Why is there undigested food in my dog’s poop?

Spotting a bit of undigested food in your dog’s poop now and then is common, but if it shows up too often, this could point to a problem in your pooch’s gut and digestive system.

So, how worried should you be about dodgy poops, and how can you keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly to ensure their stools are healthy? 

Read on for our top tips on boosting your dog’s digestive system, and when your dog’s poops might require some help from the vet. 

Why does my dog poop out undigested food?

When your dog’s digestive system isn’t able to break down the food they eat, it can lead to chunks of food staying intact throughout your dog’s body, eventually showing up in their poop. 

On top of this, their gut microbiome may be missing the key, beneficial bacteria needed to help break down nutrients, meaning it just passes straight through their system. 

There are a few reasons your dog’s body might not be digesting food properly, but generally, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite in alignment with your dog’s digestive system and/or the food they’re eating. 

Why is my dog not digesting food properly?

• Unhealthy or poor-quality food. Low-quality dog food, full of preservatives or artificial ingredients, can be harder for your dog’s body to break down. This also applies to fatty human food which takes a lot longer for a dog to digest. 
  
  
• A food intolerance or allergy. Your pooch may be eating food that doesn’t suit them, like grain-heavy foods which trigger their gut, or perhaps they have a dairy or meat allergy/intolerance.
  
  
• A sudden change in diet. If you’ve given your dog different food all of a sudden without gradually switching, this can ‘shock’ their digestive system and cause unhealthy poops.
  
  
• Eating too fast. If your pooch wolfs their food down, they could be swallowing without chewing properly, meaning whole bits are more likely to come out in their poop.
  
  
• Stress or anxiety. The gut and brain are smartly linked via the gut-brain axis; so if your dog is stressed or going through anxiety for any reason (a house move, a new pet, surgery, life changes etc.), it can impact their digestion. 
  
  
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This condition causes inflammation in the gut and bowel, leading to frequent digestive turbulence. This means food your dog eats will often go only partially digested. 
  
  
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). This condition reduces the enzymes that break down your dog’s food, meaning inefficient digestion.
  
  
• Parasites. If your dog has a parasite in the intestine (like roundworm or hookworm), that can result in food moving through the body completely undigested, coming out in poop. 

What does undigested food in poop look like?

Things like chunks of vegetables from their meals, whole beans, rice kernels if your dog eats grain, or bits of kibble that are still intact can show up in your dog’s poop.

The poop itself can seem somewhat loose, not firm and together like healthy dog poop.

Signs of unhealthy dog poop

Look out for other signs of unhealthy dog poo, as this can all point to a problem in your dog’s body; either a digestive disorder or the result of an unsuitable diet. 

These signs include very loose or watery poop, or the other extreme: unusually hard or dry poop, making it hard to pass. 

Poop shouldn’t be a strange colour like black, red, or pale; it also shouldn’t have a particularly strong or foul smell, different to the normal scent. 

Mucus or blood in the stool is also something to watch out for, along with regular undigested food.

When to worry about undigested food in dog stool

It’s normal for undigested food to come through in your dog’s poop now and then. 

But if it’s a regular occurrence, it could signal an imbalance in your dog’s gut and digestive system. 

If your dog’s food-heavy poops coincide with other signs of a troublesome gut, then that’s another warning sign that perhaps your dog’s diet needs attention. 

Be sure to speak to your vet if you’re regularly finding undigested food in your dog’s poop, and consider investigating through diet, or even Gut Health Testing.

What else might appear in dog poop?

A lot of things tend to show up in your dog’s poop that aren’t food - occasional undigested grass is normal, but frequent appearances could point to a gut imbalance issue. 

Non-edible items like shoelaces or household items might appear, meaning you’ll need to have a trip to the vets to ensure there’s no obstruction and keep a close eye on what your dog is sniffing out and chewing on around the house. 

You may see hair or hairballs due to your dog grooming themselves. 

If you see worms or other moving parasites, blood, or an excess of mucus, you should also call your vet for advice.

Other signs your dog has digestive issues

Your dog’s unusual poops may appear alongside other signs of a turbulent tummy, such as:

• Lethargy
  
  
• Bloat or tummy pain
  
  
• Stinky farts
  
  
• Diarrhoea or constipation
  
  
• Sickness 

All of these signs shouldn’t be ignored - be sure to take note of these symptoms and chat to your vet about what could be the problem.

Investigating your dog’s digestive problems

If you feel your pooch has digestive issues, you may want to investigate the problem at home with a science-backed Gut Health Test for Dogs. 

Having scientific insights into your dog’s gut health can go a long way to diagnosing and combating some of the uncomfortable symptoms - such as undigested food in poop, unhealthy stools in general, and other issues connected to gut health like stinky farts, pain, bloating, butt-scooting, hair loss, itchiness and anxious behaviour. 

The science-backed results of your dog’s Gut Health Test can be used to plan a new gut-nourishing diet for your pooch and get their health back on track - either with the help of your vet, or from our experts at Pooch & Mutt.

When to see a vet

If you’re worried about your dog’s digestion and poop quality, and none of the steps above (focusing on diet, supplements and exercise) seem to be easing their symptoms, take them to the vet for a check-up. 

They can run some tests to rule out any underlying health conditions that may be impacting your dog’s digestive system. 

You should always chat to your vet before switching your dog’s diet or starting them on a new supplement.

FAQs

How long does undigested food stay in a dog’s stomach?

Most food takes from 4-8 hours to move from a dog’s stomach and through the intestines, but this can vary depending on the dog’s physical condition (age, breed, size etc.), how they tolerate certain foods and what food they’ve eaten.

 Food that’s harder to digest, such as red meat, dairy, grains or fatty foods can take much longer for your dog’s body to process. 

Is it normal to see things in my dog’s poop?

It’s normal to occasionally spot grass, seeds or small pieces of undigested food. 

However, frequent undigested food, blood, mucus, or things that shouldn’t be eaten like fabric or plastic objects can be a cause for concern. 

Keep an eye on your dog’s eating habits and chat to your vet for advice. If you see blood in your dog’s poop, going to your vet is especially important. 

Does your pooch suffer regularly with digestive issues? Get to the root of the problem with our at-home Gut Health Test for Dogs. We then use your science-backed insights to build a diet and supplement plan for your dog, so you can restore their gut balance and promote long-term wellness.