We grow to know everything about our pups, whether it’s their favorite snacks or the ins and outs of their unique personality. We even get to know the standard appearance of their dog poop, leading pet parents to become startled when they suddenly stumble upon white dog poop in their yard. White dog poop can have you scratching your head in confusion, wondering what could possibly cause this strange change in your dog’s stool appearance.
There are a few common causes of white dog poop in dogs, and we want to help you better understand your dog’s poop appearance moving forward. In this article we will break down the potential reasons why your dog’s stool is suddenly white, and how to know when it is time to reach out to your vet for guidance.
Let’s dive in!
What Does Healthy Dog Poop Look Like?
Before we dive into the details on white poop in dogs, we should first discuss what healthy dog poop should look like! We can’t know what’s abnormal if we are not aware of what we should expect from our dog’s poop, so let’s introduce you to the characteristics of healthy stool in dogs.
The first characteristic you should look for when assessing your dog’s poop is consistency. Healthy dog poop should be firm and easy to pick up, and it should have a similar consistency to playdoh. In addition to consistency, you should also look at the color of your dog’s poop. Healthy dog poop should be anywhere from light brown to chocolate brown in color, but it can vary a bit based on their daily diet. Overall, healthy dog poop should be a shade of brown and comparable to a playdoh consistency.
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Why Does Dog Poop Turn White?
Now that you are aware of what healthy dog poop should look like, it’s time to discuss the possible causes of white poop in dogs. We know now that healthy dog poop should be brown in color, so white dog poop is something you always want to take notice of. Let’s list some of the most common factors behind that white dog poop you find in your yard.
Sunlight & Humidity Changes the Color
If you have stumbled upon white dog poop in your yard, then the most likely possibility is that it has been bleached by environmental elements. Both sunlight and humidity can cause the pigment in a dog’s poop to break down, and white mold will grown on the surface of the stool. This leads to dog poop that is bright white in color, and it will also likely be extremely dry and brittle. It only takes about 24 hours for stool to turn white if it is left outside in the heat, so if you are finding white poop after the fact, this is likely the cause. However, we still encourage you to try and examine your dog’s next fresh poop, as this is the only way to make sure it is not actually white as they pass it.
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They Ate Something White
If your dog has recently gotten their paws on something white and consumed it, then it can certainly cause their stool to appear white as well. This is common when dogs accidently consume things like tissue, paper towels, toy stuffing, and anything comparable in nature. These items are challenging for the body to breakdown properly, so you may see chunks of white in your dog’s poop. In these situations, we encourage you to take a closer look at the poop and see if you are able to see any foreign material in their stool. We know this sounds gross, but it can help you determine whether or not you need to reach out to your vet for guidance.
It’s also important to keep in mind that if you are seeing foreign material in your dog’s poop, we encourage you to keep a close eye on your dog for the following 48-72 hours. Foreign material can easily become trapped in your dog’s digestive tract, and while they might be able to pass some of it, there could still be some lingering in their intestines. If this is the case, you would likely notice other concerning symptoms in your canine friend. The symptoms to be on the lookout for include vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pup, we suggest having them seen by your vet as soon as possible.
©BLACKDAY/Shutterstock.com
Their Diet is High in Calcium
If your dog’s fresh stool is white or light in color, then it is possible that they are eating a diet that is too high in calcium. High calcium diets can lead to stool color changes in dogs, with some dogs even passing stool that is almost white in color. This is very common in dogs that eat raw food diets, as well as those that are given bones in their meals.
If you notice that your dog’s fresh stool is white and you are feeding them a homemade diet, then we always suggest reaching out to your vet for guidance. Sometimes a homemade dog diet will need to be tweaked by a veterinary professional, especially if they are not getting the balanced nutrients they need.
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They Have Intestinal Parasites
If your dog has any type of intestinal parasite, then this can cause changes in their stool appearance. Intestinal parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are white to light tan in color, so a large amount of these worms can make a dog’s stool appear white.
Not only can the worms themselves make a dog’s poop appear white, but the presence of these parasites can cause a large amount of intestinal inflammation. Inflammation in the digestive tract often causes the body to produce a large amount of intestinal mucus, and this mucus can coat the dog’s stool. Mucus is often light in color, so a layer of mucus on a dog’s stool can make it appear lighter in color.
If you notice either parasites or mucus in your dog’s stool, or you think your pup could have been exposed to intestinal parasites, we suggest having them assessed by your vet. They can test a sample of your dog’s stool and search for the presence of parasite eggs, and prescribe the appropriate treatment if needed.
©Hryshchyshen Serhii/Shutterstock.com
They Have a Serious Underlying Medical Condition
Though these conditions are less common, it is possible that white stool in dogs can point to a serious underlying medical condition. Medical conditions such as maldigestion, liver disease, and gallbladder disease can cause a dog’s poop to appear light or white in color, often due to the body’s inability to digest food properly. These conditions can develop in dogs of any age, but they are more common in older canine friends. If your dog is passing white or light colored stool and you do not think the factors we discussed above are possible, then we always suggest having them seen by a vet for a full assessment.
©Alex Mladek/Shutterstock.com
My Dog Has White Poop – What Should I Do?
As you can see, there are a list of potential factors that can lead to white poop in dogs. Due to this, you may not know how to respond appropriately if you ever see this strange poop color in your pup. Ultimately, if your dog is passing fresh stool that appears white in color, then we always suggest at least giving your vet a call. Your vet might ask a few questions to help them determine whether or not your dog needs to be seen, and if they do, they can perform any tests necessary to get to the bottom of their strong stool color. Due to the fact that white poop in dogs can point to some underlying medical conditions, it’s always best to be safe and just reach out to your vet for guidance.
Final Thoughts
White poop in dogs is a strange occurrence that will lead to concern for many pet parents. We encourage you to go over the potential causes of white dog poop that we discussed above, and to reach out to your vet if you fear they could be struggling with an underlying complication.
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