Raw Feeding Week Day 6: Poo!

You've maybe noticed raw feeders are a bit obsessed with their dog's poo. There is a good reason for that. Poop is the gateway to assessing a dog's health plus dog's fed raw have amazing poos!

Consistency of poop

One of the most noticeable differences when switching to a raw diet is the consistency of dog poo.

Raw fed dog's poos are often smaller, firmer, and less smelly than dogs fed processed diets. This is because of the high-quality, easily digestible ingredients in raw diets that result in less waste production. The more of the food a dog digests, the smaller their poos! Makes sense.

Poo should be solid, easy to pick up with little residue. The dog should pass the stools with a little bit of effort - we like to describe this as being comfortably constipated. Some effort is needed but not too much straining or discomfort.

If your dogs poos are soft or your dog is having a lot of them throughout the day, it is a sign that they're not able to absorb a lot of the nutrients in the food (it's not as bio-available) or they have some intolerance to the ingredients.

Raw fed dogs poos also tend to decompose more quickly in the environment. Amazing!

The Colour of Dog Poop

When it comes to raw fed dog poo, the colour can range from green to a light yellow or even a dark brown. This variation in colour is directly related to the ingredients in their diet. For example, if your dog consumes a lot of green vegetables, their poo may take on a green hue. Similarly, if they eat a lot of meat, their poo may appear darker in colour.

White Poo

The white colour of raw fed dog poo can be attributed to the presence of calcium oxalate. When dogs consume raw bones rich in calcium, the excess calcium is absorbed by the body and combined with oxalate, a waste product. This calcium oxalate forms a white, chalky residue that is excreted in the faeces, giving it a distinct white appearance.

Adjust the bone

All dogs are different and, although most do well on 10% bone, some need more and some need less.

If your dog is consistently passing white poos, especially is very dry and crumbly, it could be a sign that they have too much bone in their diet.  Too much bone can cause your dog to become constipated and even cause an impaction in the digestive tract. It's easy to sort though - just add some boneless meat into their food. NB If the poo turns white after it's been sat awhile, that's no concern at all, that's just the poo decomposing. 

If your dog's poo is consistently soft, it could be a sign that they don't have enough bone in their diet. Adding some raw meaty bones can help produce better formed poos.

Keep an eye on your dog's poo. Notice what is normal for them and if you have any concerns, contact your vet. Poo watching is a great way to assess the health of your dog and how suitable their diet is.