Your dog’s poop is a good indicator of overall health, and the color and consistency of their poop can give you a lot of information. Pet parents who are on poop patrol should also pay attention to what’s up in their dog’s poop, especially if you see white spots in dog poop.
Although not always, white spots in dog poop can indicate that your dog has intestinal worms.
Never fear! This article will help you find out what those white spots are and more importantly, what to do if you see white stuff in dog poop.
White Stuff in Dog Poop: What to Look Out for
Although it may seem dirty, it is important to pay attention to the contents of your dog’s poop. If you notice strange white things, it’s time to summon the courage to take a closer look. First, note the size and shape of the white stuff. Then consider the following:
- Are the white spots moving or not moving?
- Do the white spots look like rice or spaghetti?
- Do the white spots look like chewed up foreign material or food?
In addition to the white spots, keep an eye out for any other signs of illness or an upset stomach. These symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, pot belly and low appetite, and all indicate the need for veterinary attention.
Why Are There White Spots in My Dog’s Poop?
White stuff in dog poop can be a variety of things, from harmless to infectious, including:
- Undigested bits of food or bones
- Chewed, undigested foreign objects, such as plastic, cloth or stones
- Intestinal worms or worm eggs
Intestinal parasites in dogs are very common, and some types of worms are also contagious to humans. The most common types of intestinal worms in dogs are:
Dogs typically pick up these worms from the environment: an infected animal leaves feces containing parasitic eggs that contaminate the soil. When a dog comes into contact with parasite eggs, they become infected. These dogs can also pass infectious eggs in their feces. In addition, dogs can acquire certain worms by eating infected animal carcasses or ingesting an infected flea. Some worms can also be passed from a mother to her unborn puppies.
Worms in dog poop that look more like rice are likely tapeworm segments, while spaghetti-like worms in dog poop are likely roundworms. Whipworms and hookworms are rarely noticed outside the body.
You can protect your dog against most intestinal worms by giving them a broad spectrum dewormer every month, such as Interceptor Plus. This chicken-flavored chew protects against five of the most common types of worms that infect dogs.
What To Do If Your Dog’s Poop Has White Spots
If you notice white spots in dog poop that may be worms, don’t panic. It’s not an emergency, but you really should get veterinary attention for your dog as soon as possible. Call your vet and make an appointment. Explain to the receptionist what you noticed, when you noticed it, and any other symptoms your dog may be experiencing.
If you notice white spots in your dog’s poop, but think they may be undigested food or chewed material, and if your dog is otherwise acting normally, it is reasonable to have your dog checked to see if the problem persists. If the problem persists, or if your dog is acting unwell or losing weight in any way, see your vet.
On the day of your dog’s vet appointment, collect a fresh sample of your dog’s poop and bring it with you in an airtight container. It is important that the sample is fresh, as vital traces in your dog’s poo can disappear if the poo sits out for too long. It is very helpful if you can actually pick up the white spots or strings and bring those in as well. Be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards! If you have a compromised immune system, ask someone else to collect the sample for you. If you can’t collect the white stuff, take a photo or video and show it to your vet.
During the appointment, the veterinary team will weigh your dog, take vitals, ask you about your dog’s health history and perform a complete physical exam. The veterinary technician will test your dog’s stool for parasitic eggs, abnormal bacteria, blood or other abnormalities.
If it turns out that your dog has worms, then a deworming medication will be prescribed to remove the worms from your dog’s intestine. Fortunately, intestinal parasites are easy to treat and there are many of them deworming medications available The type of deworming medication needed depends on the type of intestinal parasites present. Your veterinarian will be your best resource in determining the right type of medication that is needed to treat your dog.
Treatment for intestinal parasites should eliminate the problem and also resolve any other symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss. Pet parents may notice white spots in dog poo after deworming: if you see this, don’t worry, it’s part of the normal process of expelling worms. You can too no notice any worms after worming. This is also normal – trust the process.
If your dog still has diarrhea, upset stomach, low energy or appetite, or is acting unwell in any way after treatment, call your vet for advice.
White Worms in Dog Poop: Precaution
The best way to treat white spots in dog poop is to avoid them in the first place. The following are recommendations for keeping worms out of your dog:
- Pick up dog (and cat) poop regularly.
- Cover children’s sandboxes to prevent them from being contaminated by passing animals.
- Deworm your dog regularly. Most heartworm preventatives also protect dogs against intestinal parasites year-round. Interceptor Plus prevents heartworm disease and treats and controls adult hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm and whipworm infections in dogs.
For 360-degree parasite protection inside and out, ask your vet about using a monthly tick and flea control medication for dogs, such as credelia.
Although tiny white worms in dog poop are gross, with common sense and the right parasite protection, you can keep them out of your dog and out of your life.