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A constipated puppy is generally one who hasn't had a bowel movement in 24 hours, or is passing tiny, hard feces and often having difficulty doing it.
Most often the causes of constipation in puppies are simple.... such as not drinking enough water or getting too little exercise.
In this case Fido's inability to poop is likely to be the only sign of a problem.
Sometimes medication side-effects, eating something that was inedible, or physical problems (such as long, matted hair around the anus) can cause constipation in puppies. These types of constipation may, or may not, be serious.
Occasionally being unable to poop can be caused by something much more serious such as a bowel obstruction or dog bloat.
There are different treatment options for constipation in puppies and dogs, depending on the cause and how severe it is.
There are also ways to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.
If your puppy has eaten or swallowed anything he shouldn't or if he's constipated and showing any of these symptoms he needs veterinary help immediately, it could be an emergency situation.
There are several different things that can make a pup constipated, they range from the simple and obvious, to the unexpected or unusual!
..... you've only had him for about 24 - 48 hours.
This is because for the first day or so in a new home, a puppy is often stressed and may behave in unusual ways - including peeing less than normal and even refusing to poop!
Visit my Bringing Home A New Puppy page for more on these early days.
All puppies can get 'backed up' now and then, but if you have a very small, tiny or toy breed pup his chances of getting constipated are higher than those of a large or giant breed puppy.
Some of the most common causes of constipation in puppies include:
If, in spite of your best efforts, your pup becomes constipated there are some straightforward remedies that should get his bowels moving fairly quickly.
Adding certain things to their diet can often help a constipated puppy feel better.
Here are a few to try:
Petwellbeing Smooth BM Gold is a totally natural product that can help to relieve canine constipation and also maintain healthy bowel function, without causing your puppy any discomfort.
There's also one more natural, gentle, herbal remedy that you might want to try... Only Natural Pet Laxa-Herb Herbal Formula which is a gentle, laxative herbal formula for overnight relief.
Constipation is relatively uncommon in dogs, especially puppies. Puppies who are having a hard time defecating should see the veterinarian, because it may be an indicator of a more severe problem.
There are many potential causes for constipation and ongoing or severe constipation doesn’t usually happen ‘just because’. In addition to managing the symptoms of constipation, it is important to identify the underlying problem.
If your pup or dog is constsipated his stools might be firm, dry, chalky, or have an unusual shape.
Older puppies have a tendency to eat things they shouldn’t, and will struggle to defecate in attempts to pass foreign material that has made its way to the large intestine. If they are concurrently vomiting or not eating well, it may be a sign of a gastrointestinal obstruction. Obstruction usually requires surgery and warrants immediate evaluation.
Intestinal parasites or worms are a common cause of diarrhea in puppies, but may occasionally cause constipation. Parasites are very common in puppies, so should be considered as a potential cause for any abnormal defecation.
Some medicines can cause constipation in puppies. Opioid pain medications are one culprit. If your puppy has recently had spay or neuter surgery or has been treated for a traumatic injury, this may be the case.
Over the counter diarrhea medications such as Imodium are designed to slow down the intestinal tract and can easily cause constipation, especially in smaller dogs. I almost never recommend that owners give Imodium for this reason.
Back pain, hip pain, or abdominal pain from recent surgeries may all deter your puppy from posturing to defecate, leading stool to back up. Usually these puppies will show other signs of pain in addition to difficult defecation. They may be limping, standing with a ‘hunched’ appearance, not eating well, or acting generally uncomfortable and restless.
If your puppy has frequent bouts of constipation, an anatomical defect in the colon or rectum should be considered. This may include strictures or diverticulum that hinders the passage of stool.
A narrow pelvic canal can also limit the ability have a normal bowel movement. This can happen due to developmental abnormalities or if the pelvic bones have previously fractured and healed in abnormal positions.
Colitis, or inflammation of the large intestine, is a common problem in puppies. This can happen as a result of stress, GI viruses, dietary changes, or intestinal parasites. Usually colitis results in soft stool or diarrhea, and there may be blood or mucus produced. Dogs with colitis will frequently strain in attempts to defecate, so it is often confused with constipation.
Colitis is usually treated with intestinal antibiotics, probiotics, and bland diets. Stool softeners that are used for constipation would not be very helpful for most cases of colitis.
Intestinal, rectal, or abdominal tumors, hernias, prostatic problems, endocrine diseases, and systemic disease that leads to chronic dehydration are all possible causes of constipation in older dogs.
Dogs that suffer from frequent constipation can even develop megacolon, a motility disorder in which the intestinal muscle does not contract as it should. The large intestine becomes permanently dilated and cannot propel stool as it should. These problems are very uncommon in puppies.
If your puppy is having trouble defecating, he should be seen by the vet. Try to provide a good description of the symptoms and the circumstances. Your vet may want to know the consistency of the stool, the frequency that he attempts to defecate, his diet history, and if he is having any other symptoms.
It is also important to make sure your puppy is urinating normally. Sometimes straining to urinate can be confused for constipation.
Your vet will perform a physical exam and may also perform a rectal exam to check for any masses, strictures, or foreign material. They may run a fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites. Based on the symptoms, they might diagnose your puppy with colitis and treat appropriately. However, if true constipation is suspected, your vet may recommend therapy to relieve the symptoms.
For mild constipation the addition of fiber to the diet may help. Canned pumpkin, over the counter Metamucil or Miralax, or high fiber diets are all options. More severe or chronic cases of constipation may require enemas for evacuation of stool, prescription stool softeners, medications that stimulate intestinal motility, and fluid therapy for rehydration.
These treatments can provide relief, but if your puppy is having frequent episodes of constipation, it is highly recommended to pursue additional testing to find the underlying problem.
Bloodwork, abdominal x-rays, barium contrast studies, ultrasound, or intestinal scoping may all be required to look for anatomic abnormalities or other underlying disorders.
Author: Dr. Megen Teiber, DVM
Here are some simple things you can do to help prevent your puppy from getting constipated in the first place....
The bottom line (pun totally intended!)....
If your puppy is constipated and you're worried that he may have an intestinal blockage, bloat, or be in pain/distress then you need to have him seen by a vet right away.
If he seems happy and healthy apart from the constipation, but you've tried the tips on this page but your pup still can't pass any bowel movements then you need to consult a vet for advice.
For your peace of mind, puppy and dog health information on this site has been approved by veterinarian Dr. Megan Teiber, DVM