Noticing orange dog poop after feeding your dog chicken and rice can be alarming. The color of your dog’s fecal matter can be a good indicator of its current state of health.
Orange poop in your dog can be caused by food allergies, a weak stomach and even food coloring.
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If your dog keeps showing these signs for days, or also starts throwing up or acting tired, see a vet right away
This article aims to quickly guide you through the causes and solutions for this issue.
We’ll cover how to adjust your dog’s diet, what symptoms to watch for and when to consult a vet.
The Role Of Chicken And Rice In A Dog’s Diet
Chicken and rice serve as a bland diet for an upset stomach, making it suitable for dogs experiencing digestive issues.
A combination of chicken and rice is often fed to dogs who have this problem.
Firstly, chicken and rice are easily digestible and gentle on the dog’s digestive system.
This makes them ideal for dogs suffering from:
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Flatulence
- In recovery
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Secondly, this diet provides essential proteins and nutrients needed for the healing process.
Chicken gives your dog protein and rice provides carbs. Both help your dog feel better and recover faster.
A chicken and rice diet is something that I’ve fed my dogs when they aren’t in the best of health.
Is Chicken And Rice Causing Orange Poop In Your Dog?
Orange poop can be a harmless side effect of being on a chicken and rice diet, especially if no other symptoms are present
You have started to notice that your dog has orange poop after eating chicken and rice.
Is this nutritional meal you’ve lovingly prepared causing this unusual change?
Let’s investigate.
Rest assured that this combination of poultry and rice is safe for your dog.
Orange dog poop after chicken and rice is not necessarily a cause for concern.
There are some vets that will even recommend chicken and rice due to their high digestibility and low-fat content.
On the flip side, there are dogs that can’t poop while on a chicken and rice diet.
Orange poop can be a harmless side effect of being on a chicken and rice diet, especially if no other symptoms are present.
There are a few reasons that can cause this problem.
1. Food Coloring
When serving your dog chicken and rice, are you using just plain chicken and rice?
If the chicken or rice contains food dye or colored with beta-carotene, it can turn your dog’s poop orange.
Your dog might not digest beta-carotene well, so it ends up in your dog’s fecal matter.
Beta-carotene is a pigment that makes veggies like tomatoes and carrots orange.
To avoid health issues, just use plain chicken and rice with no extras.
Some artificial food dyes can contain harmful compounds such as metal oxide nanoparticles.
Elad Tako, associate professor of food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has stated that these nanoparticles “can have a negative effect on key digestive and absorptive proteins.”
If you’ve included carrots or other orange-colored vegetables in the chicken and rice meal, it’s most likely a by-product of your dog eating something orange
This is due to high levels of beta-carotene found in these foods.
2. Food Allergies
A food allergy or intolerance in your dog can disrupt its digestive system. This can sometimes lead to orange diarrhea in dogs.
Chicken is a very common meat that is used in commercial pet food or homemade balanced diets for dogs.
It is high in amino acids, vitamins and minerals such as zinc.
But a study conducted in 2016 on 297 dogs has shown that 15% of these dogs are allergic to chicken.
The other most common food allergies in dogs are caused by:
- Beef (34%)
- Dairy (17%)
- Wheat (13%)
- Lamb (5%)
Besides chicken, your dog can also be allergic to rice.
Most dogs can eat and digest plant-based carbs but some are sensitive to grains.
This can happen if your pooch has always been on a raw meat diet or has very little exposure to plant matter.
Many owners see their dogs get better from food allergies when they switch to a grain-free diet.
Food Allergy Symptoms
An allergic reaction can cause inflammation in your dog’s digestive tract.
Inflammation can make it hard for your dog to absorb nutrients and can affect how its stomach works.
As a result, the color of your dog’s poop may change, sometimes appearing orange.
Other symptoms to look out for include:
- Itchy skin
- Hot spots
- Excessive scratching
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Lethargy
- Agitation
Some dogs can even have red peeling skin around the groin area due to a bad food allergy. This can cause a lot of discomfort for the poor dog.
3. Weak Digestive System
The absence of bile can result in dog stools that are lighter in color, ranging from yellow to orange.
The chicken and rice bland diet is often recommended for dogs with stomach issues.
But orange poop in your dog can be caused by a weak digestive system.
A weak digestive system in your dog means that food isn’t adequately processed.
Food moving too fast through the digestive tract can lead to malabsorption of nutrients.
In a healthy stomach, bile is secreted to aid in the digestion of fats, giving feces a brown color.
In a weak digestive system, not enough time for food to be mixed with the bile, leading to an absence of bile in the feces.
The absence of bile can result in dog stools that are lighter in color, ranging from yellow to orange.
Some dog owners believe that fermented foods can help ease a dog’s tummy problems.
I do feed my dog pet-safe probiotics to strengthen his gut health too.
Other Causes Of Orange Poop In Dogs
If your dog’s poop is orange and it’s not eating chicken and rice, there might be other health issues.
1. Liver Disease
The liver plays a crucial role by producing bile and removing toxins in the body.
When the liver isn’t functioning properly, bile production can be reduced.
This leads to lighter-colored, orange or yellowish stools from your dog.
Causes Of Liver Issues In Dogs
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
- Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
- Fatty liver disease
- Liver tumors
- Toxin Exposure (e.g., chemicals, plants)
- Infections (bacterial, viral)
- Congenital liver defects
Symptoms Of Liver Issues In Dogs
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes, gums)
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Increased thirst and urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Dark urine
- Pale gums
- Swollen abdomen
2. Bile Duct Obstruction
Bile duct tubes connect the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine.
The role of these ducts is to carry bile which is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
A blockage in the tubes can reduce the release of bile needed for food digestion.
Causes Of Bile Duct Obstruction
- Gallstones
- Biliary disease
- Tumors
- Inflammation of the bile ducts
- Parasitic infections
- Scar tissue from previous surgeries
- Pancreatitis
Symptoms Of Bile Duct Obstruction
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes, gums)
- Dark urine
- Orange-colored stools
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
3. Pancreatitis
Dogs that are overweight or have a high-fat diet are at a greater risk of getting pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is a condition when the pancreas gets inflamed. The pancreas aids in both food digestion and hormone regulation.
If your dog has pancreatitis, consider adding some pumpkin to its diet.
Pumpkin is good for dogs with pancreatitis as it is easily absorbed and is dense in nutrients.
Pancreatitis in dogs can cause orange poop due to missing digestive enzymes.
Other symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
- Abdominal Pain
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Restlessness
Dogs that are overweight or have a high-fat diet are at a greater risk of getting pancreatitis.
There are times when this condition can happen without any concrete reasons.
4. Parasitic Infection
The appearance of orange-colored dog stool can also be caused by parasites in its digestive system.
Common forms of intestinal parasites are:
- Tapeworms
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Giardiasis
When your dog picks up parasites, they start growing in its gut. It survives by feeding off the nutrients that your dog consumes.
Parasites can block nutrient absorption, mess up digestion, and inflame your dog’s intestines
Symptoms Of Parasitic Infection
- Loose stools and bad flatulence
- Vomiting
- Orange or yellowish stools
- Weight loss
- Scooting
- Visible worms in stool or around the anus
5. Stress
Stress can disrupt this delicate ecosystem, leading to an imbalance in gut flora.
Many of us dog owners lead stressful lives.
Being stressed out isn’t just a human issue, it can affect dogs too.
Orange dog poop can be caused by excess stress in your dog which can cause an imbalance in your dog’s gut flora.
Your dog can be stressed due to reasons such as:
- Change in environment
- New family member or pet
- Loud noises
- Separation anxiety
- Travel
- Vet visits
- Loss of a companion
The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” due to its complex network of neurons.
Your dog’s stomach has many good bacteria that help keep it healthy.
Stress can disrupt this delicate ecosystem, leading to an imbalance in gut flora.
This imbalance can disrupt how your dog processes food and gets rid of waste, possibly turning its poop orange.
6. High Intake Of Vitamin A
A high intake of Vitamin A can also be a reason behind your dog’s orange poop.
Vitamin A, commonly referred to as retinol, plays a crucial role in:
- Vision
- Growth
- Reproductive health
- Immune system function
- Healthy skin and coat
However, too much Vitamin A can lead to many health complications.
If your dog’s diet is already balanced, it’s getting all the nutrients it needs.
Be mindful of the amount of raw liver that you feed your dog if your dog is on a raw diet.
Liver is very high in vitamin A and many dogs love eating them in large quantities.
AAFCO recommends 5,000 IU/kg DM for adult dogs and puppies.
When your dog consumes too much Vitamin A, the body can’t absorb it all.
Excess vitamin A is then excreted through the feces, leading to an orange hue.
When Is Orange Dog Poop A Concern?
Healthy dog poop should be brown to dark brown in color and solid in texture.
Your dog’s poop color is a good indicator of its well-being.
Orange poop in dogs is not a normal occurrence and should always be taken seriously.
It can indicate a critical problem that may require veterinarian assistance
Be sure to monitor your dog’s poop color and consistency.
Healthy dog poop should be brown to dark brown in color and solid in texture.
To further understand your dog’s poop, take a look at this dog poop color chart video.
When in doubt, it’s always best to talk to your vet immediately.
Here are some scenarios when orange poop in dogs should be a concern.
Sudden Onset
If your dog’s poop turns orange for no clear reason, it should be a cause of concern.
Sudden changes can indicate underlying health issues that require immediate attention.
Accompanying Symptoms
If your dog’s poop is orange and it’s also vomiting or acting tired, get to a vet quickly
Do you also notice blood, red specks or mucus in your dog’s stools?
These could be signs of serious conditions such as liver or gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, or even parasitic infections.
Persistence
If the orange color persists for more than a few days, it’s time to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues.
Chronic symptoms could indicate a long-term issue that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
How To Treat Orange Poop in Your Dog?
Treating orange poop in your dog is easier if it is actually connected only to the chicken and rice meal.
There’s a chance that your dog could be allergic to either chicken or rice.
For some dogs, they can even be allergic to both.
You need to switch your dog to another type of protein source to see if that works better.
For example, besides chicken, I will also feed my dog turkey and rabbit meat for some variety.
If your dog doesn’t do well with rice, try using sweet potatoes or fresh pumpkin instead.
Always make sure that your dog’s food is cooked and without any added ingredients.
You must be aware that even though dogs can digest carbs, they are still carnivores by nature.
Your dog’s meal should still contain 80%-90% meat and the rest in rice.
However, if your dog has been having orange poop even before its chicken and rice diet, I advise you to consult a veterinarian immediately.
The vet will need to carry out blood and urine tests to determine the condition of your dog’s organs. An x-ray or scan might also be required.
If your dog has intestinal parasites, your vet will prescribe a dewormer which will help eliminate the worms in your dog’s body.
FAQ
How Long Can I Feed My Dog Chicken And Rice?
You can feed your dog chicken and rice for 3 to 4 days to help them recover your dog recover. If you notice improvement, gradually reintroduce their regular food.
Can My Dog’s Poop Turn Yellow After Eating Chicken And Rice?
Yes, it is possible for your dog’s poop to turn yellow after eating chicken and rice. This issue is similar to a dog who has orange poop from being fed this diet.