Last Updated: 28/05/2025
Pet Poo Problems? What Your Dog or Cat's Poo Says About Their Health
Learn what your pet's poo is really telling you about their digestive health and overall wellbeing and how veterinary diets and supplements can support pets with digestive problems.
Author: Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)
Reading Time: 19 minutes - medium read
This article is written by Pet Circle veterinarian, Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS in partnership with PRO PLAN Veterinary Diets .
As a pet parent, you probably don't spend too much time thinking about your pet's poo - until something seems off. But did you know that your pet's stool is one of the best indicators of their overall health? From colour and consistency to frequency and smell, paying attention to what's in the litter box or backyard can help you catch potential health issues early.
Poo is a reflection of the health of their microbiome. Abnormal stools can indicate an imbalance in the population of beneficial bacteria in the gut, also known as dysbiosis. Not to mention a number of health problems such as food intolerances, gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. If you have a pet with chronic poo problems, it's important to work with your vet to try to make a diagnosis. Thankfully, for many pets veterinary diets or supplements are an easy way to improve digestive health.
What Does The "Perfect Poo" Look Like?
A healthy stool varies slightly between cats and dogs, but in general, it should be:
- Firm and log-shaped - Not too hard, not too soft.
- Brown in colour - Dark or black stools may indicate blood in the digestive tract, while yellow or pale stools could signal liver or pancreas issues.
- Moist but not sticky - Overly dry stools may mean dehydration, whereas overly wet stools can indicate an upset stomach.
- Minimal odour - While pet poo will never smell great, an excessively foul odour could be a sign of digestive problems or infections.
Common Pet Poo Problems and What They Mean
- Diarrhoea - Loose or watery stools can result from dietary indiscretion, food intolerances, gastroenteritis, antibiotics, internal conditions like kidney or liver disease, toxins and stress. Chronic diarrhoea may be a result of food intolerances or allergies or may indicate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or a more serious gastrointestinal issue.
- Constipation - If your pet is struggling to pass stool or producing small, hard pellets, they may be dehydrated, have a fibre deficiency, or suffer from an underlying condition like a blockage or megacolon (common in cats).
- Mucus in stool - A little mucus is normal, but excessive amounts can indicate colitis, parasites, or food sensitivities.
- Blood in stool - Bright red blood may be from irritation in the lower digestive tract (colon), while dark, tarry stools suggest internal bleeding higher up in the gut (stomach or small intestines)
- Greasy or pale stools - This could indicate a problem with fat digestion, possibly due to a pancreatic or liver issue.
When to Consider a Veterinary Diet or Supplement
Veterinary gastrointestinal diets are specially formulated to support the digestive system and are often recommended for both acute and chronic digestive disorders. Likewise, targeted probiotic supplements can be beneficial for dogs and cats with acute digestive upsets as well as for long-term use in pets with chronic conditions.
That's where the Pro Plan EN Gastrointestinal Diet and Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Supplement can help.
Pro Plan EN Gastrointestinal Diet
Pro Plan EN Gastrointestinal Veterinary Diet is formulated to support digestive health in dogs and cats. It's ideal for pets who:
- Suffer from chronic or recurring diarrhoea.
- Experience frequent vomiting or signs of gut discomfort.
- Are recovering from gastrointestinal surgery or illness.
- Have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease or other digestive disorders.
- Are experiencing acute digestive upset e.g. secondary to dietary indiscretion
Why it works:
- Highly digestible formula - Supports optimal nutrient absorption and reduces the digestive workload.
- Moderate fat content - easily digestible MCT oil helps manage fat-sensitive conditions like pancreatitis.
- Prebiotic fibre blend - Blend of soluble and insoluble fibre nourishes beneficial gut bacteria and improves stool quality and firmness.
- Suitable for all life stages - it's completely balanced for puppies and kittens as well as senior pets.
- Bovine colostrum - coating on dry food supports the immune system and stabilises the gut microflora
- Great taste - Even pets with poor appetite often accept it well.
Pro Plan FortiFlora Probiotic Supplement
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria supplements that help to resolve dysbiosis and improve the immune function of the gut. Pro Plan FortiFlora is a veterinarian-recommended probiotic supplement that contains Enterococcus faecium, a probiotic strain that has been clinically proven to improve diarrhoea, flatulence and overall gastrointestinal health in dogs and cats. It's an excellent addition if your pet:
- Has intermittent or chronic diarrhoea, loose stools or poor stool quality.
- Is undergoing a diet change or recovering from antibiotics (give 3 hours away from antibiotics).
- Experiences stress- related digestive upset (e.g. from travel or new environments).
- Is suffering from acute or chronic gastroenteritis.
- Needs extra immune support, as a healthy gut microbiome strengthens overall health.
How it helps:
- Restores gut balance - Replenishes good bacteria in the gut.
- Supports immune function - A healthy microbiome contributes to a stronger immune system.
- Improves stool consistency - Helps regulate digestion for firmer, healthier stools.
Support your dog or cat's digestive health and immune system with FortiFlora, a tasty probiotic supplement recommended by vets.
When to See a Vet
If your pet's stool changes suddenly or if they experience ongoing digestive issues despite dietary adjustments it's important to consult your veterinarian.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if:
- Diarrhoea lasts more than 24- 48 hours.
- There is blood in the stool.
- Your pet is straining without producing stool.
- Your pet has significant weight loss.
- Your pet seems lethargic, vomits frequently, or stops eating.
Your pet's poo isn't just waste - it's a window into their health. By keeping an eye on changes in stool consistency, colour, and frequency, you can catch potential health concerns early.
If you notice ongoing digestive issues, switching to a therapeutic veterinary diet like Pro Plan EN gastrointestinal and/or adding a probiotic supplement such as Pro Plan FortiFlora can provide much-needed relief and support a happier, healthier gut. Always consult your veterinarian before making major dietary changes to ensure this is right for your pet.
Further Reading
Want to read more? Check out our other articles:
- Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
- Best Foods for Dogs with Diarrhoea
- Diarrhoea in Dogs
- Does Your Pet Have a Food Allergy
- Your Cat's Digestive System Explained
- How to Help a Constipated Cat
- Causes of Diarrhoea in Cats
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Fri May 16 2025
Edited by Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)Dr Olivia Clarke BSc BVMS MANZCVS (Unusual Pets, Avian)
Veterinarian
Dr Olivia graduated from Murdoch University in 2015 and worked in Western Australia before moving to Sydney to work in specialist practice as an avian and exotics veterinarian. Olivia has thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of species and interesting cases in her time as an exotics veterinarian. She has a particular soft spot for rabbits and thoroughly enjoys all aspects of rabbit medicine and surgery. She also has many years of experience working with dogs and cats as well as an array of wildlife.
