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Is it normal for a dog not to poop days after neutering surgery?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Male | neutered | 4 months and 24 days old | 8 lbs

My pupoy hasn’t pooped after being neutered. He was neutered on Friday and it is now Sunday. Is this normal ?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on March 18th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sometimes anesthesia, opioids and other pain medications can bind the stool or slow things down. As long as Russ is still eating, drinking, isn’t vomiting, and isn’t straining the poop should come. If he still doesn’t have a bowel movement by Monday night I’d call your Vet to discuss. I hope this helps and I wish Russ a speedy recovery!

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6Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 20th, 2018

    When you say he hasn't gone to the bathroom are you talking about urination or defecation or both? I would not be worried about not defecating. They often won't have a bowel movement for a couple days after surgery. If he doesn't urinate that would be a problem and you need to take him to your vet for a recheck. I would say longer than 14-16 hours without urinating is a problem. You can take the cone off his head just to take him out to use the bathroom (on a leash) and then put it back on right when you come back inside. Many dogs will not go to the bathroom with the cone on. So, you can try that if you haven't already. Also, be sure he is drinking water. Again, the cone may prohibit him from wanting to drink so monitor this carefully. You may have to bring the water bowl to him to get him to drink. If he is dehydrated he may be producing a lot of urine. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on June 29th, 2019

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While it is not completely unusual, it is a quite a long time without urinating and it is very important to get him to urinate. Sometimes this is a post anesthesia occurrence or it could possibly be due to medications he is currently on or possibly due to wearing the cone which happens sometimes. You can try taking the ecollar off for a bit while supervising him so that he does not get to his incision. He will eventually go though if by tonight he has not urinated, he should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Best of luck!

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    Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on September 6th, 2017

    Hi there! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While this is not typically normal or expected after a neuter surgery, it is sometimes seen for 12-24 hours post-operatively due to the medications that are given at the time of surgery and after. Continue to monitor him until tomorrow afternoon, if still not improved and really not urinating or defecating, please have him evaluated right away to make sure there is nothing else wrong. Have a good evening! Keeping my fingers crossed for your guy!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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