DIGESTIVE ISSUES: Icky Poop
Greyhound people seem to spend lots of time talking about greyhound poop; with some, the topic seems to border on obsession. One reason this issue is so frequently discussed is that what appears “normal” to some may look “icky” to others. And, when it comes to poop production, not all greyhounds are created equal nor do they necessarily create poop like other breeds.
To help you with the delicate issue of poop, we have developed some guidelines about the appearance of greyhound poop. Remember, the first week or so that your greyhound is with you, he’s undergoing huge changes – food, water, location, companionship, “rules” and possibly even living with a cat or a child! Egads! Any of these are enough to derail his delicate digestive system for a few days.
If poop does not seem to be improving in consistency and frequency, a good brand to try is Purina One Sensitive Stomach (a salmon, oatmeal and rice food). It is reasonably priced and seems to work well on greyhounds' delicate digestive systems. But remember to introduce the new food gradually over several days and anticipate that changing the food may upset the dog’s system again for a short period of time.If you feel that your dog has a serious case of diarrhea, contact Cathy Kiburtz or Sandy Hightower. And, if at any time, blood appears in the poop or the dog appears to have difficulty or pain when eliminating, contact Cathy and Sandy immediately.
If things just look “icky” but you aren’t sure how “icky” they look, here are some guidelines:
For more help, check out an article on this topic that includes photos: The Scoop on Poop.
by Sandy Hightower, Greysave volunteer
To help you with the delicate issue of poop, we have developed some guidelines about the appearance of greyhound poop. Remember, the first week or so that your greyhound is with you, he’s undergoing huge changes – food, water, location, companionship, “rules” and possibly even living with a cat or a child! Egads! Any of these are enough to derail his delicate digestive system for a few days.
If poop does not seem to be improving in consistency and frequency, a good brand to try is Purina One Sensitive Stomach (a salmon, oatmeal and rice food). It is reasonably priced and seems to work well on greyhounds' delicate digestive systems. But remember to introduce the new food gradually over several days and anticipate that changing the food may upset the dog’s system again for a short period of time.If you feel that your dog has a serious case of diarrhea, contact Cathy Kiburtz or Sandy Hightower. And, if at any time, blood appears in the poop or the dog appears to have difficulty or pain when eliminating, contact Cathy and Sandy immediately.
If things just look “icky” but you aren’t sure how “icky” they look, here are some guidelines:
- If the consistency is like soft serve ice cream, that’s fairly normal for a greyhound and may continue for several weeks. It is common if the dog poops a second time within 20 - 30 minutes of having had a more solid poop.
- If the consistency is like pancake batter for more than 2 - 3 days, then call Cathy Kiburtz or Sandy Hightower. They can advise you on an alternative treatment for resolving diarrhea.
- And remember, you can always call Cathy, Sandy or your Placement Representative if you have a concern about “poop” or any other aspect of your dog’s well-being.
For more help, check out an article on this topic that includes photos: The Scoop on Poop.
by Sandy Hightower, Greysave volunteer
