Helping Your Dog To Poop

Pet owners don’t always have the luxury of time to sit and wait it out with Fido as he tries to go potty during his morning walks – especially when he is just being plain stubborn! Don’t worry, you’re not imagining it. Dogs are smart little fellas, and it is possible that Fido has learnt to associate pooping with the end of his favourite walk time. As such, he may be holding in his poop in an attempt to stay out longer.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips on how to help your pooch to poop. 

1. Tweak His diet
If your pooch has not eliminated in long while, he may be constipated. In this case, you may add small amounts of milk (a canine laxative) or some olive oil to his meal. Be careful not to add too much, though, or it could induce diarrhoea.*

2.  Find A Quiet Spot  
Dogs usually prefer a peaceful environment to eliminate in, so if he’s not pooping, it could be because the spot you chose is unsuitable, causing him to feel uneasy. He may also be shy to poop in front of you (or other people), so try giving some space.

3. A Tummy Rub
The power of a good tummy rub should not be underestimated! Rubbing his belly before a walk may seem like a silly thing to do, but it can actually help with bowel movements.  

4. A New Command
Get creative with this one! You can try teaching Fido a new command, associating with potty time. The idea is for your pooch to learn that it is time to poop whenever he hears the command, so you don’t have to spend hours walking in the park.

5. Move it!
Exercise is known to stimulate elimination, so you can try taking your pooch outside right after playtime. Just a quick jog around the neighbourhood or a short game of fetch should be enough to increase bowel movement and help Fido to poop.

^{*Note: It is best to consult your vet before adding anything to your furkid’s diet. If your dog has not eliminated in days, he may be experiencing pain and/or difficulty eliminating. If you suspect an underlying medical condition as a cause of constipation, please see your vet immediately.}

^{*This article was updated on 2 Jul 2020. It first appeared in PetsMagazine.com on 29 Nov 2016.}