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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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

My dog's poop is a mixture of the usual dark brown and a paler brown. Should I get her checked with the vet?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 6th, 2018

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.

7Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 7th, 2017
The color can vary with different foods. If it is normally formed but just a different color than it is probably just related to the food you are feeding. If she has any vomiting or diarrhea than she needs to be examined by a vet to determine the cause.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on March 19th, 2019
Hello, sorry to hear about Selena. Most of this may be associated with the content of the food you are offering. Lighter color stools may be associated with higher fats in the food. Ultimately, the consistency of the stool is also important. As long as the stool is formed then this may be a normal variance that is associated with the nutritional content of her diet.

You may try a different type of diet in the interim to see if this improves or changes her stool color. However, if she develops diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, or inappetence then you should have her evaluated by a veterinarian sooner. Hope this helps and best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 23rd, 2018
This poop looks perfectly normal. Sometimes there are color differences caused by the food your dog eats. If Bailey ate her favorite kibbles first and then ate the second favorite, the colors can differ depending on the color of the kibble. Nothing to worry about.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on June 6th, 2019
The color could be due to something he ate, it could indicate blood in the stool, there are a number of possibilities. If he is at all sick, I recommend getting him seen by your vet as soon as possible for an exam. If he seems fine aside from the strange coloration keep a close eye on him and if he displays any signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, refusal to eat, then get him in to see your vet right away.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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