It might be a little unsettling to find hair in your dog’s poop as a pet parent. In many cases, it can be puzzling to bend down and see that unexpected surprise.
However, eating hair isn’t dangerous for your pup. In rare situations, hair in poop is a sign of another problem, and there are some complications that you should know. Here are a few things that you need to understand about hair in dog poop.
Why Does My Dog’s Poop Have Dog Hair In It?
Hair in your dog’s poop can catch you off-guard. If you notice that the hair is strand-like and not a hairball, there is not much concern. However, you need to find the source of that hair. It could be linked to a wide variety of issues.
For example, obsessive licking can lead to your dog digesting hair and eliminating it. Hair consumption can be tied to normal curiosity or other problems. Let’s look at some reasons why your dog might have hair in its poop.
Exploratory Behavior
For those puppy owners, it is normal for them to swallow some hair. As they explore their surroundings, they put everything into their mouths. This is just part of the puppy stage. When they are out exploring, everything is tempting to them, including hair. You can prevent your puppy from consuming hair by watching them closely. Make sure to give them appropriate toys to stop any exploratory chewing.
Boredom
In some cases, your dog might be bored. When dogs are left alone by themselves, they might excessively lick or chew on themselves. Why do they do this? Most dogs lick to pass the time, so they are not bored. Along with that, if your dog does not get the right amount of mental stimulation or exercise, they can pick up bad habits, like constantly licking themselves.
When you provide your dog with the right amount of mental stimulation and physical exercise, you can prevent that boredom. Think about taking your dog for a run in the park, taking a long walk, playing fetch, or testing their skills in an agility course.
In addition to that, you can find plenty of interactive puzzles and chew toys that can prevent boredom in your dog. With these solutions, you can prevent your pooch from chewing or licking their hair.
Attention Seeking
Some dogs just love attention, and eating hair is tied to that type of behavior. If you want to avoid these problems, make sure your dog is getting plenty of attention, exercise, and affection. A tired dog has less excess energy. In turn, all those attention-seeking behaviors can be kept at a minimum, including licking paws and consuming hair.
Seeing hair in a dog’s poop is completely normal for the most part. It can be weird to witness, but there are solutions to help you resolve these issues.
What To Do If My Dog’s Poop Has Hair In It?
Now that you know about some of the causes of hair in your dog’s poop, there are some things you can do to prevent it. Aside from engaging your dog in physical activities, you might want to check on their diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids can help your dog’s digestive system. These acids work to help any digestive hair pass through your dog’s system. Plus, Omega-3 helps to lubricate your dog’s stomach lining.
Make sure to constantly groom your dog. If you have a dog with long hair, regular brushing is a must. It might even be a good idea to take them to the groomer to get a bath, cut, and brush for their coats. Even those pooches with short hair need to be groomed.
By doing so, you can remove all of that excess hair and stop them from digesting hair, which in turn is eliminated through their poop.
Water is a vital factor in your dog’s health, so make sure that they access it throughout the day. A healthy digestive tract can help naturally pass any excess hair in their system. Remember that a dehydrated dog is prone to issues with their digestive system, including hair buildup.
Digestive aids can help, but always consult your vet before you give them to your dog. Some varieties can help to break down any excess hair. However, remember that you still might see hair in the dog’s poop. What goes into their bodies will always need to come out.
Is It Normal for There To Be Hair in a Dog’s Poop?
For the most part, it is entirely normal to see some hair in your dog’s poop. However, if there is a large quantity of hair, that might be a cause for concern. You will want to make sure they didn’t consume another source of hair, like a rabbit, or licked a patch of hair off their bodies.
Constant hair in their poop could be the time to contact a veterinarian. You might also want to look out for these serious problems that can lead to hair in your dog’s poop:
Pica
Dogs with pica have an irresistible urge to eat inedible things. They might consume plastic, cloth, and even large amounts of hair. Many senior dogs are more likely to eat those non-food items. In very rare cases, your dog is pooping hair from these health conditions.
A medical or behavioral problem can cause pica. If you are noticing your dog having a taste for unnatural items, take them to the vet for a consultation.
Allergies
A dog dealing with food or environmental allergies might be seen chewing or licking at their bodies. This is often caused by itchy skin. You can try to remove those allergens from your dog’s diet or the environment.
Many dogs have allergies to certain foods, and in those cases, you will have to remove potential trigger foods. You can always get an allergy panel down to determine what allergies are bothering your dog.
Fleas and Ticks
Some dogs obsessively chew on their hair due to fleas and ticks. If there is a spot on your dog’s body with missing fur, it could be due to excessive chewing and licking. In turn, you will see that hair is eliminated from their body into the poop. Flea and tick treatments are available to keep those parasites under control.
Stress and Anxiety
Stressors can cause a dog to consume its own hair. Some dogs need a little extra patience, support, and love, especially if they have been rescued from a stressful situation. You can always examine your dog’s environment for those possible stressors or anxiety triggers.
You need to give your dog an extra sense of safety and security. Leaving a dog by themselves, especially for long periods of time, can lead to chewing and licking. Some natural supplements can help to calm down our dog. If you are worried about your dog, make sure to take them to the vet for a checkup.
Diet Issues
Some issues, like pica, can be attributed to a lack of certain minerals in your pup’s diet. You need to have the right amount of fats, carbs, vitamins, and proteins in your food. Once again, you can take your dog to the vet to discuss any concerns about their diet.
Other Concerns
While hair in dog poop is mostly normal, it can cause issues with their digestive system. If the digested hair does not pass smoothly, it can accumulate and form a hairball. Vomiting, coughing, and loss of appetite all lead to stomach problems, like diarrhea. Dogs with hairballs will need some veterinary assistance to get that out of their system when that occurs.
If your dog is experiencing any of these issues, as mentioned above, it might be time to see the vet, especially if there are two or more days without a bowel movement. Serious stomach blockages can cause severe gastrointestinal problems. In some situations, your dog will need surgery to remove those hairballs.
Why Does My Dog Have Human Hair in Its Poop?
One of the most puzzling items in your dog’s poop is human hair. Yes, dog hair is common to see in dog poop, but human hair could be a little unnerving. Your dog can pick up human hair from items in your home. They may have found your hairbrush and chewed on parts of it.
In some cases, your hair could have been on an item that they licked. If something has your scent, and there’s hair on it, your dog could have licked it to comfort themselves. Dogs are curious animals by nature. It is not unexpected to see human hair in your dog’s poop unless this is an ongoing problem.
While there are some issues linked to hair in dog poop, for the most part, it is normal to find occasional hair in your puppy’s stools.