Why is my puppy's poop dark, soft, and grey after new food?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | 3 months and 6 days old | 13.3 lbs
Hi I have a 3month old gsd puppy. He is on Orijen large puppy feed. Before that he was on royal canin maxi junior. He poop was brown at the time he was eating royal canin. But now his poop is dark brown. Almost near to grey. He is healthy and eats 2 times a day morning at 9 and evening at 7. He will not eat the third time. But he eats all his daily ration as per the guidelines on the orijen dog food bag. ( i.e. 2 and half cup) So is the poop okay and his feeding habits. Thx and sry for img.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 8th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Personally the color doesn't bother me but the consistency does. That is diarrhea. It is too soft and not formed. I would go back to the Royal Canin food as it sounds like he digests that one better. Be sure though that he has had his stool tested for intestinal parasites and is up to date on his DHPP vaccines. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 23rd, 2017
The color of feces will change based on what the pet has recently been eating and how quickly it goes through the intestinal tract. Unless you see blood, differing shades of brown do no concern me. I would recommend pulling all food for 12-24, and then start back with the bland boiled chicken breast and cooked white rice diet for 24-48 hours. Also, make sure that Ziggy is drinking plenty of water or pedialyte to stay hydrated. If the diarrhea continues, or if Ziggy isn't interested in food or starts vomiting. He should be checked out by a vet. Common causes of diarrhea in puppies includes food intolerance, food allergies, intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, bacterial or viral infection, stress colitis, among a few others.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 17th, 2017
Thank you for additional information on Jake's poo! It can be normal for a dog's poo to be varying shades of brown, and it can be softer depending on what he fed previously. It could be that his stomach is a little upset, causing the softer than normal poo and variation in color, so you can try a home remedy to see if that helps. I would feed him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on February 22nd, 2018
Those could be initial signs of a gastrointestinal upset, possibly the first signs of diarrhoea. As a first approach I would recommend to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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