Dog constipation – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

This is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your dog seems unwell in any other way. Constipation means your dog is struggling to poo, with very little or nothing coming out.

When to contact a vet What to do now

Contact a vet if you see any of this

Blood in poo or around the bottom
A painful abdomen
Lethargy or low energy
Vomiting
Eating less than usual

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Constipation can have causes ranging from mild to serious.^[1] It can be linked to a gut blockage, eating bones or sharp objects, being very overweight or a rectal prolapse.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Straining to poo for longer than usual without passing much
Trying to poo several times in a row
Passing very hard or small bits of poo
Passing a very small amount of liquid poo
Over-grooming the bottom and back end

Possible causes

A gut blockage or blockage in the anus
Eating bones or sharp objects
Cancer in the intestines or abdomen
Enlarged prostate or prostate cancer in male dogs
Being very overweight
Rectal prolapse
Matted fur around the anus
Sore back legs or hips
Fractured pelvis
Anal problems

What the experts say

“Your vet will examine your dog, this might include a rectal exam which is sometimes better to do under a sedative. They will ask you lots of questions about your dog and their pooing habits.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What is constipation in a dog?

It is when a dog is struggling to poo but very little or nothing is coming out.^[1]

Can constipation be serious?

It can get worse the longer you leave it, and its causes can range from mild to serious.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

It is always better to see a vet as soon as possible because constipation can get worse the longer you leave it.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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