How Long Can a Dog Go Without Pooping?
Unsavory as the topic may be, the truth is that your dog’s poop is pretty important. Not only are proper bowel movements essential for your dog’s overall health, but you can also tell a lot about how your dog is doing based on their bathroom habits.
If your pup hasn’t pooped in a day or so, you may start to wonder: how long can a dog go without pooping? Here’s what you should know if your pup’s poop is on your mind.
How Often Should a Dog Poop?
How often a dog poops varies based on several factors, including things like diet, activity level, metabolism, and age. Although many dogs will defecate multiple times a day, younger dogs, more active dogs, and dogs with high fiber diets tend to have more frequent bowel movements.
“Due to a higher metabolic rate and more activity, young puppies do tend to have more frequent bowel movements,” says Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, a veterinarian in Lubbock, Texas. For example, “most puppies will need to defecate within 30 minutes of eating a meal, so this is a good time to take them out.”
Breed and size may affect a dog’s stooling patterns, as well. Instead of expecting your dog to poop a certain number of times a day, “it’s important to monitor your dog when they are healthy and determine what is ‘normal’ for them,” says Dr. Whittenburg. “Once this is established, you will know if there are drastic changes, such as constipation and diarrhea.”
How Long Can a Dog Go Without Pooping?
There’s no exact answer to how long a dog can safely go without having a bowel movement. “The important thing for a pet parent to do is to notice a change in what is normal for their dog,” says Dr. Whittenburg.
For example, dogs are prone to dietary indiscretions from time-to-time (who among us hasn’t fed our pup a table scrap here and there?), and this may cause loose stools for a day or two. “Usually this is nothing to worry about,” says Dr. Whittenburg. “On the other hand, a change in diet, a decrease in activity, a decrease in water intake, and certain medications may cause a dog to become constipated. In most cases, this will resolve in a day or two.”
In the case that your dog has bloody stool, excessive diarrhea, has not had a bowel movement in days, or is straining, you should take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Dog Not Pooping: Common Causes
Common causes of a dog not pooping include:
- Dietary changes
- Decreased water intake
- Decreased activity levels
- Certain medications
All of these things can lead to constipation.
On the other hand, “not defecating is not a reliable indicator of an obstruction,” says Dr. Whittenburg. “Contrary to popular belief, dogs with intestinal obstructions often continue to have bowel movements and may even have loose stool.”
What to Do if Your Dog Isn’t Pooping
If you have concerns about your pet’s pooping, it’s best to see a veterinarian as soon as you can.
However, if your dog seems to be constipated regularly, it may be helpful to add fiber to their diet. Dr. Whittenburg suggests using canned pumpkin—1 tablespoon for small breeds and 3 tablespoons for larger dogs daily—or feeding a dog food that’s marketed as higher in fiber to help.
Aside from dietary adjustments, be sure your dog is also drinking enough water. After all, fiber alone won’t help a dehydrated dog, and could in fact worsen the constipation.
“Activity can be helpful as well,” Dr. Whittenburg adds. “Taking a constipated dog on a long walk will aid in colonic movement, and often induces a bowel movement.”
