Why Is My Dog's Poop White? 11 Potential Causes

Are Your Dog's Stools White?

If your dog's poop is white, you are likely perplexed and wondering what is contributing to such an unusual stool color.

You're probably especially confused trying to recall if your dog's diet or routine has changed recently.

Everybody knows that stools are normally brown. A white stool that pops up out of the blue is sure to leave dog owners puzzled.

Next thing you know, you are starting to worry and start imagining potential health issues and whether it's time to take your beloved dog to see the vet.

You may also wonder if you should collect a stool sample to show to your vet or just keep on monitoring your dog's stools to determine whether it's a one-time ordeal or an ongoing problem.

In this article, veterinarian Dr. Ivana Crnec, a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine who got her veterinary degree at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Bitola, explores the significance of white dog poop and when to worry.

What Are the Characteristics of Normal Dog Poop?

Poop inspection is not the most fun part of dog parenthood. However, occasional checks are beneficial since the dog poop’s quality and features can say a lot about its health.

The characteristics of dog poop are determined based on the so-called 4-Cs criteria, including:

Color

The normal color of dog poop is shades of brown, ranging from chocolate brown to dark brown (the exact shade differs based on the dog’s diet).

Consistency

The usual dog poop should be log- or caterpillar-shaped and neither too firm nor too soft (when picked up from the ground, it should not leave marks). For those wondering, yes, there is a Bristol chart for dogs!

Contents

The content of a healthy dog poop is limited solely to poop material (the poop should not contain undigested material or any other foreign particles)

Coating

The regular dog poop does not have a coating (a coating’s presence and type indicate underlying problems).

What Is the Normal Color of Dog Poop?

The normal color of dog poop is brown. The shade of brown, ranging from chocolate to mid to dark brown, depends primarily on the dog’s diet.

Dogs fed high poultry-based diets are likely to have lighter shades of brown poop compared to dogs fed other protein sources, which have darker brown poop.

What Gives Dog Poop Its Usual Color?

Protein and bile give dog poop its usual color. Bile is a liver product essential for digesting fats. It is originally yellow to green in color, but its pigments break down as it travels along the dog’s digestive tract.

The end product of that breaking down is brown, giving the poop its normal color.

Is Poop Discoloration in Dogs Common?

Yes, poop discoloration in dogs is common. Dogs are notorious for being indiscriminate eaters, which leads to frequent changes in poop color and quality.

Different discoloration indicates unique health conditions. Monitor the dog’s poop and seek vet attention if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

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Is White Poop in Dogs a Medical Emergency?

No, white poop in dogs is not a medical emergency in general. However, certain causes of white poop are concerning and worsen unless promptly treated. Evaluate the overall situation and call the vet to be on the safe side.

Why Is My Dog's Poop White? 10 Potential Causes

The causes of white poop in dogs may vary. Following are several potential causes based on the characteristics of the white poop and your dog's health history and diet.

White and Dry Dog Poop

A white and dry poop that easily crumbles when picked up is the most benign scenario on the list. The color and texture change are not due to dog-related but environment-related factors.

1. Exposure to the Elements

Do not worry if you accidentally find an old white dog poop while cleaning the garden. Sun has the ability to bleach dog poop, stripping it of its normal color.

The more a dog's poop spends time outside exposed to sun—heat and dryness, the whiter it becomes. Moisture has a similar effect, but it makes poop white by supporting fungal growth on the poop.

White and Chalky Dog Poop

White and chalky dog poop is associated with two main issues excess calcium on the menu and feeding the popular raw diet.

2. High Calcium Intake

Eating excess calcium results in a light-colored or white and chalky poop. Dogs overeat calcium if they are fed raw diets or regularly given bones in addition to a balanced commercial formula.

A 2017 study found that a “high-Ca diet resulted in a 3.3-fold increase in fecal Ca excretion,” while a 2021 study reports “a 5.2-fold increase in fecal Ca excretion.” Long-term excess high calcium intake causes constipation.

3. Raw Diet

Raw meat-based diets make dog poop whiter and up to 30% smaller in volume. Dogs absorb most of the nutrients from raw food, leaving only chalky, white ash and fiber in the end poop.

Raw diets for dogs have two main drawbacks—it is nutritionally imbalanced and often contaminated. “Dogs eating raw meat diets have a higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli,” says a 2019 BMC Veterinary Research.

White to Gray Dog Poop

A total discoloration of the poop going toward white to gray poop is potentially serious because it comes as a side effect of certain medications or is triggered by intestinal conditions.

4. Medications

Barium sulfate makes dog poop white and is “ swallowed to visualize the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract or eaten as a paste for the upper GI tract and esophagus,” says a 2016 article.

Barium sulfate is used prior to taking X-rays because it is bright white and highlights issues in the digestive tract.

The white poop discoloration caused by barium sulfate is temporary, and the poop returns to its normal color once the drug is eliminated from the digestive tract.

5. Maldigestion

Maldigestion describes altered food digestion and is typically associated with liver and pancreas conditions. VetLexicon defines maldigestion as a “lack of digestive enzymes and/or bile acids.”

Problems affecting bile secretion in the liver directly impact poop color. Pancreatic issues, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), cause white poop, too. EPI is a disease in which the dog’s pancreas does not produce enough digestive enzymes.

White Specks or String in the Poop

White specks or strings in the dog's poop mean one thing—parasites. Different gastrointestinal worms result in uniquely shaped white elements in the dog’s poop.

6. Tapeworms

The presence of small white specks that look like rice in the dog's poop indicate tapeworms. Tapeworms shed segments of their long bodies into the poop, making the dog’s bottom itchy.

Dogs get tapeworms when they accidentally ingest infected fleas while grooming. Tapeworms in dogs are from the Taenia and Echinococcus species. “Tapeworms are a common intestinal parasite that can affect dogs,” says Cornell’s Canine Health Center.

7. Roundworms

Roundworms should be suspected when there are white strings in the dog poop. The strings are said to resemble spaghetti. “Roundworms are among the most common parasites that infect dogs,” says Today’s Veterinary Nurse.

The top two roundworms in dogs are Toxocara canis and Toxocara leonina.

Puppies get worms from their mothers—via the placenta or milk, while adult dogs get them from other infected dogs.

White Constituents in the Dog Poop

The presence of white constituents in an otherwise normally colored poop is due to ingested, white foreign objects, which are common considering the dog’s indiscriminate appetite.

8. Foreign Material

White foreign material can make the dog’s poop white. In such cases, the poop is not entirely white but features white constituents from the ingested material. Common culprits are socks, paper, and rocks.

“Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in dogs are a common emergency in small animal practice,” warns a 2022 study published by the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

White Mucus-Coated Dog Poop

Sometimes the poop itself is normal, but it is covered in translucent to white mucus, making it appear white. Mucus-coated poop is a red flag and warrants prompt vet attention.

9. Intestinal Inflammation

Intestinal inflammation is a blanket term covering various inflammatory conditions of the dog’s small or large intestines. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a perfect example of intestinal inflammation resulting in white, mucus-covered poop.

According to a 2014 TVP article, “IBD is a multifactorial disease of dogs and cats characterized by chronic enteropathies that can significantly impact quality of life.”

10. Giardiasis

“Giardiasis is a protozoal disease that is globally prevalent in dogs and cats,” suggests a new 2024 study published in Veterinary World. A widespread protozoal parasite causes intestinal infection.

Mucous-covered poop that appears white is one of the main signs of giardiasis in dogs. The intestinal infection is not immediately life-threatening. However, prompt vet attention is advised.

11. Food Allergies and Intolerances

Excess mucous coating of the poop is likely to be seen in dogs suffering from food allergies and intolerances. Food allergies and intolerances are less common than previously believed but still occur frequently.

According to a 2016 study by BMC Veterinary Research, the most common food allergens for dogs are beef (34%), dairy products (17%), chicken (15%), wheat (13%), soy (6%), lamb (5%), corn (4%), eggs (4%), pork (2%), fish (2%), and rice (2%).

What Should I Do if My Dog's Poop Is White?

If your dog’s poop is white, stay calm, inspect the poop, observe the dog, and call the vet if it is necessary.

Step 1: Stay Calm

Remain as calm as possible to objectively evaluate the situation. Not every white poop is a reason to panic. Gather information and make an educated decision on what the next step is.

Step 2: Inspect the Poop

Analyze the poop to find out if it is entirely white, white-coated, or contains white specks, threads, or material. At the same time, consider the poop’s size and consistency.

Step 3: Observe the Dog

Pay attention to your dog and its behavior—whether it seems normal or is showing additional worrisome signs. Stomach-related problems and fever commonly accompany poop changes.

Step 4: Call the Vet

Call your trusted veterinarian and explain the situation while providing maximum information. Based on the situation, you will be instructed to monitor the dog at home or take it to the vet’s office.

References

• Morelli, G., Bastianello, S., Catellani, P. et al. Raw meat-based diets for dogs: survey of owners’ motivations, attitudes and practices. BMC Vet Res
• Atwal J, Stockman J, Gilham M, Allaway D, Renfrew H, Bakke AM, Watson P. No Observed Adverse Effects on Health Were Detected in Adult Beagle Dogs When Fed a High-Calcium Diet for 40 Weeks. Animals (Basel). 2021
• Stockman J, Watson P, Gilham M, Allaway D, Atwal J, Haydock R, Colyer A, Renfrew H, Morris PJ. Adult dogs are capable of regulating calcium balance, with no adverse effects on health, when fed a high-calcium diet. Br J Nutr. 2017 May
• Barash NR, Lashnits E, Kern ZT, Tolbert MK, Lunn KF. Outcomes of esophageal and gastric bone foreign bodies in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2022 Mar
• Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res. 2016 Jan
• Kurnosova OP, Panova OA, Arisov MV. Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats: Age-related predisposition, symptomatic, and asymptomatic cyst shedding. Vet World. 2024
• Today's Veterinary Practice: Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats
• Today's Veterinary Nurse: Roundworm Infections in Dogs
• Vetlexicon: Maldigestion
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Tapeworm

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2024 Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST