Excessive Mucus In Dog Poop – Causes & Treatment

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One of the things that you need to do as a dog owner is to study your dog and know what is normal. This way, when something is off, you’ll know it, and you’ll act quickly.

Among many other things, pay attention to the color and texture of your dog’s poop. If you’ve been doing this, you must have noticed that your dog’s poop usually has some amount of mucus, and that’s perfectly okay.

However, recently, you’ve noticed more mucus in your dog’s poop, and you are getting concerned.

You certainly have reason to be worried when there is excessive mucus in your dog’s poop. It could be a sign of an underlying health problem, and you should get to the bottom of it as soon as possible.


Why does my dog’s poop have excess mucus?

There are many possible reasons for the excess mucus. Here are some of them:

1. Stress

Your dog could be going through stress or anxiety. Just like humans, dogs might have diarrhea accompanied by large amounts of mucus and, at times, blood due to stress.

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Diarrhea and excessive mucus caused by stress should disappear on its own after 24-48 hours. If it doesn’t, consider calling a vet.

2. Something it ate

Your dog’s poop could have excessive mucus if it ate something rotten or bad that is causing an upset stomach.

Observe if your dog is also vomiting, experiencing lethargy, or exhibiting increased aggression, as these could be signs that he is experiencing discomfort or severe pain.

If that’s the case, consult a vet who may recommend multiple tests as part of a full assessment.

3. Intolerance to food or allergies

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An allergic reaction to food may result in the building up of excessive mucus in the dog’s poop. The same applies to food intolerance.

Apart from excessive mucus in poop, other indicators of allergy and food intolerance include flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting. Common culprits include raw bones or meat, undercooked eggs, dairy, and greasy or fried foods.

If your dog is experiencing chronic diarrhea, it could be a result of intoxication. Be on the lookout for other telltale signs such as fainting, seizures, fatigue or wobbly gait.

Contact your vet immediately if you suspect that your dog has ingested toxic foods or poison.

4. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves a chronic attack of the intestines by inflammatory cells.

The infiltration of plasmacyte and lymphocyte cells accompanies the most common type of inflammatory bowel disease. It is a common occurrence in Shar-Pei and German Shepherd dogs. The other common type has to do with the eosinophils cells.

We recommend consulting your vet to help determine with certainty if your dog has IBD.

5. Colitis

Increased mucus in the poop of your dog could also be a sign of colitis. Symptoms include straining (which shouldn’t be confused with constipation) and traces of blood in the waste.

While stress is the leading cause of colitis, other culprits are parasites and infection.

6. Parasites or protozoa

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The presence of tapeworms or whipworms (that reside in the colon and intestine) could be responsible for the excessive mucus.

These worms are among the most pathogenic worms present in dogs and usually cause severe irritation. Your dog could ingest them through water, food, or soil. If they are responsible for the increased mucus, you may see their eggs in the stool.

You also need to be aware of giardiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a parasite known as giardia. Your dog might have ingested it from feces of another animal, or of humans.

If your dog has giardiasis, it will have frothy, watery diarrhea with a foul smell and lots of mucus.

7. Recent changes in diet

If you recently switched to another brand of dog food, it could be the root of the problem.

At times, the presence of excessive mucus in dog stool means that its digestive system is trying to adapt to a new diet. If this is the case, consider introducing the new food gradually by mixing increasing amounts with what you used to give it before.

Stop introducing the new food if your dog has severe constipation or diarrhea and traces of blood, and consult a veterinary for useful advice.

If all you see is excessive mucus, carry on, as your dog should adjust in a week or so, after which its stool will go back to normal.


Treatment

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Depending on the cause, it might not require any special treatment and will resolve on its own. You should nonetheless have your veterinarian examine your dog and rule out the possibility of an underlying problem.

The good thing about consulting a vet is that he or she will conduct diagnostic tests, pinpoint any problems, and offer lasting solutions.

Your vet will likely prescribe a dewormer in the case of parasites. A dewormer also takes care of all the associated gastrointestinal issues.

The presence of a polyp or intestinal blockage might necessitate surgery. Your vet may recommend the use of hypoallergenic brand of dog food if your dog suffers from food intolerance or allergies.


Conclusion

Now you’re aware of the most common causes of excessive mucus in your dog’s poop, and how to treat it if any treatment is necessary.

It’s okay to be concerned, and it is always good to consult a vet to gain peace of mind and to ensure the general well being of your dog.

Thanks for reading this article. Feel free to share your experience with this issue in the comments below.

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2 Comments

  1. Vicky August 1, 2019
    • Kevin August 2, 2019

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