How to: collect a poo sample from your dog

Video

A step-by-step guide to collecting a poo sample from your dog

With a pot provided by your vet:

1. Remove the lid
2. Use the scoop inside the lid to collect as much poo as possible - try to at least half fill the pot
3. If your dog has watery diarrhoea, this is likely to be difficult but just try to get as much as possible
4. Make sure the poo sample isn’t contaminated by soil or water
5. Screw on the lid firmly, and label the pot with your dog’s name, the time and date of collection.
6. Take the sample to your vet as soon as possible – fresh samples give the most accurate information.

No pot:

1. Use a dog poo bag, or a clean plastic container (such as a Tupperware)
2. Collect as much poo as possible
3. If your dog has watery diarrhoea, this is likely to be difficult - just try to get as much as possible.
4. Make sure the poo sample isn’t contaminated by soil or water
5. Close the bag/container firmly and label it with your dog’s name and the time and date of collection.
6. Take the sample to your vet as soon as possible – fresh samples give the most accurate information.

What can my dog’s poo be tested for?

There are a variety of things that dog poo can be tested for, including:

• Bacteria – such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E.coli
• Viruses – such as Parvovirus
• Parasites – such as gut worms, lungworm, and giardia
• Blood – read more about what causes blood in poo
• Undigested fat – which can be a sign of a problem with the pancreas

Published: August 2022