Dog constipation: What do I need to know?

When your dog’s struggling to poop, it’s tempting to reach straight for a quick fix, but good intentions can sometimes make matters worse. Constipation is a symptom, and the cause matters. Before trying anything at home, it’s important to understand what might be going on.

What is constipation in dogs?

Constipation in dogs—just like in people—means pooping less than usual, and/or struggling to go. Most dog owners have a good idea of their pup’s toilet routine (we’re the ones picking it up, after all). But if, like many of us, you’re sometimes on autopilot, you may not be 100% sure when they last went.

As a general guide, younger dogs poop more often, while healthy adult dogs usually go 2–3 times a day. So, if you're curled up with your dog in the evening and realise you don't recall picking up any poop, don’t panic—but do pay closer attention the next day. A longer morning walk can help stimulate toileting and gives you a chance to check if they really are constipated.

Keep in mind that how much and what your dog eats will affect how much they poop. Maybe they’re eating less because it’s hot weather, or you’ve changed their diet and they’re still adjusting (sulking). Some high-quality diets contain less indigestible material, resulting in smaller poops and less frequent toileting. If it’s easy to pass and an easy-to-pick-up moist log, it's less likely to be constipation—it’s just less poop.   

Puppy constipation

In puppies, constipation is technically the same, but it can become serious much more quickly. Puppies eat more often to support their growth and they burn energy fast. So, if they stop eating as a result, even mild constipation can lead to hospitalisation.

In very young puppies, even 6–12 hours without pooping can be a red flag. If your pup is off their food, has a bloated tummy, is whining, or seems in pain, don’t wait—get them to the vet straight away. 

If you’re unsure whether your puppy’s pattern is normal, we’ve got a short blog on how often your puppy should poop – with typical timings for each stage of development.

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Symptoms of constipation in dogs

The signs of constipation in dogs can differ between dogs and even between different episodes in the same dog. That’s because constipation is caused by a wide range of issues, so what you notice will vary too. 

Changes in toilet habits

• Pooping less often than normal
• Passing no poop or only very small amounts
• Changes to when they poop, for example, skipping their normal early morning poop out on a walk 
  

Straining to poop

• Taking longer than usual to pass even a small amount
• Repeatedly adopting the poop position before passing anything

Pain or discomfort

• Signs of pain while passing poop
• Reluctance to posture for toileting at all

Abnormal-looking poop

• Small, hard, dry dog poops
• Straining that results in small drips of liquid
• Blood or mucus in or around the poop
• Ribbon-like or flattened poop

When is constipation an emergency?

Constipation is often uncomfortable rather than dangerous, but some signs suggest a more serious underlying problem and you should call your vet right away: 

• Lethargy or unusual tiredness 
• Hiding away or seeming withdrawn
• Refusing food or water 
  
• Vomiting
• Bloated, tense or firm abdomen
• Straining repeatedly without passing any poop
• Puppies, elderly dogs, or dogs with existing health conditions
  

What causes constipation in dogs?

Constipation can develop due to problems inside the gut, within the intestinal wall, outside the digestive system, or as part of wider health issues.

Inside the intestines

• Blockage – e.g. a sock, toy or stone
• Indigestible material in poop – bones, hair, sand, grass or matted fur
• Worms
• Low-fibre diet
• Dehydration in dogs – leads to more water being absorbed from poop, making it drier and harder to pass, which can create a vicious cycle

In the wall of the intestines

• Inflammation – such as colitis
• Tumours or growths
• Neuromuscular problems – where the muscle of the gut can’t contract properly

Outside the intestines

• Anal gland impaction or infection
• Prostate enlargement – especially unneutered males
• Hernias or prolapses 

Whole-body factors

• Lack of exercise
• Some medications
• Underlying illness – e.g. kidney disease or diabetes can affect hydration or gut function
  
• Pain from canine arthritis or injury 

Because the causes can be so varied, jumping in with home treatments – however well-intentioned – might delay the right care or even do more harm than good.

How to treat  constipation in dogs

We’ll cover what you can try at home in the following sections. But if your dog is lethargic, in pain or unwell they need to see a vet. Also, to prevent mild constipation from snowballing, if they haven’t passed any poop, within 12–24 hours of trying the simple steps outlined below, it’s important to visit the vet.

At the vets, after examining your dog and taking a history, your vet may recommend tests to find out why they’re constipated and how much poop has built up. This might involve blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, and often intravenous fluids.

Any underlying cause needs to be treated directly, but when a constipated dog is dehydrated and the poop has become very dry and hard, they may need a general anaesthetic to fully and safely empty the colon. 

How to make a constipated dog poop quickly

If your dog seems a little backed up, it’s natural to want to help them feel better fast and in mild cases, simple management steps are often all it takes. It may be tempting to try home remedies and human medications, but not only can these be unsafe, they’re often completely unnecessary. The only time you should medically treat constipation is when your pup has a history of problems and a vet-approved at-home care plan. 

Natural remedies for constipated dogs

In the first 12–24 hours of noticing a problem, if your dog is bright and well, it may only take a bit of water and gentle exercise to get things moving safely.

• Water is key to maintaining hydration and softening dry poop, so encourage drinking. 
  o    Do add water to small amounts of their food.
• o    Do offer pet-safe electrolytes
  o    Don’t give milk – it can cause digestive upset in dogs.
  o    Don’t give gravy – it’s too salty and may worsen dehydration.
  
• Movement stimulates the digestive tract, and depending on your dog and work schedule, multiple short walks or one long one can both be very effective.
• Avoid sudden, dramatic diet changes while your dog is already constipated, unless advised by your vet. 
  

Avoid making any sudden or dramatic diet changes while your dog is constipated, unless your vet advises it. Adding fibre might seem like a good idea, but it can sometimes make things worse by creating a larger mass that’s still difficult to pass. Read our guide to the benefits of fibre for dogs.

These simple steps are often enough to help a mildly constipated dog start pooping again. But if there's no improvement within 12–24 hours, or your dog seems uncomfortable, lethargic, or refuses food, contact your vet.

What to feed a constipated dog

During an episode of constipation, it’s safest to stick with the management strategies above. Until your dog has been examined by a vet, avoid trying to ‘push’ the poop out by introducing new foods, high-fibre supplements, or large meals. Adding more food to an already backed-up digestive system may not be helpful and, in some cases, could make the problem worse.

Instead, focus on maintaining hydration. If your dog is still eating, you can offer small amounts of their normal food mixed with extra water to help increase fluid intake.

If your dog is prone to constipation, once things are back to normal, your vet may recommend:

• A high-fibre diet
• A fibre supplement
• Long-term hydration strategies

It might have been just a one-off episode, but if you’re looking to support your dog’s long-term digestive health, take a look at our tips for healthy doggy digestion.