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Why is my dog's poop sometimes yellow-brown and other times dark?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | unspayed | 5 months and 30 days old | 45 lbs

Luna's poop sometimes shows a mixture of the usual dark brown and yellowish brown colour. While other times, its completely dark brown. What could that mean?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on August 6th, 2018

Hi there and thanks for posting!

Sometimes stool can change due to a recent change in diet or eating something out of the ordinary or unusual. Other causes can be certain infections such as viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections. Endocrine diseases such as Addison's disease or organ disease of the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas can also cause the color of stool to change. If the color changes continue, you may consider taking Luna in to be seen be her veterinarian to just sure there are no underlying conditions causing the changes.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Alison Flanigan, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 26th, 2017
Some of the stool appears to be normal in color the other is quite yellow but the consistency appears to be normal, which is good. Bile is normally released into the gastrointestinal tract and can cause stools to have a yellow color. Sometimes stools can be colored due to dyes in food or other things they may have ingested. I wouldn't be concerned as the consistency of the stool appears normal as long as your dog is otherwise acting normal eating and vomiting.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
Published on October 25th, 2017
If he is otherwise well this may just be a temporary upset from something he ate. I recommend you monitor closely and feed small, bland meals of an intestinal diet or boiled chicken and rice for 24-48hrs. Blood tests may be required if persistent to investigate underlying causes such as liver or bowel issues
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on November 23rd, 2020
These signs could be compatible with a colitis, which is an inflammation of the last part of the intestine, the colon, usually related to dietary indiscretion. As a first approach, I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days.
I would definitely recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice vomiting, lethargy or inappetence.
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog's poop is dark and light brown. Should I take her to the vet?

No, I do not think you have to take her to a vet. A dog's poop changes color depending on the type of food it eats. Brown is good! Your dog's food may have had a different color added and now it shows in the poop. However if your dog's poop turns into a clay or yellow color, with or without diarrhea, then you should take Luna to a vet for an exam as this could be a sign of a liver problem. But all different shades of brown are ok.

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Why is my dog's poop dark brown and soft but not liquid? Is it okay?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Feces should be a dark brown color, this is completely normal. It should be firm but not too dry. I would continue to monitor Luna's stools for any changes. If you see a pattern that is abnormal (red blood, dark black stool can be a sign of bleeding high in the intestinal tract, gelatinous stools mean the colon may be inflammed or whipworms are present, very light color stools, very loose stools, very dry stools) then you should contact your veterinarian and discuss what is going on. Good luck with Luna.

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My dog's poop is dark brown on a low-carb diet. Is it normal?

It's difficult to know without seeing it, but it's definitely a good sign that it's firm and otherwise normal. It's also a good sign if she is eating, drinking and acting normal. A diet that is high in meat and low in carbs like rice and potato would be expected to be somewhat dark, so this could explain the reason why it appears this way. I would only be concerned if Luna is vomiting, having diarrhea, looking very skinny, or has a decrease in activity. If she is having any of these problems, then it would be best for a vet to examine her. I hope that helps and all is well with Luna.

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Why is my dog's poop yellow after a new bag of his usual food?

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My dog has weird poop. What's causing his unusual stool changes?

I can see that some of this stool looks a little yellow and that there might be some foreign material, but otherwise it looks formed and I don't see anything concerning like blood or mucous. As long as Bo isn't straining to defecate, vomiting or not eating as well I wouldn't be concerned about his stool. The makeup probably isn't to blame since I would expect you to see changes a day or two after it was ingested, not a week later.

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