A common question we see online is “why is my dog’s poo white?” Dog stools that are white in colour can indicate a variety of things from being diet-related to something more serious like parasites. Cleaning up and inspecting your dog’s poo is not exactly what we would call a good time, however, it is a necessary part of caring for your best friend.
So, why IS my dog’s poop white?
What causes dog poo to turn white
Too much calcium
One of the most common causes of white poop is a diet that is high in calcium, if your dog’s stools are being released with a white, chalk-like consistency this can be caused by too much calcium (excess bones) in their diet.
Most of the time, white poo caused by too much calcium isn’t too concerning for dogs, but too much calcium may cause constipation. Hard stools can be difficult and uncomfortable for your dog to pass and may also indicate dehydration. Raw diets have a high moisture content, helping greatly with their hydration levels. Some first timers can struggle with the change due to the bone being introduced to their diet– in this case, it can be helpful to add a small amount of coconut oil (try ½ a teaspoon per meal) to assist with passing while their systems are adjusting. However, if you’re noticing your dog straining and noticeably uncomfortable, it is advised to visit your Vet.
A raw diet
An effect of having a diet made up of highly digestible ingredients for your pet is that more of what goes in is absorbed and utilised so less comes out the other end. The digestive system of our pups is designed to extract as many good nutrients from their diet as possible. The stools of raw-fed dogs are firmer, smaller and nearly odourless compared to a kibble-fed dog. However, it is common for raw-fed dogs to produce stools that turn white within 24 hours or so.
Can I feed my dog extra bones?
Raw, uncooked bones are a great inclusion into your dog’s diet as they provide a natural source of calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin which help strengthen bones and joints.
Our Big Dog healthy raw food recipes already contain 10% crushed bone and cartilage; however, whole bones are also great for dental health as they’re known as nature’s toothbrush. If you were looking to add whole bones to your dog’s diet ensure that you adjust their overall intake as the combination of Big Dog raw food recipes and a bone could cause too much calcium and result in white poop.
We recommend feeding a raw meaty bone in replacement of a similar sized portion of your dog’s food. Ensure to feed bones suitable for teeth cleaning such as chicken, turkey, or beef bones and stay away from weight-bearing (the big and thick) bones that may have the potential to cause harm and not be able to be fully consumed by your pet. Get in touch with us if you were having trouble choosing the right bone size for your pup and remember, always feed RAW bones and supervise your pooches while they’re eating.
As carnivores, your dog (or cat) is designed to digest raw bone matter, it’s in their DNA and it’s a part of who they are. Not only that, but bones are also incredibly beneficial to their mental and physical health as well.
Other causes of white poop
Environmental exposure
If your dog’s poo is not white instantly but turns white over 24 hours or so, it is most likely changing colour due to environmental conditions such as sunlight, humidity, or even mould. Nothing to worry about.
Eating something they shouldn’t
If your dog’s poop has turned white all of a sudden and you have not made any changes to their regular diet, it may be because they have eaten something they should not have. Consuming items white in colour such as paper towels, toilet paper or tissues can all cause a change in the colour or appearance of your dog’s poo. However, these items will generally be easily identifiable in the stools and should pass through without causing harm. Nevertheless, you should contact your Vet as objects consumed that shouldn’t be, can be a risk of blockage.
Parasites
If you’re noticing what looks like white grains of rice in your dog’s poo and they haven’t eaten anything they shouldn’t have, this could be a sign of intestinal worms. The best way to determine intestinal worms would be to take a sample of your dog’s poo into your Vet so they can verify and diagnose appropriately. Under the supervision and recommendation of your vet, appropriate and regular intestinal worming may be required.
Healthy dog poop
What does a healthy dog poop look like? Colour can give a great insight into your dog’s health and digestive system, you should be looking for a light to dark brown colour in your dog’s stools – the perfect poo. The consistency of your dog’s stools should be firm and easy to pick up. Stools that are large and sloppy can be common in dogs that are fed diets high in carbohydrates and processed diets.
Keeping your dog’s poo looking healthy and consistent is so important to the overall wellbeing of your furry bestie. Regular poop inspections are recommended to make sure your dog’s health is on the right track, you can even print out our Poo Chart and leave somewhere handy for regular checks. Remember, it’s not uncommon to see some loose stools when transitioning to a new diet but if it’s persistent or very watery then consult your vet.
It is always best practice to consult your Vet if you are ever concerned or unsure about your dog’s poo.
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