The Dog Poop Chart: What Your Dog's Poop Means (Scores 1 to 7)

By BEANS Team · Published 2026-10-11

Vets don't guess about poop. They score it from one to seven, and the whole scale comes down to one thing: water. Here is how to read the chart, what each score usually means, and when to call your vet.

What does your dog's poop actually mean?

Your dog's poop tells you how fast food moved through the gut and how much water was absorbed on the way. The ideal is firm but not hard, in segments, and easy to pick up.

That is a score of 2 on the Purina faecal scoring chart used by vets, as shown in the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center's copy. Anything much softer or harder than that is information, not a failure.

Want to watch the whole chart in 77 seconds?

We built a short film that follows the water through the gut, then walks through the scores. Watch it first, then use the table and causes below.

What is the 1 to 7 poop score?

Score 1 is hard, dry pellets and score 7 is a watery puddle. Score 2 is the ideal. Here is the chart, as described by the Purina faecal scoring system.

Why does it all come down to water?

As food moves through the gut, the gut soaks the water back up. Too fast, and the water stays in, so poop is soft. Too slow, and the gut keeps soaking, so poop is hard and dry.

VCA puts the soft side this way: diarrhoea is the result of faster movement of material through the intestines, with less water, nutrients and electrolytes absorbed along the way. On the hard side, VCA explains that one of the colon's major jobs is water absorption, so retained stool becomes hard and dry.

That one idea explains the whole chart. It is also why a dog who drinks too little or lies around all day can end up with a one, while a dog who raided the bin ends up with a six.

What causes a 6 or 7 (soft or watery)?

The usual causes are a sudden food change, something they scavenged, or stress. VCA lists changes in diet or food intolerances, dietary indiscretion (eating garbage or other irritating material) and stress, especially after travel, boarding or a change in environment.

PDSA says a sudden change in food is likely to upset the stomach and cause soft stools, and the same goes for eating something rich, fatty or just unfamiliar. If soft stools keep coming back, food intolerance or allergy may be involved, so read Food Allergy in Dogs.

When to call the vet: VCA says to consult your vet if frequent liquid or semi-liquid stools persist for more than two days, and to seek help as soon as possible for severe or bloody diarrhoea, or if there is weakness, fever, vomiting or dehydration. PDSA advises contacting your vet if it has gone on for more than 24 hours, or if there is blood or mucus.

What is the difference between a 4 and a 5?

A 4 is a soggy log and a 5 comes out in piles. Both are very moist, and both lose their shape when picked up.

The Purina chart describes a 4 as very moist, soggy and log-shaped, and a 5 as very moist with a distinct shape but in piles rather than logs. They are a little soft, not an emergency. Think of a rich new food or a treat your dog isn't used to, as PDSA describes. PDSA says mild diarrhoea lasting under 24 hours in an otherwise well dog can be managed at home first, and to call your vet if it carries on.

What causes a 1 (hard and dry)?

Think not enough water, too many bones or chews, or too few walks. VCA lists eating irritating or indigestible items such as plant matter or bones as the most common cause of constipation, along with inadequate exercise and dehydration.

The AKC adds that low activity levels slow transit for reasons that are not fully known, and that bones and other hard matter can cause obstruction.

When to call the vet: the AKC says a dog straining to defecate should be seen sooner than 48 hours. VCA says to call if your dog fails to produce a bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours of the previous one. Straining with nothing coming out is always worth a call.

Is a 3 okay?

Yes, a 3 is close. It holds its shape but leaves a little residue. The chart treats 2 as the goal, but many healthy dogs will not hit it every day. What they ate and how much they drank both play a part, so look at the pattern over several days rather than one dropping.

How do I check this in Singapore?

Use a bag and a quick look when you pick up. A few things are worth keeping in mind in Singapore's warm, humid weather:

• Heat and water. Dehydration is one of the listed causes of hard stool, so keep the bowl full, especially after walks.
• Food switches. If you change brands or add a new treat, do it gradually. PDSA says a sudden change in food is likely to upset the stomach.
• Scavenging. Anything your dog snaffles on a walk counts. VCA lists eating garbage or other irritating material as a common cause of soft stools.

A good habit: look at it, note the score, and move on. If you see a change that lasts, tell your vet the score and for how long. It is much more useful than "it looked a bit weird".

Digestive Probiotics (SGD $34.80): Firmer poops, happier walks. Prebiotics, probiotics and pumpkin in a soft chew your dog thinks is a treat.

For dogs with a sensitive tummy, Digestive Probiotics are soft chews with probiotic strains, prebiotic fibre and pumpkin, made to support firmer stools. They are for dogs only and currently on pre-order, with restock expected on 1 November 2026. They support gut health. They do not replace a vet visit if your dog has had loose stools for more than a couple of days.

Bottom line

Poop is mostly about water and time in the gut. Aim for a 2, accept a 3, think about food change, stress or scavenging for a 4 to 7, and think about water, bones and walks for a 1. Call your vet for blood, for runny stools that last more than two days, or for straining with nothing coming out.

Looking for gentle options? See our best treats for dogs with sensitive stomachs guide and the sensitive stomach collection. So, what number was this morning's?

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has ongoing symptoms, see your vet.