Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Dog constipated for days, straining, and peeing inside. What to do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 7 years and 5 months old | 85 lbs

My dog has not had a bowel movement in days but keeps squatting trying to go, however, she is urinating in the house since her constipation (3-4 times a day) even after just being let out. She normally does not go in the house. I even gave her pumpkin and dog stool ease chews. Thoughts please?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 4th, 2017

It sounds like your dog needs to visit her veterinarian. She is not responding to over the counter treatments so may need prescription laxatives, an enema, or x-rays to be sure there isn't an obstruction/identifiable cause for her constipation. Urinary accidents could be a result of her straining causing overall irritation or she could be feeling urgency due to constipation but then when she squats she can't poop but the straining/urgency in the pelvic area causes her to urinate.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 11th, 2018
I am sorry to hear about Diller. If she is straining to have a bowel movement and nothing is coming out it is possible she is constipated, which can be due to a variety of causes including dehydration, ingestion of foreign substances, blockage due to a mass or swelling of another organ in the abdomen, and more. Due to her age I would recommend bringing her into the vet for an exam. They will palpate her belly, do a rectal exam, and may recommend additional testing such as an x-ray. If she is still energetic/eating then you can try giving her a tablespoon or two of canned pumpkin with her food which can help with mild constipation and ensure she is drinking water. If she starts vomiting, becomes weak, or painful if you touch her belly/goes down into a prayer position with her front end down and hind end up in the air, these would be reasons to seek emergency/urgent vet care.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner
Published on May 21st, 2018
If Lil Girl is straining to defecate and is not producing any stool, then she is constipated. I am attaching a link to a handout below with more information on constipation including treatment options.
https://www.vin.com/veterinarypartner/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951509
If you are noticing Lil Girl straining without any stool being produced, then I would recommend having your veterinarian examine her to figure out what might be causing the problem. If you simply have not seen her attempt to pass any stool in a couple of days, it may not be a problem.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jacqueline Nobles, DVM, DACVECC
Veterinarian, Board-Certified Emergency/Critical Care Specialist
Published on March 10th, 2017
The straining to defecate may indicate constipation but often that is a symptom of another disease. Because she is a female, you should note that it can be easy to misinterpret straining to urinate for straining to defecate. Often we see this when a patient has urinary bladder stones.
Additionally, straining to defecate can be observed secondary to an intestinal blockage, enlarged lymph nodes or even a mass. You should have her evaluated by a veterinarian and request a rectal exam and urinalysis. The veterinarian may need to perform an x-ray or ultrasound to make a definitive diagnosis.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my dog peeing inside, struggling to poop, and so tired?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Sophie. Based on what you have described, she needs to see her veterinarian. She could have a urinary tract infection or even diabetes causing her to have accidents on the house. Both of these could cause a decrease in energy. Straining to defecate can be a sign of constipation or diarrhea. Diabetes is usually signaled by a dramatic increase in thirst. She will likely need her urine tested and possibly bIoodwork. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my 1-year-old Maltese mix straining to poop and can't walk?

I am sorry to hear about your pup! I would look at her rear end and check to be sure she doesn't have a matted area of hair/stool covering her anus and preventing her from pooping, as this can sometimes happen in long haired dogs. In mild cases of constipation, adding a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to their food to provide fiber can sometimes relieve constipation. If, however, she is lethargic, not eating, does not stop straining/cannot relax, or is vomiting then she needs veterinary care today. If she does have a fecal mat covering her anal area she will likely need to see the vet to have the area shaved and cleaned. You can read more about constipation at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951509

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is constipated, vomiting, and crying. What should I do?

Poor Princess! It sounds like she may be constipated - but if she's so severely constipated that she's crying and vomiting, this is a serious problem that needs immediate veterinary care, not something that can be treated at home. I would recommend taking her to the vet right away for an exam. He/she can palpate her abdomen and take x-rays if needed to help determine why she can't poop, and get her started on appropriate treatment. For severe constipation, this may mean giving her a manual enema under sedation to remove the impacted feces.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Dog still straining after enema for impacted feces. What to do?

Your dog probably feels like she needs to poop but there is nothing left in her colon if your veterinarian did a complete enema. At this point I would try offering her a small now easily digestible food like some plain boiled chicken and rice, and see if she eats. She may need additional pain meds for a few days to get through the discomfort being impacted. I would also recommend you put her on a prescription diet that is specifically made for dogs with G.I. issues because it will help her stay regular. You may also want to ask your vet about a medication called lactulose. This medication can be given daily and can help keeps two songs and make them easier to pass. Make sure Coco has plenty of water as well. If she becomes dehydrated it will make it more difficult for her to poop. If she is still straining to poop, starts vomiting, stops wanting to eat, or has diarrhea, then I would recommend taking her back to your vet for a recheck. Otherwise just trying to keep her comfortable, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of water and hopefully her stools will return to normal. Please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is anxious and can't poop. What helps dog constipation?

Poor Abbee! It sounds like she could be constipated. Dogs can become constipated from ingesting a foreign body, intestinal parasites, anal sac impaction, neurological problems, too little fiber in the diet, too much fiber in the diet, lack of exercise, or gastrointestinal tumors. Dehydration can also be a cause of constipation. As feces pass through the colon, water is normally reabsorbed via the colon. When a dog is dehydrated, the colon absorbs more water, leading to dry feces and causing constipation. Neurological problems can include injury to the spinal cord or the nerves leading from the spinal cord to the intestines. Exercise helps stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, and not having enough exercise daily can prevent a dog from passing feces normally. I would try adding a tablespoon of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) mixed in with her food to see if that helps her poop. Canned dog food will add moisture to a dog’s diet, and it may help with constipation. Taking her for a walk may stimulate her to pass feces as well. If it does not help after 24-48 hours, or she stops eating, drinking, becomes lethargic, or starts vomiting, then I would have her seen by a vet right away. Do not give her a human enema to try to help her poop. This can cause electrolyte imbalances in your dog, which can be fatal. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My new dog won't poop, whines, and squats. Is he constipated?

Poor guy. He may be a bit constipated. If he is squatting but no feces are coming out, then its best to take him to your vet to have him checked. He may need an enema to remove dried stuck feces in his colon so that he can freely go. You can also give an over the counter enema (from your local pharmacy) if you are up for it. Make sure he has free access to water and give him some canned food as well to increase his water intake. Constipation in young dogs is also often caused by intestinal parasites, so its good to have his stool checked by the vet as well. I hope that your fur baby feels better and is able to go potty soon! Best wishes and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is constipated and struggling to poop. What can I give?

It would be best to have Rexy examined by a vet. Pets with constipation can look identical to pets with un-productive diarrhea, and we must make sure we are treating the correct issue. Constipation has a variety of treatments based on it severity. Treatments can range from laxative use to enemas to sedation to manually removed feces.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share