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My dog is constipated. How much olive oil can I safely give him?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Male | neutered

Constipated 14 lb dog. How much/when should I give him olive oil?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on August 1st, 2016

Use 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight daily. I would give him 1.5 teaspoons daily. So you can mix Wink's food with a 3/4 a teaspoon at each meal if he gets fed twice a day. You can also try canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) on his food to give him more fiber. Give him 1 teaspoon at each meal. I would give Wink either the canned pumpkin purée or the olive oil. If those don't work, and he's still constipated in 24-48 hours, he will need to see a vet, as he may need a laxative or an enema.

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19Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on January 6th, 2020

    Olive oil may help. Mix into his food 1 teaspoon per 20lbs body weight once every few days. You can also try feeding canned food (switch gradually if you feed dry), or adding in some plain canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling). If she still has difficulty defecating, have her physically examined by your veterinarian to diagnose any underlying medical causes.

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on March 22nd, 2018

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I do not recommend using olive oil as that can result in stomach upset and pancreatitis given it is so high in fat. I recommend adding 1 teaspoon of canned pumpkin with each meal which usually works great for constipation in dogs. Good luck and have a great day!

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