THE TABOO TOPIC ON PETS

As tasteless as it might be, ensuring your four–legged friend’s bowels are healthy, is a necessary part of pet ownership

About 62 per cent of Australians own pets — from the ever popular felines and canines, to toads, rats, fish and birds.

For most pet owners, having a pet is a joyous addition to their lives, despite the less–joyous tasks that come with their ‘fur baby’.

Like cleaning up after them and clearing your yard of their leavings.

To help improve your cat or dog’s well–being, it’s imperative to take a closer look at your pet’s poop.

This is the first place a poor diet shows up, after all.

Even though you might be feeding your pet good, quality food, they might need a bit more nutrition (or a

different mix of nutrients) to be at their best.

Older dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs, for example.

Paying attention to your pet’s poop will give you an early indication if the fluff ball is having digestive trouble and needs a better diet.

Here are seven things to look out for in your pet’s leavings:

■ Coating — Neither dog nor cat poo should have a coating, but it should be moist and shiny.

■ Odour — A mild, but non–offensive smell is normal for both cats and dogs.

■ Contents

— A little bit of fur in cat leavings, or a bit of grass and hair in dog poo, is fine.

■ Frequency — Both cats and dogs should have bowel movements one to three times a day.

■ Texture — A cat’s poo should be firm, but mouldable and a dog’s should be pliable, but should not leave a residue when picked up.

■ Colour — The leavings of both cats and dogs can range from light to dark brown.

■ Size — Your pet’s leavings should be proportionate to the size of the animal.