Dog poop color chart: what each color can mean

The dog poop color chart

This chart describes what owners see and what veterinary sources say each color can be linked to. It can't tell you what's wrong with your dog. Only a vet can do that, and diet, treats and medications all change stool color.

Brown: what normal looks like

Hill's Pet Nutrition describes healthy stool as medium brown, smooth, and log-shaped to somewhat segmented. It should be fairly firm, hold its shape and leave little residue when picked up.

Shade varies with diet. A new food or a change in treats can move the color a little without meaning anything is wrong.

Green, yellow and orange dog poop

Green is the common one, and it's usually harmless. Hill's says green stool generally means the dog ate vegetation such as grass. Elanco agrees, and adds that a dog eating grass and vomiting is worth a call to the vet.

Yellow and orange are where sources differ in tone. Hill's says consistent yellow to orange stool can be a sign of a biliary or liver issue. Elanco says yellow to orange feces isn't normal under any circumstance and that a trip to the vet is warranted. The shared message is simple: if it's yellowish more than once, mention it to your vet.

A pale, whitish-yellow stool, or stool with white or yellow streaks, can point to trouble absorbing fat.

Gray and white dog poop

Gray stool can indicate a biliary or pancreatic issue, per Hill's. That's a reason for a call, not a reason to panic.

White specks in or on the stool can be tapeworm segments. Elanco describes them as resembling grains of rice or sesame seeds. Our guide to worms in dog poop shows what the different types look like.

Red and black dog poop

Bright red blood, called hematochezia, usually comes from the lower digestive tract: the colon, rectum or anus. The American Kennel Club says it isn't necessarily a sign of a life-threatening illness, but a vet should still check it.

Black, tar-like stool is different. The AKC says it contains blood that has been swallowed or digested, and it indicates a problem in the upper digestive tract, such as the stomach or small intestine. Organ meats and dark proteins can darken stool as well, so think about what your dog ate.

The AKC's advice is direct: any time you see blood in your dog's stool, consult your veterinarian right away. Contact a vet immediately if your dog is lethargic, vomiting, refusing food or water, or has pale gums, or if there is a large amount of bloody diarrhea.

When to call the vet

Hill's says a single atypical stool doesn't require an emergency vet visit. Multiple changes in a 24-hour period do call for one, and so does a single change that comes with lower appetite or energy. Elanco says to see a vet when diarrhea lasts more than a few days in a row.

A quick photo of the stool helps you describe the color accurately. Keep in mind this is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems sick, a veterinarian should look at the dog.

Keeping the yard clean while your dog recovers

Stool from a sick dog can carry parasites or other germs, and you don't want it sitting in the yard. Our piece on getting sick from dog poop covers the risks, and how often to pick up dog poop explains the schedule.

If you'd rather not scoop during a rough week, a one-time yard cleanup is $89 and resets the yard once your dog is better.

Questions people ask