Female Dog Straining To Poop But Not Constipated

by

Is your dog constipated? Do you suspect that he might be? Have you noticed him straining or not pooping quite as often as is normal for him? Constipation is a common issue in dogs, and most of the time, it’s something that your pet can recover from fairly quickly on his own. However, in some instances, it may be a good idea to find a treatment option that works for your furry friend to help him along.

Keep in mind, too, that constipation can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Although this is a lot less common than a simple bout of normal, everyday constipation, there’s always the possibility that there’s something else going on. If you think your dog may be sick or none of the usual treatments for constipation are helping him, take him to the vet right away.

Dogs can sometimes hold their poop for a while. If you don’t see your dog poop for 24 hours, don’t panic, but do keep an eye on him. If he goes over 48 hours without pooping, he may be constipated.

If your dog strains a lot while pooping, or if he crouches to poop but then just keeps walking instead of pooping, then he’s very likely constipated.

If your dog tries to poop but whines or yelps from pain, then he may be constipated. He may also have a urinary tract infection or some other health problem, and you should take him to the vet if he’s in pain.

Dogs may also be slightly constipated if they are able to poop, but the result is very hard and compacted. Keep an eye on your dog if this happens to see if the situation improves or begins to get worse.

If your dog is straining to poop but you don’t suspect constipation, your vet may have to examine the intestines and potentially affected organs. Nevertheless, to rule out constipation as the cause of your dog’s straining you can add more fiber, exercise, and perhaps follow your vet’s advice to use a laxative.

Our mission is to help save dogs and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.

Dr. Nicholas graduated with honors from The Royal Veterinary College in London, England and completed his Internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. He currently lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Nicholas spent many years as an emergency and general practice veterinarian obsessed with keeping pets safe and healthy. He is the author of Preventive Vet’s 101 Essential Tips book series.

Intestinal blockage or in simpler terms, bowel obstruction, is common when a dog strains to poop. Dogs are susceptible to this because they do not watch what they eat. Blockage in the intestine may indicate a partial obstruction or a total obstruction of the intestines. This blockage can lead to constipation.

Dogs enjoy chewing on things hence they are at a higher risk of swallowing objects that could obstruct the intestines. Objects like sponges inflate in the gastrointestinal tract leading to intestinal obstruction.

There could be multiple reasons causing your dog to experience trouble in pooping while not being constipated.

A close observation will enable you to decide whether a home remedy will suffice or a veterinary is required to intervene.

There can be many reasons preventing your dog from taking a dump other than constipation. It is crucial to discern the major reasons causing this problem so that you may take proper care of your dog and seek appropriate help in case of an emergency.

Get your dog vet care right away if they have more than one episode of diarrhea, is lethargic, has a fever, blood in the stool, or black, tarry stool.

Many things can lead to diarrhea in dogs, including inflammatory bowel disease, medications, allergies, food poisoning, parasites, a change in diet, and gastrointestinal infections.

One way you can help your pet avoid bowel-related distress is by making sure a fecal check is included with your dogs annual exam.

Along with bloody diarrhea and vomit, signs of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs include loss of appetite and depression. Treatment for this disorder — which is not thought to be contagious — includes fluids, diet changes, and antibiotics.

Some dogs have a habit of eating inedible objects like pebbles, bones, or used food wrappers, for example. If your dog does this, it could be the source of your canine companions painful defecation.

FAQ

Why do female dogs strain to poop?

Constipation is infrequent or difficult passage of stool or feces and is typically a temporary condition. Many constipated dogs will experience straining or pain when attempting to defecate. Obstipation, a severe form of constipation, is often associated with a serious, permanent, or irreversible medical condition.

Why is my dog trying to poop but nothing comes out?

The most common cause of constipation in dogs is swallowing objects that are not easily digested, such as bones, grass or hair. Other causes include lack of fibre, lack of exercise, blocked anal glands, certain intestinal problems, trauma to the pelvis an enlarged prostate, kidney disease or hernias.

What to give a dog straining to poop?

Simple dog constipation treatments often include:
  1. Canned pumpkin.
  2. Bran cereal.
  3. Metamucil, Siblin, or a similar product.
  4. Canned dog food to increase moisture.
  5. Exercise.
  6. Extra water.
  7. Enemas.

How do you tell if dog is constipated or has blockage?

Not having a bowel movement for two or more days is another clear sign that your pup may be constipated. Other signs of constipation in dogs include straining, crouching, or whining while trying to defecate. You may even notice grass, string or matted feces around your dog’s anal area.