The post How to Remove Hard Poop From Dog Anus? Our Vet Explains the 4 Tips to Help by Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Click to Skip Ahead
If youâve got a long-haired dog, you might have experienced the joy of âdingleberries,â those little pieces of poop hanging from the hair around your dogâs butt. You know theyâre not healthy, so what can you do for your dog with hard poop on their anus?
Why Is It Important to Make Sure Your Dogâs Rear End Is Clean?
First, itâs unhygienic for your dog to have stool hanging from their bottomâfor them and you. Fecal material can contain microscopic parasite eggs, some of which can be transmitted to people. Roundworms and hookworms are two common zoonotic parasites in pets. Fecal material can also harbor pathogenic bacteria.
You wouldnât want poop particles getting on your couch or bed, either. When fecal matter sits on your dogâs skin, it can irritate and lead to secondary bacterial infections. The hair can also become matted with the stool, making it uncomfortable for your dog.
Image Credit: Rabbit Studio, Shutterstock
Pseudocoprostasis
There is also a condition known as pseudocoprostasis, in which hair and stool mat around the rectum. This makes it impossible for your dog to defecate.
Removing Hard Stool From Your Dogâs Rectum
First, youâll want to have disposable gloves ready. You can often get these in stores like Walmart or your local pharmacy. They usually have vinyl, nitrile, or latex gloves, which are commonly available. You should also have some pet-friendly wipes to help clean your dogâs bottom. A damp paper towel will work in a pinch, although it may be less malleable than a wipe.
Using Paper Towel or Wipes
If your dog has a small piece of stool stuck to its rear end, you can put on a pair of gloves, soften the stool with a damp paper towel or pet-safe cleansing wipe, and carefully remove it. You might need to use a comb to untangle it.
If itâs a larger piece of feces, you might need a damp towel to soften the stool and allow you to comb it out.
Image Credit: Yekatseryna Netuk, Shutterstock
Bathing Your Dog
Is the stool hard or a bit large, so dampening it is inefficient? You could always bathe your dog. If your dog tolerates it, bathe it with lukewarm water and let it soak for a few minutes.
As the stool softens, you should be able to remove the feces and detangle them from the hair. Use a gentle shampoo formulated for dogs. Rinse your dog well and consider re-lathering it to ensure you get all the stool off its coat.
Clippers
If the stool doesnât come off with gentle manipulation, consider shaving the area with a pair of clippers and a clipper guard. You should not use scissors to cut the matted hair and stool. Often, these mats are very close to the skin, and you could create a large laceration if you tremble or your pup moves.
If your dog will let you, you could trim a sanitary cut while youâre at it to trim all the hair around the rectum.
Seek Medical Help
Contact your veterinarian if you canât remove the hard stool from your dogâs coat or think youâre dealing with pseudocoprostasis. Many vets will perform medical groomings, and many have trained groomers on staff who can help.
Image Credit: Reshetnikov_art, Shutterstock
Preventing Stool From Getting Stuck on Your Dog
Grooming is essential to helping prevent fecal matter from sticking to your dogâs rear end. Most groomers are familiar with sanitary cuts. These hair trims should be considered for most dogs. Regular bathing also helps prevent fecal residue from building up, especially if your pup has diarrhea or stool with a soft consistency.
If your dog has diarrhea, contact your veterinarian for an exam. They can rule out intestinal parasites and prescribe medications as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What kind of shampoo should I use on my dog?
There are lots of shampoos for dogs to treat a myriad of conditions. Your veterinarian may recommend a specific shampoo if your dog is prone to skin infections.
A general rule of thumb is to avoid using human shampoos on dogs. Human shampoos are designed for a different scalp pH than your dogâs skin. Soap-based shampoos can sometimes be very drying. Fragrances can also irritate your dogâs skin and even respiratory tract.
Why should I bathe or soak my dog in lukewarm water?
Cold water can be uncomfortable for you and your pet, but hot water can be dangerous. The warmer water can contribute to your dog overheating or burning your pupâs skin. Lukewarm water gets around the potential discomfort, and it also helps keep your dogâs pores closed. Doing so helps keep your dogâs skin from drying out.
Conclusion
If your dog has feces stuck in their hair, it can seem challenging to take care of. Youâll often have success dampening the hair and gently combing it out. If not, be sure to contact your veterinarian or groomer to help get your dogâs coat and skin in tip-top shape.
Featured Image Credit: Daniel Megias, Shutterstock
The post How to Remove Hard Poop From Dog Anus? Our Vet Explains the 4 Tips to Help by Dr. Samantha Devine DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
