Helping Your Constipated Dog: Practical Steps and What to Watch For
Constipation in dogs is more common than you might think. When your pup can't pass a normal stool regularly, it can be uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous. Let's look at how you can help your dog if they're struggling with constipation, what causes it, and when it's time to call the vet.
Understanding Dog Constipation
Constipation happens when a dog can't pass stool as usual. Sometimes it's just temporary, but if it drags on, stool becomes dry and hard (even compacted), making things much worse. In severe cases, this leads to obstipation—where the colon is so packed that your dog can't defecate at all. Prolonged constipation may also cause megacolon, which is an enlarged colon filled with stool. Dogs with megacolon often show signs like bloating, lethargy, appetite loss, or vomiting.
What Causes Constipation in Dogs?
A lot of things can slow down your dog's digestive system:
- Lack of exercise
- Not enough dietary fiber
- Dehydration
- Sudden diet changes
- Eating non-food items (grass, hair, bones, toys)
- Too much self-grooming (hair in stool)
- Aging (older dogs are more prone)
- Certain health conditions (hypothyroidism, enlarged prostate/colon, anal gland disease)
- Disease (organ problems or tumors)
- Medication side effects
- Pain from arthritis or injury
- Surgery or anesthesia after-effects
- Stress or anxiety
Dogs that don't move around much or have chronic health issues face higher risks. Hydration and regular activity are key for healthy digestion.
Spotting the Signs: Symptoms of Constipation in Dogs
If you're concerned about your dog's bathroom habits, watch for these symptoms:
- No bowel movement for over one day (especially more than 48 hours)
- Straining or discomfort during defecation (crying out, crouching, restlessness)
- Hard, dry stools that look like pebbles
- Mucus with or instead of stool
- Scooting or squatting without results
- Tense/painful abdomen; whining when touched on the belly
- Poor appetite or vomiting (if constipation lasts too long)
- Lethargy
Sometimes dogs are just picky about where they go—or straining from diarrhea might look like constipation—so make sure you're seeing true signs before acting.
Mild Constipation: Home Remedies You Can Try
If your dog's case seems mild and there are no signs of distress (like vomiting or bloating), you can try these gentle remedies:
- Water is essential. Make sure fresh water is always available. Adding broth or wet food to kibble boosts hydration.
- Add fiber—but not too much. Talk to your vet about adjusting dietary fiber. Both too little and too much can worsen constipation.
- Pumpkin puree works wonders. Use plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling). About one teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight per meal helps many dogs.
- Canned food/moisture-rich foods.
- Add safe fruits/veggies:
- Mashed sweet potato
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- A bit of plain oatmeal
- A small spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or probiotics may support gut flora—avoid any sweeteners like Xylitol.
Encourage regular walks and playtime—movement helps get things moving inside too.
If mats around the anus are blocking things up, trim them carefully.
Avoid These Without Vet Guidance:
You might hear about home remedies like coconut oil or olive oil as stool softeners. Be careful: these aren't always safe—they could cause diarrhea or be risky for some dogs.
Never give human laxatives (senna, bisacodyl), mineral oil by mouth, large doses of oils, yogurt with sweeteners/flavorings, apple cider vinegar, OTC fiber supplements not dosed by a vet—or attempt manual removal at home.
If Things Get Worse: When to Call the Vet Immediately
If your dog hasn't pooped in over two days—or shows pain, vomiting, bloating; may have eaten something odd; has blood in their stool; acts very lethargic; seems dehydrated; or keeps getting constipated—call your veterinarian right away.
Veterinarians may run exams (physical checkup plus maybe X-rays/ ultrasound), bloodwork and rectal exams. Treatments range from fluids for dehydration to prescription diets (high-fiber/low-residue), special laxatives/stool softeners for dogs only—not humans—and enemas done at the clinic. Severe blockages might require manual removal under sedation or surgery.
The Info Your Vet Needs Most:
< li >When did your dog last have a normal bowel movement?
< li >What did it look like?< br / > < li >Any recent diet/routine/environment changes?< br / > < li >Could they have eaten something odd?< br / > < li >Current meds/recent procedures?< br / > < li >Any prior constipation history?< br / > < li >All symptoms—especially vomiting/pain/bloating
If you keep an eye on your dog's bathroom habits every day—and make sure they're eating well, drinking plenty of water and getting exercise—you'll help prevent most constipation problems before they start.
