What are the reasons for a dog's black diarrhea?

Black diarrhea in dogs may be caused by food issues, internal parasite infections, intestinal bleeding, or other reasons. If the dog has no other abnormalities, it is likely a food problem. Generally, the dog's stool will return to normal after stopping feeding them such food. If worms are seen in the dog's vomit and feces, it is caused by an internal parasite infection and requires timely deworming. If the dog has black tar-like stools, it is more likely due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Fresh blood turns black after passing through the digestive system, such as being scraped by foreign objects, bacterial or viral infections. As the condition is severe, it is recommended to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Food Issues

If the owner has recently given the dog black or dark-colored food, it can lead to black diarrhea. This is a normal situation, and pet owners do not need to worry too much. After stopping feeding the dog such food, the stool will return to normal. Also, owners should pay attention to their dog's diet and try to feed them dog food. If the dog often eats indigestible food, they may have digestive problems and pass black stool.

Internal Parasite Infection

If the owner has not given the dog deworming medication for a long time, the dog may become infected with internal parasites such as hookworms and coccidia. This can damage the dog's intestines and cause bleeding, leading to black diarrhea. At the same time, the dog may also show symptoms such as decreased appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, and sometimes even visible worms in their vomit and feces. In this case, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible and treat the dog with anti-inflammatory drugs and internal deworming medications.

Intestinal Bleeding

When a dog has intestinal bleeding, the blood oxidizes and sticks to the surface of the feces, forming black stool. The dog may also show signs of lethargy and loss of appetite. Usual causes of intestinal bleeding in dogs include foreign object scrapes, bacterial or viral infections. Owners should immediately take their dogs to the pet hospital for diagnosis.