As many dog owners have probably noticed, humans are not the only ones who have to deal with uncomfortable constipation every now and then. In general, you know something is wrong if it’s been a few days since your pet has pooped.
If your dog experiences this kind of difficulty, you need to know how to help it. Read on to find out what to do.
How to Make a Dog Poop Quickly
Imagine finally managing to potty train your dog successfully, only for them to become constipated. Firstly, don’t jump to conclusions — it doesn’t have to mean something is wrong.
While an average dog should poop once or twice daily, dogs can go up to 24 hours without pooping. However, if you notice your dog hasn’t pooped for more than 48 hours, you should do something about it.
There are numerous ways you could help your pet feel better, from giving it foods that make dogs poop to making it do more exercise. We’ll cover some of them below.
Give Your Dog Some Canned Pumpkin
As per Vet Nutrition, sometimes pet foods just don’t agree with a specific pet, leading them to experience some digestive health problems. One of the most common at-home treatments is to give your pet some canned pumpkin. This method can help with both diarrhea and constipation.
The way it works is that it increases your dog’s fiber intake. Just make sure to avoid pumpkin pie filling or puree, since those products contain added sugar.
Instead, buy a can of 100% pure pureed pumpkin and try adding it to your dog’s meal. As for dosage, 1 tablespoon is enough for a large breed dog, while you should use 1–2 teaspoons for a small to medium dog.
How fast does pumpkin work for dog constipation? You should see the improvement in a couple of hours.
Add Olive or Coconut Oil
You can also try coconut oil because it contains medium-chain fatty acids, which can improve your dog’s metabolism and thus, help it poop more easily.
However, make sure not to go overboard with these oils, as they are high in calories, and your dog may put on some weight. If you have a larger breed dog, you can go with two teaspoons of oil, while half a teaspoon should work well for smaller breeds.
Include Vegetables and Herbs
Some of the foods you eat can be excellent home remedies for dog constipation. Spinach, zucchini, broccoli, and green beans are high in fiber and will encourage pooping.
Believe it or not, ginger is also safe for dogs to consume. Not only is it great for relieving your dog’s constipation, but it can also reduce the chance of getting cancer, according to some studies performed on mice.
Switch to Canned Diet
Another reason your pet is struggling with constipation may be due to its diet consisting only of kibble. This is why you should consider switching to canned food, since its high water content may help with chronic dog constipation.
Increase Fluid Intake to Avoid Dehydration
Related to the suggestion above, you can also try to encourage your pet to drink more water. If you feel like your dog doesn’t drink enough water, there are many great water fountains for cats that are also suitable for smaller dogs and can help increase your dog’s water intake.
Physical Solutions to Help Your Pet
If the methods above don’t help, or if you want to try out some other natural remedies, here are a few physical solutions that may solve the problem.
Try the Baby Wipes Method
This is one of the easier ways to help encourage bowel movements. However, it only works when a dog is getting ready to poop, but if you need to know how to make a dog poop quickly, this method can help.
You will need a pair of disposable gloves and some baby wipes. Gently wipe your dog’s bum by making a circular motion. The stimulation will help relieve pressure and encourage the dog to poop.
Use Ice Cube
To perform this method, you will need a friend or family member to assist you and hold your dog. If needed, you can use some healthy CBD treats as a calming remedy, since this could be a bit stressful for your dog.
You will need a pair of disposable gloves and an ice cube to make your dog poop. Lift your dog’s tail, place the ice cube on your dog’s sphincter, and keep it in place for 30–40 seconds.
The shock from the ice cube will lead to a contraction that will push out some poop as well.
Try the Squirt Method
This dog constipation treatment involves using cold water that you’ll squirt at your dog’s anal area multiple times. This will stimulate bowel movements and quickly relieve a constipated dog.
To do this, use a squirt bottle, but make sure the water temperature and the squirting pressure won’t hurt your pet.
Perform the Abdomen Massage
For this method, your pet should be held upright, and you will need to put some paper towels or plastic bags underneath.
Firstly, massage your pet’s back leg until it lifts its tail up. Once it does that, turn your dog on its back and start rubbing its left side fast for several minutes. When you sense that your pet is getting ready to poop, begin rubbing its abdomen downwards.
To help your dog a bit more, lift its back legs to stimulate your dog’s belly.
Other Treatments for a Dog Having Trouble Pooping
If none of the above works for you, we’ll also explain when you should give a dog a stool softener and why you should sometimes consult your vet before trying out some methods.
Establish a Routine
Dogs are routine creatures, so if you take your pet out at the same time each day, preferably in the morning and the evening, it will understand your expectations of them.
Your vet could also recommend trying to increase the exercise intensity of your dog for a few days since a lack of exercise can also lead to constipation.
Give Your Pet a Stool Softener for Dogs
Before you give a stool softener to your dog, you must consult your vet. They are the only ones who could provide you with a stool softener for canines or determine the safe dose of the one meant for humans.
Consider Dog Enema for Blockage
If the issue persists, you need to consider taking your dog to the vet for an enema. Your vet will introduce water and other compounds straight into the dog’s colon, hydrating and de-stressing the stool so it can be ejected from the body.
FAQ
How many times a day should a dog poop?
On average, adult dogs poop once a day, although some could also do that up to three times a day. Puppies usually go more often than that, while senior dogs usually poop once a day or even less.
(PetMD)
Why do dogs hold their poop?
Dogs can hold their poop on purpose for numerous reasons. Some dogs know they will be taken back indoors once they go potty, so they may procrastinate by walking more slowly or sniffing around before choosing the perfect place to poop.
Others just need some peace and quiet to get the job done, so they refuse to do it in public with too many people around.
(Rover)
What can I give my dog for constipation?
Pumpkin puree is one of the best solutions since it is high in fiber and moisture.
You can also switch your pet to canned food, give it some olive or coconut oil, vegetables that are high in fiber, a laxative or stool softener, or an enema (but only as a vet’s recommendation).
Conclusion
While constipation is a common issue in dogs, if you are a dog owner, you need to know how to treat constipation in dogs, because if it lasts for too long, constipation can be a risk.
Hopefully, we have provided you with enough methods to try out, so you and your dog won’t have to deal with this uncomfortable problem anymore.
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If your dog suffers from acute constipation, you can mix some milk into its food. Flaxseed and bran are also good because they serve to soften the feces in the intestines. This makes it easier to excrete.