You are enjoying a peaceful afternoon in your yard while your dog is frolicking around in the grass.
You decide to tend to some of your plants in the garden, and as you are kneeling on the ground, you notice something odd in the grass.
Then you take a closer look at it, and to your surprise, it is dog poop!
But wait, why is it white?
There are many reasons why your dog’s poop may turn white. It may be because of medications, your dog’s diet, or maybe even something that is happening “internally.”
Today, we will be looking into “Why Does Dog Poop Turn White?”
Why the Color of Your Dog’s Poop Matters?
White dog poop is not always an indication of an “immediate” problem.
However, it does tell something about what is going inside your dog’s system.
If your dog poops white all the time instead of the usual brownish color, then you need to have your dog checked out.
Because animals do not usually have white poop.
Your dog’s feces may change based on the health of its digestive tract, which is why it is essential to monitor your dog’s poop.
Because any sudden changes in color, texture, odor, and even in frequency may be an indication that there is something wrong with your dog.
Why Does Dog Poop Turn White?
When your dog poops, it looks normal at first.
However, after a few hours or even a few days, it starts turning white.
It is simply because of the pigments breaking down in the sun’s heat or due to the growth of molds in more humid environments.
If your dog’s poop turns white after a few days of being left in the sun, then that is perfectly normal.
However, if your dog’s poop is white the moment your dog excretes it, then you have something to watch out for.
Here are the reasons why dog poop turns white:
1. High calcium diet
The first thing you must consider is your dog’s diet.
What foods are you feeding your dog?
If you provide your dog raw food, mainly those high in calcium, your dog will surely excrete white or a very light-colored stool.
Remember that feeding your dog raw food comes with an increased risk of bacterial infection.
It may also make your dog nutritionally imbalanced.
Raw diets with high amounts of calcium can cause constipation, white, and hard feces.
If you think that therefore your dog’s poop is white, you should switch to a commercially formulated food for your dog.
Consult a vet and ask for help in reformulation your furry friend’s diet.
2. Side effects of medications
Some medications taken by your dog can cause their poop to turn white, and one example of this is liquid barium.
If this is the cause of the change in your dog’s stool color, then do not worry.
It will return to normal once the barium is flushed out of your dog’s system.
However, if you have stopped giving your dog barium and their poop remains white, you must get bring your dog for an examination as soon as possible.
3. Your dog may have eaten something white
You must also check whether your dog’s poop has turned white or there is something white in it.
For instance, if your dog ate a small white fabric, chances are, he will poop out that white fabric.
And you will see it with brown stools all around.
Remember that if your dog eats whatever it sees, for instance, toys, socks, rocks, you must keep an eye on your dog to lessen their risk of developing digestive problems sooner or later.
If your dog ate something they should not have, do not try to force it out of your dog.
Instead, bring your pet to the vet immediately.
4. Tapeworms
If there are tiny white specks or string-like substances present in your dog’s poop, chances are, your dog has tapeworms.
The eggs of tapeworms are visible to the naked eye and can be described as short rice grains.
It is unlikely for you to see adult hookworms or roundworms in your dog’s stool unless he has a severe worm infestation.
So if you notice white specks or strands in your dog’s feces, bring your dog to the vet immediately.
5. Digestive problems
You will notice if there is a mucus-like substance in your dog’s poop.
Often, this appears as yellow or white, and having a bit of mucus present in your dog’s poop may be considered normal.
However, if there is a lot of mucus present in your dog’s poop, this indicates that your dog is having digestive problems.
It may be due to eating table food or swallowing something like a tennis ball.
When the mucus is no longer whitish or yellowish but starts to appear reddish, this means that your dog’s mucus has blood on it.
When this happens, you must not think twice and bring your dog to the vet immediately.
Key Takeaway
Your dog’s poop says a lot about its health.
If your dog has brown and well-formed poop, then there is nothing to worry about.
However, suppose your dog starts excreting white or even grayish stool.
In that case, it is time for you to make observations.
Figure out whether this has been caused by something they ate.
Or if it is an indication that your furry friend is suffering from digestive problems.
What you can do is take a few stool samples.
Seal them in a plastic bag (make sure that it is tight and well secured) and take it to the vet for further observations.
Remember that as a pet owner, you are responsible for your dog’s health and safety.
If anything, that needs immediate action arises, do not hesitate, or think twice and bring your dog to the vet immediately.