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My dog's poop is a strange color. Is it due to food or something else?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Papillon | Female | unspayed | 3.5 lbs

Hi, I've just come home and found a rather unusual coloured stool left by my dog. I have attached an image. Should I be worried ?? Arran

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Mirissa Duncil, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 1st, 2017

Hi there! From the picture I cannot be for sure if there is blood in the stool as well, but many of the dyes used in our commercial petfoods (especially reds in kibble) can stain the feces of our pets this color as well. If Missy is not having diarrhea or other health concerns and you are feeding this type of pet food, there is a good chance that's all it is. Hope this helps!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 30th, 2018

    From this photo it is very hard to determine whether this is blood. Feeding dogfood that has coloring like this can also make the poo look blood red. Usually blood in poo does stink a lot. This would com from the colon or rectum and could be a sign of colitis or other intestinal/rectal or anal gland disease. I suggest you take Nikko's poo as well as Nikko to a veterinarian for an exam.

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