Can anyone explain why my labrador's poo is black in colour? He hasn't had any recent changes in diet

Answer 1

If it doesn't clear up in a day or 2 take him 2 the vet. Black poo can be a sign of internal bleeding - but it could be other things too, like something he's picked up and eaten when you weren't looking.

Answer 2

In my experience science diet gives very, very smelly poo. I feed my fat cat IAMS less active dry. Only dry. Wet food as a rule will always give more smelly poos. Feed your fat cat as directed on the bag. It might help if you split it and feed half in the morning and half at night. My fat cat liked green beans and fresh spinach, too. If you're using regular clay litter, switching to Tidy Cats Multiple Cat formula scoopable helps control odor best. It's a little more expensive, but I figure my nose is worth it! I don't think underfeeding a cat would cause any smelly problems. Be sure to feed him enough, though. I guess I'd be cautious about it because cats are supposed to lose weight very slowly or they can get health problems.

Answer 3

He might have eaten something that you aren't aware of which could be causing this or he could have some internal bleeding.

Blood can appear in faeces as black, rust or bright red depending on whereabouts in the digestive system the bleeding occurs.

Black could be the stomach - bright red is usually near the anus.

If it has gone on for a couple of days take him (and a sample) to the Vet.

P.S. One of my dogs drinks from muddy puddles on dog walks and this changes the colour of the faces as well.

Answer 4

Black poo might indicate internal bleeding
caused by stomach cancer or an accident you did
not witness.
Take the dog to a Vet PRONTO!

Answer 5

If it is very black it could contain digested blood which would mean there is something going on internally, could be an infection. If it is black the next time, I would take a sample to the vet and have him examined. Use a sterile container...from your vet.

Answer 6

Using the sites below, I could not find anything in specific reference to black stool, feces, or poo.

I do recall that a change in stool color is one of the primary signs of cancer in humans. Black stool could be iron in the foods he eats or possibly blood in the digestive tract. He may have swallowed something that cut him up inside or scratched the lining of his gastrointestinal tract. I suggest that you take him to a veterinarian for laboratory tests to determine the origin of his problem. Take a small sample of his stool in an extremely clean container. They will probably take a sample from him, too. You may show your sample to the Vet to allow him/her to visually determine if there is a basis for additional testing.

Examine the food can or bag for anything that suggests iron enrichment. Women often take vitamins or eat iron rich foods during mensis. Eating spinach, liver, or even taking pepto bismol will change one's stool color.

Answer 7

You need to take it to the vet ASAP it could be a problem with the dogs liver or kidneys so you need to take it in immediately. If he got into anything that is affecting his organs this could cause this too. there could be a lot of causes to the dark feces. Take him in and do not wait because if it is kidneys or liver problems the longer you wait the less likely it is to completely treat them.

Answer 8

He could be dehydrated. When Dad picks up mine he checks it. Also black could be blood, check around his bum for signs of blood. If it is hard it's lack of water. Try giving him cooked animal bones, it will turn his poo to white and it will be flaky and dusty.

Answer 9

If it looks like coffee grounds, get to the vet, NOW!

Answer 10

take a sample and go to vet