Generally, your pet’s poo should be log shaped, so keep an eye out for pebble or ball-shaped ones. They could be a sign of dehydration or constipation. If your dog’s a bit older, you might want to give them stool-softening supplements to help make things easier when it comes to going to the toilet. 

This depends on how big your dog is, as a Great Dane is obviously going to produce a lot more poo than a Chihuahua. The thing to look out for here though is any change in size, as bigger poos could mean that their food isn’t being digested properly, while smaller ones could signal a loss of appetite due to an illness or blockage. What’s normal for one Beagle may be abnormal for another, so the general trend is what you should be keeping an eye on here. 

Your dog’s poo will usually be chocolate brown, but you might see a different colour if their food contains food colourings. Red, black or red-streaked stools might indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, so those are ones to contact your vet about. 

Just like visual checks on your dog’s poo, checking the consistency is important to make sure your dog’s healthy, and the best way to do this is to simply pick it up in a poo bag and gently squish it. It should be easy to pick up and a similar consistency to dough.  

Soft and mushy stools are often a sign of gastric disturbance (tummy troubles). They may be caused by a change of diet or your pet eating something they shouldn’t or are not used too.  

If your dog’s poo is too hard or even crumbly, your pet could be dehydrated or constipated so keep an eye on how much water they’re drinking and encourage them to drink more if necessary.  

Some dogs will have multiple poos during a single walk, with the last ones being quite runny. Some dogs will also have a runny poo after exercise. This can be normal.  

Your dog should not be straining to pass poo. If they are, discuss this with your vet as it can be a sign of underlying health concerns  

• Food particles - these could show that your pet’s struggling to digest a particular food 
• Grass – your dog might eat it if they’re having stomach trouble 
• Mucus – this can be a sign that their stomach’s inflamed 
• Worms – these are usually roundworms (which look like spaghetti) or tapeworms (which look like grains of rice), and your pet will need to see a vet or one of our in-store flea and worm specialists to get them sorted. Worms do not generally cause black poo 
• Black colouration – black stools should always be discussed with your vet. They are often caused by upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Occasionally they can also be seen due to dogs eating black materials such as charcoal or compost 

Don’t be afraid to visit your vet with a sample if you’re worried about your dog’s poo, they should be very used to this and can use it to decide whether your dog has a problem that needs some treatment. 

Unhealthy dog poo is anything that is abnormal for your dog. Sudden changes should always be noted as they can indicate health problems. If your dog's stool changes size, consistency or colour it may be worth discussing it with your vet. 

If your dog has parvovirus, they will likely be very unwell and experience severe diarrhoea.  

Parvovirus diarrhoea may at first be light brown to dark brown in colour. It will then transition into a dark red due to the presence of blood. It is likely to have a very liquid consistency after some initial soft stools have been passed. Some stools may contain clumps of mucous or blood clots. These are caused by the damage to the digestive tract.  

Parvovirus poo has a very distinct smell that cannot be forgotten. This is produced by the dying cells of their intestinal lining. It is an overpowering scent often described as sweet, yet rotten. It is very powerful and becomes more pungent as the disease progresses. Once there is blood in the stools it adds a metallic element to the scent. 

Once these symptoms of parvovirus begin, your dog will require immediate medical intervention to save their lives. It is very easily spread from dog to dog and can live on surfaces for up to 3 years, even if cleaned with conventional cleaning products. 

Thankfully this virus can be prevented with a series of vaccines, followed by regular booster vaccinations.