White Spots in Dog Poop – What Do They Mean?

Ever see brown dog poop with white specks in it… and wonder what the heck that means? You’re not alone! Noticing white spots in dog poop can be shocking, especially if you see them moving around.

There are a few things that can cause white spots in dog poop. This post will break the causes down one by one, and reveal whether they’re a real cause for concern or not. Let’s get started.

What Causes White Specks In Dog Poop?

White specks in dog poop are pretty common, and they’re not always something to be alarmed about. By understanding the most common causes of white specks in dog poop, you’ll have a better idea of whether or not your dog has a serious condition that needs to be addressed. 

1. Food Indigestion Or Malabsorption

White specks in dog poop can sometimes be caused by an ability to absorb certain foods. This is known as malabsorption. 

Common food culprits for malabsorption in dogs are seeds, nuts, rice, and grains. Other foods, like corn, are simply hard to digest for dogs. It’s possible that there was just an acute (short-lasting) digestive issue, and your dog didn’t digest his last meal or two properly. If there are no other symptoms and the white specks disappear after a few days, it’s likely this was the case and there’s no cause for further concern.

However, malabsorption in dogs can also be a chronic disease caused by other conditions, like liver issues, pancreatic insufficiency, or intestinal inflammation. So it’s worth talking to your vet about the possibility of malabsorption if the white spots don’t disappear, and if your dog has other symptoms of malabsorption, such as:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Excessive hunger
• Oily stool
• Lack of energy

2. Worms

Worms are another common cause of white spots in dog poop. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms live inside a dog’s intestines and lay eggs. These eggs can be passed through the stool, so they may be the white spots you’re seeing in your dog’s poop.

You may also see white specks that look like grains of rice. Those are likely tapeworm segments that break off and are excreted in poop. 

Worms in dogs are common and dogs can contract them in a number of different ways, from eating poop to digging in infected soil. However, the complications can be serious if the infestation isn’t addressed. Luckily, there are foods that can support your dog’s body in eliminating worms naturally.  

Dogs with worms will also usually show other symptoms as well as white spots in poop, including: 

• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Poor coat appearances
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain

3. Fungal Infection

Fungal infections like yeast or candida can result in white clumps in dog poop. Different fungal infections have different causes, but the symptoms are often similar. They include coughing, fever, and weight loss. Other symptoms that are external can be more easily recognized, like redness, itching, crusty, dry or flaky skin, or a foul odor on the skin. If you notice these symptoms in addition to clumps of white spots in dog poop that are not moving, it’s possible your dog has a fungal infection. 

4. Medication

Certain medications aren’t digested well by dogs, and can remain visible in the feces. If your dog recently started new medication and developed white spots in dog poop that won’t go away, you may want to consult your vet about possibly switching his medication. 

5. Foreign Objects

White spots in dog poop could also be a sign that your dog has been eating things he shouldn’t … like mulch or toy strings. Try to supervise your dog and make sure that he’s not eating contraband. If you notice the white spots stop showing up in his poop, it’s possible that it was just a one-off foreign object that he ate and passed, in which case it’s nothing to worry about any more. 

6. Fly Larvae

The above causes assume that you’re observing “fresh” dog poop. If you notice white spots in dog poop that’s been outside a while, it’s possible that flies or other insects have laid their eggs or larvae on the poop. In this case, your dog won’t have any symptoms and there won’t be white spots in his fresh poop, as the eggs are being laid afterwards. Pick up poop promptly to avoid this problem. . 

White Spots In Dog Poop That Are Moving Vs Not Moving

One thing that can help you narrow down the cause of white specks in your dog’s poop is observing whether or not the specks are moving. White spots in dog poop that are moving are usually worms, while spots that are not moving can be any of the other causes described above.

What Causes Salt-Like Crystals in Dog Poop?

If you notice bits of what look like crystals or grains of sand in your dog’s poop, these are usually caused by bits of bone that your dog has eaten. Bones are good for dogs, as long as you never feed cooked bones and choose the right bones for your dog. 

Does Rice Cause White Specks In Dog Poop?

Rice can cause white specks in dog poop. If you notice white spots in your dog’s poop that are not moving, it’s possible that your dog has trouble digesting rice or grains, especially if they’re not thoroughly cooked.. 

While dogs can technically eat rice, there are also plenty of reasons why a dog shouldn’t eat rice. Rice can actually  be harmful because the way it’s grown can lead to arsenic contamination. 

What If There Are Still White Spots In Dog Poop After Deworming?

If you know your dog has worms and you've started a deworming protocol, it can be shocking to see that there are still moving white spots in your dog’s poop after deworming. However, this is totally normal, as eliminating the worms through feces is simply the way that your dog passes them out of his system. 

So seeing live worms or dead worms in your dog’s poop after deworming (while not pleasant) means that your dewormer is working. Some people notice worms in their dog’s poop for a few days following deworming. It’s also normal for dogs to have diarrhea as they digest the worms. 

So – Why Does My Dog’s Poop Have White Specks in It?

In closing, there are multiple reasons why your dog’s poop could have white specks in it. If you notice moving white spots, the explanation is almost always worms such as roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms. If on the other hand you notice white spots in dog poop that are not moving, these can be caused by fungal infections, fly larvae, bits of bone, medications, food indigestion, or malabsorption. 

While some of these causes are harmless and short-lived, others are more serious or can be a symptom of other more serious conditions. So it’s worth monitoring your dog’s stool every once in a while to make sure he’s healthy and not suffering from any of these complications.