Reason Why Your Dog Poop Has Hanging String

Pet owners must be aware of what goes into their dog and what comes out, and if your dog poop is hanging in a string you might start to wonder what happened. It’s definitely not an uncommon question I get at the vet clinic.

Although I suspect most people would prefer not to have intimate knowledge of our dog’s poop, there are occasions when we cannot avoid it. And being observant of dogs’ poop can give some important insights into your dog’s health – especially if you have an allergic dog.

When dog poop is connected by a string or a string hanging from your dog’s anus is usually caused by grass, hair or indigested fur. Intestinal worms and ingested toys and clothing are also common causes. Dogs are opportunistic eaters and often eat inappropriate items. Stringy mucus in poop results from bowel inflammation.

String hanging out of a dog’s butt can cause the owner quite a dilemma. Should you pull it or not? Some dogs can get frantic and distressed by something hanging from their bums, and owners feel the need to try something. 

Let me ruin the surprise for you: You should never pull if there is a string hanging from your dog’s anus.

Why Is There String In My Dog’s Poop?

Please note, that dogs can quite easily find swallow things on a dog walk without you knowing. I cannot count the times owners tell me: “No defiantly not! My dogs never swallow anything”, and we then proceed to operate them most strange things out.

Yes, your dog can have swallowed something without you knowing!

Dogs are scavengers and will mostly eat anything they perceive to be food. If something smells like food, they are very likely to eat it, even if it is an inorganic substance. 

Roasts rolled meats, hams, and gammons often come with string netting as part of the packaging. Generally, they are cooked in string netting, and it is removed once the meat is ready.

Cooking only adds to the delicious smell of the string. You may remove the string and put it to one side for later disposal, and quick as winking, your dog may snatch it off the counter. Other dogs are avid counter surfers and come across food items wrapped in a string that they consume whole. 

The other dog criminal is the dustbin digger, who gets into the garbage and finds tasty morsels to consume. These may be next to some string, but the whole lot is swallowed.  

Clothing like stockings, socks or old t-shirts pulled apart can also be the culprit. If the dogs chewed it to pieces or it unwinds in the intestine, these things can become stringy.

Hair is also a common thing to give a dog poop connected by strings. It can be its own fur, or it can be your hair – if you have long hair that is.

Some common reasons why dogs have a string in their poop:

• Grasses
• Food packing (as string netting)
• Unwinded clothing
• Ingested toys
• Fur or hair
• Intestinal worms like Toxocara or Whipworm

When dogs consume strings, it passes through the digestive tract and enters the large intestine for elimination. The string is entangled in the dog’s poop, and the result is poop that contains a string. 

What To Do If String Is Coming Out Of Dog’s Butt?

Once the string has passed through the large intestine and is on the way out, it is not uncommon for it to get stuck. You, as the pet owner is faced with the dreadful dilemma of what to do with the string hanging from your dog’s butt. 

Dogs are surprisingly resilient, and most of the time, the string will have passed through without complications. There are three options for dealing with string hanging from a dog’s butt. 

• Gently pull on the string. It should ease out without too much pressure. Abort the mission at the FIRST sense of resistance.

• If you are afraid to pull the string or it does not come out with gentle pressure, you can cut the string short. Leave a two to three-inch (5 cm) section hanging out when you cut the string. The next time the dog defecates, the string should come out. Only do this if the dog is not showing signs of pain or being sick. 

• The third option is to take the dog to the veterinarian. If you cannot pull the string out or it has been present for more than a day, it is best to consult a veterinarian. 

Always consult a veterinarian if your dog is showing any sign of pain, discomfort or being sick.

If the dog shows any signs of being sick or distressed, do not wait to take the dog to the veterinary clinic. The string may have wound its way around a loop of intestines which can be fatal if it is not dealt with immediately.  

Hair Hanging Out Of Dog’s Bum?

Hair hanging out of a dog’s bum is not at all an uncommon experience for dog owners.

Dogs with heavy coats may lick themselves as they groom their coat, and in this way, they ingest hair which will be seen as long strands attached to the poop. It may hang out of the dog’s bum and cause the owner some alarm. 

Hair is a fine substance, and colon contractions are not designed to push out such thin material. Sometimes the hair may have clumped or matted together, and a twisted string of hair hangs from the dog’s bum. 

This can be dealt with by gently pulling the hair to ease it out of the dog’s rectum. Hair is not usually strong enough to have caused any internal problems.

Therefore, it is not generally necessary to consult a veterinarian for hair hanging from your dog’s bum. 

My Dog Has Grass Hanging Out Of His Bum

Dogs that are nauseous or have painful stomachs commonly eat grass. Their teeth are not equipped to grind grass into smaller pieces, so they usually swallow lengthy sections of grass. 

A dog’s stomach is not designed to digest cellulose in plant matter. As a result, the grass passes through the gut without changing its form. Long wads of grass are passed out with the poop. 

Due to the length of the grass, it may sometimes hang out of the dog’s bum during defecation. This is not usually a cause for concern and can be gently pulled out. Dogs are generally grateful for this intervention as bits hanging from their bums tend to distress them.

Dog Poop Stringy Mucus

Stringy mucus in dog poop is an indication of inflammation of the bowel. Inflammation may result from dietary allergies, viral or bacterial infection, or the presence of intestinal worms. 

A single poop with mucus should not be concerning, but the owner should watch for the continued presence of mucus.

If the mucus persists, it is best to consult a veterinarian for advice. It is especially important if there is accompanying diarrhoea or vomiting. Puppies must always be closely observed if there is any abnormality in their stool.

Conclusion

Although stringy bits hanging from a dog’s butt is anxiety-provoking, it is usually not a significant concern. It is essential to get veterinary help if the string is stuck or the dog shows signs of discomfort or is sick.