If you have a dog, you've probably become an expert at something you never expected to study.
Dog poop.
It isn't glamorous, but it may be one of the simplest ways to understand how well your dog's digestive system is working.
Veterinarians often ask about stool consistency because it reflects how efficiently food is being digested, nutrients are being absorbed, and the gut is functioning.
Healthy stool isn't just about making cleanup easier.
It's often a sign that your dog's digestive system is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
WHAT DOES HEALTHY DOG POOP LOOK LIKE?
Healthy stools are generally firm, easy to pick up, and hold their shape. Scores 3 and 4 on this chart are considered ideal for most healthy adult dogs.
UNDERSTANDING THE STOOL SCORE CHART
Score 1-2: Too Hard
Small pellets or hard, dry stools can suggest dehydration, insufficient fiber, or constipation.
Occasional hard stools happen, but consistently hard stools deserve attention.
Score 3-4: The Sweet Spot
These are the stools veterinarians like to see.
They're:
- well formed
- easy to pick up
- moist without being soft
- indicate efficient digestion
If your dog consistently produces stools like these, it's usually a good sign that nutrients are being absorbed effectively.
Score 5-7: Too Soft
Soft, mushy, or watery stools can happen after:
- sudden diet changes
- stress
- eating something unusual
- digestive sensitivity
- illness
If loose stool lasts more than a day or two—or your dog is acting sick—contact your veterinarian.
WHY STOOL QUALITY MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK
When food is highly digestible, more nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine.
Less undigested material reaches the colon.
That often results in:
- firmer stools
- less gas
- more consistent bowel movements
- better nutrient utilization
On the other hand, poorly digested food leaves more material for bacteria to ferment, which can contribute to loose stool, excess gas, and digestive upset.
Stool quality is one of the simplest indicators that nutritionists use to evaluate how well a diet is performing.
WHAT MAKES A PROTEIN HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE?
Not all proteins are digested equally.
Digestibility measures how much of the nutrients in a food are actually absorbed by your dog's body rather than passing through unused.
Canine nutritionists generally consider protein digestibility above about 80% to be highly digestible.
That's important because a protein only benefits your dog if they can digest and absorb it.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT INSECT PROTEIN
One reason Jiminy's uses insect protein is because it performs exceptionally well in digestibility studies. But that's only part of the story.
Unlike traditional meat proteins, insect protein naturally contains chitin—a unique dietary fiber found in the insects' exoskeleton. While dogs can't digest chitin themselves, the beneficial bacteria living in the colon can ferment it. This fermentation produces compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which nourish the cells lining the intestine, help support a healthy gut environment, and encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria.
A healthier, more balanced gut microbiome can contribute to:
- More consistent, well-formed stools
- Better digestive comfort
- Reduced gas
- Improved overall gut health
So insect protein offers two complementary digestive benefits:
- Highly digestible protein, meaning more nutrients are absorbed before they reach the colon.
- Natural prebiotic fiber (chitin), which feeds beneficial gut bacteria and helps maintain a balanced microbiome.
Cricket Protein
Published feeding studies found:
- Apparent Total Tract Digestibility (ATTD): 83.9–87.3%
- Stool scores: 3.43–3.47 on a 5-point scale
Researchers concluded that dogs maintained normal health while producing well-formed stools throughout the study.
Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) Protein
Separate feeding trials found:
- Apparent Total Tract Digestibility: 88.4–91%
- Stool scores: 3.2–3.4 on the same 5-point scale
Again, dogs maintained healthy, well-formed stools while demonstrating excellent nutrient digestibility.
WHY THAT MATTERS FOR DOGS
Highly digestible proteins can help support:
- consistent stool quality
- efficient nutrient absorption
- digestive comfort
- less waste passing through the digestive tract
Of course, stool quality is influenced by many factors—including hydration, fiber, illness, stress, medications, parasites, and abrupt diet changes—so no single food can guarantee perfect stools.
But feeding a highly digestible protein gives your dog's digestive system a strong foundation.
WHAT IF YOUR DOG FREQUENTLY HAS LOOSE STOOL?
Occasional digestive upset happens.
But if your dog regularly has stools that fall into the soft or watery range, it's worth discussing with your veterinarian.
Persistent loose stools aren't something you simply have to live with.
They may point toward:
- food intolerance
- digestive disease
- parasites
- pancreatic issues
- inflammatory bowel disease
- diet formulation
Improving digestibility is often one piece of the solution.
BRINGING THE SCIENCE TO YOUR DOG'S BOWL
At Jiminy's, we built our recipes around ingredients that are proven to support digestive health. That's why we use highly digestible insect proteins like cricket and black soldier fly larvae. Not only do they provide complete, high-quality protein, but they also naturally contain prebiotic chitin—a unique fiber that helps nourish beneficial gut bacteria and supports a balanced microbiome.
The result? Better nutrient absorption, a healthier gut, and the kind of firm, well-formed stools every dog owner likes to see. While every dog is different, many families tell us one of the first changes they notice after switching to Jiminy's is more consistent poop—often within just a few weeks.
Ready to support your dog's digestive health?
If your dog struggles with loose stools, excess gas, or a sensitive stomach, a highly digestible diet can make a meaningful difference. Explore Cravin' Cricket for digestive support or Good Grub if your dog also has food sensitivities or itchy skin. Your dog's gut—and your backyard—may thank you.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Healthy dog poop may not be a glamorous topic, but it tells an important story.
Firm, well-formed stools usually reflect efficient digestion and nutrient absorption.
Research has shown that both cricket protein and black soldier fly larvae protein are highly digestible for dogs and consistently produce stool quality in the ideal range during feeding studies.
It's one more reason insect protein isn't just better for the planet—it's an excellent nutritional choice for many dogs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What score is considered healthy dog poop?
Scores 3 and 4 are generally considered ideal because the stool is well formed, easy to pick up, and holds its shape.
Is soft dog poop always a sign of illness?
No. Temporary soft stools can occur after stress, dietary changes, or eating something unusual. Persistent loose stools should be evaluated by your veterinarian.
Why do veterinarians ask about stool quality?
Because stool consistency provides insight into digestive health, nutrient absorption, hydration, and potential gastrointestinal disease.
Does highly digestible food produce better stools?
Often, yes. Highly digestible diets leave less undigested material in the intestine, which can contribute to firmer, more consistent stools. Individual results vary depending on the dog's health and other dietary factors.
Is insect protein easy for dogs to digest?
Yes. Published feeding trials have found digestibility values of approximately 84–91% for cricket and black soldier fly larvae protein, placing both in the highly digestible range.
Can diet alone fix chronic diarrhea?
Not always. Chronic diarrhea can have many underlying causes. If your dog has ongoing digestive problems, work with your veterinarian to identify the cause before assuming food is the only factor.
