Sometimes your dog just won’t poop when you need him to—and while that’s totally normal every now and then, it can be frustrating when you’re short on time or starting to worry. Whether it’s due to diet, stress, or something more serious, delayed pooping can be a concern for many dog parents. Luckily, there are a few safe and simple tricks that can help get things moving. In this article, we’ll talk about what might be causing the hold-up and how to make your dog poop quickly.
Table of Contents
- The Hidden Causes Behind Delayed Dog Pooping
- 7 Easy Tricks to Make a Dog Poop Quickly
- Building a Poop-Friendly Routine
The Hidden Causes Behind Delayed Dog Pooping
It happens every once in a while that your dog might take all the time in the world to poop, and that’s quite normal. What’s not normal is if the issue persists. Constant delayed pooping can and should be alarming. While a lack of fiber is almost always the case, you may also be looking at other culprits like anxiety or medical issues.
Diet-Related Issues
Diet-related issues are some of the main reasons why Fido may be delaying poop. Fiber helps with bowel movements, and a low intake can make “number two” a bit more difficult for your furry friend. Fido’s digestion process can also be disrupted if you change your dog’s food abruptly instead of gradually. And then there’s dehydration, too, which can cause hard stools and delayed pooping.
Lack of Activity
Lack of activity is another root cause behind delayed pooping. A proper dog exercise routine can encourage and stimulate bowel movement. The more sedentary your dog is, the more its going to struggle with pooping.
Anxiety and Stress
There are many reasons why a dog might be anxious or stressed. New routines, a new environment, loud noises, and loneliness can make a dog hesitate to relieve itself. Fido may even hold its poop if it sees another dog across the street.
Holding It Too Long
If you’re not giving your canine companion enough time to poop or not taking it on enough potty breaks, it might develop constipation. For example, you may be in such a rush that you skip your dog’s favorite spot. Keep in mind that once dogs find the perfect spot, they can be pretty picky about it, so make sure to pass by those locations when walking Fido.
Medical Issues
Constipation can make it hard for your four-legged friend to pass its stool, and so can intestinal blockage caused by any foreign object in its body. Another medical issue that results in delayed poop has to do with anal gland problems, such as infected or painful anal glands. If your dog is in pain every time it tries to poop, chances are it will try to withhold the pain for as long as possible.
Side Effects of Medications
If your dog is having problems pooping quickly, you might want to rule out side effects from any medication it be on. According to experts, certain medications, such as painkillers, antihistamines, and antacids, might cause slow digestion and constipation.
Aging and Health Conditions
Delayed pooping is also common among elderly dogs, who might be dealing with issues related to old age. Senior dogs or dogs with arthritis find it difficult to squat, and will sometimes have trouble pooping.
7 Easy Tricks to Make a Dog Poop Quickly
No one loves being rushed while pooping. Not even dogs, especially not those who are taking their sweet time to do their business. So, what can you do to make your dog poop quickly?
1. Use Wipes
We know. We know. The last thing you want to do is touch your dog’s anal area, but if Fido’s taking all the time in the world to poop, you have no choice. To encourage your pup to poop, you can use a couple of wet wipes to wipe its butt. This basically stimulates its bowel movement. If the poop is already there, wiping gently in a circular motion will get the job done. Just make sure you use unscented, biodegradable, eco-friendly wipes.
2. Give a Manual Massage
Gently rubbing and massaging your furry friend’s belly is a good way to ease the pooping process. Keep in mind that you’re probably doing this because your dog’s constipated, which means it’s already feeling uncomfortable. To avoid adding to the discomfort, make sure to massage slowly and gently.

3. Squirt Water
Another way to make your dog poop quickly is by squirting cool water. Simply hold Fido’s tail up and squirt cool water into his bum. Both the squirting and the coolness of the water will encourage your dog to “go” quickly. Just a fair warning: this might get a little messy, especially if it’s your first time trying, so take some sanitary precautions.
4. Try the Ice Cube Trick
This might not be the most practical trick on a walk, but it is very effective if you want to relieve your dog if it’s constipated. All you have to do is bring an ice cube and hold it to Fido’s anal area. It might resist at first, but it will get used to it and start pushing the poop out in no time. Much like the squirting method, this trick may get messy on the first few trials, so make sure you have sanitizer and wet wipes.

5. Make Some Dietary Changes
If your dog keeps taking a long time to poop, you might want to check its diet. Is your four-legged friend eating enough fiber to promote healthy and normal bowel movements? Adding a few high-fiber snacks, such as carrots and pumpkins, would massively help with constipation. Be sure not to overdo it so you don’t disrupt Fido’s nutritional balance. This may not be as quick a fix as the other tricks, but it can improve your dog’s digestive health over time—and, in turn, help it poop faster in the future.
6. Get Fido Moving More Frequently
Taking your pooch on regular walks not only gives it the time and space to poop, but it also helps with its bowel movements. When the bowel’s moving, the digestive tract is stimulated, and the poop comes out without too much effort—especially in healthy dogs. Always remember that different dogs have different exercise requirements, so find the routine that works best for yours.

7. Promote Healthy Drinking Habits
One last trick is to keep your dog hydrated throughout the day. Staying hydrated is good both for bowel movement and for overall health. So, make sure fresh water is available for your dog at all times. And if you’re on a long walk with Fido, have bottled water with you to avoid dehydration issues—especially on warm days.
Building a Poop-Friendly Routine for Your Dog
Getting a pup into a routine may take some time and effort, but it can make the pooping process go a lot smoother. A poop-friendly routine involves setting up certain feeding times for your dog. Eating at the same time every day and avoiding late-night meals will help keep Fido’s bathroom schedule fixed. And by having fresh water around the house at all times, you can avoid problems with dehydration.
Needless to say, designated playtime and, of course, walking after meals can encourage pooping, too. Just find the right spot for your pup to feel safe on his bathroom break and have your SmartPoopy Walking Bags with you to pick up the droppings. Sometimes, you’ll need to give a treat or two to reward your furry friend for doing its business, so make sure you have a few on you during walks.
If your dog is still struggling to poop, even after you tried everything, your best bet will be to contact or visit your local vet.
To Wrap Up
Knowing how to make a dog poop quickly doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With the right mix of diet, exercise, routine, and gentle encouragement, you can make bathroom breaks much smoother—for both of you. Be it adding fiber-rich foods, going for a walk, or maybe giving a gentle rub, a little effort goes a long way. Just remember: if delays become frequent or your pup seems uncomfortable, it’s always best to check in with your vet. A healthy digestive system means a happier doggo.
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