Let’s get the scoop on dog poop. 

As any proud dog parent knows, it’s inevitable you spend a lot of time dealing with your pet’s poop. And when you think you’ve noticed that something’s wrong, it’s scary. 

I’ve definitely fallen prey to believing tall tales about dog poop. Contrary to popular belief, there’s almost never a reason to panic if you think something’s up with your pup’s digestive system. Instead, there’s probably a simple explanation behind what’s going on. 

If you’re ever worried, Ollie’s the best place to turn. Their fresh food is designed to create better poops and support your dog’s gut. Health screenings are included in my Ollie membership, which means that all I have to do is upload a picture of my pup’s poop and it gets checked by the Ollie Health team. I can get a professional assessment for free, on-demand, anytime, with results within 24 hours. Getting clear, actionable guidance and reassurance from the Ollie Health Team gives me irreplaceable peace of mind. Sign up here to access the same support. 

Let’s bust some dog poop misconceptions. Do you know fact from fiction?

MYTH: Kibble makes poops better

Heat-blasted kibble contains processed ingredients and fillers which aren’t good for your dog’s health. Plus it’s low in moisture, which can slow down digestion, making your pup less regular (a surefire shortcut to a grumpy dog). 

The nutrients in fresh food are easier for dogs to digest and absorb, meaning better poops! When I switched Oscar to Ollie, his poops became practically perfect.

MYTH: Yellow and green poop is always a bad sign

Ideally, dog poop should be brown. That color comes from bile, a digestive fluid that breaks down nutrients and causes poop to turn brown as it moves through the intestines. 

So when your dog’s poop is green or yellow (or another color), that means that bile hasn’t finished the job. But before you start panicking, there are plenty of reasons why that could be the case other than something serious.

Eating grass, eating human food, food intolerances, stress, anxiety, and parasites can all cause poop to turn a slightly funny color, and that’s totally normal. If that weird color lingers for days on end, however, it’s time to investigate further. Snap a pic, submit a free digestion screening right in the Ollie app, and get expert feedback from the Ollie Health Team, or turn to your vet for answers. 

MYTH: It’s all about quantity, not quality

Just because your pup’s going every day doesn’t mean everything’s ok. As well as regularity, you should be keeping an eye on consistency, texture, frequency changes, and any signs of straining or discomfort. Together, these indicators can reveal bodily inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, and food sensitivities. 

MYTH: Chunks aren’t normal

They might be a little disconcerting to spot, but chunks can be totally chill. Dogs don’t have certain types of enzymes that break down insoluble fiber, like the kind found in corn and carrots. Small bits of undigested vegetable matter aren’t a problem. If you’re seeing more than just a few chunks, however, that could indicate your dog’s digestive system needs more support. Talk to your vet or Ollie’s Health Screening team for more info. 

MYTH: Big poops = better

You might think that a large-sized poop pile means all is well, but this can be a sign that your dog’s food has a high filler content, or isn’t easy for them to digest. Conversely, small poops can show that your dog is efficiently absorbing their food’s nutrients. 

That's why fresh food helps create better poops: it’s nutrient-rich and easy to digest. I found Ollie’s fresh food to be the best on the market as it happily lacks common fillers (like wheat and corn, often found in conventional dog food brands and offering low nutritional value, as well as causing allergies and sensitivities in some pups) that it can contribute to smaller, more easily managed poops and improved digestive health. No more double-bagging needed!

MYTH: Mucus is always a bad sign

A small amount of mucus actually makes it easier for your dog to go, as it lubricates their colon. A lot of mucus, though, or seeing it paired with excessive straining, blood, or loose stool, could mean that something’s up. Inflammation, gut microbiome imbalance, and allergies could be the culprit here. Speak with your vet or Ollie’s Health Screening team for support. 

MYTH: If you see diarrhea, you should panic

Diarrhea might be unpleasant to clean up, but it’s not always something to worry about. If you’ve recently switched to a different kind of food, that’s a common cause. Antibiotics can be another. Scavenging garbage or eating spoiled food can also be the culprit. To get rid of any diarrhea worries, feeding your dog digestible, high-quality ingredients (like Ollie’s fresh food) is the best shortcut to healthy-textured poops. If diarrhea persists, seek care and advice from your veterinarian.