dog feces · dog health · dog poop · dog waste · Jul 25, 2022

Black Dog Poop: Is Something Wrong With My Pup?

Updated on October 12, 2023

Changes in the color or consistency of your dog's poop may be a symptom of an underlying problem. Therefore, it never hurts to pay attention to dog feces. Now, what does black dog poop mean? We will tell you everything.

Why My Dog's Poop Is Black

Your dog's poop looks black, but it's not. When the phenomenon of black dog poop is observed, one is faced with the presence of blood in the dog's feces.

Black stool in dogs is a symptom of stomach or small intestine bleeding. How do we know this? Well, because the blood has been digested and, therefore, has acted on the color of your dog's poop.

12 Possible Causes Of Dark Dog Poop

Ingested blood, for example, if your dog hurt his paw and licked it.
Drug reactions.
Gastrointestinal ulcer.
Parasites like worms.
Virus such as Parvovirus.
Liver and pancreatic disease.
Anemia.
Coagulopathies.
Ingestion of a foreign object.
Metabolic diseases
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
Cancer.

Check out: My Dog Has Worms In His Poop, What Should I Do?

Dog Poop Black But Acting Normal: What To Do?

Faced with black dog poop, you should pay attention to your dog to see if it shows other symptoms:

Pale or white gums.
Presence of tiny red spots on the skin or gums (Petechia).
Abdominal pain.
Lethargy.
Vomiting and diarrhea.
Weight loss.
Poor general condition.
Collapse.

Should I Contact My Trusted Vet For Black Dog Poop?

Yes! You should contact your trusted vet immediately. Black dog poop indicates the presence of blood in dog feces, and the cause of this can represent a life-threatening illness.

Read: How To Recognize Abnormal Dog Poop

Veterinary Examination Of A Dog Who Makes Black Feces

The vet will perform a clinical examination.
He will check the pictures or even a poop sample.
If your dog is in poor general condition, he will hospitalize him.
He may order blood and urine tests and even diagnostic imaging studies such as X-rays or ultrasounds. In some cases, he could perform an endoscopy to check the status of the digestive tract and find the source of the bleeding.

➡️ If your dog poops black due to ingesting a foreign object, surgery may need to be performed to remove the object, and save your furry friend's life.

➡️ In the event of a parasite infection, your dog will probably need to take medication.

➡️ Is the cause of an ulcer? In general, veterinarians tend to bet on rehydration, antacid medicine and fluids, and changes in the diet.

➡️ We cannot give you information about other circumstances, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or cancer, since each dog must be evaluated individually (state of health at the time, age and other characteristics). Your vet will decide the best course of treatment to follow.

How To Prevent Black Dog Poop?

Although it is impossible to prevent this situation 100%, you can take the following precautions:

Do not leave bones, sticks and toys in poor condition within your dog's reach.
Prevent your dog from drinking stagnant water and coming into contact with dead animals.
Talk to your vet about the best diet for your dog.
Keep your dog active and in good general health.
Vaccinate your dog.
Keep your dog dewormed.

Navigating through the murky, and admittedly, quite concerning scenario of discovering black in your dog’s poop can be a tail-spinning experience. But remember, while the causes can be varied, from the mildly concerning to the critically serious, your immediate and mindful action is the first step towards ensuring the wag stays in that tail!

Whether it’s a sneaky foreign object they’ve ingested during their backyard adventures or a symptom of something more systemic, your vigilance, coupled with expert veterinary care, can make a world of difference in your furry friend’s journey back to health.

Keep those eyes keen during poop patrol, maintain a preventative stance with a healthy lifestyle, and always, always prioritize reaching out to your vet when the poop hits the fan! Here’s to happy, healthy, and normal poops in the future, and to the unwavering bond that keeps us forever attentive to our four-legged companions' wellbeing. 🐶❤️

For more tail-wagging tips and paw-sitive advice on keeping your pup in peak pooping condition, keep sniffing around our blog!

FAQ

What Does It Mean When Dog Poop Is Black?

Black dog poop means your dog is internally bleeding. You should call your vet and take your furry friend to consultation.

You may be interested in: Dog Poop Like Jelly With Blood: What To Do

Is Black Poop An Emergency?

Black poop indicates an internal bleeding called melena. Take your dog to your trusted vet for a check-up, diagnosis and treatment. Do not delay the consultation!

What To Do If Dog Poop Is Black?

Do not hesitate and call your vet! Black dog poop could be a sign of a big health problem that should be treated as soon as possible.

What Parasite Causes Black Poop In Dogs?

Hookworms can cause black poop in dogs. These parasites adhere to the intestinal wall and cause bleeding. The blood, when digested, changes the color of the dog stool.

Does Parvo Cause Black Poop?

Parvovirus causes bleeding in the small intestine. In this way, the blood is digested and affects the final color of the dog poop.

Can Black Stool Cause Death?

Black stool is not a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying one. Unfortunately, some of these diseases are life-threatening. Consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible.