Whether you’re a new or seasoned Labrador owner, you’re likely at least a little bit interested in their bowel movements. This provides insight into their gut health and can paint a picture of whether they’re healthy and well-fed. If you’re unsure what your Labrador’s poop should or shouldn’t look like, take note of this helpful guide below.
Familiarize Yourself with the 4 C’s of Healthy Poop
Even if you hire a professional pooper scooper service and play no part in picking up your Labrador’s poop, it’s still important to familiarize yourself with the 4 C’s of healthy bowel movements:
- Color
- Consistency
- Content
- Coating
A healthy Labrador poop should be brown, firm but soft, and in the shape of a log. It should be squishable, but still hold its shape when picked up. If you or your service provider notices anything that deviates from those preferred poop features or indicates digestive problems, take action by scheduling a vet check or making a diet change.
Color
The ideal dog poop should be brown, indicating that your dog’s gut is healthy. Pay attention if it’s not, and call a veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Pink/purple: If your dog’s poop is a pink or purple color or looks like raspberry jam, schedule an emergency vet appointment as it may indicate something serious, such as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE).
- Orange/yellow: These colors may indicate an underlying liver or biliary issue.
- Green: Your dog may have eaten too much grass, has parasites, or is experiencing an issue with their gallbladder.
- Greasy and gray: A possible biliary or pancreatic problem, which may indicate that you’re feeding them too much fat.
- Black: A sign of bleeding in the upper GI tract. Call a vet as soon as possible.
- White: A possible indicator of a change to a raw diet or a diet high in calcium.
Consistency
Firm, log-shaped, squishable, and pick-uppable is the ideal Labrador poop. If it’s not, your dog may be experiencing a health issue or a dietary challenge.
- Hard stool: Indicating dehydration or a lack of fiber.
- Change in volume: If your dog is pooping more or less than usual, it may be caused by a change in their diet, a possible obstruction, or gut inflammation.
- Diarrhea: A possible illness, an upset stomach from something they ate, or an allergy. Seek veterinary care.
Content
The average dog poop should be nondescript, but the contents can paint a telling picture of your dog’s gut health.
- White ‘grains’: Can be small critters like roundworms or tapeworms. It’s time for a deworming product.
- Objects: Grass, fabric, plastic, and other materials can indicate that your dog ate non-food items and may need an X-ray to rule out or diagnose an obstruction.
- Fur: A sign of overgrooming from stress, anxiety, or allergies.
- Red streaks: Possible blood present. If the poop is otherwise normal, streaks of blood may indicate a bottom tear or trauma.
Coating
If you notice that your dog’s poop regularly has a type of mucus residue with it, make an appointment with your vet to diagnose the cause. The presence of mucus often indicates a gastrointestinal issue resulting from a food intolerance, a bacterial infection, or parasites.
If your Labrador’s poop is not brown, firm, squishable, and log-shaped, indicating good gut health, it’s time to seek help. Schedule a visit with a trusted veterinarian and discuss your concerns to ensure optimal digestive health going forward.
