10 Home Remedies for Dog Constipation

Developed in collaboration with Andrea Johnson, DVM | Co-Founder | PetVet365

Last reviewed: March 18, 2024

Occasional, mild constipation is not uncommon in dogs and puppies. If you’ve noticed that your dog isn’t “doing their business” and are wondering what you can give your dog for constipation, you’re in luck – there are home remedies that can help your dog or puppy poop. 

There are a number of home remedies that work as natural laxatives in dogs and can help relieve constipation. Most of these home treatments are inexpensive and are available at your local grocery store or pet shop. You might even have them already stocked in your pantry.

In this guide, we will look at the symptoms and causes of canine constipation, what you can do at home to help relieve it quickly, and when you should talk to your veterinarian about it being a more serious condition.

How To Know if Your Dog Has Constipation

Canine constipation is when your dog temporarily has difficulty with normal bowel movements. You may notice that they go less often, are straining to go, or have hard, dry stools when they do.

Do not confuse your dog being particular about where and when they go with constipation. Dogs look for comfortable, familiar, and safe places to defecate. They may not go when you are traveling or if you are on a new walking route. That is because of the situation and is not a cause for concern. Many pet parents frequently confuse diarrhea with constipation. A dog with diarrhea may remain in the defecating position and strain without producing visible stool so may appear constipated.

If your dog has not had a bowel movement in 48 hours, contact your veterinarian. Prolonged constipation can be a sign of a blockage (obstipation) or another underlying disease.

Common Symptoms of Dog Constipation

• Infrequent Bowel Movements: Dogs generally poop at least once a day. Not going for 48 hours or more is a sign of being backed up.
• Straining: Your dog struggles to go with little to no result. 
• Hard stools: Your dog’s stool is hard, dry, and looks like pebbles or nuggets.
• Vocalization: Constipation is uncomfortable. Your dog may whine more than usual or growl when you touch or press your dog’s abdomen.
• Loss of or Reduced Appetite: A change in eating habits may be because your dog feels uncomfortable after eating.
• Scooting: Dragging their butt across the floor.
• Vomiting: If your dog has eaten but can’t defecate, they may vomit to empty the waste in their system.
• Other Signs of Discomfort: Not wanting their usual belly rubs, restlessness, asking to go out repeatedly, but then not pooping.

Common Causes of Dog Constipation

Dogs’ digestive systems are sensitive. A common reason dogs get constipated is that they ate something they shouldn't have.

Foreign objects like grass, hair, plastic, pieces of a toy, a sock, feminine products, or something they found sniffing around the backyard can be difficult to pass. They also can lead to a bowel obstruction that needs immediate attention from your veterinarian. This can be life threatening so if you suspect this cause and your pet isn’t eating or isn’t vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately.

Aside from ingesting something bad for them, some other reasons for dog constipation are:

• Age: All dog breeds get constipated, but older dogs are more susceptible. As dogs age, their systems start to slow down, and it is common for older dogs to have problems with constipation.
• Dehydration: Water is essential to your dog’s digestive system. Not drinking enough water slows down the intestinal tract and affects how your dog gets rid of waste. Older dogs often benefit from adding a bit of wet food to their kibble for extra hydration.
• Diet: Fiber is essential to your dog’s diet. It aids digestion and keeps your dog regular. Too much or too little fiber in their diet can cause constipation. Too much calcium from bones and bonemeal may also constipate your dog. A sure sign of a diet that consists of too many bones or too much bonemeal in their food is dry and chalky stools. 
• Lack of Exercise: Ever notice how your dog takes a good, long poop after (or during) a good, long walk? Exercise stimulates your dog’s metabolism and regulates blood flow, which helps them stay regular. Dogs that get little or no exercise cannot digest their food efficiently, which can make them constipated, bloated, or gassy.
• Pain, Trauma, & Injury: Dogs with chronic joint pain from arthritis or another condition that causes mobility problems may have trouble squatting to relieve themselves. Trauma to the abdomen can damage your dog’s digestive tract and should be treated by a veterinarian to rule out internal bleeding and other complications. 
• Stress & Anxiety: Your dog's brain and digestive tract are constantly communicating with each other. This helps regulate bodily functions. But that also means stress and anxiety can affect your dog's digestive tract. The most common digestive issues related to stress are diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation.
• Anal Sac Problems: Anal sac disease is common in dogs. The anal sacs are two small pouches located on either side of the anus. They secrete chemicals that act as territorial markers and as their “signature.” The sacs frequently become impacted and inflamed. The secretion within the impacted sacs will thicken and the sacs will become swollen and distended, making it painful for your dog to pass a bowel movement.
• Disease: Certain diseases can cause constipation. Conditions like hypothyroidism, an enlarged prostate gland, or organ problems can cause constipation. Tumors in the digestive and eliminatory organs can also cause obstructions and constipation. If your dog hasn’t pooped in 48 hours or more, contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Side Effects of Medication: If your dog is on medication for an unrelated condition, read the label or talk to your veterinarian about constipation being a possible side effect.

10 Home Remedies for Dog Constipation

Occasional, mild constipation is not uncommon for dogs and puppies. Fortunately, there are a number of home remedies that can help relieve it or prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are 10 things you can try at home. Do not try these if you suspect your dog has eaten foreign material, contact your veterinarian immediately.  

1. Hydration

Making sure that your dog has constant access to fresh water is perhaps the easiest and least expensive way to prevent constipation.

• Place clean water bowls both inside and outside the house and refresh them several times a day. 
• Some dogs prefer flowing water over still water in a bowl. In those cases, try a pet water fountain/bowl that keeps water moving.
• Some dogs don’t like hard tap water. Replacing it with filtered, purified, or mineral water may help.
• For supplemental hydration, try electrolyte infused treats.
• Add broth or canned wet food to your dog’s dry food.

2. Higher Fiber Dog Food

As mentioned earlier, fiber is essential to your dog’s diet. Older dogs, especially, benefit from a high fiber diet. But too much fiber for other dogs can back them up.

Read the label of your dog’s food carefully and choose one with appropriate fiber content. If you want to add fiber to their diet without switching dog food, try high fiber treats. If you aren’t sure which brand of food or treat is best for your dog’s breed, age, or physical condition, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

3. Canned Dog Food

Incorporating wet canned food aids in easing constipation by increasing moisture in your dog’s intestinal tract.

4. Canned Pumpkin Puree

100% pure canned pumpkin puree is high in fiber, good for hydration, and helps relieve constipation and diarrhea. Add about one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight to your dog’s dry food.

• Important Note: DO NOT use pumpkin pie filling. Sugar, spices, and additives are not good for dogs.

5. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a natural stool softener and gentle laxative. Mix about a teaspoonful into your dog’s food or let them lick it right off a spoon. Most dogs love the taste.

6. Olive Oil

Add a small amount of olive oil to your dog’s food. The amount depends on the size and weight of your dog. Start with a small amount and increase it in increments until you see an effect. Caution: Too much olive oil causes diarrhea, which is a whole other set of problems.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into your dog’s food. That small amount should be enough to relieve your dog’s constipation.

8. Probiotics

Dog probiotics boost your dog’s digestive health. These supplements are available online or at your local pet store. They help restore a natural balance to your dog’s gut, which can aid in regularity.

9. Greek yogurt

Plain, unflavored Greek yogurt can help ease your dog’s constipation.  A tablespoon on top of the food can help establish GI flora.

10. Exercise

Going for a walk or jog can stimulate the digestive system to start moving again. Regular exercise helps maintain healthy digestion by increasing blood flow to the digestive tract and the colon. Frequent exercise also promotes overall long-term health and boosts your dog's immune system.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Sometimes home remedies aren’t enough to relieve your pet’s constipation. If your dog has not had a bowel movement in 48 hours, contact your veterinarian. Prolonged constipation can be a sign of serious conditions such as a blockage (obstipation) in the intestinal tract or other underlying causes like diseases of the colon, thyroid diseases, megacolon, or neurological conditions. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications like cisapride, lactulose, or an over-the-counter stool softener. 

When To Call Your Veterinarian

Your veterinarian may prescribe a customized, compounded medication. These medications are mixed by trained, licensed compounding pharmacists and often come in dosage forms designed to make giving or applying the medication easier and more accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is meant to provide general and not medical advice. We strongly recommend that a veterinarian be consulted with for the specific medical needs of your animal.

Sources

American Kennel Club 
TPLO Info
K9 of Mine