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Let’s be honest, no one loves talking about poop. But for dog owners, especially those feeding a homemade diet, poop offers incredible clues about a dog’s health, digestion, and overall well-being. From size and frequency to color and consistency, your dog’s droppings are a window into their gut health.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about dog poop on a raw diet, what’s normal, what’s not, and how to address common issues naturally.
1. How Often Do Raw Fed Dogs Poop?
Raw-fed dogs typically poop less often than kibble-fed dogs. Here’s why:
Raw diets are more digestible and produce less waste than processed diets.
How often a dog poops depends on the meal size and the dog’s metabolism, with some dog owners reporting that their dog poops once daily
Puppies and active dogs may poop more frequently due to higher food intake.
Key takeaway: Less frequent pooping on raw is usually normal and reflects efficient digestion.
My experience: My dogs poop a couple of times daily. Once on their morning walk, once in the afternoon, or early evening.
2. Large Poop in Dogs: Overfeeding or Poor Nutrient Absorption?
If a dog is producing large stools relative to its size, it may be due to:
Overfeeding - Excess food simply passes through as bulk.
Low nutrient absorption - If the diet isn’t balanced, nutrients may not be absorbed properly, leading to bigger stools.
Signs of concern include:
Persistent loose stools
Weight loss despite eating well
Bloating or excessive gas
If large poops are frequent, consider reviewing your dog’s diet with a professional to ensure proper balance and portion sizes.
My experience: When one of my dogs is producing larger-than-normal stool, I review how much I’m feeding and make adjustments as needed. If the amount being fed is appropriate for the dog, I add a small amount of Healthy Gut by Adored Beast Apothecary daily for a week. These digestive enzymes help with nutrient absorption.
3. Why Is Raw Fed Dog Poop Smaller than Kibble Fed Dog Poop?
Raw food is highly digestible.
Contains less filler (no starchy binders like corn, wheat, or soy).
More nutrients are absorbed and utilized.
Kibble diets produce more waste because much of the fiber and carbohydrates are indigestible or poorly digested by dogs. This results in larger, bulkier stools.
4. Colors of Raw Fed Dog Poop (And When to Be Concerned)
Color can tell you a lot about what’s happening inside your dog. This is much easier to explain with images, but I’m not a fan of looking at dog poop photos. I hope these descriptions help clarify what I mean. If you’re still unsure or worried about your dog’s poop, please reach out to your veterinarian.
Normal Poop Colors:
Chocolate brown - Normal
Lighter tan - Can happen with high bone content
White/chalky - Often due to excess bone; normal in moderation, but watch for constipation
Green - Eating grass, some veggies, or certain supplements
My experience: My dogs’ poop also changes colors depending on the protein they’re eating. Venison and elk produce stool that’s a darker shade of brown than turkey and duck.
Concerning Poop Colors:
Black/tarry - Possible internal bleeding, especially higher in the GI tract. See a vet immediately.
Bright red streaks - Fresh blood from the colon or rectum. May be mild irritation or something more serious.
Yellow/orange - Possible bile issues, liver stress, or rapid food transit.
Grey/clay colored - Potential pancreatic or biliary issues.
If my dog has a questionable poop, I snap a picture and send it straight to my vet. I don’t post it on social media because (1) it’s kinda gross, and (2) there’s way too much misinformation that could send me in the wrong direction.
It’s totally fine to get feedback from other pet parents, but I never want to leave my veterinarian out of the conversation.
5. Consistency of Raw Fed Dog Poop (And When to Be Concerned)
The ideal raw-fed poop:
Firm, well-formed
Moist but not sticky
Easy to pick up without residue
Other consistencies:
Soft/loose - Mild digestive upset, dietary change, food intolerance
Liquid diarrhea - Parasites, infections, or serious dietary imbalance
Dry/hard - Excess bone, dehydration
Greasy/shiny - Fat malabsorption or pancreatic issues
6 Using Whole Foods to Help Loose Stool, Diarrhea, or Constipation
When your raw-fed dog experiences occasional upset stomach, certain whole foods can help gently firm stool, ease diarrhea, or relieve constipation without resorting to medications immediately.
For Loose Stool or Mild Diarrhea:
Air-dried, nutrient-rich carrot pellets that support healthy digestion, firm stools, and overall gut health.
Pumpkin (pure, plain)
High in soluble fiber, absorbs excess water in the gut.
Typical dose: 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs body weight, mixed into meals.
Mashed sweet potato (also plain)
Another good soluble fiber source.
Soothes the gut lining.
Typical dose: 100 milligrams per 10 lbs body weight, two to four times daily. I prefer to add water to create a paste that I add to meals.
Gut Soothe by Adored Beast Apothecary contains slippery elm.
Boiled, lean ground turkey or chicken (bland diet)
Easy on the stomach if diarrhea is persistent.
While rice is often suggested for soothing a dog’s upset stomach, it’s not ideal. Dogs don’t digest starches like rice very efficiently, which can sometimes prolong diarrhea rather than help. Plus, rice offers little nutritional value and lacks the fiber that helps firm stools. Whole-food alternatives like pumpkin or sweet potato are often better choices.
For Constipation:
Pumpkin (again!)
Helps loosen stool by adding moisture and gentle fiber.
Chia or flax seeds (ground and soaked in water)
Create a gel that can help move things along.
Green veggies (pureed)
Add fiber bulk to meals.
Bone broth
Adds moisture and electrolytes, helpful for mild dehydration-related constipation.
Learn more about: Bone Broth for Dogs
Recipe: I make a veggie mix from vegetables from my garden (or that I get from friends or the Farmer’s Market), alternating dog-safe vegetables with each batch. I keep this on hand as a whole food source of fiber.
When to See a Vet:
Diarrhea lasting longer than 48 hours
Severe lethargy or vomiting
Blood in stool
Signs of pain or bloating
Using whole foods can help mild digestive issues, but chronic or severe problems always warrant professional evaluation.
7. Mucus on Dog Poop: Should You Worry?
A small amount of mucus can be normal; it’s a natural lubricant for stool movement.
Concerning mucus:
Large amounts
Accompanied by diarrhea or blood
Frequent episodes
Possible causes:
Sudden diet changes
Parasites
Colitis
Food intolerance
Action: Observe for a couple of days. If symptoms persist or become severe, consult your veterinarian.
My experience: I occasionally see mucus when I add too much of a digestive supplement, which is why I now start small when introducing a new supplement (or a supplement I haven’t used in a while).
8. The Connection Between a Healthy Gut and Dog Poop
A dog’s poop reflects their microbiome health. A balanced gut:
Absorbs nutrients efficiently
Prevents pathogens from overgrowing
Reduces inflammation
Signs of a healthy gut in poop:
Regular schedule
Consistent shape and firmness
Minimal odor (raw-fed poop often smells milder than kibble poop)
Consider adding gut-supportive foods:
Green tripe
Kefir or fermented veggies
Probiotic supplements
Bone broth
9. Why Some Dogs Eat Poop (Coprophagia)
Coprophagia is common and can stem from:
Nutrient deficiencies (e.g., enzymes, minerals)
Malabsorption issues
Boredom or anxiety
Learned behavior (especially from puppyhood)
How to Address Coprophagia Naturally
Diet:
Balance meals properly
Ensure enough digestive enzymes and minerals
Consider adding:
Pineapple (enzymes may deter poop-eating)
Green veggies for fiber
Supplements:
Probiotics
Digestive enzymes
Zinc, if deficient
Training:
Pick up poop immediately
Teach the “leave it” command
Redirect attention during walks
10. Why Dogs Smell Other Dogs’ Poop
Dogs’ anal glands and gut flora give poop a unique “signature scent.”
When sniffing poop, dogs gather information like:
Sex
Health status
Diet
Stress levels
It’s normal communication, like humans exchanging a handshake!
11. Why Dog Owners Should Pick Up Poop
Prevents parasite spread (Giardia, worms)
Protects waterways from bacteria
Keeps parks clean for everyone
Reduces neighborhood disputes
And let’s be real, no one likes stepping in surprise poop!
Are Raw Feeders Obsessed with Dog Poop?
At the time of this post, I have four dogs who maintain a consistent poop routine.
My dogs have a morning poop, with Zoey breaking up her poop into two squats.
My dogs poop on the first walk of the day, and may poop a second time if we have an afternoon walk.
A “good poop” for my dogs is solid, a color that makes sense (venison usually produces slightly darker stool than turkey), and it’s neither too hard nor too soft.
When I first started raw feeding, I quickly realized that dog lovers seemed a bit obsessed with poop, given how many photos owners were sharing online.
I’m not obsessed with my dogs’ poop - I’m obsessed with their gut microbiome, which means that I pay attention to my dogs’ poop consistency. Feeding a fresh food diet with ingredients (vegetables, raw goat’s milk, bone broth) and whole food supplements (Gussy’s Gut, Daily Dawg, and Sea & Soil by Adored Beast Apothecary) helps maintain a healthy gut…and healthy poop.
Poop isn’t my only metric for determining if my dogs are healthy, but it’s a start. Whether you’re raw feeding or not, understanding what’s normal helps you catch issues early and keep your dog thriving.
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