Knowing your cats and dogs for a long time, you will probably understand their thoughts even if they can’t talk – they want to go out, want a treat, or want a nice petting.

But does the owner know how to quickly and easily understand the daily health status of the pet?  We would like to recommend a simple and easy to use a trick – poop observation.

How to analyze the shape of the stool

Stool is the residue left after the food is digested, so it reflects the condition of the stomach and general health and is closely related to eating and living habits. Physicians at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom classify human stools, each of which corresponds to a different physical state. This stool classification also applies to fur kids.

Let’s take a look at four common forms of poop.

01 Dry hard, granular

This is the driest of all poop states, and it’s especially easy to pick up, but it shows your pet is losing water or even constipation. If you find such poop, pay attention to replenishing them with water and increase the ratio of fresh and wet food. If the condition persists, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.

02 Strip, moderately soft

This kind of stool is relatively in shape and easy to pick up. This means that you are an attentive owner who always pays attention to giving your pet a balanced diet and the proper amount of exercise. Congratulations, your pet is very healthy. Note that different daily meals and different brands of food will also have an impact on the colour of the stool.

03 Strip, wet

This stool is wet and sticky. Two possibilities for such stools

1)      The ratio is not suitable for their stomach, causing allergies or problems with the immune system, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

2)      The pet’s digestive system is abnormal. If its physical state and appetite are not good and accompanied by vomiting, it may be gastroenteritis; if the faeces carry blood, it is more likely to be a parasitic disease.

This would likely occur when changing food for dogs and cats, especially dry and wet food.  The focus is on controlling the amount of new and old food and not replacing them too quickly. If the soft stool continues, it is recommended to seek medical attention.

04 Diluted, unformed, even watery

Such stools are often accompanied by the stench. Excessive water in the stool is a sign of diarrhoea.  The pet needs to be observed to find out the specific cause.  If it is still active and has a good appetite, it is mostly due to gastrointestinal allergies caused by eating irritating food; if the spirit and appetite are not good, it may be food poisoning, gastroenteritis or inflammation of the pancreas.  It is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

These are some common forms of faeces in fur kids. Different forms represent different physical conditions.  Owners should check and observe daily their pet’s physical state and appetite to better understand their health condition.