Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Yellow Dog Poo Explained
"In this article find out why your dog's poo might be yellow what it means and when it's time to call the vet. "
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 19 minutes - medium read
While it may not be the most glamorous part of pet parenthood, understanding the nuances of your dog's stool is crucial for maintaining their health and well-being. When the usual brown transforms into a surprising shade of yellow, it's more than just a curiosity - it's a sign from your dog that something may be amiss.
Yellow dog poo is a topic that often raises eyebrows and concerns. It's a vivid indicator that something in your dog's body isn't functioning as usual, whether it's a minor digestive upset or a sign of a more significant health issue.
In this article, we delve into the world of canine digestion and stool colour, explaining why your dog's poo might be yellow, what it means, and when it's time to call the vet. From dietary changes to underlying health conditions, we cover everything you need to know to decode what your dog's yellow stool is trying to tell you.
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Understanding Normal Dog Stool
Source: feedreal.com
Understanding Normal Dog Stool
Although looking at pictures of dog stool might not be your favourite activity, it is important to understand what consitutes 'normal' dog stool.
Colour
The normal colour of dog stool typically ranges from various shades of brown, reflecting the digestion and absorption of food. The variations in brown tones can include light tan to dark brown, and these variations are generally considered normal. Factors such as diet, hydration, and individual differences between dogs can contribute to these colour variations.1
Abnormal stool colours may include yellow, pale, grey, green, red, or black stools:
⢠Yellow stools may be due to excessive mucus due to infections, bile issues, liver issues and jaundice, pancreatic problems, or parasites (see below for more about this)
⢠Pale or grey stools may suggest issues with liver function or an abnormal diet
⢠Green stools may be linked to issues with the digestive tract, particularly infections and food poisoning
⢠Red or black stools can indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and may be related to IBD, stress collitis, or other issues
Consistency
The consistency of a dog's stool is a valuable indicator of their digestive health. In a healthy canine, normal stool is generally firm yet pliable, resembling a sausage or log. Factors such as diet, hydration, and individual cases contribute to variations in texture.
Abnormalities in stool consistency may signal underlying health issues:
⢠Watery or excessively loose stool can indicate gastrointestinal upset, dietary intolerance, or parasitic infections.
⢠Overly hard and dry stools might suggest dehydration, inadequate fiber intake, or constipation.
Coating
The presence of a mucus coating on a dog's stool can be a normal and healthy occurrence in small amounts, as mucus is a natural component of the gastrointestinal tract that aids in lubrication and the passage of faeces. However, an abnormal increase in mucus or the presence of excessive amounts may signal an underlying issue.
Normal stool may have a thin, clear mucus coating. The presence of thick or opaque mucus, discoloured mucus (such as yellow or green), or a substantial increase in mucus production, could indicate various gastrointestinal conditions. 2
It's crucial to consult with a veterinarian if there are significant changes in stool colour, consistency, or mucus, or if these changes are coupled with symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting. Regular monitoring of stool colour, along with overall health, is an important aspect of pet care.
Most common causes of yellow dog poo
The most common causes of yellow dog poo include food intolerence and indigestion, pancreatic issues, consumption of yellow items, liver problems, and gallbladder issues. Let's delve into these individually...
1. Food Intolerence and Indigestion
Food intolerance and indigestion can contribute to the occurrence of yellow poo in dogs. When a dog is intolerant to certain ingredients in its diet, the digestive system may struggle to break down and absorb these components properly. This can lead to incomplete digestion and changes in the colour of the stool, with yellow being a common result.
Additionally, indigestion, often caused by abrupt changes in diet, the consumption of fatty foods, or eating inappropriate items, can disrupt the normal digestive process. The incomplete breakdown of fats can result in yellowish stools as well.
It's important to introduce dietary changes gradually, select nutritionally balanced meals, and be mindful of your dog's individual sensitivities to prevent food-related issues.
Read more about managing dietary intolerence in our article Food Intolerence in Dogs and the Best Hypoallergenic Diets
2. Pancreatic Issues and Pancreatitis
The pancreas is a small organ that plays a vital role in gastrointestinal health. It has both endocrine and exocrine functions. Its exocrine function involves producing digestive enzymes, such as amylase, lipase, and protease, which are essential for breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine. Additionally, the pancreas has an endocrine role in regulating blood sugar levels by secreting insulin and glucagon.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) is a condition in dogs where the pancreas fails to produce an adequate amount of digestive enzymes.3 This deficiency results in poor nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss, malnutrition, and changes in stool colour. In the case of EPI, the lack of proper enzyme activity can cause undigested fats to pass into the stool, giving it a yellow or greasy appearance. Yellow poop, in this context, is often a consequence of the unprocessed fats that contribute to the altered colour and consistency of the faeces.
Pancreatitis on the other hand, is inflammation of the pancreas and can be acute or chronic. During pancreatitis, the release of digestive enzymes within the pancreas itself can lead to tissue damage and inflammation, affecting the organ's normal function. Additionally, pancreatitis can cause a decrease in appetite, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort, further impacting the dog's overall digestive health.4 The compromised digestive process may result in the passage of undigested fats and yellowish stool.
Read more in our article about Pancreatitis in Dogs
3. Liver or Gallbladder problems
The dog's liver plays a crucial role in bile production. Bile is a digestive fluid that aids in the breakdown and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Hepatocytes, the cells in the liver, make bile which is then stored in the gallbladder until needed. When a dog consumes food, especially those containing fats, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to help with the absorption of these fats.
If the liver is affected by an underlying health issue, such as liver cancer, hepatitis, toxicosis, or portosystemic shunt, it can impact the production and secretion of bile. Sometimes, a condition called 'Cholestasis' can occur, which involves the blockage of bile ducks and leads to bile backing up into the blood stream and organs. This can cause jaundice, turning mucous membranes, the whites of the eyes, and the skin inside the ear yellow. When bile is not properly produced or released, fats may not be adequately processed, leading to changes in stool colour.
In cases of liver issues, the absence or insufficient release of bile can result in yellow stools, as the pigments in bile contribute to the normal brown colour of faeces.
Read more in our article about Liver Disease in Dogs
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in dogs, also referred to as canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a gastrointestinal disorder characterised by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. While the exact cause is often impossible to determine, risk factors such as stress, genetics, immune system abnormalities, and dietary sensitivities may contribute to its development.5
Symptoms of IBS include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and changes in appetite. The inflammation in the intestines can lead to poor nutrient absorption and an imbalance in the gut microbiota. Diagnosis often involves a thorough examination by a veterinarian, including blood tests, imaging, and sometimes a biopsy of the intestinal tissue.
When dogs suffer from IBS, the inflammation can affect the absorption of nutrients and the breakdown of fats in the intestines, which may result in the passage of undigested fats in the stool, causing it to appear yellow or greasy. Additionally, the inflammation itself can alter the secretion of bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver, further contributing to the yellow discolouration of the stool.
5. Consumption of Yellow, Non-food Items
While not the most common cause, some dogs might have yellow poo simply because they ate something yellow. This could include various substances such as certain medications, pigments from non-food materials, or even natural substances encountered outdoors. In some cases, environmental factors like grass or plants with yellow pigments may deposit their colour into a dog's stool after ingestion.
When to Worry: Recognising Serious Signs
1. Persistent Yellow Stool
If your dog's stool appears yellow for more than a day or two, it's important to seek veterinary advice. One or two yellowish stools may occur from dietary indescretion or ingesting something a little 'off', but if the issue persists for longer two days, it may indicate a more severe underlying problem.
2. Accompanying Symptoms
A short-lived bout of yellowish stool in an otherwise healthy dog is generally not cause of immediate concern, but if any other symptoms accompany the yellow poo, it's a good idea to consult with your vet.
Symptoms of concern may include:
- Diarrhoea
- Mucus-only stools
- Blood in the stool
- Straining to defecate
- Vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Lethargy
- Changes in behaviour or energy level
If your dog is experiencing diarrhoea, consult with our guide to treating Diarrhoea in Dogs.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis of Yellow Dog Poo
A veterinary consult is essential if your dog has been experiencing yellow stool for more than a day or two, or if any accompanying symptoms are present. Your vet will be able to perform an examination to determine if your dog has any abdominal pain and assess their hydration. They may wish to run some tests on your dog's stool sample. Diagnostic tests may include:6
⢠Cytological examination - this is where a swab from your dog's stool is examined it under a microscope. This test can help determine if there are abnormal microorganisms (bacteria, protozoa, parasites etc) present, as well as abnormal inflammatory cells.
⢠Faecal egg float - determins if intestinal worms are present. This test involves placing a small sample of stool in a special liquid, and examining the top layer of liquid under a microscope to observe if any worm eggs floated to the top.
⢠Ultrasound - may be indicated if your vet suspects a foreign body, a twisted bowel, or a liver / pancreatic issue.
⢠Blood and urine tests - these help rule out any serious conditions with bodily organs, and can show whether an infection is systemic.
Treatment options
Treatment may vary depending on what your vet deems the most likely cause, but may include any of the following approaches:
⢠Medication such as antibiotics, anti-emetic medication to stop vomiting, or anti-motility drugs to reduce diarrhoea.
⢠Dietary changes are likely to be recommended either short term while your dog recovers from the initial upset, or long term if a food sensitivity is suspected.
⢠Supplements such as probiotics or digestive health support products such as Peptosyl.
Our top recommended probiotics include EAC In-Sideout, Zamipet Probiotics and Big Dog Probiotic.
For a complete comparison of probiotics, consult the comparison table in our guide to Probiotics for Dogs.
References
1. Liang J, Cai W, Xu Z, Zhou G, Li J, Xiang Z. A Fine-Grained Image Classification Approach for Dog Feces Using MC-SCMNet under Complex Backgrounds. Animals (Basel). 2023 May 17;13(10):1660.
2. Sherding RG, Johnson SE. Diseases of the Intestines. Saunders Manual of Small Animal Practice. 2006:702â38.
3. Hall, EJ. Malabsorption Syndromes in Small Animals. MSD Manual Veterinary Manual. 2022.
4. Cridge H, Twedt DC, Marolf AJ, Sharkey LC, Steiner JM. Advances in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2021 Nov;35(6):2572-2587.
5. Brooks W. Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats. VIN Veterinary Partner. 2001.
6. Marks SL. Diarrhea. Canine and Feline Gastroenterology. 2013:99â108.
Further Reading
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