Dog Diarrhea Colors: What Each One Means

Stool tells you a lot about your dog's health. Color, consistency and frequency all offer clues, though only a vet can say what's causing them. Use this guide to decide what's worth a call.

What the colors may suggest

Brown: the normal range, even when loose
Yellow or orange: can come from food changes, fast digestion or bile, and sometimes liver or gallbladder problems
Green: may follow eating grass or bile moving through quickly, and can accompany parasites
Red streaks or bright red blood: fresh blood, often from the lower intestine or colon
Black and tarry: digested blood from higher in the digestive tract, which needs prompt veterinary attention
Gray, greasy or pale: may signal trouble digesting fat
Mucus-coated: often linked to colon irritation

When diarrhea is more urgent

Contact a vet quickly if diarrhea comes with vomiting, lethargy, fever, a swollen belly, blood, black stool or refusal to eat or drink. Puppies, seniors and small dogs can dehydrate quickly, so don't wait. Diarrhea lasting more than a day or two also needs attention.

Signs of dehydration

Dry or sticky gums, sunken eyes, skin that is slow to spring back when gently pinched, and low energy.

Common triggers

Sudden diet changes, table scraps, garbage, stress, parasites, infections and medications are common culprits. Parvovirus is a serious risk in unvaccinated puppies, particularly with bloody diarrhea.

What helps

Keep water available and ask your vet about the right bland diet and portions. Avoid giving human anti-diarrheal products unless a vet approves. If a vet visit makes sense, find a nearby veterinarian. Keep a record of your dog's history in your pet health vault so it's available when needed.