PetHealth

HOWTO BECOME A PET POO EXPERT FREQUENCY: Adult dogs and cats usually poo at least once a day, but every pet is different. If they are only passing every few days, it may highlight some constipation or a reduced food intake that may be due to any number of diseases. Anything more than once a day might mean your cat is being fed by the neighbours, isn’t digesting food properly or they’re being fed a highly digestible product. If pets are passing faeces many times a day, it may be normal depending on the diet, but may also highlight some underlying inflammation in the digestive tract. COLOUR: Anything other than brown may need a trip to the vet, provided the colour can’t be linked back to something your pet has eaten. Orange stools are linked to inflammation of the pancreas (or carrot overdoses). Green poo is caused by some green treats, but it can also be a sign your pet is experiencing ‘rapid bowel transit’, where bile isn’t absorbed properly in the gut.

GUT HEALTH: Choosing high-quality dog and cat food with nutrient-rich ingredients like brown rice and oats helps gut health. Experts recommend taking a slow-and-steady approach to dietary changes. Introduce the new food gradually over the course of a week, starting by substituting 25% of your pet’s current food with new food, and increasing steadily each day to avoid stomach upsets. CONSULT A VET if you continue to notice abnormalities in your pet’s poo. There are telltale signs of more serious problems you should be on the lookout for. Does your pet look lethargic and miserable? Are they hunched up in pain? Are they eating their food with their typical appetite? Has there been any vomiting? All these signs can be part of something bigger. If your pet is showing signs of pain, lethargy or vomiting extending more than 12 hours or if the signs are progressively getting worse you will need to visit your vet. Your vet may also help if the signs are mild but continue to occur and the simple changes aren’t working. It is important to get to your vet early if signs are progressing, as they can often solve a small problem more easily than if it has escalated.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Many pets eat grass to help with furballs or upset tummies. Be on the watch for excess grass in their poo, which can mean your pet has an intestinal tract problem. Mucus is a telltale sign of inflammation. Some dog breeds also suffer from a condition called ‘pica’, where they crave non-food items like clothing, plastic and rocks, so keep an eye out for foreign objects. Fat, fur and worms are other red flags. FOUL SMELL: Odour is a sign your pet’s gut flora is seriously out of whack – human food or intolerances to pet food ingredients are usually to blame.

Your pet’s poop is never going to smell amazing, but healthy stools should be bearable. EASY FIXES FORMANY POO PROBLEMS

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS: Change what’s going in the other end. Diet is the culprit of many digestive health issues in pets. Just like us, pets need good sources of natural fibre in their diets to stay regular. “There is a broad range of nutrients and micronutrients that are important to maintain a healthy body,” Dr Hayes says. He recommends switching to premium pet food as a first step if you notice digestive upset.

White and grey suggest liver and gall bladder problems. Red usually means there’s blood in your pet’s stool. Call the vet.

“Your pet’s poo is a window into their digestive health, providing clues that will help you spot problems like inflammation and nutrient deficiency. All you need to do is learn how to look.” Dr Angus Hayes

Something to grab but leaves behind a residue

Verywet with little shape

Watery poo with no texture