Dog ate ham bone, now has white poop. Is it too much calcium?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would worry about acholic feces which is the absence of bile in the stool. This is when the bile is retained in the blood which makes a dogs stools pale or putty colored. This can indicate an bile obstruction, liver or pancreatic disease. White stools can also be seen in dogs eating a raw food diet or a diet too high in calcium or if they ate something containing bone. If Gracie's stools continue to be white bring a sample and Gracie to the Vet for an exam. I wish you the best!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Luna. Yes, a diet change can alter the feces. If she develops vomiting or diarrhea, she should see her veterinarian. Otherwise, the feces should go back to normal once she is on her regular diet. I hope this information helps!

If there is no blood in the diarrhea and as long as Fate is eating and drinking normally with no vomiting it is probably okay to monitor her. Ham bones can cause bloody diarrhea, constipation or intestinal obstruction so if you see her straining to defecate or you see the signs above you should see a vet right away. If she doesn’t have any dietary restrictions you could try feeding a bland diet of 25% boiled chicken and 75% plain white rice for the next couple of days to help with the diarrhea.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Dalia's activity and appetite are normal, that is very reassuring. Have you started a new food or treat by chance? Sometimes a change in diet will cause the stool to change color. Sometimes a mild viral infection can also cause this but again, I would not worry unless she loses her appetite or becomes lethargic. Best of luck to you and Dalia!

Changes in diet commonly cause digestive upsets but the white stools are most likely due to calcium fragments from the bones (they would normally be brittle/crumbly stools) and black stool often indicates bleeding within the bowel (due to infection or scratches from bone fragments). I would monitor very closely for any vomiting, constipation or abdominal discomfort which can indicate a fragment may be obstructing the bowel. I would also recommend small, frequnt meals of a bland diet or familiar kibble to try to manintain gut movement to encourage digestion of any remaining bone fragments

It's possible that her poop is white because the mineral content of her diet is too high. If she's on a grain free or boutique food, or worse a home cooked diet. I'd recommend switching to a reputable brand like Hills, Purina, or Royal Canin to see if that helps at all. If you're not seeing a change, or Penny seems ill in any way, it's time to go for a vet visit. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like Xena was a bit naughty and got into too many treats! She is a larger dog, so she will likely be OK. I would monitor her closely for any gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. Acute intake of fatty foods can cause acute pancreatitis in dogs, which can range from an easy fix to a multi-day hospitalization with potential for life-threatening complications. If Xena becomes inappetant, has episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, or simply isn't acting herself, I recommend having her evaluated by a veterinarian. It is unlikely that the high-calcium buffalo treats will cause any issues. I hope this is helpful!