The short answer
If your dog is constipated, the first things to try are more water, a little added fiber (plain canned pumpkin is the classic), and gentle daily exercise. Most mild cases resolve within 24 to 48 hours. If your dog hasn't passed stool in more than 48 hours, is straining hard with nothing coming out, is vomiting, or seems painful or lethargic, skip the home remedies and call your veterinarian. Constipation can be a symptom of something more serious, including an obstruction.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. I'm not a vet, and nothing here replaces one. But we've spent years making single-ingredient chews and talking to a lot of dog owners, and digestion comes up constantly — so here's the plain version of what actually helps.
How do you know your dog is actually constipated?
Most healthy adult dogs poop one to three times a day. Constipation is when that slows down or stops, and the stool that does come out is dry, hard, and small. Common signs, per VCA Animal Hospitals:
- No stool for 48 hours or more
- Straining, squatting repeatedly, or circling without producing anything
- Hard, dry, pebble-like stools
- Scooting, whining, or a hunched posture
- Reduced appetite or low energy
One thing worth knowing: straining in the squat position can also mean a urinary blockage, which is a genuine emergency. If you're not sure which one you're looking at, call your vet.
What can I give my dog for constipation at home?
1. Water first
Dehydration is the most common cause of hard stool. Make sure the bowl is always full, and try adding a splash of warm water or a spoonful of low-sodium bone broth to meals. Dogs eating exclusively dry kibble often run on the low end of hydration.
2. Plain canned pumpkin
Not pie filling — plain, 100% pumpkin. It adds both soluble fiber and moisture. A general starting point is one to four tablespoons per meal depending on your dog's size, and your vet can dial in the right amount. The American Kennel Club lists it among the standard first-line home approaches.
3. Gentle exercise
Movement stimulates the gut. A couple of easy walks a day does more than most people expect. Keep it relaxed, not strenuous, especially if your dog is uncomfortable.
4. Look at the diet
Low-fiber food, too many rich table scraps, or a sudden food change can all back a dog up. Transition foods slowly, over a week or so.
5. What NOT to do
Don't give your dog human laxatives, stool softeners, or mineral oil without your vet telling you to — some are toxic to dogs, and mineral oil can be inhaled into the lungs. Don't attempt an enema at home. Human enema products can be fatal to dogs.
Can chews and treats cause constipation?
They can, and this is worth being honest about. Chews that don't break down properly are a real risk. Rawhide is the usual offender — it's a chemically processed byproduct that can swell and lodge in the digestive tract. Bones that splinter are another.
This is exactly why everything we make at Bully Sticks Central is 100% natural, single-ingredient, 100% real meat, fully digestible, and no rawhide. A chew your dog can actually digest is a chew that passes through instead of sitting there. If you want the longer explanation, we wrote it up in our guide to single-ingredient chews, and there's a related piece on whether trachea dog treats are safe.
Two practical rules regardless of brand: always supervise chewing, and take away the last small piece before it can be swallowed whole. That's true of our bully sticks too.
When should I take my dog to the vet for constipation?
Go in — don't wait it out — if you see any of these:
- More than 48 hours with no stool
- Repeated straining with nothing produced
- Vomiting, bloating, or a tense, painful belly
- Blood or mucus around the anus
- Lethargy or refusing food
- You know or suspect your dog swallowed a toy, bone shard, sock, or rock
Chronic or repeated constipation also deserves a workup. It can point to dehydration, an enlarged prostate, a pelvic injury, neurologic problems, medication side effects, or in cats and some dogs, a condition called megacolon. Your vet can rule those out with an exam, and imaging if needed.
How do you prevent it from happening again?
- Constant access to fresh water
- A consistent, complete diet with adequate fiber — change foods gradually
- Daily exercise
- Regular grooming for long-haired dogs, since matted hair around the rear can physically block things
- Chews that are fully digestible rather than rawhide or splintering bones
- Annual vet checkups, more often for senior dogs
A note on where our chews come from
We're a family business. Our chews are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms and 100% high-quality guaranteed. One ingredient, no additives, nothing your dog's gut has to fight through. That's the whole idea.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog is uncomfortable, please talk to your veterinarian.
This post was last updated at August 6, 2026 22:34
