My dog's poop is hard, dry, black, and looks like ash. What's wrong?

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.

A change in food or treats could alter the color of the feces. It could also look abnormal if Riley is getting into something he shouldn't, like people food. Stool that is darker on the outside could also indicate that the feces is sitting in the colon for longer than normal. This could be due to dehydration or constipation. To avoid this you can add a fiber supplement (like Metamucil) to his food and/or increase water intake and/or add wet food to the dry food. As long as Riley is acting normally, defecating normally and still eating well and is active, I would not worry too much about it. If the poop continues to look abnormal I would recommend taking in a sample to your vet to be checked. I hope this helps. Best of luck. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Brindi. This can be a sign of constipation. Try feeding her canned food and add water to it to see if that helps. Keep all paper products out of her reach as best you can. If giving her canned food with water in it doesn't help, have her seen by a vet again. Best of luck.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Not necessarily. As long as he is doing well and does not seem in discomfort when defecating, it should be ok. I would make sure though that his water intake is appropriate as dry feces can sometimes be a sign of decreased water intake. Good luck and have a great day!

Your dog has most likely gotten into something that has caused her stool to be abnormal. I would keep an eye on her for now. If thenstool continues to be abnormal or if she starts vomiting and/or having liquidy stools I would take her to the vet to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach

It looks solid, but a bit tannish. She could be a bit dehydrated. I would make sure she has free access to water, and consider adding in wet/canned food to her diet. Otherwise, she likely is going to be just fine if this is the only thing that is abnormal at this time. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Take care.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Personally the color doesn't bother me but the consistency does. That is diarrhea. It is too soft and not formed. I would go back to the Royal Canin food as it sounds like he digests that one better. Be sure though that he has had his stool tested for intestinal parasites and is up to date on his DHPP vaccines. Good luck!