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What can I give my constipated dog to help him go to the bathroom?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Can I give my constipated dog an enema? If so, how much do I do

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Debi Matlack

Veterinary Technician

Published on January 31st, 2015

Administering enemas are best left to your veterinarian. You can add Miralax to his food. Miralax is a very gentle, easy to give treatment for constipation, available over the counter at any pharmacy. The dose of Miralax is 1 tsp per 50 lbs mixed in with food once a day. You can also add a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil to his food once daily, or add a couple of teaspoons of canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to his food daily. If he is severely constipated right now, I recommend you get him in to see your vet to be debulked.

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41Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 11th, 2018

    I am sorry to hear about Millie. We do not normally use dulcolax commonly in dogs. In cases of mild constipation we may try adding canned pumpkin to the food to increase fiber, or metamucil powder (a few teaspoons added to the food), or using laxatone which is actually a hairball laxative made for cats but which can be given to dogs and is available at your vet or at pet stores (it may be under a different trade name but is a petroleum based laxative). In more severe cases we may prescribe lactulose which is a laxative that will not cause dehydration or cramping, and in some cases an enema is needed by your vet. You can read more about constipation at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951509

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    2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on October 9th, 2015

    For severe constipation, your pet should be seen by a vet. Hard stool building up in the colon stretches it out of shape, and it also causes stretching of the muscles around the anus, causing perianal hernias that trap the collected feces, effectively making a plug. Your pet may need more than one enema and even manual extraction of the feces in order to relieve this episode. To help avoid this in the future, you can add Miralax to the food. Miralax is a very gentle, easy to give treatment for constipation, available over the counter at any pharmacy. The dose of Miralax is 1 tsp per 50 lbs mixed in with food once a day. You can also add a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil to his food once daily, or add a couple of teaspoons of canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to his food daily.

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    10Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on November 6th, 2017

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can consider giving about 2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin with his meals. This usually helps with constipation. If no improvement, it would be good to have Tip evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a good night!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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