Stuck in a Bind: How to Make a Dog Poop

Parenting a dog is a joy like no other - one that only a dog person would truly understand. Simply watching your canine companion as it romps around can send your serotonin levels through the roof. But it’s not always rainbows and butterflies, especially if Fido is having trouble doing the number two. Luckily, figuring out how to make a dog poop is an easy chapter in the book of raising a dog. With a bit of patience, you can master the tactics in no time. Whether you’re a first-time parent to a little puppy or a seasoned veteran, chances are you’ll witness your doggo having a hard time doing its business. When or if that time comes, you’ll want to be prepared and know how to get your dog to poop.  

How to make a dog poop

Imitate mama dog with wipes and rubbing

This technique works particularly well with younger pups but it’s just as effective with adult dogs. The trick is to imitate mama dogs and give little Fido a smooth release. This is because younger puppies sometimes need help doing their business. So, if you’re wondering how to make your puppy poop easily, all you need is baby wipes and your hands. Start by rubbing their belly gently in a circular motion, gradually adding some soft pressure. Next, wipe their hole gently with a wipe, just like their mother would do with her tongue. You’ll be surprised at the effectiveness of this simple method. 

Watch what goes into their mouth

If you’re trying to find out how to make a dog poop quickly, you may want to watch what goes into its mouth on a regular basis. In other words, you need to watch their fiber intake. Too much and too little fiber may cause Fido to have problems doing the number two. To avoid that, stick to high-quality dog food varieties - those usually contain the correct amount of fiber your dog needs to poop properly and easily every day.  

Get them used to an exercise routine

Knowing how to get a dog to poop when you want and where you want might get a little tricky at times. It doesn’t simply happen overnight. These things take time and training. One of the most important tips on how to make a dog poop fast is to adopt a routine. Your four-legged friend would often prefer to do its business during a certain time of the day as it enjoys familiarity. So, make sure you take them out on walks during their preferred time of day and get them used to a certain environment. And trust us when we tell you - the golden egg won’t take long to drop. 

Use the ice cube method

Sometimes, taking long walks isn’t an option. You might be in a rush or the weather might not be very pleasant. On such days, all you want to know is how to make your dog poop on the spot. Luckily, we have another trick up our sleeves to help your furry friend get the job done, and it involves ice cubes. What you’ll need to do is raise your pooch’s tail and gently rub an ice cube around the orifice. The cold sensation will trigger the feces to come out.

How to make your dog poop in a certain area

When it comes to doing the business, sometimes the question isn’t just how to make a dog poop but how to make a dog poop in a certain spot. This is a tricky one, as your pooch looks for familiarity and comfort outside. To assure that dropping stool won’t be a long ordeal every day, you’ll need to train your pup right. This means teaching it how to poop on command and offer a snack afterward. This guarantees that your trips outdoors won’t be a headache. 

This ensures that your dog will leave its droppings outside, but doesn't necessarily guarantee that it will do its business where you exactly want it to - which begs the question: “How to make a dog poop in one place?”. The trick is to find a quiet spot with minimal distractions, and your pooch will be ready to go in no time. Another persisting question is how to make a dog poop on a leash, and the same answer applies: in a safe and quiet spot, leash or no leash won’t matter much. If the quiet area you chose isn’t doing the job, try finding a grassy spot where your doggo will feel at ease. By following all these steps, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to make your dog poop in a certain area. 

How to make a sick dog poop

Whether your dog is injured, paralyzed, or simply sick, it goes without saying that pooping will be a hassle. And it is your job to make them feel comfortable enough to go. If you’re looking for ways on how to help a paralyzed dog go to the bathroom or how to help an injured dog poop, here’s some advice:

Your dog might be in a wheelchair, or fresh out of surgery and feeling a little down. It’s on you to make them feel comfortable and ready to unleash number two. Giving them love and warmth helps tons, especially for dogs who’ve had general anesthetics and are on medications. Other more practical ways to make a sick dog poop include rubbing behind the back leg and repeating on both sides. This technique helps dogs with back pain poop, too. If all else fails, you can always try the wipes and ice cube methods. 

Keep in mind that it’s perfectly normal for puppers who’ve undergone surgery to not poop for three or four days. But the sooner you help them poop, the lower the chance of them experiencing bowel obstruction. This applies to all dogs who are having trouble discharging for more than 48 hours. Learning how to make a sick dog poop is helpful knowledge for all dog owners. 

Explaining constipation in dogs: most common causes

Constipation in dogs is common and in most cases easily treatable at home. To make the ordeal easier for your furry friend, you first need to spot the signs, determine the causes behind them, and then learn how to make your dog poop if it’s constipated. 

One of the most obvious signs that indicate constipation is if Fido hasn’t pooped for over 48 hours. While 24 hours might be fine, two days are often too much. Another sign to look out for is how much effort the pooch is putting into pooping. You’ll realize this if the pupper is whining while in action or just keeps walking after crouching like it normally does while pooping. One final sign is a hard and compacted stool. Seeing one or all of these signs might be cause for concern. But don’t worry, once you find out the causes behind constipation, you’ll figure out how to make your dog poop in no time. Let’s start by addressing the causes. 

Eating too much fiber

The type of food that goes into your dog’s stomach greatly affects the outcome of its fecal matter. For starters, ingesting too much fiber may be a major cause behind constipation. Perhaps you could be giving Fido low-quality dog food, or maybe letting it eat off your table. The more your dog eats these types of foods, the more you’ll find yourself looking for ways on how to make a dog poop. 

Eating too little fiber

Another reason why your dog might be constipated is the exact opposite of cause number one. While too much fiber isn’t good, not enough of it is guaranteed to cause problems - just like it does in humans. That’s why it’s important to go for high-quality dog food and treats since the fiber content in them tends to be balanced, and it’s a surefire way to make a dog poop. 

Eating foreign objects

Another reason why you might be looking to help your dog have a bowel movement is the foreign objects that he might’ve chewed and eaten. You’re not home 24/7 and you can’t know what your pup has been up to while you were away. Chances are the little rascal may have gobbled up rocks, sticks, socks, or even parts of their toys. These foreign objects are known to obstruct bowel movement. While the objects might often come out on their own, certain scenarios might call for surgery. 

Tumors or enlarged anal glands

A tumor in the rectum or on the anus of your dog might be giving it a hard time pooping. Enlarged anal glands might also cause potty-time trouble. While the problem might be easy to spot in some cases, a trained eye or a check-up might be needed in other instances. If you can’t figure out how to get your dog to poop and you can’t spot the issue, your best bet is to consult the vet. 

 

Matted fur

Did you know that matted fur might be yet another culprit for constipation? Extremely tangled fur around the derriere is sure to cause problems in the “bathroom”. If you’re wondering how to make your dog poop in such a situation, the answer is a trip to a professional groomer. Trust us - you don’t want to deal with this particular problem on your own because it won’t be fun for either you or Fido.

Dental chews

It’s also a good idea to mention that popular dental chews, which are meant to clean your doggo’s teeth as it chews on them, can actually cause blockages. Keep in mind that these are designed in a way that they don’t break down easily. Dogs are supposed to gnaw on them for at least 15 minutes rather than gobble them up right away. If your dog is a gobbler instead of a gnawer, you may want to try different dental cleaning methods.

What helps a constipated dog poop

Feeding them canned pumpkins

Canned pumpkins are superfoods for constipated dogs. Will pumpkin really make your dog poop? The short answer is yes - you can use this food to make your dog poop. Pumpkins are a natural source of fiber and are extremely safe for your dog to eat. But before you try and cure your dog with canned pumpkin, you’ll want to keep two things in mind. First, make sure it’s an all-natural pureed pumpkin with no additives. And second, be careful not to overdo it. A rule of thumb is to give one tablespoon to small dogs and two to bigger breeds. Remember that too much fiber might aggravate the situation.

Also, giving a dog pumpkin and peanut butter treats may help alleviate constipation or mild blockages in the digestive system. While pumpkin and peanut butter treats may be enjoyable for dogs, they should not be used as a remedy for a blockage. In cases of a suspected blockage, it's best to consult with a veterinarian for appropriate treatment.

If you'd like to prepare this kind of treats for your dog, here's a receipt of it from Poopail family.

Adding probiotics to their diet

If you’re thinking about what to give your dog to help him poop besides pumpkin, you might want to look into probiotics. Adding probiotics and digestive enzymes to your dog’s diet will keep their systems moisturized and enhance the pooping experience.  

Giving them stool softeners

Another thing you can give dogs to help them poop is a stool softener. A vet’s expertise will be necessary in this case. While some dogs do well with stool softeners meant for humans, others need ones that are specific for pets. Either way, it's best to ask a vet before taking this step.

Keeping them well hydrated

Does your pooch have enough water to drink while you’re away? A common reason for constipation among dogs is dehydration. What you can do for a dog that’s constipated is to keep your dog hydrated throughout the day. If it refuses to drink water, consider a visit to the vet as soon as possible. 

Taking them on longer walks

In order to make a dog that has blockage poop, you could try taking them on longer walks than usual. Giving them enough time and space to run around and play might also do the trick. Exercising and extra movement on days when the poop is stubborn helps with the release. If you’ve been wondering how to make your dog poop when constipated, the answer might be to simply dedicate more time to their daily outdoor activities. 

Having more questions? We've got the answers.

How can I encourage my dog to poop?

One of the best ways to help a dog poop is to reward them with treats afterward. The promise of a delicious treat is an effective way to encourage your dog to do the number two.

How long can dog go without pooping?

Usually, a day or two of not pooping shouldn’t be cause for concern, especially if that’s the routine for your dog. While some dogs can naturally go between 48 and 72 hours without pooping, it might signal issues in others. If you realize that your dog can’t poop within 48 hours, when it typically would, start looking for techniques to help him out. 

How often should I take my dog out to poop?

The answer to this question largely depends on how often your dog poops. It’s advised to give your dog a bathroom break every eight hours or so. Ideally, you should take your dog out around four to five times a day; once as soon as they wake up and once after every meal. With our busy schedules, this might be difficult to do. And if hiring a dog walker isn’t possible, you can simply limit those walks to twice a day. And don’t worry, not taking them out regularly isn’t necessarily why your dog can’t poop.

What to do if my dog is not pooping?

Whether you’re raising a young pup or an old dog that can’t poop, it’s important to have quick remedies that help your four-legged friend relieve itself. Easy solutions include rubbing the belly, using wipes around the hole, and using ice cubes around the hole. Taking long walks, providing moderate amounts of fiber, and feeding canned pumpkin puree can also solve the problem.

How to tell if a dog has a blockage?

In case of partial blockage, your dog might have diarrhea. But if the blockage is full, it will try to poop but won’t be able to. Even if you don’t notice the signs early on, you might notice other symptoms like extreme weakness, nausea, loss of appetite, and vomiting. While knowing what to do if your dog can’t poop can often be helpful, extreme cases might warrant veterinary intervention.