By now, you’re probably very used to dealing with things that other people would deem gross or inappropriate for polite conversation, but as a dog lover, it doesn’t phase you at all to talk about poop. It’s an important topic, and that’s why we need to address it.
Poop can tell you a lot about your dog’s health and well-being, and that should matter more to you than sticking to comfortable subjects of discussion. Speaking of “sticking” to things, when poop sticks to your dog’s fur, it can be far more than a smelly nuisance.
Feces trapped in fur can lead to digestion problems, parasites, infections, and more. There’s even a term for the condition of poop getting matted in dogs’ fur around the anus — pseudocoprostasis.
If the condition isn’t remedied, then dogs may suffer from complete obstruction of the rectum, and that can be a big problem. So yes, we need to talk about this because it is important to your dog’s health, especially if you’re one of the dog parents who constantly finds themselves wiping their dog down after every potty break.
One of the most common solutions to the poopy fur problem is to practice good grooming habits. This is especially true for those who have dogs with long fur. If the hair around your dog’s anus gets too long, it can start to trap fecal matter more easily.
When you don’t deal with it, the fur can start to mat and collect even more feces and bacteria. Eventually parasites and pests can also appear. Keeping the fur trimmed at all times can go a long way in preventing this.
If your dog feels a bit uncomfortable with you wielding clippers near their derriere — honestly, who wouldn’t be? — then you may want to try making grooming a more positive experience.
Provide your pup with rewards like treats and pets. Speak soothingly and reassuringly while you’re grooming. Take them for a walk or a trip to the dog park afterward.
The more positive associations you can make with grooming time, the easier it will be next time around.
You should try to keep the hair near the anus short. Also, make sure that poop isn’t getting stuck in the long fur of the back legs. If it is, then you may need to groom that area, as well.
If you see that poop is clinging to your dog’s fur, it is important that you clean it up immediately.
When poop gets stuck in the fur, it makes a sticky, matted mess that can cause even more feces to get stuck, and the problem can easily get out of control quickly. Have some moist wipes handy, and clean thoroughly to prevent more poop from collecting.
Additionally, if poop is getting stuck in your dog’s fur elsewhere, like around their paws or face, then it means your dog is stepping or rolling in feces.
The best solution is to clean up their environment. Make sure you are scooping their play area regularly. Your pup should never have to play in an area where there’s hazardous waste that could make them sick.
Fecal matter can get caught in fur more easily when stools are too soft, loose, or runny. If you notice that your dog’s poop isn’t as solid as it should be, then it’s likely that your dog isn’t getting enough fiber in their diet.
It’s also possible that your dog requires more easily digestible food. Many dogs have individual nutritional requirements, much like humans.
Do some research into what your dog’s diet should consist of. Talk to your veterinarian or nutritionist about reformulating your dog’s diet to address their needs.
Frankie & Paisley is a family-owned pet grooming product line from Los Angeles, California. Founded by dog lovers for dog lovers, we worked with dog-loving chemists to create a line thats locally made, uses clean ingredients, and has beautiful packaging. All of our products are responsibly made in the USA. For questions or inquiries, please contact [email protected].
The worst case of dingleberries I’ve ever seen was a Persian cat. A fast-food strawberry milkshake resulted in raging diarrhea that got tangled in the cat’s long trouser hair. The cat’s dingleberry was so extensive that it had formed a plug, and now the cat was unable to defecate.
This needs to be done with great caution. If you aren’t confident about trimming fur without cutting the skin, then ask a friendly dog groomer or your local vet tech to take care of things. It’s the work of seconds in professional hands to chop away the fur with a pair of clippers, and your pet will be all the better for it.
If the pet has an upset tummy (such as the Persian after drinking a milkshake), this makes soiling more likely. It’s always a good idea to know what your pet is passing, so follow them out into the yard — or litter box — to see if their poop is normal or not.
In addition, comb through the fur on a regular basis. It’s often a mat that attracts company in the first place. With regular grooming, not only will your pet benefit from a healthy coat, but also you’ll nip dingleberries in the bud.
Be exceedingly cautious about using scissors to cut the lump free. Often, tension on the mat pulls skin up inside the knot, so snipping straight across means lacerating the skin.
Check For Infections, Parasites, & Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions can cause stools to become loose and soft, especially conditions that cause frequent diarrhea. Intestinal worms, infections in the digestive system, and conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease can all cause poop to appear abnormally watery or loose.
Incontinence can also cause fecal matter to collect near the anus. Take a trip to see your veterinarian. Your vet may ask you to take a stool sample in for testing.
They should be able to find out what’s wrong and advise a course of treatment if the problem is a medical condition instead of a dietary or grooming need.
FAQ
Why do dogs have Dingleberries?
Why does my dog keep getting poop stuck?
How do I get poop stuck out of my dogs fur?