- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Being a pet parent comes with some surprises—like becoming an expert on your dog’s poop. You’ll need to know what healthy poop looks like, what’s not normal, and how often your dog should go. But what about mucus in their poop?
Mucus is made by the intestines to help dog poop move through the body more easily, says Dr. Alyssa Vincent, veterinarian and medical director at Westside Animal Clinic and Holden Veterinary Clinic, Thrive Pet Healthcare partner hospitals. So, seeing a little mucus—clear, white, or light yellow—on your dog’s poop sometimes isn’t usually a big deal.
However, the color and stickiness of mucus can change if something is wrong.
Keep reading to learn more about mucus in dog poop, including possible causes, when to call the vet, treatments, and home remedies.
What Causes Mucus In Dog Poop?
Mucus in your dog’s poop can happen for many reasons, from an upset stomach to infections or parasites.
Here are some common causes:
1. Diet
Trying new foods or eating something unusual can irritate your dog’s stomach, leading to mucus in their poop. Dr. Vincent suggests introducing new foods slowly over 1–2 weeks.
This can also happen if your dog’s diet doesn’t agree with them, says Nell Ostermeier, DVM, CVA, FAAVA, and veterinary advisor at Figo Pet Insurance. Just like people, dogs can develop food allergies and intolerances.
2. Infection
Dr. Vincent says bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can cause mucus by inflaming the intestines. Common infections include parvovirus and Giardia. Watch for these symptoms:
3. Parasites
Parasites can irritate the intestines, leading to mucus, says Dr. Bethany Hsia, DVM, veterinarian and co-founder of CodaPet. They can also affect digestion, making stools look weird.
Some common parasites include:
- Roundworms
- Whipworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
4. Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
Like new foods, Dr. Vincent says if your dog eats fatty foods (like bacon grease) or non-food items can upset your dog’s stomach. This can cause mucus or even blood in their poop.
Recurring mucus might signal conditions like colitis (colon inflammation), pancreatitis, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Look out for:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Jelly-like mucus on poop
5. Stress/anxiety
One of the many signs of a stressed dog is a change in their stool, including the presence of mucus.
Sudden symptoms associated with colitis may also result from stress and anxiety.
6. Cancer or AHDS
In rare cases, mucus in a dog’s poop can be a sign of serious health problems like gastrointestinal cancer or acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).
Gastrointestinal cancer can cause excessive mucus along with other symptoms like weight loss, blood in the stool, and changes in appetite. AHDS, a sudden condition causing severe diarrhea with blood and mucus, can quickly lead to dehydration and requires immediate veterinary care.
Should You See a Vet?
If you see mucus in your dog’s poop but they seem happy and healthy with no vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, or loss of appetite, Dr. Vincent says you can keep an eye on them at home.
However, if the mucus increases, lasts more than a day or two, or if new symptoms show up, call your vet. Even if your dog feels fine, unusual mucus colors like pink or red (which can mean bleeding in the colon) or bright yellow or orange (a possible liver issue) should be checked out.
Vets can figure out what’s wrong using stool tests, blood work, or imaging. Drs. Vincent and Ostermeier suggest bringing a stool sample to your vet. The sample should be fresh—ideally within 4–6 hours, but no older than 24 hours. Use a poop bag or gloves to collect it, seal it in a plastic bag, and refrigerate it if you can’t bring it in right away.
If collecting a sample isn’t possible, take a photo of the poop to show your vet. Keeping a diary of poop changes with photos and notes about your dog’s diet or environment can also be helpful for your vet.
Medical Treatments for Poop Mucus
Treating mucus in your dog’s poop depends on the cause. Common treatments include:
- Deworming medications for parasites
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Anti-inflammatory pain medications for IBD or colitis
Dr. Hsia says some vets may also recommend an easily digestible diet to help the GI tract heal. Keeping your dog hydrated is especially important if they have diarrhea.
At-Home Mucus Remedies to Try
If there’s only a little mucus and no other symptoms, ask your vet if you can try these home remedies:
- Feed a bland diet: Cooked rice, plain boiled chicken, or pumpkin are gentle on upset stomachs. If food allergies or diet changes caused the mucus, talk to your vet about switching to sensitive foods or starting an elimination diet.
- Add probiotics: Probiotics can improve gut health and reduce mucus over time. They come in chews, powders, or capsules.
- Support gut health after stress: Stressful events like fireworks, thunderstorms, or vet visits can upset your dog’s digestion. To calm them down, keep them hydrated, ease back into regular food, and offer light play or exercise. Ask your vet for tips specific to your dog’s needs.
Takeaway
Seeing mucus in your dog’s poop can be surprising, but a little mucus is normal and common in healthy dogs. If your dog seems fine otherwise, you can keep an eye on them at home and try some simple remedies.
However, if the mucus doesn’t go away, gets worse, or your dog shows other symptoms, call your vet. They can check your dog, run tests, and figure out the best treatment to help them feel better.
