By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Straining to poo after a weekend of chewing bones is one of the most common reasons dogs end up at the vet on a Monday. Bone fragments, hair, grass and swallowed objects can pack into a hard, painful mass in the colon. Most constipation resolves with simple care, but straining can also signal a blockage, prostate enlargement or an anal gland problem, so it pays to know which signs need a vet.
Key takeaways
- Most dogs pass stool once or twice a day. Hard, dry stools or no stool for more than two days is worth attention.
- Bones, low-fibre diets, dehydration, lack of exercise and swallowed objects are common causes.
- Straining with vomiting, a painful belly or no stool at all can mean a blockage, which is an emergency.
- Do not give human laxatives, enemas or mineral oil without a vet's advice.
- Diet, water and regular exercise are the main tools for prevention.
Signs of constipation in dogs
- Straining or squatting repeatedly with little or nothing passed
- Small, hard, dry or chalky white stools (often from bones)
- Crying or discomfort when trying to go
- Mucus or a small amount of liquid stool passed around a hard mass
- Scooting, licking the rear end, or a swollen area around the bottom
- Reduced appetite, lethargy or vomiting in more severe cases
Common causes
- Bones: cooked and raw bones can form hard, cement-like stools. Cooked bones also splinter and can damage the gut.
- Diet: low-fibre diets, sudden diet changes or eating non-food material like grass, hair, sticks or toys.
- Dehydration: hot Australian summers, not enough access to water, or illness causing fluid loss.
- Lack of exercise: movement helps the bowel move too.
- Pain: arthritis, back pain or hip problems can make squatting uncomfortable, so dogs hold on.
- Prostate enlargement in older entire male dogs, which narrows the space for stool.
- Anal gland problems, perineal hernias or masses near the rectum.
- Medicines: some prescribed medicines can slow the bowel.
- Underlying disease such as hypothyroidism or nerve problems.
When to see a vet
Emergency now: straining with repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful belly, no stool and no wind, lethargy or collapse, or known swallowing of a bone, toy or object. These can point to a blockage.
Same day: no stool for more than 48 hours with straining, blood in the stool, or a painful swelling beside the anus.
Book a check: recurring constipation, a gradual change in stool habits, or an older male dog who strains frequently.
It is also worth knowing that straining can look similar for urinary problems. If your dog is squatting and producing little or no urine, see a vet urgently.
What you can do at home
If your dog is bright, eating and passing at least some stool, and your vet agrees home care is reasonable:
- Make sure fresh water is always available, and add water to meals.
- Offer more chances to go outside, with a relaxed walk.
- Stop all bones and chews that break into fragments.
- Ask your vet about adding plain cooked pumpkin or a fibre supplement suitable for dogs.
- Avoid human laxatives, enemas, mineral oil or castor oil, which can cause serious harm.
How vets diagnose and treat constipation
Your vet will feel the abdomen and often perform a gentle rectal examination, which can identify hard stool, an enlarged prostate, anal gland problems or a hernia. X-rays help show the amount and type of stool, bone fragments, or foreign objects. Blood tests may be suggested for older dogs or recurring cases.
Treatment can include fluids to rehydrate, enemas given safely in the clinic, prescribed stool softeners, and dietary changes. Badly impacted dogs may need sedation or anaesthesia to clear the bowel manually. If a foreign object is causing a blockage, surgery may be needed. Any underlying cause, such as prostate enlargement or pain, is treated too.
Prevention
- Feed a complete and balanced diet with adequate fibre, and make diet changes gradually.
- Avoid feeding bones, particularly cooked bones.
- Keep water bowls full and in shade in summer.
- Walk your dog daily.
- Manage arthritis pain so toileting is comfortable. See our article on osteoarthritis in dogs.
- Keep socks, toys and corn cobs out of reach.
FAQ
How long can a dog go without pooping?
Most dogs go daily. More than 48 hours without a stool, especially with straining or discomfort, deserves a call to your vet.
Can I give my dog olive oil for constipation?
Oils can cause diarrhoea, add unwanted calories and may trigger pancreatitis in some dogs. Ask your vet first.
Why is my dog's poo white and crumbly?
Chalky white stools usually mean a high bone intake. These stools can be very hard to pass.
Is constipation in puppies different?
Puppies often become constipated from parasites, swallowed objects or diet changes. They dehydrate quickly, so call your vet early.
Talk with a vet
If your dog is straining or has not passed stool, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide whether home care is reasonable or your dog needs to be seen. Talk to Dial A Vet. Straining with vomiting, a painful belly or collapse needs an in-person emergency vet.
References
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Constipation and obstipation in small animals
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase: Is it safe to feed bones to my dog?
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines
- Ettinger and Feldman, Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
