18 Tips To Help Dogs Poop Quickly [From a Vet & Dog Trainer]

This article was updated on February 26th, 2022

How can I make my dog poop quickly? As a practicing veterinarian, I encounter this question at least 3-4 times per week. Dog owners may be worried that their dog is constipated, not pooping enough each day, or when they go outside with their dog to potty, it takes them a very long time to poop. On very cold or rainy days, we would like these events to take place quickly so that we can get back inside. If you’re looking for tips on how to make your dog poop quickly, this article’s got you covered!

Tips from a Veterinarian to Help Your Dog Poop More Quickly [by Dr. Sara Ochoa]

Make Your Dog Poop More Quickly in 2-5 Days

If your dog is not pooping as quickly as you would like these are some tricks that you can try to help them poop. These will take 2 to 5 days before you start to see results.

• Give your dog a diet high in fiber: Many low-fat dog foods are higher in fiber than regular dog food. Switching your dog to a diet that is higher in fiber than his regular dog food will help make them poop more frequently. This added fiber will make it easier for your dog to poop without causing them to have diarrhea.

• Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water: Fiber alone won’t your dog if he is dehydrated. Water helps fuel the pooping process.

• Routine Exercise: Inactive dogs are more likely to suffer from infrequent bowel movements, so it is important to have dogs get daily exercise. If your dog is not poop regularly you can take them for a long walk to help stimulate your dog’s GI system to work quicker.

• Probiotics: Probiotics often contain fiber and other things to help your dog’s GI system work properly. Many probiotics can be given to your dog each day to help with digestion.

Make Your Dog Poop More Quickly in 1-2 Days

If you need your dog to poop a little quicker these things you will start to help your dog poop in just a few days.

• Pumpkin treats or stool-ease soft chews: Some dog treats will contain pumpkin or other things to help stimulate your dog to poop quicker. Stool Ease treats are a tasty treat that you can give to your dog to help stimulate them to poop in just a few days.
• Feed Your Dog Canned Pumpkin. You can easily add fiber to your dog’s diet with canned pumpkin. Plain canned pumpkin can be fed to add fiber to the diet. I recommend 1 tablespoon for small breeds and 3 tablespoons for larger dogs, daily. Make sure that it is NOT pumpkin Pie filling as this is high in sugars and can cause other issues in your dog.

• The Ice Cube Technique: Drinking water should be encouraged and can be aided by adding water to the dog’s food or feeding them ice cubes as a treat.

• Gastrointestinal Dog Food: Most gastrointestinal dog food are high in fiber and easy for your dog to eat and absorbe. Feeding a diet specifially for GI issues will help your dog poop quicker.

• Switch to Canned Dog Food: Canned dog food has more moisture than kibble. Feeding canned dog food will help promote more moisutre in your dog’s stool making it easier for them to poop.

• Feed Green, Leafy Vegetables: These vegetables are high in fiber and will help stimulate your dog to poop.

• Give your dog Ginger and Chicken or Beef Broth: These broths will help increase your dog’s water intake and help move more fluid into your dog’s colon thus making them poop quicker

Make Your Dog Poop More Quickly Within 24 Hours

Sometimes it has been a few days and your dog has not pooped. It is best to try a remedy that will make your dog poop in less than 24 hours.

• The Baby Wipe Method: Puppies, especially newborns, will poop quicker if you wipe his rectum with a baby wipe or wet rag. This is just like his mother stimulating him to poop and pee after they eat. Mother will lick his rectum and genital area to help stimulate them to go to the bathroom. If your wipe your dog’s bottom with a wet cloth it will increase his urge to go to the bathroom.

• The Abdomen Rubbing Method: If your dog is not pooping, rubbing his tummy can help increase GI motility and help make them poop quicker.

• Brisk walk: If your dog is constaipated, taking them on a long brisk walk will aid in colonic movement and often induces a bowel movement.

• Picking the right spot / environment: Some dogs are a creature of habit and will only poop in a certain place. If you watch your dog when he is pottying you can find this spot and take them to it each time that he needs to poop.

• Other over-the-counter medications: There are many over the counter medications that you can give to your dog to help stimulate them to poop. Things like Miralax will help stimulate your dog to poop more. These medications are designed to bring water into your dog’s colon and make it easier for them to poop. The dosage of Miralax is a 1 tsp for a small dog ½ Tbsp for a medium sized dog and 1Tbsp for a large dog twice a day.

• Laxatives: There are over-the-counter pet-safe laxatives that you can give your dog. These are usually cat hairball medications. This will help make your dog able to poop easier.

• Prescription medication: For dogs who are still constipated, you may need to see your vet for a prescription medication. Your vet may recommend that your dog stay in the hospital for IV fluids to help rehydrate your dog to help make them poop or even prescribe them medication to help make it easier for your dog to poop.

If you think your dog is constipated, read our article on how to help a constipated dog poop.

Tips from a Dog Trainer to Train Your Dog Poop More Quickly [By Julie Burgess, Certified Dog Trainer]

Having trouble getting your dog to poop quickly? Take note of when your dog typically poops. For example, 2 hours after eating, 1 hour after eating, etc.

Here are the steps to train your dog to poop more quickly:

1. Be patient.
2. Take your dog outside on a leash to the same spot in your yard, or on a walk.
3. Stand in that spot and wait 15 minutes.
4. Avoid talking to your dog, or offering eye contact.
5. If they don’t poop, go inside and keep your dog leashed to you for 5 minutes. After five minutes, go back outside and repeat the steps above.
6. Continue to repeat these steps until your dog poops. Keep in mind that sometimes your dog may not need to poop, but with repeated practice, you’ll be successful.
7. When they start to poop, offer light praise and a treat. If you’re in your yard, let your dog off leash.

Your dog learns that their freedom is limited until they poop and pooping “on command” is tied to good things like praise, a treat, and more freedom!

What Kinds of Things Encourage Dogs to Poop

The main two things that will help encourage your dog to poop are fiber and water. Making sure that your dog’s diet is high in fiber, and that he is drinking plenty of fresh water each day, will help make his bathroom habits frequent and normal.

What to Avoid

Human over-the-counter enemas

When people are extremely constipated, they may reach for and over the counter laxative or enema. These can be dangerous if given to your dog.

Types of dog food or food that cause constipation

Treats and food like bones and bone meal can cause your dog to become constipated. These are high in calcium which can cause your dog’s stool to be very hard.

How Long Can a Dog Go Without Pooping?

There is no standard answer because a dog’s frequency of bowel movements will vary based on his diet, activity level, metabolism, and age. It’s important to know your dog’s normal habits, and if drastic changes take place. Most dogs will poop at least once a day. Younger dogs, active dogs, and dogs eating diets with a lot of fiber will typically poop more often.

It is fairly common for dogs to become constipated for a day or two. This could be due to a change in their diets, physical activity, water consumptions, and is generally not a cause for concern.

When Do I Know That Constipation is a Problem that Needs a Vet Visit?

Many times you can correct your dog’s constipation at home with some of the tips and tricks mentioned above, but there are some times that you will need to see your vet for help relieving your dog’s constipation.

1. Your dog is vomiting

If your dog is vomitting along with his constipation, go see your vet.

2. No poop in 3-4 or more days

After starting these at home remedies, your dog should start pooping normally in just a few days. If your dog has not pooped in more than 3-4 days, it would be best to see your vet.

Top Causes of Dog Constipation

If your dog is constipated there are some things that may be causing your dog to not poop.

• Certain medications: Some pain medications will cause your dog to be constipated. When your dog stops taking the pain medication will cause his pooping habits to return to normal.
• An Obstruction: Some dogs will eat anything they can get their mouths on. This can lead to an obstruction. This would cause your dog to not be able to poop. He may also be vomiting if he is obstructed.

What Will my Vet Do to Help my Dog Poop More Quickly?

Your vet can take an x-ray to see if your dog is constipated or it there is something stuck in his intestines. If your dog is constipated, your vet can give your dog an enema to help relieve him of his constipation.

Final Thoughts

The things that your dog eats and drinks will ultimately dictate how often and how quickly he poops. Making sure that your dog has a diet with plenty of fiber will help keep his pooping habits regular. If your dog seems constipated, following some of these tips and tricks will help make your dog poop easier. If your dog ever seems sick and constipated, it would be best to see your vet to make sure that there is not anything medically wrong with your dog.

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