According to the vets I talked to, constipation is not a very common problem in dogs.
Vets advise adding fiber to your dog’s diet [1], which you can do through widely available fiber supplements or adding the following to their vet food:
- 1–4 tablespoons of pumpkin per meal
- 1–4 tablespoons of psyllium per meal
- 1–2 tablespoons of wheat bran per meal
Make sure water is available, and your pup is well hydrated, as fiber locks in water. If your dog isn’t drinking enough, it can make their constipation worse.
If this doesn’t help, your pup should be seen by a vet.
What Is Constipation in Dogs?
Constipation in dogs isn’t all that different from a human one. Constipation is classified as an inability to pass stool on a regular basis, and having hard and dry stool which is hard to pass.
Though it’s uncommon for dogs to have constipation, most cases are caused by diet. There are medications and certain diseases which may have constipation as a side effect.
What Causes Constipation in Dogs?
There are a few reasons why your dog might be constipated. Here are a few of them:
- diet – non-food items, bones, stones, hair, cat litter, etc.
- dehydration
- lack of activity
- medications – pain medications such as Tramadol, medication used after surgeries, and others
- thyroid and kidney issues
- tumors
- and more
Definitely check out the resources at the bottom of this post, as they will provide a deeper insight into a dog’s digestive system, and points to discuss with your vet.
How Often Should My Dog Poop?
Your pup should poop about once or twice per day, and even three times in some dogs. They can go without pooping for about 24 hours, but if they haven’t gone for longer than that, it’s best to take your dog to the vet.
As I mentioned above, vets recommend adding pumpkin, psyllium, or wheat bran to your dog’s wet food if they are constipated.
If that doesn’t work, your dog will need a checkup by your vet. Depending on the severity of your pup’s constipation, they may perform an enema, provide laxatives or remove the poop surgically.
Personal Experience with Dog’s Constipation
Nelly usually poops about twice a day, mainly after a meal, but sometimes before.
If she has constipation, she would strain, sometimes to the point of vocalizing it. However, these bouts of constipation are rather rare with her, and they typically clear up without any further intervention.
Further Reading
- Common health problems in Weimaraners
- Can dogs eat potatoes raw?
- Guide to fruit suitable for Weimaraners
- Should Weimaraners eat grain free food?
Resources:
- [1] Defarges, A. (Jun 2020). Constipation and obstipation in small animals – digestive system. Merck Veterinary Manual. (link)
- Dog constipation: Causes and treatment. PetMD. (n.d.). (link)
- Hall, E. J., Kathrani, A., & Williams, D. A. (2020). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology. British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
Dana
I’ve always loved dogs, ever since I was a child, but I wasn’t allowed to have one. I dog-sit my sister's Weimaraner often. I decided to start this blog and share what I’ve learned about Nelly, the Weimaraner breed, and dogs in general from scientific papers and journals and my own personal experience. Learn more about Dana.
