We talk a lot about dogs with diarrhea. But the opposite problem — constipation — is more common than most people realize and can be just as uncomfortable for your dog. A constipated dog may strain at the squat, produce little to nothing, or go days without having a bowel movement at all.
Unlike diarrhea, which tends to be hard to miss, constipation can sneak up on you. By the time you notice something is off, your dog may already be quite uncomfortable. Here's what to look for, what causes it, and what you can actually do to help.
Signs Your Dog Is Constipated
The clearest sign of constipation is a dog that squats repeatedly without producing a stool, or strains visibly while trying to defecate. You may also notice that your dog is going less frequently than usual — most adult dogs have one to two bowel movements per day. Going 48 or more hours without a stool warrants attention.
Other signs include: hard, dry, pellet-like stools (when any do pass); grass or hair in the stool; circling or squatting multiple times; scooting on the ground; whimpering or signs of discomfort when trying to defecate; loss of appetite or lethargy in more severe cases.
It's worth distinguishing constipation from obstipation — a more severe form where the colon becomes so packed with dry, hard feces that the dog is completely unable to defecate. Obstipation often requires veterinary intervention. If your dog hasn't had a bowel movement in three or more days and seems uncomfortable or unwell, call your vet.
Common Causes of Constipation in Dogs
Dehydration is one of the most frequent culprits. When a dog isn't drinking enough water, the colon pulls extra water out of stool to compensate, leaving behind hard, dry material that's difficult to pass. This is especially common in dogs on dry kibble who don't drink enough water alongside their meals.
Inadequate dietary fiber is another major cause. Fiber adds bulk to stool and helps it move through the colon more efficiently. Dogs on very low-fiber, highly processed diets often experience constipation as a result.
Other common causes include: ingesting foreign material (hair, grass, bone fragments, toys), lack of exercise, side effects of certain medications (particularly pain medications containing opioids), enlarged prostate in unneutered males, anal gland impaction, orthopedic pain that makes the squatting position difficult, and neurological conditions affecting gut motility.
Senior dogs are particularly prone to constipation. As dogs age, gut motility naturally slows, and they often become less active — both of which reduce the natural movement of stool through the colon.
Home Remedies for Dog Constipation
For mild constipation in an otherwise healthy adult dog, several home remedies can help get things moving. Increasing water intake is the first step — try adding a splash of low-sodium chicken broth to your dog's water bowl, switching to wet food, or adding water to dry kibble. Hydration is foundational.
Pumpkin is a reliable and gentle solution. Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is high in soluble and insoluble fiber, which together add bulk to stool and encourage movement. Give 1–4 tablespoons depending on your dog's size, mixed into their food. Most dogs love the taste. Super Snouts Pumpkin Latte provides this benefit in a concentrated, convenient format with additional gut-supportive ingredients.
Light exercise — a longer walk, a game of fetch — can stimulate gut motility and prompt a bowel movement. Sometimes the intestines just need a little mechanical encouragement.
For short-term relief, a small amount of olive oil (1 teaspoon for small dogs, 1 tablespoon for large dogs) added to food can lubricate the digestive tract. This is a temporary fix, not a long-term solution — use it only occasionally and under the guidance of your vet for anything beyond mild, infrequent constipation.
What Not to Do
A few things that might seem helpful can actually make matters worse. Don't give human laxatives to your dog without vet approval — products containing lactulose, mineral oil, or stimulant laxatives require proper dosing based on body weight, and the wrong product or dose can cause serious problems.
Avoid giving bones regularly to dogs prone to constipation. Bones — particularly cooked ones — can cause large amounts of dry, chalky, mineral-dense stool that's hard to pass. Raw bones also carry a risk of splinters that can lodge in the GI tract.
And don't wait too long to escalate. Constipation that lasts more than 48–72 hours, or that comes with other symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, or a distended belly, needs veterinary attention. Prolonged constipation can develop into obstipation, which may require manual removal or more aggressive intervention.
When to See the Vet
Call your vet if your dog hasn't had a bowel movement in more than 48 to 72 hours. Also seek veterinary care if your dog appears to be in pain, is vomiting alongside constipation, has blood in the stool, shows a distended or painful abdomen, or if this is a recurring problem.
Your vet may perform an abdominal X-ray to assess the degree of constipation and rule out obstruction. Treatment options range from enemas and manual evacuation to medication to increase gut motility, depending on severity.
For dogs with ongoing constipation issues, your vet may recommend dietary changes, increased exercise, regular laxatives, or investigation into underlying conditions like hypothyroidism or megacolon. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, recurring constipation always warrants a thorough evaluation to find and address the underlying cause.
Preventing Constipation Long-Term
The good news is that constipation is often very preventable with consistent daily care. Keep fresh water available at all times and encourage regular drinking. Feed a diet with adequate fiber — look for foods that include sweet potatoes, chicory root, beet pulp, or pumpkin on the ingredient list.
Regular exercise supports normal gut motility. Aim for at least two good walks per day for most dogs. Establish regular bathroom opportunities — taking your dog out at the same times each day helps their body develop a rhythm.
A daily fiber supplement like Super Snouts Firm Up is a convenient way to consistently support gut motility and stool formation. The combination of pumpkin fiber, apple fiber, and organic agave inulin helps both firm up loose stools and prevent the excessive dryness that leads to constipation — it works in both directions, which makes it particularly useful for dogs with variable stool consistency.
Constipation in dogs is uncomfortable but very manageable once you understand what's driving it. Keep an eye on your dog's bathroom habits — any experienced dog owner knows their pet's 'normal,' and departures from it deserve attention. Most cases respond well to simple interventions, and with a few preventative measures built into daily life, you can keep things moving comfortably for your dog long-term.