Why Is There Mucus in My Dog’s Poop? A Vet’s Perspective

Does your dog have a slippery, jelly-like substance in their poop? As gross as it is, it’s perfectly natural. A little mucus in your dog’s feces isn’t cause for panic. Mucus lubricates the poop as it moves through your dog’s digestive tract.

However, if you’re seeing a lot of mucus in their poop or any blood mixed in, it may be time to see a veterinarian. Your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about their health. Read on to learn what to watch out for, how to treat it, and when to be concerned.

What Does Mucus in Dog Poop Look Like?

Mucus is best described as a slime. It may be mixed into your dog’s poop or coating the outside of it. If your dog has diarrhea, there may be chunks of jelly-like mucus in it.¹

While mucus is usually clear, it can also be green or red, depending on what’s causing it. Green mucus is usually indicative of a bacterial infection, but your dog may also just have eaten a lot of grass. Red mucus is usually caused by blood mixed in.¹

Possible Causes of Mucus in Dog Poop

You may be wondering, “What does mucus in dog poop mean?” The presence of mucus in dog poop is natural. It can help the feces slide through the dog’s digestive tract more easily. However, if you’re seeing a lot of mucus, it may be caused by something else. Your dog may have colitis, which just means their colon or large intestine is inflamed. But colitis itself has many causes.

Common causes of excessive mucus in stool can include:^1,2

• Excessive exercise
• Stress colitis
• Food allergy or intolerance
• Change in diet
• Dietary indiscretion
• Intestinal parasites
• Irritable bowel disease
• Infection
• Cancer

Some causes are easily identifiable. For example, has your dog recently gotten into the trash and eaten leftovers? Maybe you just took them on a long car trip and they’re stressed. If you can pinpoint the cause, then just monitor their symptoms for a few days. If they have additional symptoms or you’re otherwise concerned, you may want to take them to a vet to rule out more serious conditions.

Treating Mucus in Dog Poop at Home

If you’re seeing a small amount of mucus in your dog’s poop, but they seem otherwise healthy, then you may just want to monitor and treat them at home. There are a few things you can do at home to promote gut health and hydration.

• Change their diet. Putting your dog on a bland diet like baked chicken, rice, and pumpkin puree can help stabilize their digestive system if something upset it. Adding more fiber can also help firm up their stool and may reduce the amount of mucus.
• Consider probiotics. A balanced gut is essential to a healthy digestive system. Probiotics can help and are known to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and even regulate emotions. You may want to consult your vet before adding them to your dog’s routine.
• Encourage hydration. Dogs with excessive mucus in dog poop, diarrhea, or other digestive issues are easily dehydrated. Be aware of how much water your dog is drinking and try to incorporate water in other ways. Offer them ice cubes to chew on or add water to their food, so they can chow down and hydrate at the same time.

When To Take Your Dog to the Vet

If your dog has excessive mucus in their stool for more than a few days or has any other symptoms, you may want to take them to the vet. Here are a few symptoms to watch out for:²

• Low appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool

Depending on the cause of your dog’s symptoms, your vet may prescribe a few things. If they have intestinal parasites, they’ll need a dewormer. If they have an infection, they may need antibiotics. Your vet may also prescribe a special diet for them.

Preventing Mucus in Dog Poop

There are a few steps you can take to keep their digestive system working smoothly. Here are a few ways to promote a healthy gut and prevent excessive mucus from the start:

• Give your dog parasite preventatives.
• Keep them up to date on vaccines.
• Take them for regular checkups.
• Include probiotics in their diet.

How Dog Insurance Could Help

Whether you’re interested in preventative care or worried that your dog has mucus in poop now, pet insurance might help. We know vet bills add up quickly, but getting proper care for your dog is important. Dog insurance could help cover examination costs and diagnostic tests, as well as any treatment for injuries and illnesses.³

Get started today with a customized quote from MetLife Pet Insurance!