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Let’s admit it: one of the most uninteresting jobs as a pet owner is disposing of dog poop. Sometimes it can be nasty and has the worst smell.
If you see your dog’s poop is black in color and you can’t understand what’s behind it, things are going to get hectic.
Many dog owners don’t care about the color of their dog’s poop, but little do they know that most health problems are caught early by the type and color of their dog’s poop.
Black poop in dogs can be caused by a variety of reasons, including poor diet, lack of fiber and other nutrients, digestive or internal health issues, which should not be ignored.
In this article, you will learn about normal color dog poopwhat causes black poop in dogs, and what you should do if you see this in your dog.
let’s start. can we?
normal color of dog poop
Nothing can make this topic any less disgusting, so we’d better dive into it right away. Before understanding the abnormalities of dog poop and why it turns black, we should try to understand what normal poop looks like.
Normal stool standards will vary from dog to dog, depending on their health and lifestyle.
Ideally, the appearance and smell can tell us about the history and cause of the stool. Color, shape, consistency, and size are factors that determine the normal state of poop.
Ideal poop is well-shaped, segmented, dark to light brown in color and should not leave any marks when lifted. If any of the above characteristics are missing in your dog’s stool, it is a sign that your dog is not completely healthy.
Check the shape of your dog’s poop; it should closely resemble the shape of human poop; dimensions may vary depending on the size of your dog.
A dog’s poop should be in the shape of a hard, long piece of wood; if it appears to be running, it means it may diarrheaand a drop like a circle could mean the dog is dehydrated.
Another way to learn about your dog’s health through poop is to look at the color of the poop.
If the color is like chocolate, dark brown, sometimes even light brown, then the dog is healthy; if the poop is light red, orange, black, green, yellow or white, the dog is not very well.
Other determining factors are the content and quantity of feces. If your dog’s poop contains the contents of a previous meal, then it’s not a cause for concern, but if it contains mucus or parasites, it’s a problem.
The amount of poo in a dog is directly proportional to the amount of food the dog eats. If your dog eats less but poops a lot, it means that there is too much fiber in the diet, and if the poop is low, the dog is constipated.
In the end, smell tells the story. If your dog’s poo is smelly, everything is fine, but it shouldn’t be foul; like humans, it should be moderately smelly, but not a lot.
Why is my dog’s poop black?
Now that you know what the criteria for a healthy dog’s poop are, let’s find out why a dog’s poop is black and whether this is a concern for pet owners.
If your dog’s stool turns black for the first time and appears normal, keep an eye on your dog’s stool for the next 3 to 4 days. If the poop returns to its normal dark brown color, it’s probably nothing to worry about.
If your stools are persistently black, it’s cause for concern. Black poop usually occurs due to internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
As the body tries its best to digest blood through the small intestine, it becomes more like tar. Red stool is due to fresh blood in the lower digestive tract.
Bloody stools in dogs, especially black stools, are caused by upper intestinal problems and are known as melena. Dogs with black stools may produce small amounts of black, tarry stools over an extended period of time, or large amounts of black stools on a regular basis.
6 Reasons Why Black Dogs Poop
There are many reasons why dogs poop black, some of which are serious. Below are some of the most common causes of black poop in dogs.
1. Internal bleeding
One of the most common causes of black stool in dogs is internal bleeding. When bleeding occurs in the digestive tract or small intestine, the resulting stool can be black and tarry.
Dog blood in the digestive tract may be ingested if the dog coughs up blood and swallows it or has a nosebleed. Some other causes of blood in the digestive tract are ulcers and parasites. Stomach ulcers can cause bleeding that travels into the upper gastrointestinal tract and causes the stool to turn black.
Parasites such as tapeworms can cause internal bleeding that can eventually lead to black stools. If you see your dog has black poop, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
2. Diet
A dog’s diet plays a vital role in maintaining a dog’s overall health. Dog poop is directly proportional to their diet. Too much fiber, or any nutrient for that matter, can cause your dog’s poop to look different than normal.
If your dog eats something that contains blood or charcoal, the stool may turn black. Eating raw meat or spicy foods, or other dark foods that should not be eaten, may cause black stools.
Pay attention to what they eat and what they eat. Keep everything in moderation, and seek professional advice if you’re having trouble deciding what to eat.
3. Drug reactions
Many medications are known to cause damage to a dog’s gut, and overdose can cause internal bleeding and eventually black stools.
NSAIDs may cause a change in the color of your dog’s stool, and inform your veterinarian just in case they want to change the dose or medication.
4. Organ diseases
Infections in a dog’s organs such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas can result in black stools.
But you already know if your dog has kidney failure, because black stools are the last symptom in dogs with the disease. If your dog suffers from diarrhea, weight loss, or loss of appetite, they may have a larger health problem. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
5. Cancer
One of the reasons for blood in the gut could be because your dog has cancer. This unfortunate disease can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort to your dog, and one of the symptoms of this disease is blackened stool.
Bloody vomiting or pale gums, lethargy, or loss of appetite are some of the signs of cancer.
6. Some Other Causes of Black Poop in Dogs
Tumor: Tumors can be a cause of black stools, although this depends on where the tumor is located.
Coagulation disorders: Clotting disorders are another cause of black stools in dogs.
dog mother: It is completely understandable for a bitch who is recovering after having puppies to have black feces.
If you notice your dog has black poop, consult your veterinarian early to prevent serious conditions health problems on your dog.
What to do if your dog’s poop is black?
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to take care of your dog and treat any illnesses as soon as possible.
If you see your dog pooping black for the first time, don’t ignore it; keep monitoring your dog’s poop as well as all other behaviors.
If the black stool comes back, put some of the stool in a plastic bag and seal it. Also, take a photo from your phone or any other gadget and save it for future use by the veterinarian.
After taking the fecal sample, contact the veterinarian with details of the condition. Also, take note of any instructions they will give and follow them exactly.
When you go to the vet, let them know when your dog has black stools and if there are any changes in the dog’s normal behavior, walking or sitting posture, or any differences you observe.
The veterinarian will ask about your dog’s diet and if you are taking any medications for your dog.
An important caveat: Do not present your dog’s stool sample to the veterinarian for more than 12 hours. The sooner you show it, the better.
Frequently Asked Questions
While instances of black poop are extremely rare, they are by no means normal. It can be a sign of many diseases and health problems. Better to check it out as early as possible.
Yes, sometimes it goes away on its own if it’s caused by a minor irritation. In most cases, immediate medical attention is required.
Black poop can sometimes be a danger to a dog’s overall health. Black stool in dogs is a symptom of a larger health problem. It’s not fatal by itself, but it can be the result of a fatal disease.
in conclusion
If your dog is pooping black, it could be a bigger problem than it appears. This article covers everything related to dog poop. You learned what normal dog poop looks like and why yours is black.
Use this article as a guide to learn what causes black poo in dogs and what to do if it happens to you.
Dr. Lillian is a DVM with a passion for raising awareness about dogs. She shares her expertise through her blog at canineweekly.com and provides animal care services including internal medicine, dermatology, and urgent care. Dr. Lillian is dedicated to contributing to animal welfare.
