How to Collect a Dog’s Stool Sample at Home
Your veterinarian may ask you to bring a stool (fecal) sample to your pet’s appointment. Testing a stool sample helps us check for intestinal parasites, bacteria, and other digestive issues that may be affecting your dog’s health.
Collecting a stool sample at home is simple and only takes a few minutes.
1. Preparation
Before collecting your dog’s stool sample, gather the following supplies:
Plastic gloves for hygiene.
A plastic Ziploc bag, poop bag, or sealable container. Your veterinarian may also provide a specific container to use.
A plastic disposable spoon to help transfer the stool into the container.
A pen or marker for labeling the sample.
Having these items ready ahead of time will make the collection process quick and easy when your dog goes to the bathroom.
2. Guidance
Grab your poop bag or Ziploc bag and flip it inside out over your hand.
Put your dog on a leash and take them outside as you normally would. If your dog will not defecate while on a leash, you can allow them off leash, but stay close to ensure you collect the correct sample.
Once your dog has finished, collect the feces using the poop bag, or use a plastic disposable spoon to transfer a small portion into a sealable container provided by your veterinary clinic.
Seal the bag or container tightly. If possible, bring the sample directly to your veterinary clinic. If you cannot bring it immediately, store it in the refrigerator until you are able to drop it off. Fresh, uncontaminated samples provide the most accurate results.
Label the bag or container with:
Your name
Your dog’s name
The date and time the sample was collected
Try to avoid any contact between the feces and urine, as this can contaminate the sample and affect test results.
