Dog owners are probably more aware of changes and variations in their dog’s poop and toileting habits than their own. For non-dog people, this may seem unfathomable, but people who own dogs know that poop can give many valuable clues to the dog’s health. Questions on dog forums often relate to the presence of mucus in dog poop and the possibility that this is related to allergies.
Small amounts of mucus in dog poop is natural. Allergies can cause persistently larger amounts of mucus in dog poop due to gut lining inflammation. Dietary allergies can be implicated in severe gastrointestinal conditions. Mucus in dog poop can also occur for other reasons.
Mucus in your dog’s faeces can be alarming. Knowing the potential causes can help the pet owner decide when it is a problem and needs veterinary attention.
Why Do Allergies Cause Mucus In Dog Poop?
Dietary allergies trigger responses in the immune system, which releases a protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This protein results in the production of histamines. Histamines occur naturally in the body, but too many of them cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
Dietary allergies in dogs that trigger histamines result in the irritation and inflammation of the gut lining. This interferes significantly with the function of the gastric system. Diarrhoea, gas, and constipation often result.
The membranes lining the intestinal walls produce mucus as a defence mechanism. Mucus may also occur when there is damage to the gastrointestinal lining.
An increase or consistent presence of mucus in a dog’s poop indicates inflammation of the colon, which should be investigated. There are various reasons for colitis, and one of them includes food allergies.
Dog Poop Encased In Membrane
Sometimes dog owners may observe that their dog’s poop is encased in mucus. The most common cause of this is feces that have been in the colon for too long. This situation occurs in constipation.
Constipation results from poor peristaltic movement in the gut, which can be caused by food allergies. In addition, it also occurs due to low fibre and moisture content in the stools.
A poop encased in mucus does not necessarily indicate a food allergy. It cannot be used as an isolated symptom for diagnosis. If your dog has other signs of food allergies, you may see mucus encapsulated poop.
Mucus In Dog Stool Home Remedies
Before rushing off for a veterinary consult, some people would like to try home remedies if they see mucus in their dog’s poop.
Offering your dog a bland diet for a few days is a good idea if there is a lot of mucus in his poop. Chicken, rice, and butternut are excellent options for dogs showing digestive or gastric issues. If your dog has a chicken allergy, use another protein source such as ostrich or duck.
Probiotics are the beneficial, natural bacteria that live in the dog’s gut and aid digestion and gut health. Allergies, inadequate diet, worms, bacteria, and viruses can deplete probiotics in the gastrointestinal system.
Supplementing your dog’s diet with a good probiotic improves gut health and can improve the dog’s general health. Live culture probiotics are the best source of probiotics. These can be bought in capsule form and must be kept in the refrigerator. Other sources of probiotics are live culture yoghurts and kefir.
Gray Mucus In Dog Poop
Gray mucus in dog poop is generally associated with poop that is grey and greasy. This symptom points to maldigestion that occurs when there are pancreatic problems. One of these is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI).
When the pancreas is not functioning optimally, the digestion and absorption of fats are affected. The result is a high level of fat in the faeces which produces grey, greasy poop with accompanying gray mucus.
Poor quality dog food, which comprises indigestible fats and other ingredients, may also produce gray stools and mucus.
Blood And Mucus In Dog Stool But Acting Normal
The most common cause of blood and mucus in stools is intestinal worms. Worms damage the lining of the intestines and cause bleeding and inflammation. Dogs may not appear sick and have a good appetite.
Puppies with a high worm load produce bloody mucus stools but are often weak and lethargic due to blood and nutritional loss.
A dietary allergy can also cause blood and mucus, and the dog may not seem ill. Over time the coat and skin condition may deteriorate, but the dog may still be active and eager to eat his food.
Other Causes For Mucus In Dog Poop
There are many underlying causes for mucus in dog poop, and these should be kept in mind as some of them are potentially fatal.
- Stress depletes serotonin which is involved in digestion and normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system. If your dog has had a stressful event or has constant anxiety, his poop may be accompanied by increased mucus.
- Worms, as mentioned previously, are probably the most frequent cause of mucus in dog poop. Following a regular deworming program will address the issue.
- Foreign bodies in the digestive system inflame and irritate the gut lining. Mucus is produced, which may help ease the object along until it is expelled. In some cases, the dog’s system cannot deal with the object, or it causes a blockage. Emergency surgery is needed to save the dog.
- Parvovirus is a deadly virus that kills the lining of the intestines. The dog will run a temperature and have mucus and bloody, foul-smelling diarrhoea. The dogs vomit and become dehydrated. It can also affect the heart. Mortality rates are high.
The best defence against parvovirus is to ensure that your puppy receives and completes an immunization program. If you adopt an adult dog with an unknown vaccination history, ensure they are immunized against parvo.
- Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) is a condition where there are large amounts of blood and mucus in the stool from infection and inflammation in the gut. A veterinarian must treat it with antibiotics, and intravenous fluids are usually needed.
- Giardia and coccidia are two infections that can cause chronic mild to severe gastric upsets. The stool may be accompanied by mucus.
- Viral and bacterial infections
Conclusion
Allergies can cause mucus in a dog’s poop, but there are many other causes, and some mucus in the stool is natural. Observation over a few days is needed to determine if it is natural or pathological. A veterinarian can help you investigate the mucus origins if the dog does not respond to home treatments. Any dog with diarrhoea and vomiting should be medically assessed.
