Dog Constipation: Causes, Symptoms and How to Help

What are the signs of constipation in dogs?

The colon is the last part of the intestine before the rectum. One of its main jobs is reabsorbing water, so when your dog is constipated, the stools spend longer in the colon and get drier and firmer. It’s a bit of a vicious circle.

As you might expect, the most obvious sign of constipation is a dog that tries to poop but can’t manage, or only a small amount comes out. Constipated dogs will often keep circling or straining, frequently look at their bottom or scoot their rear end on the floor. In some cases, you might see blood being passed because of all the straining, or your dog may cry in pain. Bear in mind that all these signs may also be a sign of colitis, which is an inflamed colon.

If constipation goes on for any length of time, your dog may go off their food, lose weight and seem depressed.

Dos and don’ts when your dog is constipated

Do:

• Do see your vet if you think your dog is unwell or you’ve seen signs of blood or pain. 
• Do see your vet if your dog has been unable to pass stools for more than a couple of days.
• Do encourage your dog to drink plenty of water.
• Do feed your dog wet food with added water or soak their kibble in warm water to help keep your dog as hydrated as possible. 
• Do go for some nice walks. Physical activity and exercise are great bowel stimulants, and if your dog’s constipation is mild, then this may be enough to get everything moving again.

Don’t:

• Don’t use human medications for constipation.
• Don’t use laxatives without speaking to your vet. If your dog has a blockage or a hernia, you could cause damage.
• Don’t delay diagnosis. This means more discomfort for your dog and possible worsening of bowel damage.

Going to the vet – what will they do for your constipated dog?

If your dog’s constipation isn’t improving with exercise and water intake, then it’s best to get to your vet to make sure there isn’t an underlying cause. Your vet will want to do a thorough workup, which will include one or more of the following depending on how obvious an underlying cause may be:

Physical exam

Your vet will do a head-to-tail clinical exam. This is to check for obvious things like palpable tumours, pain in the spine or hind limbs, perineal hernias, etc. They will also check your dog for signs of dehydration or other underlying diseases. 

Rectal exam

This is to make sure there isn’t a physical blockage, anal or rectal masses or perineal hernias that are not obvious externally. 

X-rays and/or ultrasound scans

These may be required to check for foreign bodies like bones or growths. 

In most cases, an enema, medication or a change of diet will resolve the problem, but depending on the cause, surgery, long-term medication or dietary modification may also be needed.

Helping dogs that are prone to recurring constipation: diet and lifestyle

As with all pet care, prevention is always better than cure. Keeping your dog slim and active throughout life is a major factor in all-round good health, including digestive health. Even with the best care in the world, there will be some dogs for whom a healthy lifestyle isn’t enough. They may have a neurological problem, arthritis, or anxiety, or they may have had a pelvic injury that has narrowed the outlet of the bowels. In these cases, there are various dietary approaches that your vet might suggest. Nutrition can be beneficial in many instances. Depending on your dog’s age, concurrent medical issues, body condition and diagnosis, one of the following types of diet may be beneficial:

• Higher-fibre food. Fibre is very important for gut health in general. Fibre bulks up stools and helps animals feel fuller for longer. Larger stools stretch the bowel and stimulate it to contract. Higher-fibre foods can make a big difference for some dogs prone to constipation.
• Weight-loss foods. Your dog being overweight can be detrimental for many reasons, including constipation and bowel movements. Weight-loss foods are formulated to help dogs lose weight efficiently and safely without feeling hungry. They are also high in fibre so you get both benefits.
• Low-fibre foods. If your dog has a neurological problem affecting the colon, a narrowed pelvis due to previous injury, or a perineal hernia, your vet may opt for a food that produces the smallest volume of stools possible.
• Diets formulated to support the microbiome. The gut microbiome is incredibly important. A healthy microbiome supports a healthy gut and immune system and can even affect moods and brain activity. 
• Gastrointestinal foods for stressed dogs. Most stressed dogs get diarrhoea rather than constipation, but GI diets that have ingredients to help manage stress may be beneficial.
• Adding water. Your vet may advise you to feed your dog wet food or soak your dog’s dry food prior to feeding. This helps ensure they stay hydrated and is never a bad thing to do.

It’s essential that you don’t use a dietetic food without asking your vet, especially if you have a puppy. Many foods are not balanced for growth. Depending on the cause of your dog’s constipation, you could make it much worse if you pick the wrong food. Always ask your vet and always remember to transition to any new food over 5–7 days or as directed by your vet.

If ever you have a doubt or worry about any aspect of your dog’s health, ask your vet. They are always happy to help, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Frequently Asked Questions about dog constipation

Can I give my dog laxatives? 

No, not without speaking to your vet. They will be able to advise on laxatives that are safe to use in dogs. You will almost certainly have to have your dog examined first to make sure that laxatives are appropriate. 

How long can constipation last before it’s serious? 

This depends. If your dog is mildly constipated and passing the odd stool now and then, you can try to increase their water intake and exercise and wait a couple of days. If your dog is in pain, passing blood or agitated, you should see your vet straight away in case of a blockage or other problem.

What foods are best for a constipated dog? 

This depends on the cause of the constipation. Never change your dog to a dietetic food without speaking to your vet. You could make your dog’s constipation worse because the foods vary so widely.

When to worry about constipation? 

If:

1. Your dog has been constipated for more than 2 days 
2. Your dog is in pain 
3. Your dog is passing blood 
4. Your dog seems lethargic or off their food 
5. Your dog is dehydrated

Reviewed by Becky Mullis, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition) and Emma Milne BVSc FRCVS.