Six Causes of White Spots or Specks in Dog Poop [Pictures]

As a veterinarian, I frequently receive inquiries from owners who are worried that their dog’s poop looks unusual – sometimes with white spots in it. This can be unsettling for owners, and they often seek my help to confirm whether their dog’s poop is normal or not. Sometimes, owners send me pictures of their dog’s poop through email, or they bring a sample to my clinic for me to evaluate visually. Depending on the situation, this could be enough for me to identify the issue. However, in some cases, further testing is necessary, and we may need to examine the dog and analyze the stool to determine the cause of the white spots in their dog’s poop.

What are white spots or specks in dog poop?

While it may seem a little obscure, checking your dog’s stool regularly is a great habit to get into. A change in the appearance of the stool can be an indication that the dog is becoming unwell or has an underlying medical issue.

A normal stool will be well formed, a brown color and solid. When picked up off the ground, it should leave little to no residue behind. It will usually be segmented (1). White specks are not expected and could indicate a number of things.

Six most likely causes of white spots or specks in dog’s poop

Possible causes of white specks in the dog’s stool include:

· Fly larvae

It is possible that flies have laid eggs on the dog’s feces if they have been left outside for an extended period of time and you have only now spotted tiny white spots in it. It can take about half a day for eggs to hatch into larvae. This is more common in warm weather. In this case, the stool will not contain white specks when it is first passed by the dog.

This poses no risk to your pet and no treatment is needed.

· Food Indigestion

If food moves too quickly through the gastrointestinal tract, it may not digest as it should and we can find pieces of undigested food. Foods like shredded chicken, rice and other grains can look like white specks.

When a dog has diarrhea, seeing undigested food is more common. Treating the diarrhea generally resolves the issue. This can include a short course of probiotics and a few days of a highly digestible diet. I find boiled chicken and rice works well for many, as long as they are not sensitive to these ingredients.

· Medication

Certain medications can affect a dog’s stool and may alter the color. One good example of this is when we use a contrast such as Barium when taking abdominal x-rays and this white dye is then passed in the stool. This can be detected as white specks or splotches.

We can see this discoloration for a few days after the procedure and it is a normal and expected side effect. No therapy is needed.

·  Foreign Objects

Of course, if your dog manages to eat something they should not such as a stuffed toy or cotton wool we may see some white specks or strands in their stool. Dogs cannot digest everything and certain foreign matter will not be broken down and will simply pass from the mouth to the anus.

A day or two after your furry friend has eaten the material, we may notice some white specks and strands in their stool. If only a small amount was eaten, there should be no real issue here. If a lot of foreign matter was ingested, this could cause an obstruction. If you’re concerned your dog has eaten more than a very small amount, do contact your vet right away as they may want to induce vomiting or perform abdominal imaging.

· Worms

The most classic cause of white segments in the stool is tapeworm. These segments can also be seen on the fur around the anus. In many dogs with tapeworm, it is fleas that have transmitted the infestation to them (2).

Other worms such as roundworm can be visible in the stool, but look more like strands of white spaghetti rather than specks.

Worms are treated with a de-wormer that can be issued by a vet and it is sensible to have dogs routinely de-wormed. For those with fleas, we need to treat them with an effective product and the home must also be deep cleaned. I advise my clients de-worm their adult dogs every 3-6 months, depending on their diet and lifestyle. Raw fed dogs and those who hunt need more regular treatment. Below are sample pictures of worms in dog’s poop (click here to view more pictures).

White worms most often found in dog’s stools include roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Below is a picture comparing whipworms vs tapeworms. You can learn more about roundworms in dog’s stools here.

· Bone Bits Or Too Much Calcium

Those fed on a BARF (Bone And Raw Food) diet can have chalky deposits and white specks in their stool due to what they are being fed. Owners should take this as an indication that the diet may contain too much calcium.

Owners who do not feed a commercial diet should work alongside a nutritionist, to ensure their dog is being fed the right balance of micro and macro nutrients.

How can I find out what these white spots are?

A change in your dog’s stool is something worth discussing with your vet. As mentioned, you can email your vet a photo or pop in with a stool sample, so they can determine what is going on. Speaking as a vet, we won’t be put off by this; it’s just a normal part of our day!

As an owner, a quick visual examination of the stool that has been passed is always a good idea. Moving white strands are usually live worms, while other white specks would not move. 

FAQ

What other symptoms should I keep an eye on, if my dog has white spots in their poop?

As white spots can indicate parasites, keep a close eye out for signs such as itchy skin, diarrhea, bloating or a dull coat.

Double check your dog’s diet; are they being fed appropriately and is it possible they have too much calcium in their diet?

If you’re concerned your dog has eaten a foreign object, contact your vet. Blockages can cause symptoms including bloating, lethargy, food refusal and persistent vomiting.

What does unhealthy poop look like in dogs?

An unhealthy poop may be too hard, too soft, an abnormal color or very foul smelling. It can also contain fresh red blood or mucus.

1. https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.ca/sites/g/files/2021-02/180107_PPPVD-Fecal-Scoring-Chart-UPDATE-EN-FINAL.pdf

2. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12639-015-0706-9