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

My pregnant dog is constipated. What can I give her to help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | unspayed | 3 years and 8 months old | 17 lbs

Hi my dog is pregnant and constipated , what’s the best thing I should do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on January 12th, 2019

Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation.
If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required.
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

5Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on November 14th, 2019
Hi, and thanks for your question.
Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation.
If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required.
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on March 2nd, 2020
Hi, and thanks for your question.
Mild constipation that lasts no more than three days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation.
If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 72 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required.
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on June 30th, 2019
Hi, and thanks for your question.
Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation.
If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required.
Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog constipated after taking amoxicillin? What to do?

Hi, and thanks for your question. Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation. If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My 9-week-old puppy is constipated. What can I give her at home?

Because Rosie is such a young puppy, it's a good idea to take her into your vet to diagnose the cause of the constipation. You need to treat what's causing it to stop it from happening. She also might need an enema, which only Iike vet can do. In young puppies, heavy worm burdens are a common cause of it. You can get a worming tablet from your vet. I would take her to the vet in the morning. In the meantime, you can give her some canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) mixed in with her food. You can also feed her wet food to get more moisture into her system.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is in heat and constipated. What can I do to help her?

Offer her more water. Yiu can mix it with equal parts of unflavored PediaLyte. Plain, canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) may also help get things moving again. Mix in a half teaspoon with her meals. If symptoms persist or worsen, have her seen by your veterinarian.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Puppy hasn't pooped in 2 days while on cold medicine. Is this normal?

Hi, and thanks for your question. Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation. If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog hasn't pooped in days. Is a baby enema safe for constipation?

A baby enema is not a good idea, it will most likely do nothing. Constipation can be a very serious condition, it can be caused by a physical blockage (foreign body like a bone) or a functional peristalsis deficiency of the intestines. In order to treat simple constipation, you should increase the fibers in the food (e.g. canned pumpkin) and can add a little mineral oil to the diet. I strongly advise taking your dog to the vet in order to check if there is a serious condition causing the constipation first.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

What can I give my constipated dog to help him go to the bathroom?

Administering enemas are best left to your veterinarian. You can add Miralax to his food. Miralax is a very gentle, easy to give treatment for constipation, available over the counter at any pharmacy. The dose of Miralax is 1 tsp per 50 lbs mixed in with food once a day. You can also add a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil to his food once daily, or add a couple of teaspoons of canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to his food daily. If he is severely constipated right now, I recommend you get him in to see your vet to be debulked.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Dog constipated after pyometra surgery? What can I give her?

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would definitely give Buksi another 24 hours. Any surgery, especially abdominal surgery, can cause an ileus, or slowing of gut movement. If not watched, it can lead to constipation, but I would not worry yet. If she is eating, you can give her about 1 teaspoon of canned pumpkin ( not pie filling ) a couple of times a day. The fiber will act like a natural laxative. If she has not had a BM by Tuesday evening, call your veterinarian. They may recommend a stronger laxative. Take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

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

Share