile. Alternative causes are giardiasis, rat poison poisoning.

8. Presence of mucus in stool

A little mucus in the feces may be normal. The intestines produce mucus to provide lubrication and moisture. However, if the mucus is excessive, contains streaks of blood, or is accompanied by diarrhea, seek veterinary attention.

The normal color of feces in dogs and cats is considered to be dark to light brown. Black stool is most often not a sign of normality, so it should always alert you and prompt you to visit a veterinarian to determine the cause.

All possible causes of black stools

Physiological reasons

If the animals feel satisfactory, they have preserved their appetite and general cheerful state, then we can assume that blackening of the feces does not mean anything terrible:

perhaps pets are given iron supplements or vitamin and mineral supplements with it;
pets are fed raw meat, and a large amount of blood meal with black licorice is added to the diet.

Signs of pathologies

The main reason for the darkening of animal feces is the ingress of blood into them. This condition may be a symptom of some disease, and black feces occur in dogs for the same reasons as in cats:

When a visit to the vet should not be postponed

If, along with blackening of the stool in a cat or dog, the following signs are noted, this is a reason to go to the veterinarian immediately:

against a black background, obvious red blood clots are noted - this is a sign of severe open bleeding, in any part of the intestines or stomach;
the animal has a stomach ache (you can hear whining or a plaintive meow, there may be a slight trembling in the body; when trying to stroke or feel the stomach, the animal seems to try to move away);
body temperature increased (above 38.5°C in mustachioed pets and more than 39°C in dogs - when measured rectally);
stools are black and runny (melena), there is vomiting (especially when there is blood in the vomit);
lethargic general condition, lack of playfulness, decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat.

Ways to identify the causes of black feces in animals and treatment

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, you need to conduct a stool test for the presence or absence of occult blood. If the result is positive, then the veterinarian begins to determine the cause:

performs an ultrasound of the abdomen;
checking blood for clotting (coagulogram);
does an x-ray and/or gastroscopy;
Blood tests are required.

Treatment and help at home will not give results. Any therapeutic procedures should be carried out only after determining the cause of black stool.

First of all, it is necessary to use hemostatic drugs (the type of drug and its dosage is selected only by a veterinarian):

vikasol 1%(about 75-90 rubles/pack of 10 amps): daily dose for cats – 1-2 mg/kg body weight, dogs – 1-3 mg/kg per muscle; Duration of use is from 3 to 5 days;
ethamsylate 12.5% or dicinone(up to 140 rubles/pack of 10 amps): intramuscularly 10-12 mg/kg (on average 0.1 ml/kg body weight) twice a day - up to 3 days;
aminocaproic acid 5%(35-65 RUR/bottle 100 ml): orally for both types of animals up to 5 times a day, 8-10 mg/kg. Give to dogs with caution, as... possible gastrointestinal irritation. Can be administered slowly intravenously at a rate of 1 ml/kg;
tranex(RUB 1100-1700/pack of 10 amps): 10-15 mg/kg intramuscularly or intravenously every 6-8 hours until the blood stops permanently.

After stopping the bleeding and determining its cause, the following is prescribed:

antibiotic and antiviral therapy;
carrying out deworming (treatment against worms);
surgical intervention, with the help of which foreign traumatic objects or tumors are removed;
mandatory nutritional correction;
gastroprotectors.

If there is black liquid stool and vomiting?

This condition is often observed during poisoning (for example, rat poison). It is necessary to soberly assess the surrounding situation and try to understand what the animal might have eaten. Take your pet to a veterinarian for first aid, because... This condition is characterized by internal bleeding and can cost him his life.

After taking what medications can stool turn black?

The feces will turn black if the dog or cat is given iron supplements or any vitamin and mineral supplements with iron. In this case, this condition is considered normal and will go away immediately after these medications and supplements are no longer given.

Black feces are detected and the animal does not eat anything

Lack of appetite in a cat/dog accompanied by blackened stool is definitely a sign of ill health. What kind of pathology is and what its cause can only be determined by a veterinary specialist - it is better to take the animal to the veterinarian.

Black feces before the death of an animal

In a state of death agony, relaxation of all physiological sphincters and involuntary emptying of the colon can be observed. At the same time, against the background of dysfunction and failure of internal organs, feces may change color to a darker one. This phenomenon can be observed in everyone.

Brown-black cat feces with an unpleasant odor

Most likely, a mustachioed pet has indigestion or gastric stagnation. The food stagnates in it and begins to literally rot. The unpleasant odor that accompanies dark feces is reminiscent of the specific smell of rotting meat. You should contact a specialist to start the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and populate it with beneficial bacteria.

Normal dog poop should be brown. Stool with blood or white color is a deviation, the explanation for which is important to find in a short time. Feces are stained with bile. It plays an important role in digestion. Sometimes the stool becomes yellow or very runny. In this case, the owner’s attentiveness and detailed diagnostics are required.

Normally, dog poop is equal to the diameter of the dog's anus. The smell is moderate, the frequency is three times a day. If it’s less, that’s also normal. There should be no cracks or visible inclusions; the fur remains clean during defecation. There is a damp sheen on the stool. When dropped, the “sausage” should retain its shape for several minutes. If some circles of the same sausage fall out, then we are talking about a deficiency of fiber in the diet. If its quantity is normal, shine is observed.

Deviations

There are deviations from the reasonable norm for dog feces. By assessing the feces, an attentive owner can assess the pet's condition and take the necessary measures.

Decorated poop. At the end of the bowel movements, liquid porridge is poured on top. This is a signal of dysbacteriosis. There is a risk of infectious disease.
Feces are normal, but with the presence of mucus, sometimes with blood. Occurs due to pathologies in the large intestine and worms. Veined meat products also provoke similar stools.
Mushy stools that are yellow or light brown in color. In this case, undigested food with a sour smell is observed. The frequency of the trip is generally from 2 to 5 times a day. In this case, you need to radically change your diet.
Hard feces with a white coating, dry. Defecation 1 time per day. It is necessary to remove bones, meat with veins, and cartilage from the menu.

Type of stool	Meaning
Diarrhea yellow, green	Bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
Black feces	Bleeding in the small intestine area
Bloody diarrhea	Bleeding in the colon
Light diarrhea that looks like dough	Liver problems
Loose gray stools with a foul odor	Problems with digestion and absorption of essential substances
Watery diarrhea	Irritated walls of the small intestine
Diarrhea with foam	Presence of bacterial infection
Glitter Slime	Problems in the large intestine

Danger Signals

The most dangerous feces are those that are liquid and contain foam/blood. After discovering such a condition, it is important to immediately call a veterinarian at home or take your pet to the clinic as soon as possible.

A brown puddle with a green tint combined with vomiting indicates a viral gastrointestinal disease. Animals do not tolerate these pathologies well and can quickly find themselves in a dying state.
Severe diarrhea with foam, mucus and blood. The dog's condition is deteriorating rapidly. Bacteria without treatment will kill the animal in a few days.
If your pet is vomiting and does not walk for long, it is a sign of poisoning or a viral infection. In this case, the pet can eat a treat and drink water. Reason for an urgent trip to the veterinarian.

In order for feces to be impeccable in form and internal content, it is necessary to balance the animal’s diet. Correctly maintain the ratio of necessary elements - protein, carbohydrates, vitamins.

It is important to feed your pet high-quality foods that are quickly digestible. It is advisable to choose those approved by veterinarian nutritionists.

Blood in dog stool - causes

Blood in a dog's feces should be considered a dangerous pathology. This is a reason for a detailed examination. It is important to identify the cause and establish the location of the source where the blood is coming from. We are talking about the gastrointestinal tract or nearby areas. Blood impurity means that the bleeding is localized in the gastrointestinal tract.

If the blood has been affected by enzymes, it will be scarlet. It will also remain the same if the bleeding is localized in the distal region - the rectum, the area of the large intestine. It will be more difficult to detect it if the enzymes still “caught up”. In this case, it will look like coffee grounds. This is a situation where the active focus is in the esophagus and stomach.

Blood in a dog’s stool is a reason for a detailed examination

The structure of stool and the amount of blood in it indicates the following diseases:

Parvovirus enteritis. It most often affects young dogs or puppies. The virus enters the animal through the nose when the pet sniffs someone else's feces and food. With this disease, one of the symptoms will be bloody stool;
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. There are many reasons for the development of this disease. But its main symptom is severe diarrhea, when the masses become red due to a large amount of blood. The disease is such that until blood “inserts” appear, other signs may not come out;
Substances. Bloody diarrhea can be caused by medications and chemicals. For example, coumarin, which is included in the drug for mice. When sniffing this remedy, the next day the animal may begin to walk around with a lot of blood;
Plague. The disease is fatal. Accompanied by diarrhea with scarlet or maroon blood. Other symptoms are convulsions, trembling, vomiting, lethargy.

In addition to the above pathologies, traces of blood can also be observed in diseases such as ulcers, colitis, adenocarcinoma, Addison's disease, helminthiases, bruises, hemorrhoids, allergies. There are many reasons for the occurrence of non-standard feces, so if there is a deviation from the norm, it is necessary to carry out a competent diagnosis.

Video - Dog poops blood

Treatment of stool with blood

The treatment course and health-improving measures depend on the identified cause that caused the abnormal stool. The veterinarian's main recommendations are:

Helminthic infestation is completely eliminated with the help of drugs such as:

Drontal;
Dironet;
Kanikquantel (weighing more than 1.5 kg).

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is treated by a specialist; self-medication is unacceptable. To restore electrolyte balance, infusion therapy is prescribed. If your pet has no appetite, you should not force feed it. Antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate infection in the intestines. To stop vomiting - antiemetics. In severe situations, plasma is used.

Enteritis. If enteritis occurs in a puppy, it is important to follow a diet and start therapy in a timely manner. It is better to feed your dog rice porridge with milk. Treat with penicillin and vitamins. They also give immunostimulants that enhance internal strength. Vitamin therapy helps normalize the general condition.

Plague. Accompanied by an inflammatory process in the stomach and pancreas. Therapy includes analgesics, fever medications and antibiotics. To normalize stool, astringents are prescribed.

Video - Distemper in dogs

Haemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are treated in animals in the same way as in humans. The drugs are similar. This is Relief or Procto-glivenol. Detralex is also given to the pet along with food. It is not forbidden to make a chamomile decoction for a sitz bath. The water temperature should be made 2 0 lower than the dog’s temperature. Sea buckthorn oil will also help if you lubricate the anus with it. You can also moisten a tampon and insert it into your pet’s anus; internal cracks will heal faster.

Poisoning by poison. If a dog accidentally/non-accidentally eats a dead rat or its “special” food, it is important to quickly induce vomiting in the dog. Also use laxatives and absorbents. It is recommended to get your bearings and empty your stomach as quickly as possible. The cleansing procedure should be repeated every 4 hours. If there are seizures, it is necessary to give the animal an anticonvulsant drug.

Video - First aid for dog poisoning

If you have a dog in the house, it is important to supervise him like you would a small child. Observe bowel movements and behavior. Only with a detailed study (without going into depth) can life-threatening conditions for the puppy be identified in time.

Normally, the color of animal feces varies from light to dark brown. In dogs, black feces are not considered normal and can signal various pathologies. The animal needs immediate examination by a veterinarian if accompanying symptoms are observed: abdominal pain, refusal to eat, lethargy, diarrhea, fever.

Causes of black stool in dogs

The reason for the change in color of excrement is the content of digested blood in it. When the pet feels normal and does not show the above symptoms, then black feces in the dog can be caused by iron-containing drugs or raw food.

Let's look at why dogs have black feces. If the blood is bright in color, this indicates bleeding in the large intestine; blood in the excrement is more dangerous if it is dark in color, which indicates bleeding in the digestive system and small intestine.

During treatment, hemostatic drugs are administered, and after diagnosis, antibiotic therapy is administered. Additionally, diet, gastroprotectors, deworming, surgical removal of foreign objects and tumors are used.

Treatment of a pet with characteristic features of gastrointestinal bleeding is carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian and monitoring of tests.

All possible causes of black stools

Physiological reasons

If the animals feel satisfactory, they have preserved their appetite and general cheerful state, then we can assume that blackening of the feces does not mean anything terrible:

perhaps pets are given iron supplements or vitamin and mineral supplements with it;
pets are fed raw meat, and a large amount of blood meal with black licorice is added to the diet.

Signs of pathologies

The main reason for the darkening of animal feces is the ingress of blood into them. This condition may be a symptom of some disease, and black feces occur in dogs for the same reasons as in cats:

When a visit to the vet should not be postponed

If, along with blackening of the stool in a cat or dog, the following signs are noted, this is a reason to go to the veterinarian immediately:

against a black background, obvious red blood clots are noted - this is a sign of severe open bleeding, in any part of the intestines or stomach;
the animal has a stomach ache (you can hear whining or a plaintive meow, there may be a slight trembling in the body; when trying to stroke or feel the stomach, the animal seems to try to move away);
body temperature increased (above 38.5°C in mustachioed pets and more than 39°C in dogs - when measured rectally);
stools are black and runny (melena), there is vomiting (especially when there is blood in the vomit);
lethargic general condition, lack of playfulness, decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat.

Ways to identify the causes of black feces in animals and treatment

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, you need to conduct a stool test for the presence or absence of occult blood. If the result is positive, then the veterinarian begins to determine the cause:

performs an ultrasound of the abdomen;
checking blood for clotting (coagulogram);
does an x-ray and/or gastroscopy;
Blood tests are required.

Treatment and help at home will not give results. Any therapeutic procedures should be carried out only after determining the cause of black stool.

First of all, it is necessary to use hemostatic drugs (the type of drug and its dosage is selected only by a veterinarian):

vikasol 1%(about 75-90 rubles/pack of 10 amps): daily dose for cats – 1-2 mg/kg body weight, dogs – 1-3 mg/kg per muscle; Duration of use is from 3 to 5 days;
ethamsylate 12.5% or dicinone(up to 140 rubles/pack of 10 amps): intramuscularly 10-12 mg/kg (on average 0.1 ml/kg body weight) twice a day - up to 3 days;
aminocaproic acid 5%(35-65 RUR/bottle 100 ml): orally for both types of animals up to 5 times a day, 8-10 mg/kg. Give to dogs with caution, as... possible gastrointestinal irritation. Can be administered slowly intravenously at a rate of 1 ml/kg;
tranex(RUB 1100-1700/pack of 10 amps): 10-15 mg/kg intramuscularly or intravenously every 6-8 hours until the blood stops permanently.

After stopping the bleeding and determining its cause, the following is prescribed:

antibiotic and antiviral therapy;
carrying out deworming (treatment against worms);
surgical intervention, with the help of which foreign traumatic objects or tumors are removed;
mandatory nutritional correction;
gastroprotectors.

If there is black liquid stool and vomiting?

After taking what medications can stool turn black?

Black feces are detected and the animal does not eat anything

Black feces before the death of an animal

Brown-black cat feces with an unpleasant odor

1. The volume of stool is larger than usual

2. Loose stools

There are many reasons why a dog may have loose stools. Some of the most common causes are overfeeding, sudden changes in diet, stress, change in water source (especially for puppies).

Infectious causes may include:

Bacterial infection – for example, Campylobacter, Salmonella;
Viral infection – for example, parvovirus enteritis;
Dysbacteriosis.

Helminthic infestation - for example, roundworms;
Protozoal diseases - for example, giardiasis, isosporosis.

Other reasons:

Inflammatory bowel diseases;
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency;
Intoxication;
Pancreatitis;
Foreign body in the intestine;
Neoplasia (tumor);
Protein-losing enteropathy.

This is by no means a complete list of possible causes. Be sure to consult with a specialist to identify and eliminate the root cause of the disease.

3. Rare bowel movements (constipation)

Some potential causes of constipation:

Obstruction or partial obstruction of the intestine (for example, if the dog has swallowed a stone, toy, bone);
Gastrointestinal obstruction or partial obstruction due to another cause (eg, tumor or polyps); sometimes the cause may be more serious than expected (for example, rectal abscesses, anal tumors, or prostate enlargement);
Endocrine (hormonal) problems such as hypothyroidism;
Worm infestation;
Neurological problems (eg, spinal disorders, nerve damage from injury) causing a condition called megacolon. It is assumed that megacolon develops as a result of disruption of the conduction of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to the smooth muscles of the intestine. Megacolon is primarily a problem in cats, but it also occurs in dogs;
Certain drugs (such as diuretics, antacids, opioids, and antihistamines).

4. The presence of fresh blood in the stool

Small amounts of bright red blood may be a typical symptom of colitis. This occurs as a result of inflammation of the lining of the large intestine.

5. Black stool, dark blood in stool

Black stool containing dark blood is also known as melena. Melena indicates bleeding in the upper intestines or stomach. Veterinary assistance should be sought immediately.

6. Light (gray) or yellow stools

Yellow/gray or lighter-than-usual stools may be a sign of pancreatic disease, liver disease, or giardiasis.

7. Greenish stool

Greenish colored stool may indicate the presence of bile. Alternative causes are giardiasis, rat poison poisoning.

8. Presence of mucus in stool

Every experienced dog owner knows that normally the animal's stool is well formed, slightly moist and dark brown in color. Any sudden changes in the characteristics of feces are an alarm bell that should not be ignored. The appearance of black diarrhea in a dog does not always indicate the presence of any pathology; it is likely that the cause of this phenomenon was indiscriminateness in the quantity and quality of food.

However, such a symptom should not be neglected, since there are often cases when this kind of disorder indicates a serious pathological process in the animal’s body. To avoid undesirable consequences and identify a possible disease at an early stage, you should definitely show your pet to a veterinarian.

Main reasons

The occurrence of black stool in a dog may be associated with the use of activated charcoal. This often occurs when an animal is given this drug in an attempt to stop diarrhea. The medication does an excellent job of removing toxins and other substances harmful to the body, but its only “disadvantage” is that it turns stool black.

It is also possible that black feces may appear due to the animal eating something inedible that contained a large amount of dark dye. In this case, there is no serious cause for concern, but it still won’t hurt to visit a veterinarian.

Another cause of this type of disorder can be prolonged constipation. Often this condition is accompanied by episodes of vomiting provoked by severe intoxication of the body. If the act of defecation is disrupted, the feces are pressed, harden and painted in various shades, including black. This condition cannot be ignored, since the pet most likely has developed severe intoxication, plus hardened feces could injure the intestinal mucosa and cause bleeding.

There are other, more serious, causes of black diarrhea in dogs. These include:

Only a qualified specialist can determine the true cause of black diarrhea in a dog. Therefore, if such a symptom appears, you should not engage in self-diagnosis and arbitrarily prescribe treatment.

Self-medication

First of all, you should remember that medications intended for treating people can negatively affect the health of the animal. As a rule, practicing veterinarians warn about this, but breeders do not always listen to medical recommendations.

Moreover, it is important to know that some medications for animals are real poison. So, for example, painkillers, the main component of which is ibuprofen, have a detrimental effect on the body of pets and can lead to the development of serious allergic reactions.

The same applies to aspirin. Such medications, especially with prolonged use, provoke the appearance of ulcers on the intestinal walls, which ultimately threatens internal bleeding. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and antifungals are no less dangerous.

The use of such medications must be agreed with an experienced specialist; their unauthorized prescription can lead to serious consequences.

Diagnostics

Black feces in dogs are a symptom of many diseases, so experts, as a rule, insist on carrying out a number of diagnostic measures to determine the exact cause of this phenomenon.

Diagnosis usually includes:

three types of stool analysis aimed at identifying infectious agents and protozoa;
ultrasound examination of the gastrointestinal tract;
clinical examination of the pet;
performing gastroscopy.

Of course, there is no universal remedy for all pathologies that provoke the appearance of black feces. Therefore, the most appropriate treatment is selected only after an accurate diagnosis has been established. Before receiving the test results, the specialist, as a rule, prescribes symptomatic therapy to alleviate the animal’s condition.

Prevention

To maintain your pet’s health, you need to follow fairly simple rules, which include:

Compliance with all medical recommendations of the veterinarian regarding diet.
Carefully monitor the general condition of the pet. If you have black diarrhea or blood in your stool, you should definitely consult a specialist.
If you have diarrhea, you should not give your animal medications intended for treating humans.
Balanced diet. It is important to avoid eating spoiled foods and foreign objects.
It is necessary to check your pet annually for the presence of protozoa and carry out anthelmintic treatment.
If there is no positive dynamics during treatment, additional diagnostics should be performed.

It is better not to risk the health of your pet and not to self-medicate, because illiterate use of medications may not only not bring positive results, but also significantly worsen the situation. Therefore, the only correct decision when a characteristic symptom appears is to contact your doctor in a timely manner.

What is dog poop like?

Normal dog poop

Proper dog poop– moist but strong. Doesn't have a very strong smell.

In addition, dry food is enriched with ingredients such as soy, rice, and beets. And so-called “no-carbohydrate foods” usually include potatoes and peas.

It is obvious that all these components of food are not absorbed by dogs at all and come out. Therefore, a dog on dry food produces significantly more feces than a dog on natural meat feeding.

All types of dog poop shown are normal. Signs of diarrhea are a cause for concern for owners.

Below are some types of dog stool that, if they do not disappear within 24 hours, require seeking veterinary help.

Types of pathological dog feces

Soft stools without blood or mucus

Usually occurs when the food is changed or when the dog is overfed with handouts from the table.

In most cases, no treatment is required. But if it persists for several days, it may indicate an infection in the intestines, usually in the Giardialamblia.

Yellow liquid stool

If it does not go away within a few days, it requires contacting a veterinarian, as it indicates the development of pancreatitis in the animal, which can threaten its life.

Black chair

Along with such harmless black feces, black dog stool can be a sign of bleeding in the animal's gastrointestinal tract, the cause of which can be anything from improper food to cancer.

Therefore, if black stool is not associated with switching the dog to natural food or taking medications, it always requires prompt attention to a doctor.

Extremely loose stools (with water)

Always open bleeding from the colon, anus or anal glands. Associated with damage to the gastrointestinal tract from inedible objects, ulcers and tumors.

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

Since diarrhea can be a reflection of a variety of animal health problems, it is logical to list these problems. Diarrhea in a dog can be associated with:

The main thing to remember is that a dog is also a “person”.

And just as any of us from time to time have digestive problems that do not require the intervention of specialists for their treatment, dogs also have similar problems.

Therefore, if you know the cause of your pet’s diarrhea, for example, it is a change in food, stress or overfed with a holiday dinner, there is no need to run to the veterinarian.

But in cases where a dog has loose stools more than 1-3 times, contacting a veterinarian is mandatory.

As for puppies and older dogs, medical attention may be required even after a single loose bowel movement, since in “old and small” dehydration occurs very quickly.

Here you no longer need to look at the dog’s behavior. Even if she is not yet showing signs of illness, she is seriously ill.

Treating diarrhea in dogs at home

After 12 hours, if everything is fine, you need to feed him boiled turkey (not chicken or beef). You cannot add any porridge to turkey meat. But you can add a little boiled pumpkin.

No more than 2-3 small meals a day.

It is also very good to introduce into the dog’s diet during and after treatment.

When treating diarrhea in a dog at home, when the exact diagnosis is not known, you should not give your pet any medications.

The exception is activated carbon. But this is only the case when you know for sure that your dog was poisoned by something stale. For example, you yourself ate something bad and shared it with her.

In this case, you can distribute an activated carbon tablet in water and give it to your dog to drink. If she doesn’t drink, then you can try to squirt it into her mouth with a syringe.