The ideal dog poop is firm, slightly moist, and easy to pick up. If you notice mucus in dog poop (or if your dog’s poop is encased in a shiny mucus-like casing), your dog has some type of bowel inflammation. Mucus in dog poop is commonly seen in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or as an early warning sign of other health conditions.
Mucus in Dog Poop and IBD
IBD is a syndrome as opposed to a disease, and it is caused by a specific reaction to chronic irritation of the intestinal tract. Most dogs with IBD have a history of recurrent or chronic vomiting or diarrhea and may have a poor appetite. In addition to mucus in stool, other signs of IBD in dogs include:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Chronic, intermittent vomiting
- Gas
- Abdominal pain
- Rumbling abdominal sounds
- Bright red blood in stool
- Distressed hair coat
Other Common Causes of Mucus in a Dog Poop
Mucus in dog poop can also be caused by parvovirus, parasites, tumors and/or polyps, constipation toxin overload, autoimmune disorders, or even cancer. Eating garbage can also cause bacterial infections in the digestive tract that can lead to bloody stools or mucus in dog poop.
Is Mucus in Dog Poop Always a Concern?
You shouldn’t worry about seeing a small amount of mucus in dog poop. Dog stool normally contains some mucus, which is produced by the intestines to keep the lining of the colon lubricated and moist.
But if you notice an excessive amount of mucus in the stool, or if it is accompanied by blood or an obvious change in your dog’s bowel movements, seek immediate veterinary medical attention. The veterinarian will be better able to identify the underlying cause of mucus in your dog’s poop and recommend a proper course of treatment.
Treating Mucus in Dog Poop
Treating mucus in dog poop really depends on what’s causing it, which is why you need a vet to weigh in.
“One of the most obvious signs of a potential health problem in dogs is diarrhea, and diarrhea can have different characteristics depending on its cause,” according to Michael S. Stone, DVM, DACVIM, a small animal specialist at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. “A soft stool containing or coated with mucus may indicate the presence of parvovirus or parasites, or other problems, so have it checked out by your dog’s veterinarian. The treatment will depend on the diagnosis.”
Top photograph: © DieterMeyrl | iStock / Getty Images Plus.
41 thoughts on “Mucus in Dog Poop: What Does it Mean?”
I have one of those vets. Been going to him for 35 years. He still works for his regular clients and some if he has time new ones. He is 75. I absolutely adore and love him. He and the vet tech that’s been there almost as long as me are like family. The other vet in the office is good also. But there will never ever be one like mine again. As for prices they don’t nickel and dime you to death.
My dog has same mucas and diarrhea problem. I have taken him off dog food and am cooking up mince rice carrots and greens mix , early days but so far looking promising.
Your dog also needs meat, add some boiled chicken!
I became a nervous wreck when I opened this e-mail regarding the mucus in the poop.
OMG!!!!!
I became a nervous wreck when I opened this e-mail regarding the mucus in the poop.
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Have you guys experienced mucus in dog poop? Because I have seen this with our dogs and I don’t want it to be serious at the same time, I don’t want it to make me paranoid about mucus in dog poop which made me look for answers on the internet. As I was reading a lot of it, some are useful and some are not so here’s what I found more useful though: https://ultimatepetnutrition.com/mucus-in-dog-poop/
I became a nervous wreck when I opened this e-mail regarding the mucus in the poop. It read that some is normal so I think my little guy will be okay. I just keep an eye on him always and just watch and hope he doesn’t develop anything serious. I read all labels on his food and treats and make sure he gets as natural as possible and no treats from China and no rawhide. I hope this helps.
Thank you, that article was very helpful
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Another vet visit. I have maxed out a Care Credit card up to $600 and now the advice is to go to the vet. I am unable to afford the vet any more. It is very frustrating when it cost $50 to just walk in the door to start, then on you need to do this $180 test and oh yes this $300 test and on and on. I am literally on a fixed income. I love my dog, the cost of her cushings medication and proin for peeing and special food from the vet to boot. Now I am seeing this next issue of fleshy stuff in the poop/mucas in the poop. I am very frustrated at what it costs to help our pets have a healthy life, and let alone take care of ourselves.
Hi Cynthia,
The cost of a visit to the vet can be very frustrating. Here is an article regarding affordable vet care: https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/affordable-vet-care-for-your-dog
I understand how you feel completely! I love my dog as well and I am on a fixed Income also. I have learned to just read everything and learn as much as I can about food and treats so I know that my dog is getting good things. I avoid anything with corn syrup or added salts or sugars and I think this is a big deal to look at. Is y0ur dog Ill in general or has he or she become Ill?
You just said what I have been thinking for years, Cynthia. It’s really sad because vets these days are just interested in running tests, prescriptions for everything and basically making it completely unaffordable to give basic health to our animals while putting all that money into the pockets of the corporations that own them. What ever happened to the good country vets that would give you cost effective options? I guess they’ve all retired or had their pants sued off of them, and now wall street owns most veterinary practices. It’s heartbreaking….and wallet busting 🙁
I think the ‘good country vet’ is a myth. Vets have been a business for decades.
Up until I moved 10 years ago, I had a good country vet for 20 years. He certainly ran a business, but did not have to answer to stock holders.
I have been going to a good country vet for years now in Nebraska. We’ve never had an issue with our dog until recently when I think he ate something when we weren’t looking. Our vet recommended oatmeal (no added anything) and pumpkin along with his regular food to calm his stomach and it worked. He has no symptoms or parasites but was treated anyway very cost-affectively. I’ve learned that the majority of vets are personally owned practices or branches from that. It’s the colleges that are the issue. Our vets bury themselves in debt learning and the education is test-med-repeat. I would suggest looking into vets that came from a less rebound vet school but have good reviews.
Thank you for that information, Katya!
Good country vets are hard to come by but I am blessed to have 2 great vets near me. They are affordable and and always looking out for me and my pets. Dont give up, they are out there.
Vets are bigger crooks than doctors or dentists, they know most people will do and spend whatever to help their dog and they take full advantage of it!
I am sorry you have apparently had a bad experience, but it is irresponsible and incorrect to make such a blanket condemnation of veterinarians. Most are loving and caring doctors who have to rely on tests for diagnoses since their patients cannot tell them what their symptoms are and owners either are ignorant of their pet’s health or they lie about it.
Just seen this post I had a brilliant vet who looked after and saw most of my dogs through their lives yes treatments could be expensive but she would never do anything unless it was really necessary and would be very straight with me about my dogs treatment we were friends for many years it was her business up until she retired last year and made the decision to sell to a large company but is still filling in from time to time to help out so yes wonderful caring vets do exist and are not in it for the money I have since moved away but found a young amazing vet who cares very much about his work and the animals he treats staying over night to care for them
yes there are good and bad vets I have had bad ones too but done something about it if your not happy move on use your common sense and do what’s best for your animal (not yourself)after all you know them better than anyone if you cannot afford it don’t have a pet and you not have to agree to expensive treatments I must admit I have noticed that if your dog is insured some vets will pull out all the treatments.
If you feed your dog a healthy diet give them plenty of exercise and don’t let them become over weight you should not have the need of a vet too often apart from check ups & boosters.
you have to be kidding me, why would a loving owner, and I mean loving because if they weren’t they don’t bother going to vets, lie about their pets’ symptoms? and most people now days know a lot more about their pets then they did 10 years ago, so we OWNERS are not the fools you say we are, but some vets out there treat us like imbeciles, talking down to us, that is my pet hate, and I walk out, and I know of a young vet scared silly of dogs and yet he tried to treat one of my rescues, and then got upset when I told him to get out and get me a real one, I do agree there are good and bad on both sides but don’t put us loving owners down so much, it’s us that keep vets in the business
Go on YouTube to veterinarian secrets. Dr. Jones is a holistic veterinarian. He helps people treat their pets at home. My dog started shaking from two in the morning till the vet opened the next day, the vet said she was going to have a seizure by the weekend. IContacted Dr. Jones on YouTube he told me to give her rescue remedy for pets. She never had a seizure and is perfectly fine.
Hi Deborah, is your dog doing fine? Was the shaking caused by the diarrhea? My dog is experiencing shaking and diarrhea and I am just hoping he will be fine. I am taking him to the vet if the have any appointments open but I am so scared but if you a good outcome it will help me a little with my anxiety.
I have heard that Full
Spectrum Hemp Oil can cure Cushing’s in dogs.
It can’t hurt to give it a try. I’m in the beginning stages of Cushing’s . It’s so sad to see them go through this.
Hi Cynthia- hang in there. I know exactly how it is- our 17 year old girl had Cushings for several years and yes the Vetoryl and Proin and all of that, not to mention the wall-to-wall potty pads. Its very expensive but so worth it. I ended up actually contacting the pharmaceutical company and they were able to provide several months of free meds to our vet- they sent them in and our vet gave them to us free. That was really helpful. Also on a fixed income- it was very difficult but stay the course- your pet is so thankful to have such a good mommy!
See if there are any veterinarian schools near you and go through them. They are usually income based and you’re helping them learn as well as getting care.
My dog had chronic diarrhea, but I tried using EcoDigestive because it’s all natural and it really helped!
Did you know or find out why your dog had diarrhea in the first place before you gave the EcoDigestive?