Is my dog constipated?
True constipation is less common in dogs than owners assume, and the important thing is to be sure that is what you are seeing. A dog straining and producing nothing may be constipated — or may be unable to urinate, which is a genuine emergency, particularly in males.
Get this seen
This is worth a call to your vet rather than waiting to see how it goes, particularly if it has lasted more than a day or your pet is otherwise off-colour.
First, be sure what you are watching
Straining to pass a stool and straining to urinate look very similar from a distance. If your dog is repeatedly posturing and producing nothing at all, check whether any urine is being passed.
A dog — especially a male dog — who cannot urinate is an emergency and needs a vet immediately. Do not spend the evening treating for constipation while that is the actual problem.
Straining with diarrhoea also gets mistaken for constipation, because the effort looks the same. Inflammation in the colon produces frequent, urgent, unproductive straining.
What genuine constipation looks like
No stool passed for a day or more, or stools that are small, hard and dry when they do come. Some dogs will crouch repeatedly, or pass a small amount with obvious effort.
It is more common in older dogs, in dogs who are dehydrated, in those who have eaten bone or non-food material, and in dogs whose mobility or pain makes posturing difficult. Long-coated dogs can also get matted fur obstructing the area, which is worth checking.
When to ring the vet
Ring the same day if it has been more than about 48 hours, if your dog is vomiting, off their food, or uncomfortable, if there is blood, or if they are straining hard and producing nothing.
Ring immediately if you suspect they cannot urinate, if they have eaten bone or a foreign object, or if the belly is swollen or painful.
Do not give human laxatives or enemas. Some are dangerous to dogs and an enema given at home to a dog with an obstruction can do real harm.
What helps
Water is the first thing to look at. Dogs drinking too little produce harder stools, and increasing intake often improves things on its own — some dogs drink noticeably more from a fountain than a bowl.
Gentle, regular exercise helps gut motility, and in older dogs a little more of it often does more than any dietary change.
Ask your vet before adding fibre supplements or oils. The right amount depends on the cause, and the wrong approach can make an obstruction worse.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Bugalugs Scottish Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats 500ml
A 100% natural daily supplement rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 from high-quality Scottish salmon — supports skin, coat, joints, and brain health.
£13.99
Tarhong Medallion Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
A stylish BPA-free puzzle bowl that slows down greedy eaters — available in three sizes and a choice of colours.
From£10.99
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Common questions
- How long can a dog go without pooing?
- Most dogs go at least once a day. Beyond about 48 hours without producing anything, or sooner if they are straining, uncomfortable or off their food, ring your vet.
- Is my dog constipated or unable to wee?
- They can look identical. If your dog is straining and producing nothing, check whether urine is being passed — a dog who cannot urinate, particularly a male, is an emergency and needs a vet immediately.
- Can I give my dog a laxative?
- Not without veterinary advice. Several human laxatives are unsafe for dogs, and giving one to a dog with an obstruction can make things considerably worse.
- What can I give my dog for constipation?
- Water and gentle exercise are the safe first steps. Anything added to the diet — fibre, oils, supplements — should be discussed with your vet first, because the right answer depends on the cause.
- Why is my old dog constipated?
- Older dogs drink less, move less, and may find posturing painful if they have arthritis. All three contribute, which is why pain and mobility are worth raising with your vet alongside the constipation itself.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.