Dog Constipation Symptoms: Signs, Look-Alikes and When to Worry

Signs of Constipation in Dogs

• Straining (tenesmus) or repeated, unsuccessful attempts to poop^1,8
• Squatting often, circling or scooting¹
• Small, dry, hard stools, which are often foul-smelling^2,8
• Pain when pooping (dyschezia); some dogs cry out^7,1
• Small amounts of watery or mucus-covered stool, or a little blood, from straining¹
• No stool for a couple of days^1,7

Signs of a more severe case include lethargy, a poor appetite, vomiting, weight loss and a tense, painful belly. Some dogs cry or growl when their belly or lower back is pressed.^1,2

Can a Constipated Dog Have Diarrhea?

It can look that way. When hard stool is stuck in the colon, small amounts of liquid stool can leak around it, which owners often mistake for diarrhea.¹ If your dog is straining and passing only a little liquid, tell your vet about the straining, not just the loose stool. On the other hand, colitis causes genuine diarrhea with straining: frequent, small amounts of soft or liquid stool, often with mucus or bright red blood.⁵ See dog diarrhea and colitis in dogs.

Thin or Ribbon-Like Stools

Stools that are consistently thin or ribbon-shaped can mean something is pressing on the colon, such as an enlarged prostate, enlarged lymph nodes or a mass.^2,8 An enlarged prostate is most common in unneutered male dogs.¹ Mention this to your vet.

Conditions That Look Like Constipation

• Urinary blockage: a dog straining to urinate without producing urine, or only a few drops, may have a blocked urethra, often from bladder stones. It's more common in males because their urethra is longer and narrower. A complete blockage is very painful, can rupture the bladder, and is life-threatening.³ Because both involve squatting and straining, look carefully at what your dog is trying to pass.
• Intestinal blockage: a swallowed object causes vomiting, loss of appetite, belly pain and dehydration, and sometimes diarrhea. A piece of string may be caught around the base of the tongue or coming from the anus; don't pull on it, and see a vet.^4,2 See bowel obstruction in dogs.
• Perineal hernia: a soft swelling on one or both sides of the anus, with straining and difficulty passing stool. It's most common in middle-aged and older unneutered male dogs. If the bladder slips into the hernia, the dog may be unable to urinate, which is an emergency.^6,9
• Anal gland problems: scooting, licking and painful straining can come from blocked or infected anal sacs.¹⁰ See anal gland symptoms.

When to Call the Vet

Call your vet if your dog hasn't had a bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours of the last one.¹ Call sooner, the same day, if your dog is straining repeatedly or seems uncomfortable.⁷ Go right away for vomiting, lethargy, belly pain, a possible swallowed object, or straining to urinate.^2,3

Your vet will usually do a belly and rectal exam and take X-rays to confirm constipation and look for causes such as bones or other objects.^2,1 For safe first steps at home, see home remedies for dog constipation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of constipation in a dog?

Straining, squatting repeatedly without producing much, small, dry, hard stools, pain when pooping, and going more than a day or two without a bowel movement. Severe cases can cause vomiting, lethargy and a poor appetite.

Why is my dog squatting but not pooping?

It may be constipation, but it can also be a urinary blockage, colitis, a perineal hernia or anal gland trouble. Check whether your dog is trying to urinate: straining with no urine is an emergency.

Why is my dog not pooping but acting normal?

A dog may skip a day after a diet change, stress, less exercise or not drinking enough. If your dog is eating, drinking and acting normally, keep water available and go for a walk, and call your vet if there's no bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours.

My dog is straining to poop and only liquid comes out. Is it diarrhea?

Not necessarily. Liquid stool can leak around a hard mass of stool in a constipated dog. Colitis also causes straining with small, loose stools. Call your vet, especially if the straining continues.

Can constipation make a dog vomit?

Yes, severe constipation can cause vomiting and a poor appetite. Vomiting with straining can also be a sign of an intestinal blockage, so see a vet right away.

What does constipated dog poop look like?

Small, dry, hard pieces that are difficult to pass and often foul-smelling. Consistently thin or ribbon-like stools are a different problem and should be checked by a vet.