Dog Constipation and How You Can Treat It Naturally

The following information is a summary and review based on Dr. Candy’s professional experience and recommendations. Any summary or statement has not been provided nor influenced by the manufacturer.

Like the quote mad famous by Forrest Gump – “SH!T HAPPENS”. But what do we do if it doesn’t? For pet parents, constipation in our dogs can be confusing. Should we give them something? How long can a dog go without pooping? When should we call a vet? I’ll answer these questions and more in this article. So, prepare to become an expert at how to eliminate your dog’s lack of elimination!

What is dog constipation?

Well, our trusty veterinary Merck Manual defines constipation as “the infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces”. Basically, it’s just when your dog doesn’t poop for a while. They may be trying/straining to poop, but for whatever reason, it’s not happening.

What are the signs of a dog being constipated?

Some dogs may act uncomfortable. Rightly, we as pet parents know, it can be frustrating and painful when we personally experience constipation.

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Common Signs of Constipation in Dogs: 

Obvious Signs:

• Lack of Bowel Movements
• Hard and Dry Stools
• Very Small or Thin Feces
• Straining (With or Without Grunting and Moaning)
• Bright Red Blood on the Outside of Poop

More Subtle Signs: 

• Dry Mouth
• Eating Grass/Dirt
• Butt Scooting
• Dry Nose
• Dry Throat/Cough
• Lack of Drinking
• + Gassiness
• + Exceptionally Stinky

You may notice these signs with a classical “rock hard” stool. It may be crumbly, stinky, or darker in color. It’s important to watch your pup and make sure it does, in fact, look like constipation. Sometimes, these observations can actually be caused by diarrhea. This is when the intestines and colon are actually empty, and the dog is still posturing. You may have missed the diarrhea part and are just catching the later display of posturing when nothing comes out. Check the back yard to look for soft stools, dribbles, or diarrhea. This detail will be important for choosing the right treatment or for communicating with your holistic veterinarian. Let’s go over some signs that you should call your holistic veterinarian, and then we will look at some potential causes of constipation, so that you can solve the poo poo mystery.

When to Take Your Constipated Dog to The Vet

If your dog seems uncomfortable, or you have any concerns, you should always call your holistic veterinarian or take your pup to the clinic right away. If you notice any of the serious signs below, you should be headed out the door and to your holistic veterinarian’s office.

Signs That a Constipated Dog Should Go to The Vet:

• Crying in Pain
• Vomiting Water
• Bloated/Distended Belly
• Dehydrated
• Dry Mouth or Gums
• Bleeding from Rectum
• Blood in or Around Feces
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Recurrent
• Time of More than Two Days

What Causes Constipation in Dogs?

• Dehydration
• Lack of Fiber
• After Surgery
• Medications
• Lack of Calcium
• Spinal Trauma
• Anal Gland Abscesses
• Enlarged Prostate
• Stress/Punishment
• Hypothyroidism
• Kidney Failure
• Too Much Fiber
• Immobilized Pet
• Cancer
• Ingestion of weird things, such as rocks, socks, wood, mulch, trash, corn cobs, kitty litter, bird seed, popcorn, whole bags of pet food

Okay, so now that we know the signs of constipation, some potential causes, and have determined that it’s not serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet, we can think about treatments.

Conventional treatments include enemas, lactulose, manual removal, artificial fluid replacement, Metamusil (synthetic fiber supplements), stool softeners, drugs that stimulate digestive contractions, drugs that decrease smooth muscle contractions, other laxatives, and a lovely variety of suppositories.

But, being a holistic veterinarian, I choose to do things more naturally. Nature provides everything that your dog needs to keep things moving smoothly.

Holistic Treatments & Natural Remedies for Constipation

Remedy	Mechanism	Directions
Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Butter	Bowel Flow Lubricant	Small Dog: 1-2 tspLarge Dog: 1-1.5 tbspFeed every 2 hours until relief
Pumpkin	Soluble and Insoluble Fiber	Small Dog: 2-4 tbspLarge Dog: ½ – 1 cup
Psyllium Husk	Insoluble Fiber	Small Dog: ¼ capsule or ½ tspLarge Dog: 1 capsule or 1 tsp
Himalayan Mineral Saltwater	Electrolyte Hydration and Calcium	Small Dog: 1/8 tsp + ½ cup waterLarge Dog: ½ tsp + 1 cup water
Pedialyte – Unflavored	Electrolyte Hydration + Calcium	Small Dog: ¾ cupLarge Dog: 1-1 ½ cup
Bone Broth & Other Broths	Electrolyte Hydration, Soluble Protein, +/- Herbs & Spices, + Calcium, + Soluble Fiber	Small Dog: ½ – ¾ cupLarge Dog: 1 – 1 ½ cup
Canned Food Slurry	Healthy Fats, Hydration, Electrolytes, Calcium, Fiber	Small Dog: 1 tbsp food + 1 cup waterLarge Dog: 3-4 tbsp food + 2 cups water

Jak’s Super Slushie Slurry

Dr. Candy’s Recipe to get things moving quick!

• 1 ½ tbsp Canned Food
• ½ tsp Coconut Oil
• ½ tsp Psyllium Husk
• 1 cup Warm Water
• Mix Well & Serve

Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies

Remedy	Mechanism	Directions
Nux Vomica 1M	Homeopathic Remedy	Administer 2-3 times a day
Bryonia 6C	Homeopathic Remedy	Administer 2-3 times a day
Massage	Manual Break Up	Only considered in situations when your dog allows or encourages your touch. If they are guarded or tense, do not touch or put pressure on their abdomen. Instead, take your dog to the veterinarian right away. If your dog appreciates your touch, you may very gently massage their abdomen.
Exercise	Increased Circulation, Stimulate Muscles	Mild exercise, like walking, can stimulate stool passage. Make sure your dog is well hydrated and does not overheat. Also, no jogging or running.
Slippery Elm	Herbal Remedy	Slippery Elm is great for all kinds of digestive issues. Mix ½ tsp with water to make a paste, then offer to dog in some way or add more water and syringe into mouth.
CBD Oil	Digestive LubricantAnti-InflammatoryPain ReliefMild Relaxer	Many CBD and hemp products are oil based. The active chemical can be fat soluble and have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect, and relaxes muscle cramps. *You want to make sure that the product you buy is a full hemp extraction which has 0.3% THC. Do not get a higher THC percentage. Do not get a CBD isolate or synthetic. The product should tell you how much active CBD is in each drop. Follow the manufacturer’s starting dose and then increase if needed.
Homemade Fiber Treats		Follow the recipe directions below and give your pet 4 treats every hour until relief. As a bonus, you can also dribble some CBD drops on the cookie and it will soak right in.

Dr. Candy’s Poo Poo Support Treats

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl; oat flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, psyllium husk and slippery elm.
• Once the dry ingredients are mixed together, mix in the egg.
• In a separate bowl, mix the pumpkin, softened coconut oil, manuka honey, and water together. The coconut oil may separate, that is normal.
• Slowly pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and egg mixture and stir.
• Continue to stir until it’s ALL combined. This might take a few minutes and feel free to add a touch of water in order to get all of the mixture into a solid, slightly sticky ball.  If your mixture is too sticky at this stage, kneed in more oat flour.
• Roll the dough out on an oat-floured surface to ¼ inch thickness and cut into squares.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
• This recipe makes approximately 2 dozen large cookies or 4 dozen small cookies.

Okay, now that we have got things flowing, it’s important to think about preventing future constipation. Because, once a pet experiences constipation, they are more likely to have a recurrence of the situation.

Important Constipation Prevention Measures:

• Add a Water Fountain
• Feed an appropriate diet
• Add shredded veggies to each meal
  • Ex: squash, spinach carrots, broccoli
• Pour warm, filtered water on each meal
• Maintain a consistent, mild exercise routine
• Add fiber to each meal – such as psyllium husk
• Decrease emotional and physical stress as much as possible
• Add whole-food-based Standard Process Canine Enteric Support
• Make “Jak’s Famous Poo Poo Powder” and Add to Each Meal

Jak’s Famous Poo Poo Powder

• 2 cups dehydrated pumpkin powder
• 1 capsule Chamomile Herb
• 1 Capsule Ground Kelp
• 1 capsule or 1 tsp Bentonite Clay: Food Grade
• 1 tsp Slippery Elm
• 1 tsp Plantain Leaf
• 2 tbsp Standard Process Canine Enteric Support

Mix ingredients well and store in an airtight jar, in a cool, dark place. Add to each meal (dose based on weight). Enjoy the simple pleasure of a happy, regular dog.

Dosage Chart

Weight	Dose
1-10lbs	¼ tsp per meal
10-20lbs	½ tsp per meal
20-40lb	1 tsp per meal
40lbs & up	2 tsp per meal

Homemade Fresh Slow Cooker Diet Recipe

• 1lb Ground Lean Beef
• 2 cups Organic Oats
• 2 cups Brown Rice (Well Cooked)
• 1 large Sweet Potato (Chopped or Shredded)
• 2-3 Yellow Squash

1. Place ingredients in a slow cooker.
2. Add water until covered.
3. Cook on Low for 4-6 hours.
4. Mix, add supplements, serve, or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Extras may be frozen and thawed later.

To each meal add a serving of:

• Fresh, raw spinach, carrots, or broccoli
• Psyllium Husk Powder
• Standard Process Calcifood Powder or Wafers
• 1 tsp Ground Flaxseed
• Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes
• + Jak’s Famous Poo Poo Powder -or- Standard Process Canine Enteric Support

As with all food prepared at home, use smart hygiene techniques, use human-grade, quality ingredients, and adjust the amount fed based on your personal dog’s weight and body condition.

Be sure to mix or rotate recipes for variety and nutritional completeness. Always monitor your dog’s bowel movements and treat if necessary.

Constipation is a canine health condition that is no fun for anyone. You can only imagine the joy for your pet, a veterinarian, and a technician, performing an enema in the back room of a veterinary clinic. Early awareness is very important when it comes to constipation. So remember to monitor your pup on a “regular” basis, so that if you see these symptoms, you can quickly “rectify” this situation. And if you have any questions at all, seek your local veterinarian.

Good Luck & Good Health!

~Dr. Candy

Check out our other articles for even more knowledge to keep your pet healthy and happy!

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Best Probiotics For Dogs & Cats: Dr. Candy’s Holistic Selection Guide 2022

Safe, Natural Alternatives to Expensive and Invasive Dental Cleanings

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