Watching your dog struggle to do their business is stressful. Seeing your dog strain without producing stool naturally makes you worry about constipation.
Dog constipation ranges from mild digestive issues to dangerous medical emergencies. You must quickly determine if it is constipation or a blockage. This guide covers the symptoms, home treatments, and safe medications to help your dog find relief.
Recognizing the Signs: Is It Actually Constipation?
Confirm the symptoms before you try any home remedies. The main sign of constipation is tenesmus, which means straining to defecate. This behavior often confuses owners because it looks like the dog is trying to urinate.
A male dog posturing but failing to urinate might have a life-threatening urinary blockage, not constipation. Always check what your dog is trying to pass.
Key Symptoms of Dog Constipation:
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No Stool: Your dog hasn't pooped in 48 hours or longer.
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Scybala: Your dog passes small, hard, dry, pebble-like stools.
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Scooting: Your dog drags their rear across the floor due to discomfort.
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Pain Vocalization: Your dog whines or growls when crouching.
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"Fake Diarrhea": Your dog passes small amounts of liquid mucus. This liquid is squeezing past a hard fecal blockage.
Common Causes: Why It Happens
Dogs usually get constipated because of lifestyle choices or diet. Veterinary medicine now focuses on dog's gut health and microbiome as primary factors.
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Dehydration: Digestion requires water. If your dog is dehydrated, the colon absorbs more water from the waste, making the stool hard.
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Dietary Indiscretion (Pica): Eating bones, gravel, or hair can cause physical obstructions. Cooked bones, in particular, can turn stool into a cement-like mass.
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Lack of Exercise: Exercise triggers the gastrocolic reflex. Dogs that sit around too much often have slower bowel movements.
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Microbiome Imbalance: A lack of beneficial gut bacteria slows down digestion. Research shows that postbiotics effectively promote gut health.
What to Give a Dog for Constipation: Safe Home Remedies
You can treat mild constipation at home if your dog is alert and drinking water. Here are safe treatments to try.
1. The Pumpkin Protocol
Pumpkin is the best place to start. Its soluble fiber helps absorb water and triggers bowel movements.
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Dosage: Add 1–4 tablespoons of 100% plain canned pumpkin to their daily meals.
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Warning: Never use pumpkin pie filling. It contains sugars and toxic spices, such as nutmeg and xylitol.
2. Hydration and Bone Broth
To fix dehydration, rehydrate your dog. Their body needs more water to soften the stool.
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Strategy: Switch to wet food or add water to their kibble.
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Bone Broth: This is a popular solution in 2025. Ensure it is free from onions and excessive salt. The glycine in broth supports the gut lining and encourages your dog to drink more.
3. Dangerous Remedies to Avoid
Many online resources offer unsafe advice. Avoid these common mistakes.
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Mineral Oil: Do not force-feed mineral oil. It is tasteless, so dogs can easily inhale it, which causes severe Lipoid Pneumonia.
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Human Enemas: Never use OTC enemas (like Fleet) on dogs. They often contain sodium phosphate, which is deadly to dogs.
When to See a Vet: The Red Flags
Red flags indicate an emergency. Stop home treatment and go to the vet immediately if you see:
- Vomiting or retching.
- Lethargy or refusal to eat.
- Blood in the stool (hematochezia).
- Straining to urinate.
Veterinary treatment may include prescription laxatives (like lactulose), fluid therapy, or manual evacuation under anesthesia.
Prevention: The Future of Gut Health
Preventing constipation is easier than curing it. Modern healthcare focuses on protecting the microbiome. To prevent future issues, ensure your dog gets enough exercise and fresh water, and feed them quality fiber like Miscanthus grass or psyllium husk.
Postbiotic supplements have become a standard way to support digestion and the gut defense system. Supporting the gut lining before problems arise keeps your dog happy and regular.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I give my dog right away to treat constipation?
For immediate relief in mild cases, give 1–4 tablespoons of 100% plain canned pumpkin. Ensure your dog drinks plenty of fresh water to help soften the stool.
2. What signs show my dog has a blockage?
Vomiting, severe lethargy, abdominal pain, and refusal to eat indicate a blockage. Seek veterinary care immediately if your dog strains while showing these warning signs.
3. Can I use milk to treat dog constipation?
No, milk is a bad remedy. Drinking milk often causes diarrhea due to lactose intolerance, and it leads to painful gas and cramping rather than safe relief.
4. How long can a dog go without pooping?
A healthy dog should poop every day. If your dog hasn't defecated in 48 hours, they need treatment.
5. Is olive oil safe for dog constipation?
In small amounts (1 teaspoon), olive oil can lubricate the tract. Use it with caution, as too much can cause pancreatitis and diarrhea.
References
- GoodRx. "Dog Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment." Available at: https://www.goodrx.com/pet-health/dog/dog-constipation
- AnimERge. "Constipation in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment." Available at: https://www.animergevets.com/site/blog/2020/12/21/constipation-dogs-causes-symptoms-treatment
- Downtown Animal Care Center. "Why Is My Dog Constipated & What to Do." Available at: https://www.downtownanimalcarecenter.com/site/blog/2023/10/15/why-my-dog-constipated
- Rancho Cucamonga Vets. "Why is My Dog Constipated & What to Do." Available at: https://www.ranchovet.com/site/blog/2023/09/15/dog-constipated--what-to-do
- Wedgewood Pharmacy. "10 Home Remedies for Dog Constipation." Available at: https://www.wedgewood.com/blog/10-home-remedies-for-dog-constipation/
- Blue Cross. "Constipation in Dogs." Available at: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/constipation-in-dogs
- Columbia Vets. "Constipation in Dogs: Is it an emergency?" Available at: https://www.maurycountyvet.com/site/blog/2024/03/23/constipation-dogs
- AKC Pet Insurance. "Home Remedies for Dog Constipation." Available at: https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/blog/home-remedies-for-dog-constipation
- MSD Veterinary Manual. "Constipation, Obstipation, and Megacolon." Available at: https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-large-intestine-in-small-animals/constipation-obstipation-and-megacolon-in-small-animals
