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Black Dog Poop — Why Is My Dog Passing Black Stools?
Written By Alex Olsson
Published: 08/07/2017Updated: 12/02/2024
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Why is my dog's poop black?
Have you noticed your dog’s poop looking darker than usual — maybe even black? It might be scary, but don’t panic! Just like humans, our furry friends sometimes give us subtle signs when something isn’t quite right. Black dog poop, or melena, can be one of those signs, often pointing to something happening inside their digestive system.
It might not always be serious, but sometimes it could signal that something's wrong, and that our pups need a bit more attention.
Let’s explore what black dog poop means, why it happens, and how you can help your pup get back to feeling their best.
What is black dog poop?
Did you know that the color and texture of your dog’s poop can reveal a lot about their health? Healthy dog poop should be a light brown or dark brown color - anything in this range means your dog is doing fine.
Black dog poop, though, is typically dark, sticky, and can even be tar-like. This can happen when digested blood makes its way through your dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
While it might sound scary, black stools aren’t always an emergency. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as a dietary change — but it’s important to pay attention, just in case.
Here’s how to spot black dog poop:
- Color: Dark black or reddish-black
- Texture: Sometimes sticky or tar-like
- Smell: Strong and unusual
Think of black poop as your dog’s way of signaling they might need some extra care.
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Why is my dog’s poop black?
Our dogs can’t tell us what’s wrong (sadly), so their poop can sometimes become an important clue for us pet parents. Black stools can happen for many reasons, ranging from harmless to serious.
Here’s what might be going on with your furry friend:
Dietary changes
Have you been feeding your dog dark foods like liver or raw meat? These can cause temporary dark stools. It’s not a problem, though, unless it persists.
Medications
Meds like Pepto-Bismol or iron supplements can darken your dog’s poop, making it look black but harmless.
Internal bleeding
Bleeding in the stomach or intestines — caused by ulcers, swallowed objects, or tumors — can lead to black, tarry stools.
Ingested toxins
Certain toxins, like rat poison, can cause internal bleeding, which shows up as black diarrhea in dogs.
Parasitic infections
Chronic illnesses
Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or pancreatitis can also result in black stools over time.
But what if my dog is acting normal?
If your dog’s poop is black but they’re eating, playing, and acting like their usual self, it might not be urgent. But recurring or persistent black stools, even when your dog is acting normal, should still prompt a visit to the vet to rule out any hidden issues.
What if it’s black, but not tarry?
Sometimes, your dog’s poop might be black but lack the sticky, tar-like texture. This could be due to food pigments rather than blood.
While this may be less concerning, it’s still worth monitoring to make sure it doesn’t persist.
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What to do if your dog is passing black stools
If you’ve spotted black poop in your dog’s yard cleanup, here’s how you can help them feel better.
1. Check your dog’s behavior
Is your dog still their playful, tail-wagging self? Or are they showing other signs like:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Refusing food or water
- Abdominal discomfort
Even if they seem okay, don’t ignore black poop — it’s always better to be safe. Call your vet if you’re unsure what to do.
2. Collect a stool sample
It might not be glamorous, but a fresh stool sample is a big help for your vet. Place it in a clean container (a ziplock bag works!) and bring it to your appointment.
3. Visit your vet
Your vet might run tests like:
- Bloodwork: To check for anemia or infections.
- Imaging: X-rays or ultrasounds can spot blockages or tumors.
- Endoscopy: This helps your vet get a close-up look at the GI tract.
4. Follow the treatment plan
Depending on the cause, your vet might recommend:
- Diet changes: Switching to a bland or GI-friendly diet.
- Medications: Antibiotics, antacids, or anti-parasitics.
- Surgery: For more serious issues like tumors or ulcers.
Treating black dog poop often depends on understanding the root cause, so stick closely to your vet’s advice.
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Preventing black dog poop
Wondering how to treat black dog poop in dogs? While you can’t control everything that happens to your furry friend, there’s plenty you can do to keep your pup’s poop healthy and brown.
Tips for prevention:
- Keep an eye on their diet: Avoid feeding dark-colored foods that could confuse the situation.
- Regular vet checkups: Catch potential problems early before they become serious.
- Parasite protection: Keep up with deworming and flea prevention.
- Keep harmful items away: Make sure toxins, small objects, and medications are out of reach.
By staying proactive, you can help your dog avoid the stress of black stools altogether.
Costs of treatment
Treating black dog poop can vary depending on the cause, but here’s an idea of what to expect:
- Vet visit: $50–$200
- Tests (bloodwork, imaging, or endoscopy): $100–$1,500
- Medications: $20–$100
- Surgery: $1,500–$5,000
FAQs about black dog poop
Is black dog poop always serious?
Not always. It might be something simple like a diet change, but black stools can also point to internal issues. If it doesn’t resolve quickly, see your vet.
What if my dog’s poop is black but not tarry?
Non-tarry black stools are usually less concerning and could be from food pigments. Monitor your dog and check with your vet if it continues.
What if my dog’s poop is black but they’re acting normal?
Even if your dog seems fine, black stools should still be checked. Persistent changes in stool color could signal an underlying issue.
Can stress cause black stools?
Stress alone isn’t a cause, but it can worsen conditions like ulcers that lead to black stools.
How can I treat black stools at home?
Stick to what your vet recommends! If it’s diet-related, a bland meal like boiled chicken and rice can help.
How soon should I see a vet?
If black poop lasts more than a day or comes with other symptoms, visit your vet right away.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Black Dog Poop — Why Is My Dog Passing Black Stools? Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
pit bul
One Year
44 found this helpful
44 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tarry Stool
My dog it poop is black when he pooped this morning
March 14, 2021
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
44 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. There are many possibilities that might cause this, including a foreign body, bleeding into the stomach, parasites or an infection. It would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine him and see what treatment he might need.
March 14, 2021
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pomeranian
Seven Months
24 found this helpful
24 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tarry Stool
He’s been having tarry very dark green diarrhea. He seems normal, playing very little. Oven been having him confine in his cage as he’s leaking his poop. It’s smelly
Dec. 7, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
24 Recommendations
Hello, so sorry to hear that your dog isn’t feeling well. I would try feeding boiled chicken and rice to see if that helps. Also probiotics that you can get from the pet store may help. Young dogs can get parvo and feel bad and have diarrhea. It would be best for your vet to see your dog.
Dec. 7, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pit Bull
One Year
20 found this helpful
20 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
He had diarrhea and passed black stool for one day. He also was weak with dilated pupils.
Sept. 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
20 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. There are many causes for what you're describing, including a toxin, a GI upset, or an intestinal infection. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian if this is not improving, as they will be able to examine them and see what is causing this. Once they know more, they will be able to let you know how to treat it. I hope that everything goes well.
Sept. 30, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pit Bull
Seven Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
My dog hasn’t been eating much the past week and she has been having black very small tarry stool That seems to be hard for her to pass. She also has blood at the base of all her nails by her fur. I’m going to bring her to the vet Wednesday but was just wondering if I should do it sooner. Any answers would be truly appreciated
Sept. 28, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I hope that your veterinarian was able to see her and take care of her, and I hope that she is feeling better!
Oct. 9, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Eleven months
23 found this helpful
23 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Black Poop
She just passed a black poop. Acting normal no pain and still eating and drinking normal
Sept. 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
23 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
This may have been a one time problem, and she may be okay. If this is continuing, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 14, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Half Husky half Aspin
Benji
1 Month
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Diarrhea, Vomit, Black Stool, Weak
My dog has a diarrhea for a week. I just found him alone so hungry so I decided to take him home. I thought Its normal because he's still adjusting to the environment but days goes by he's keep on sleeping until he vomits. I gave him Loperamide and I boiled a guava leaves to harden his stool. Someone told me to visit him to vet but there is Covid 19 and Vet Clinic are closed. What should I do? He's very weak but the only thing that makes me happy is he eats so fast. It's just that his diarrhea and stool is black. Please help.
Pit bull
Bailey
10 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Black Dry Stool Constipation
Bailey eats ok, is constipated and has black dryish stools, had her to the vet they said pancreatitis, was treated for that, got a little better, but now back to the same, need help
Beagle
Blue
13 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My puppy has black, tarry stool. He has no change in his attitude, appetite, or energy. He’s a very happy, active puppy, but I’m worried about his poop color. We have not changed his dog food, and he’s not lethargic at all. He has a vet appointment already scheduled for next week. Should I take him sooner?
Chihuahua
Scrappy
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dark Bloddy Tarry Stool That Smells
Dark Bloddy Tarry Stool That Smell.
My 3 year old Chihuahua named Scrappy all pf a sudden today started vomitting but was acting normal. As the day has gone on he is lethargic hasnt eaten barely has drank any water. He was just vommitting almost a clear liquid but kind of foamy. Then i found a small pile of mucasy dark red to a brown color that looked like tiny kidney bean sized clots. Then i found 2 small piles of black tarry clots and it smells very bad and im able to smell that same smell on Scrappy. Im trying to hold of taking him to the vet u til the morning because the er vet is very exspensive. Please can someone help me out with this. My dog is my child and im so afraid somethi g bad is going to happen to him.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Harlow
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
4 month Bernese ate a large portion of a new, heavy chewer toy and has had very messy, watery diarrhea for 18 hours or so. She's up on shots. Last few seemed dark and possibly a bit red/purple tinged. Not sure if she ate something else. She's otherwise acting normal and she's had two meals of parboiled chicken and plain rice. We're going to call the vet when it opens, but any thoughts are appreciated!
