Bristol Stool Scale
ブリストルスケール (burisutoru sukeru)
Definition
A seven point scale that sorts stool by form and firmness, developed for people and borrowed as a way of describing what comes out of dogs and cats.
Key points
- The Bristol Stool Scale sorts stool into seven types by form, from hard separate lumps to entirely liquid
- It was developed for human medicine, so the types do not map onto dogs and cats exactly
- The useful part for owners is the vocabulary it gives for describing change over time
- What counts as normal differs by animal, so the comparison that matters is with your own animal's usual
What is the Bristol Stool Scale?
The Bristol Stool Scale is a chart that sorts stool into seven types by form, running from hard separate lumps at one end to entirely liquid at the other, with a smooth formed log in the middle as the reference point. It was developed in human medicine as a way of getting patients and clinicians to describe the same thing with the same words.
Where it fits in gut care
Owners borrow it because it solves the same problem in the same way. Stool is the most frequent signal a dog or cat gives about digestion, and it is also the signal owners find hardest to describe out loud. Having a scale turns a vague impression into something that can be compared with last week.
What it cannot do is set a target. Dogs and cats do not produce the same stool as people, and the ordinary range differs between animals, between diets, and between a young dog and an old cat. The comparison that carries information is with your own animal's usual, not with a number on a chart. Alongside form, stool color is worth noting in the same way.
How to use it in practice
Look at form and firmness at the same time each day, and record a change rather than a snapshot. Sudden softening after a diet change is the sort of thing a gradual food transition is meant to prevent, and firm dry stool often prompts a look at hydration. Persistent change in either direction, and anything accompanied by low energy, is a conversation for your veterinarian.
This entry shares general knowledge and is not veterinary advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any condition. If you have concerns about your dog or cat, please consult your veterinarian.
FAQFrequently asked questions
Does the Bristol Stool Scale work for dogs and cats?
It was written for people, and pet food companies and veterinary practices generally use their own faecal scoring charts instead. The idea behind it still transfers, which is that describing form consistently is more useful than describing it from memory.
What should a dog's stool look like?
The description used most often is a formed log that holds its shape when picked up and leaves little behind on the ground. Firmness that varies slightly from day to day is ordinary.
How long should loose stool last before I call the vet?
A single soft stool in an animal who is otherwise bright is usually watched rather than acted on. Loose stool that continues, or that comes with low energy, vomiting, blood or a refusal to eat, is a reason to contact your veterinary practice rather than wait.
Should I photograph my pet's stool?
Many owners do, and veterinary staff generally find it helpful. A photograph removes the guesswork from a description given days later.