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What does Mucus in Dog Poop Look Like?
Mucus in dog poop will look like a slimy or greasy gel in the feces. It can cover the entire poop or be present in certain parts of the fecal matter (beginning, end, or dispersed).
Here is a more in-depth explanation of what mucus in dog poop can look like:
- Slimy/Jelly Texture. If you notice that your dog’s poop has a slimy texture with a jelly-like consistency, chances are that they have excess mucus in their poop.
- Mucus Chunks. In addition to the slimy texture, sometimes you might find chunks of mucus in your dog’s poop. This could indicate an underlying health condition such as the mucus not coating your dog’s GI tract properly.
- Sticky Consistency. If your dog’s poop has a sticky consistency, there is mucus present in the dog poop. It is best to visit a vet in this case.
- Red/Black Stools. Red mucus or black stools could indicate blood in your dog’s GI tract. This is a cause for concern and needs to be dealt with immediately.
- Loose Stools. This is the most common sign of mucus in your dog’s stools. If you notice anything strange in your dog’s loose stools, it could be mucus.
While a small amount of mucus is normal, large amounts are worrisome and indicate something is wrong with the dog’s health. In such cases, finding the health issue causing the mucus in dog poop is critical.
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What does Mucus in Dog Poop Mean?
Mucus is secreted by specific large bowel cells to help feces move through the gut properly (think of it as an intestinal lubricant), so a small amounts of mucus in dog poop is entirely normal and usually goes unnoticed.
What is the Function of the Mucus in Dog Poop?
The primary function of mucus in the dog’s poop is to act as a lubricant to allow the safe movement of the poop through the GI tract.
Here are the functions of the mucus in dog poop.
- Lubrication. Mucus provides lubrication to your dog’s GI tract. This makes it easier for your dog to digest their food and absorb the beneficial nutrients.
- Bowel Movement. Mucus allows easier bowel movement and makes your dog more regular in their excrements. This makes their stools more manageable for pet owners.
- Prevents Constipation. Mucus helps prevent constipation as it allows for a smooth bowel movement. This is crucial for your dog’s overall health and mood.
- Immune Response. Mucus helps regulate your dog’s immune response as it helps maintain good gut flora in your dog’s body.
- Protection from Stomach Acids. Stomach acids can be really harsh for some dogs and can lead to acidity. This can prevent them from eating properly and cause indigestion. Mucus can help prevent this in the long run.
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What Causes Mucus in Dog Poop?
There are many potential causes of mucus in dog poop. Here is an overall review of some of the most common causes.
- Dietary Changes. Sudden diet changes can result in excess mucus production. To avoid this problem, the introduction of new food should be done gradually. If your dog has mucus in the stool because of sudden dog food changes, give it a bland diet for a couple of days.
- Food Allergies. Allergic reactions to specific foods might cause the overproduction of mucus. Generally speaking, food allergies are tricky to diagnose and manage. Talk to your veterinarian if you suspect this to be the underlying issue.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This is another problem of the intestinal tract that might cause the overproduction of mucus. IBD is a poorly understood condition, and sadly, it is quite common, especially in certain dog breeds.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is another condition that might cause excessive mucus production. Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disease of the digestive system and causes vomiting and either dog diarrhea or constipation.
- Granulomatous Colitis. This specific form of colon inflammation is particularly common in Boxer, French Bulldogs, and certain Mastiff breeds. The two main signs indicating colitis are mucus in dog poop and sudden & intense weight loss.
- Intestinal Parasites. Parasites in the dog’s GI tract cause excess mucus production. Common intestinal parasites in dogs are worms (roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and hookworms) and protozoa (Giardia).
- Bacterial Infections. Mucus in dog stool can also be due to bacterial infections, which might lead to excessive mucus production. Common bacteria affecting the dog’s digestive tract are Salmonella and E. coli.
- Viral Infections. Viruses can also result in mucus in dog poop. Common viral agents in dogs are parvovirus, coronavirus, and distemper. In such cases, the dog can also have black, tarry stool or red blood speckles in the stool sample.
- GI Tract Tumors. Another underlying condition could be tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. A dog with a tumor will show a myriad of signs and symptoms and requires immediate care.
Is Mucus in My Dog’s Stool Dangerous?
It depends.
A small amount of mucus on random occasions is nothing to be worried about. For example, the mucus in the dog’s poop can be the result of a transient dietary indiscretion.
However, if there is a lot of mucus in dog poop, it is critical to seek immediate veterinary attention. This can indicate a more severe medical condition, such as the presence of the parasite Giardia.
How do I Treat Mucus in My Dog’s Poop?
There are several home remedies and over-the-counter products that can help treat mucus in dog poop. Here is a close look at those products and an explanation of how they work.
Probiotics for Dogs. This product has been specially crafted with both probiotics and prebiotics. While the probiotics inhibit the growth of harmful gut bacteria, the prebiotics stimulates the growth of gut flora. This prevents diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation, and many other problems leading to superior digestive health.
Pumpkin for Dogs. Pumpkin is rich in soluble & insoluble fibers, which help support gut motility & stool quality. As a result, they help in the production of less mucus and more manageable stools. This product is grain-free, potato-free, gluten-free, GMO-Free, MSG-Free, Starch-Free, carrageenan-free, and vegetarian.
Fiber for Dogs. Fiber helps to clamp the stool together and enhance the texture. This makes it more manageable and easy to dispose of. The product contains no animal protein with a great-tasting vegan salmon flavor that helps to bulk & firm up the stools to naturally empty the anal glands.
When Does Mucus in Your Dog’s Stool Require a Vet Visit?
It is normal to find some mucus in your dog’s stool.
However, if there is a significant amount of mucus or your dog is showing additional distressing signs like lethargy, dehydration, vomiting, or loss of appetite, you should see a vet to determine the presence of an underlying health problem.
The vet will perform a physical examination and consider the dog’s symptoms. Based on the initial findings, they will suggest additional diagnostic tests such as blood work, stool sample analysis, x-rays, endoscopy, ultrasonography, or CT or MRI scans.
