Become a Poopologist for Your Pet
In my pet first aid and CPR classes, I inspire my students to be their pets’ best health allies by becoming what I call pet poopologists. Yep, the color, look and smell of poop from your dog or cat can serve as important signals to your pet’s overall health.
Bottom line: poop matters. It may surprise you to learn that veterinarians score the quality of your pet’s poop on a scale of 1 to 7.
Pet Poop Scoring
Healthy poop scores 3 or 4 on this vet scale. This poop is log shaped, slightly moist and brown. It should look like a glistening Tootsie Roll.
A score of 1 to 2 is given to poop that resembles little dark rocks that look like stale Milk Duds. This score indicates that your dog or cat is suffering from dehydration and constipation.
Very runny stools, or diarrhea, registers a score of 6 to 7. Diarrhea can be triggered by spoiled food, stress or an underlying medical condition.
Poop Color Clues
Now, let’s dive deeper into poop issues by paying attention to the color of your pet’s poop. Healthy poop is brown in color.
Here is a rundown of red-flag colors of concern:
Black could signal bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, especially if you see what resembles coffee grounds and the poop emits a strong, stinky odor. Those “grounds” may be dried blood.
Gray and greasy could be due to a problem with the pancreas.
Green could be from your pet eating grass, or it might signal a gall bladder problem.
Orange or yellow could signal liver issues or an infection in the GI tract.
White spots that look like grains of rice mya be tapeworms or other parasites.
Your Action Plan
Immediately contact your veterinarian if your pet’s poop is not brown or log shaped. Be sure to bring in fresh poop samples for the veterinary team to analyze. The quicker a diagnosis can be made, the faster a treatment plan can begin to get your pet back on a healthy track.
And that’s the scoop on pet poop!
Final Tip:
Show your cat and dog how much you care for them by enrolling in one of our Pet First Aid 4U classes. We offer three options for you to earn veterinarian-approved two-year certificates in our pet first aid/CPR programs:
In-person classes primarily aimed at pet professionals and first responders.
Interactive via ZOOM classes offered monthly and on demand
Self-paced online classes for those wishing to learn anytime, anywhere.
Pick the best option for you and sign up today!
About the Author:
Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, is a Master Pet First Aid/CPR Instructor who teaches veterinarian-approved, hands-on safety courses alongside her teaching team of Kona (dog) and Casey (cat). Known as “The Pet First Aid & Safety Coach,” Arden is also a nationally recognized behavior consultant, bestselling author of over 25 pet books, andthe award-winning host of the “Oh Behave!” podcast. A Fear Free Certified Professional, she brings decades of pet expertise to all her endeavors — with a mission to help pets live safer, longer and healthier lives.
