The average dog produces around 2 pounds of poop per day, or roughly 60 pounds every month. That’s a lot of poop, and unless you’re regularly picking up after your dog, you might not know that some of it contain mucus-like material.
Many dog owners are surprised to learn that healthy dogs can produce mucus in their feces, and they’re often concerned that something serious may be wrong with their pet as a result. Read on to learn more about what causes mucus in dog poop and what it means for your pet’s health.
What is Mucus?
When you encounter mucus in dog poop, you’re likely to be grossed out. But it’s nothing to worry about. That substance is more commonly known as mucoid plaque, which is made up of a combination of dead and living cells that naturally accumulate on the intestinal walls.
When a dog has a soft stool or when his feces are too watery, it can leave behind an abundance of mucoid plaque and contribute to an offensive odor. You should have your vet check your puppy for worms because if there are any in his gut, they will excrete waste through his stool as well.
Excessive shedding or diarrhea can also lead to smelly stools and even bloody mucus, so monitor these symptoms for consistency.
What Should Mucus Normally Look Like?
When the mucus is normal, it will look like a clear jelly mixed within the stool. In some cases, the mucus may appear to be white, and in others, it may envelop the stool like a sausage casing.
If you are in the habit of checking your dog’s stool, you will be able to notice if there is something unusual.
Main Causes of Mucus in Dog Poop
Most cases of mucus in dog stool have to do with a dog swallowing something that isn’t supposed to be in their digestive tract. The most common mucus causes in dogs’ feces are something ingested by accident or dietary changes. (*)
A sudden switch to a new food can cause a lot of irritation and mucus production, which is why it’s so important to transition slowly if you’re switching your pup over to a new diet. It may also be caused by parasites that infect your pup’s intestinal tract.
If you live in an area where worm eggs are commonly found in soil and water, those eggs can affect pups that ingest them through ingestion or on their fur and paws.
Sudden Dietary Changes
When you suddenly change your dog’s food, you can cause temporary colitis. For this reason, it is very important to do food transitions very slowly. If your dog starts to scavenge while you are taking to it on a walk, it may be because it has diarrhea or colitis. Sudden dietary changes can be really difficult for your dog, so try to avoid switching to different food promptly.
Fortunately, when colitis is caused by diet changes, it resolves after a couple of days.
Bacterial Infection
If your dog is battling bacterial toxins in the large bowel, it may lead to excess mucus in the poop. Bacterial toxins can cause inflammation in your dog’s digestive system, and that is what causes the extra mucus in dog poop.
The most common bacteria that lead to colitis are Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Both are food-borne pathogens, and dogs pick them up while being out. Dogs that are being fed a raw diet are at higher risk of eating bacteria in their food.
Aside from poop covered in mucus, these bacterial infections can also cause vomiting or inappetence. If you notice any of these things, make sure to seek treatment right away.
Parasite Infection
Another thing that can cause loose stools or mucus in dog poop is infection with gastrointestinal parasites. The most common culprits are whipworm and roundworm.
In addition, another two microscopic parasites can also cause dog poop to be covered in mucus – giardia and cryptosporidium. Often known as ‘worms,’ these types of infections are most common in young puppies.
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
Similar to people, dogs can have irritable bowel disease. The irritable bowel syndrome or IBS causes colitis and mucus in dog poop. This is because of some kind of food intolerance, a reaction to a specific ingredient in their diet.
The irritable bowel disease comes with other symptoms such as weight loss, reluctance to eat, and occasional vomiting. Along with mucus, the most common sign of food allergies is itchy skin. (*)
Stress
Ironically, one of the most regular causes of mucus is stress. The amount of stress in the body increases the speed that the intestinal contents move through. When this happens, food is not processed properly and causes more nutrients in the bacteria present in the intestines.
This type of bacteria will likely cause diarrhea and mucus in poop. The most obvious sign that your dog is under stress is recent fireworks. Also, a change in the normal routine can be a great indicator that your dog is under some stress that will result in mucus in the poop.
Leishmania
A very rare symptom that can cause colitis is a disease carried by sandflies called Leishmania. Leishmania is a blood-borne disease that shows symptoms such as skin problems, eye problems, nosebleeds, weight loss, and lethargy.
Granulomatous Colitis of Boxer Dogs
Granulomatous Colitis is a rare condition that can cause mucus in dog poop. This especially applies to Boxer dogs and manifests alongside weight loss, bloody stool, etc. When a dog has this disease, its intestinal wall will become inflamed, thickened, and ulcerated.
When Can You Treat the Condition at Home?
If your dog is experiencing issues with mucus, you may be able to treat it at home without seeing a vet. However, if symptoms worsen or do not get better within three days, you should take your pet to see a professional.
Additionally, if your puppy experiences prolonged issues with mucus (more than two weeks), then he could have a more serious condition that requires veterinary attention.
Dogs are extremely sensitive to their environment and will naturally adjust their behavior based on what is happening in their life.
For example, dogs that experience constipation might feel pain when passing stool and then become sore from excessive straining over time.
When should I call the vet?
A general rule is to call your vet immediately if you see any blood in your dog’s poop or if your pet becomes more lethargic than usual. But that said, if your pup passes a large amount of mucus along with his stool, it’s time for a vet visit because that could be a sign of something serious like Parvovirus or even some kind of obstruction, which will require veterinary advice.
Many symptoms suggest an urgent visit from the vet:
- Vomiting (more than once)
- Black feces
- Excessive mucus in the stool sample
- Lethargy doesn’t want to exercise
- Weight loss
- Bloody stools or chronic diarrhea
- Thin Body condition score
- Low appetite lasting more than one day
If you notice too much mucus in dog poop, get your pup checked out by a professional. You don’t want to put off making an appointment as it could put him at risk for infection—not to mention make his life pretty uncomfortable until you take action.
Don’t wait until you have absolute confirmation that there’s something wrong, always be on the side of caution when it’s your dog’s health in question!
Diagnosis of mucus in dog’s poop
To get rid of the mucus in the stool, you have to find what causes it. Take your pet to the vet and wait for the diagnosis. Naturally, your veterinarian will need a full history of the dog’s medical condition over the years and a full physical exam.
The veterinarian should ask you about the dog’s symptoms what kind of dog food is included in his diet, the appetite, and whether or not he has been vomiting recently or had diarrhea. To receive a proper diagnosis, you have to follow your dog’s habits closely and tell the vet all about it.
He may recommend a biochemistry profile, complete blood count, and urinalysis to determine the cause. Also, you may need to take your dog for a colonoscopy and a fecal float so the vet can rule out inflammatory bowel disease and other dog’s intestinal tract disorders.
All of these things, especially the fecal float test, can help the vet determine whether adult parasites are present in the dogs’ system. The colonoscopy will allow a visual inspection of the large intestine to detect tears or other abnormalities.
Usually, these tests lead to a final diagnosis. If that is not the case, you may need to perform some additional tests as well as x-ray and ultrasound imaging to look for foreign objects or tumors.
Treatment of mucus in dog’s poop
Obviously, the treatment depends on the diagnosis. If the cause is indiscriminate eating or stress, your dog may not require any treatment. If the dog has a bacterial, parasitic, fungal or any kind of GI tract infection, it will need proper medication and, in some cases, a hypoallergenic diet. Along with the antibiotics and antifungal medications, you have to give your dog probiotics.
Is Mucus in My Dog’s Stool Dangerous?
Sometimes, finding mucus in dog poop can be cause for concern. Many people have wondered if it is harmful to their dogs or what causes it to happen in the first place.
A small amount of mucus in the dog’s poop is not a reason for panic. However, excessive amounts of mucus may indicate that your dog has some kind of medical condition that requires vet attention. If you are seeing mucus too often or there is a great amount of it, you should make an appointment as soon as possible.
How Can You Prevent Mucus in Your Dog’s Stool
Most of us think that mucus in a dog’s stool comes from swallowing too much water while drinking, which can happen to anyone; however, more commonly, mucus in a dog’s stool may be caused by an underlying health issue.
These health issues will often cause diarrhea and vomiting as well, not just mucus in a dog’s stool.
Since the most common reason for mucus in a dog’s poop is intestinal parasites, you must give your dog regular parasite prevention to decrease the chances of happening. These are the medications you can find in heartworm preventatives and are given every month.
Also, you can perform an annual fecal examination just to be sure. These annual check-ups are highly recommended and are often done when you bring the dog to the vet for annual physical scanning.
Another way to ensure a normal and healthy intestinal tract is by giving your dog probiotics and prebiotics. They discourage infections and fight inflammation in the dog’s digestive system. They are most effective when mixed into a product called synbiotic.
It is recommended that you give these products to your dog every day. Many synbiotics are designed especially for dogs. They even contain beta-glucans and vitamins that are vital for your dog’s bowel movements.
Finally, you can make sure that your dog doesn’t eat any contaminated or expired food. This, along with chronic stress, can be the main reason why your dog has mucus in the stool.
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*photo by frederiquewacquier-depositphotos