Dog Poop Color Chart: What Your Dog’s Poop Is Telling You

Let’s be honest—checking your dog’s poop probably isn’t your favorite part of pet parenting. But it’s one of those small habits that can make a big difference.

The truth is, your dog’s stool can be a useful health checkpoint. Changes in color, consistency, or frequency can reveal what’s happening inside your pup long before other symptoms show up. It’s not the most glamorous subject, but paying attention to what your dog leaves behind could help you catch issues early—and maybe even avoid a trip to the vet.

In this article, we’ll walk through what normal poop looks like, what different colors might mean, and when it’s time to be concerned. It’s everything you didn’t know you needed to know about your dog’s digestion—explained clearly, without any fluff (or stink).

What Healthy Dog Poop Looks Like

So what’s considered “normal” when it comes to dog poop?

A healthy dog’s stool is usually a medium brown color—not too dark, not too light. It should be firm enough to hold its shape, moist enough not to crumble, and easy to pick up without leaving much behind. Think solid but soft—somewhere between a Tootsie Roll and a soft log.

Here’s what to look for in a normal poop:

• Color: Consistent, medium brown
  
• Shape: Log-like and formed, not runny or pebbled
  
• Texture: Smooth and slightly soft—not sticky or hard
  
• Clean-up: Picks up easily, with minimal residue
  

Healthy poop tends to appear once or twice a day, depending on your dog’s diet, age, and activity level. Puppies might go more frequently, while older dogs or those on lower-fiber diets may poop less often.

Of course, every dog is different. What matters most is knowing what’s normal for your dog. Once you have that baseline, you’ll be more likely to catch early signs of discomfort, diet issues, or illness—just by glancing at what’s in the yard.

Dog Poop Color Chart: What Color Means For Digestive Health

If your dog’s poop suddenly looks different, color is one of the first things to pay attention to. A change in color doesn’t always mean something serious is wrong—but in some cases, it can be an early warning sign that something’s off inside your dog’s digestive system.

Poop Color	Possible Cause	Action Needed
Brown (normal)	Healthy digestion	No concern
Light brown/tan	Fat malabsorption, enzyme deficiency	Vet check recommended
Yellow	Food intolerance, gut irritation	Monitor, consult if persists
Green	Grass, gallbladder issue, parasites	Check diet, call vet if ongoing
Black	Bleeding in upper GI tract	Urgent vet care
Red or blood-streaked	Colon irritation, rectal bleeding	Vet visit if recurring
White or gray	Bone-heavy diet or bile/liver issue	Vet visit recommended
Orange	Pigmented food or bile issue	Monitor, consult if unsure
Mucus-covered	Colitis, inflammation	Vet check if frequent

Here’s a breakdown of the most common poop colors and what they might mean:

Brown (Healthy and Normal)

This is the goal. A medium brown color means your dog is digesting food properly and bile is doing its job. If your dog’s poop is this color consistently, you’re in good shape.

Light Brown or Tan

This may indicate your dog isn’t properly absorbing nutrients—especially fat. One possible cause is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), a condition where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough digestive enzymes. It’s worth checking with your vet if you notice this color often.

Yellow

Bright yellow or mustard-colored stool can be linked to a sudden food change, food intolerance, or mild irritation in the gut. Sometimes it’s just your dog’s system reacting to something new. If it sticks around for more than a day or two, talk to your vet.

Green

If your dog snacks on grass regularly, green poop may be no big deal. But if they haven’t been munching on the lawn, it could signal a gallbladder issue or even intestinal parasites. If the color is persistent—or your dog seems unwell—get it checked.

Black or Very Dark Brown

This could mean there’s digested blood in the stool, often from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Common causes include ulcers, NSAID side effects, or something more serious. Don’t wait—black stool warrants a vet visit.

Red or Blood-Streaked

Bright red streaks usually indicate bleeding in the lower digestive tract—like the colon or rectum. It might be caused by straining, irritation, or something more serious like colitis. If it shows up more than once, call your vet.

White or Chalky Gray

White or pale stools are often seen in dogs that have eaten a lot of bone. But if it’s chalky or clay-colored, it could be a bile flow issue or liver dysfunction. Best to have your vet take a look.

Orange

This can sometimes be caused by pigment in food (like carrots or sweet potatoes), but it could also signal a problem with bile production or liver health. If it’s not linked to diet and doesn’t resolve, it should be evaluated.

Mucus-Coated

If your dog’s poop is covered in clear or slimy mucus, it may be a sign of colitis, inflammation, or irritation in the gut. Occasional mucus isn’t always a big deal, but if it becomes frequent, it’s time to consult a vet.

Each of these colors offers a clue—but color alone isn’t enough to diagnose anything. Always look at the full picture: your dog’s energy level, appetite, and other symptoms matter just as much.

What Can Cause Sudden Changes in Poop Color?

If you notice a sudden shift in your dog’s poop color, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. A lot of everyday factors can affect the way your dog’s stool looks, especially in the short term.

Here are some of the most common reasons for sudden color changes:

1. Diet changes

Switching your dog’s food—or even adding new treats—can throw off their digestive balance temporarily. High-fat foods, heavily pigmented ingredients (like beets or carrots), or unfamiliar proteins can all impact stool color.

2. Eating something unusual

Dogs are opportunistic eaters. If your pup snuck a piece of grass, a stick, or even a crayon, it could show up in their poop later. Foreign objects can sometimes irritate the GI tract and lead to mucus, blood, or color shifts.

3. Medications or supplements

Some medications, like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, can upset the gut or alter stool appearance. Iron supplements, for example, often cause darker stool in both people and dogs.

4. Gastrointestinal irritation

Mild GI inflammation, whether from food sensitivities, infections, or minor illnesses, can change the way bile moves through your dog’s system—affecting the final color and texture of their poop.

5. Parasites or infections

Internal parasites like hookworms, giardia, or coccidia can inflame the gut lining and lead to diarrhea, mucus, or strange-looking stool. These conditions often come with other symptoms like weight loss, lethargy, or vomiting.

6. Stress or anxiety

Believe it or not, emotional stress can impact digestion, too. Big changes like moving, traveling, or even a noisy household can trigger digestive upset—and temporary poop color changes—in sensitive dogs.

When in doubt, think about what’s changed recently: food, environment, routine, or health. If the poop color change is a one-off and your dog seems normal otherwise, it may resolve on its own. If it sticks around or comes with other symptoms, it’s time to call your vet.

When to See a Vet About Your Dog’s Poop

While not every color change is a reason to rush to the vet, there are some clear signs that call for professional advice.

Call your veterinarian if you notice:

• Persistent color changes lasting more than 48 hours
  
• Black, tarry, or very dark stool (potential bleeding higher in the GI tract)
  
• Bright red streaks or visible blood in multiple stools
  
• White, gray, or chalky poop that doesn’t improve after a day or two
  
• Mucus-coated stool that happens frequently
  
• Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloating, or noticeable weight loss
  
• Behavioral changes like lethargy, restlessness, or discomfort when pooping
  

When you visit the vet, it’s helpful to bring:

• A fresh stool sample (if possible)
  
• A photo of the unusual poop (yes, your vet will appreciate it)
  
• A note about any recent diet, medication, or lifestyle changes
  

Early intervention often leads to quicker, simpler treatments. And if it turns out to be nothing serious? You’ll have peace of mind—which is always worth it.

How Diet Affects Dog Poop Color

It probably won’t surprise you to hear that what your dog eats shows up on the other end. But when it comes to poop color and quality, diet is one of the biggest factors—for better or worse.

Here’s how food can affect the color and consistency of your dog’s stool:

Protein source

Different proteins can cause subtle color shifts. For example, a beef-based diet may produce darker stool than chicken. Some fish-heavy diets might even leave a gray tint.

Fruits and veggies

Brightly pigmented foods like carrots, pumpkin, or blueberries can tint your dog’s poop temporarily—usually nothing to worry about if they’re otherwise healthy.

Fillers and artificial additives

Kibble made with low-quality grains, artificial dyes, or preservatives can irritate your dog’s gut, leading to loose, discolored, or mucus-filled stool.

High-fat or greasy meals

Too much fat can overwhelm the digestive system and result in pale or greasy-looking poop. Long-term, this can stress the pancreas and liver.

Digestibility

The more digestible your dog’s food is, the more “normal” their poop tends to be. That’s why dogs on fresh food diets—with gently cooked proteins and real veggies—often have smaller, firmer, more consistent stools.

At Ollie, we’ve seen thousands of dogs improve their poop quality after switching from processed kibble to fresh, balanced meals. Better ingredients mean better digestion—which usually leads to better (and less messy) bathroom results.

If your dog’s stool is regularly soft, inconsistent, or oddly colored, their food may be playing a bigger role than you realize.

Final Thoughts On The Color of Your Dog’s Poop

You may not love talking about poop—but paying attention to it could help you catch a health issue before it gets serious.

Knowing what’s normal for your dog—and spotting changes in color, consistency, or frequency—gives you insight into how well their digestive system is working. In many cases, a quick poop check can be your first clue that something in their diet, routine, or health needs adjusting.

Most stool color changes aren’t emergencies. But when something looks off and sticks around, don’t wait it out—especially if your dog seems uncomfortable or off in any other way. And if you’re seeing color swings all the time? It might be time to take a closer look at what’s going in your dog’s bowl.

Feeding fresh, nutrient-rich food can help stabilize your dog’s digestion, support their overall health, and (bonus) make clean-up a whole lot easier.

Want to help your dog produce healthier poops naturally—without all the guesswork?

It starts with what you feed them. At Ollie, we make fresh, human-grade meals that support your dog’s digestion from the inside out. No fillers. No artificial junk. Just real meat, veggies, and nutrients your pup actually needs.

If your dog’s poop has been inconsistent, too soft, too frequent, or just not quite right, a diet upgrade could make all the difference.

Take our quick quiz to build your dog’s personalized meal plan—and see how better ingredients lead to better digestion (and better poops).

Take The Ollie Food Quiz