Black dog poop does not necessarily mean that your dog has any major health issues. However, it is a possibility that should not be ignored.
Let us learn the 8 potential causes of black dog poo and find out how this condition can be treated.
8 Potential Causes of Black Dog Poop
Why is my dog’s poop black? Black dog poop can result from non-life-threatening instances such as ingesting certain food and medications that change poop colour to black.
Sometimes it might be a sign of severe canine illness. Let us take a closer look at the possible causes of black dog poo.
Black Dog Poop Cause #1: Diet
A dog’s diet composed of bloody food such as blood sausages and raw meat can lead to black stools. The red colour of blood changes to black as a chemical reaction after being subjected to the digestive process.
Dark food like blueberries and food with black food colouring may cause black poop too.
A frequently asked question by dog owners is: “Can eating dirt make dog poop black?” The answer is yes. If your dog has eaten dirt, he may have black stools.
Whilst it is harmless in most cases, consuming dirt can cause stomach upset and put him at risk of ingesting intestinal parasites.
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Black Dog Poop Cause #2: Medications
A dog poop, black but not tarry, can be caused by certain medications. One of the most commonly known is activated charcoal, which has a black colour. Vets use activated charcoal to manage poisoning in canines.
Other drugs, such as iron supplements and Pepto Bismol, can lead dogs to poop dog black stools too.
Black Dog Poop Cause #3: Drug Side Effects
#Some types of drugs may cause gastrointestinal ulceration, resulting in internal bleeding. Once the blood is digested in the stomach, it turns a dog’s poop black.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most prevalent causes of this condition. They reduce the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that protect the stomach lining from different forms of damage. The lack of prostaglandins leaves the lining highly vulnerable to strong stomach acids.
Black Dog Poop Cause #4: Foreign Bodies
Dogs with dietary indiscretion tend to ingest items not meant for consumption. It increases the danger of getting their GI tract punctured, blocked, or perforated.
As a result, an intestinal injury may occur, leading to bleeding and, consequently, the production of black dog stools.
Black Dog Poop Cause #5: Infectious Agents
Dog pooping black stools can be due to infectious agents like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Black dog poop with seeds is a sign of intestinal parasites. The seed-like segments are parts of the tapeworm.
Catching any of these harmful pathogens may damage dogs’ stomachs or small intestines. Internal bleeding may ensue, which can cause their faecal matter to turn black.
Black Dog Poop Cause #6: Bleeding Disorders
Blood clotting ailments such as Von Willebrand disease (VWD) prevent injuries from healing quickly. Dogs with this condition are prone to heavy bleeding if not treated immediately.
If the wound is external, pooches might lick off and ingest the blood on their fur, contributing to dog black stool formation.
Internal injuries, on the other hand, may cause excessive bleeding. It will flow and pass through the digestive tract. Afterward, the digested blood will then appear black in a dog’s poop.
Black Dog Poop Cause #7: Other Canine Ailments
Numerous diseases can badly affect dogs’ digestive system function, such as hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and stomach cancer.
The manifestation of black tarry stools in dogs can be a tell-tale sign of these severe health issues’ presence.
Black Dog Poop Cause #8: Poisoning
Rodenticide and heavy metal toxicity commonly have black dog poop as symptoms. A dog eating rodenticide may exhibit low vitamin K1 production, which is essential for blood clotting. They may develop internal bleeding and, in turn, excrete dog black poo.
Traces of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic can be found in some food like fish and molluscs and even in certain everyday items like ceramic dishes.
Leaving dogs exposed to these dangerous compounds may induce gastrointestinal issues, including black dog poop.
Know When Black Dog Poop Is a Sign of Illness
Is black poop in dogs bad? Black dog poop is not always a bad sign. If your pooch exhibits this condition without any physical or behavioural changes after 24–48 hours, he is most likely okay.
However, in some cases, black poop signifies something wrong with your dog’s health.
Here are the symptoms of ailments that commonly cause black poop in dogs:
- Lack of energy
- Pale gums
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abnormal weight loss
- Collapse
- Red spots on the skin
Take your dog to the vet immediately if your dog pooped black stools and exhibits the symptoms above. Make sure to bring a stool sample with you, as it will help determine the root cause of your pet’s condition. If this is not feasible, taking a photo of his black poop will do too.
Home Remedies for Black Dog Poop
Black dog poo triggered by mild causes can be treated at home. Here are some dog black stool treatment home remedies that you can do:
Consider fasting your dog.
Place your dog on a 24-hour fast to help his digestive system settle down. However, this is not recommended if he is a puppy or suffering from diabetes. Otherwise, it can cause his blood sugar levels to fluctuate abnormally.
When fasting your pooch, allow him to drink water in small amounts to keep him from getting dehydrated. Avoid giving him large quantities of water, as it can worsen any gastrointestinal issues he may be experiencing.
Feed your dog bland food.
Keep your dog on a bland diet after his 24-hour fasting session. Feed him mild and easily digestible food to prevent putting more stress on his digestive tract.
The most common bland food option for dogs is plain chicken and white rice. Ensure to remove the chicken’s fatty parts, such as the skin, as the oils can aggravate digestive issues. Adding other ingredients should be avoided, too, for the same reason.
Let your dog slurp some chicken broth.
Chicken broth has long been praised for effectively soothing an irritated digestive system in canines. You can make one from scratch by boiling a few chicken bones in 3 inches of water overnight.
Strain the mixture and make sure to remove the chicken bones. Allow the chicken broth to cool down and skim off any fat that collects on the surface. Then serve it to your canine companion.
Give your dog Pedialyte to drink.
If black dog poo is accompanied by diarrhoea, administer Pedialyte to your dog. It contains electrolytes to keep him hydrated and prevent nutritional loss.
The recommended dosage is 2–4 mL of Pedialyte per pound of body weight. Offer it to your dog every 1–2 hours. However, contact your vet before giving Pedialyte to your pooch to ensure it is appropriate for him.
In most cases, black dog poo begins to stop after pooches have a 24-hour fast and a 3-day bland diet. If this condition persists or worsens within that time frame, bring him to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosing Black Dog Poop
Black stools in dogs are a condition that can be caused by several health problems. The vet will need to rule out canine diseases one by one to accurately pinpoint the leading cause of black dog poo.
Inspecting your dog’s medical history and physical examinations will be carried out. They may investigate further by conducting other tests such as:
- Blood test: It is used to check for signs of anaemia, such as low numbers of red blood cells.
- Diagnostic imaging involves using X-ray or ultrasound to spot foreign objects or infectious agents in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Endoscopy: It provides a view of the dog’s upper intestinal tract, which helps determine if any injuries or ulcerations are present.
- Faecal analysis determines if blood or intestinal parasites can be found on a dog’s poop.
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Treatment for Black Dog Poop
How do you treat black stool in dogs? Dog black stool treatment will depend on what caused the condition to manifest.
Black dog poo induced by adverse drug reactions can be treated by changing the medications used. Canines ingest foreign bodies and require surgery to extract the item lodged in their GI tract.
Those suffering from viral, bacteria, or fungi infections will be prescribed antibiotics. If intestinal parasites caused black dog poo, anti-intestinal parasite medications would be administered.
The vet may suggest chemotherapy for canines with black stools brought on by cancer. Dogs suffering from excessive blood loss will be given a blood transfusion.
If the vet cannot determine the cause of black dog poo, your dog will need to be hospitalised for a 24-hour observation.
