Typically, dogs defecate one or two times a day. Once the dog has chosen his spot, he should eliminate completely within 60-90 seconds. Dogs that are straining to produce a stool for more than two minutes, and fail to produce a stool or produce small, hard feces, may be suffering from constipation. If your dog has not produced a stool in over two days, his condition has progressed from constipation to obstipation, a more serious condition. Symptoms of Dog Constipation Straining for over 2 minutes to defecate Hard, dry stools Absent or infrequent stools Scooting Senior dogs tend to have more issues with constipation as they age. Occasional and chronic constipation, caused by environmental factors, can usually be treated with at-home remedies. Constipation in combination with excessive licking of the anus, pain, lethargy, inappetence, dehydration or vomiting merits a visit to the vet. If the source of the blockage is physiological, your vet will need to
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