Just like humans, it is best if a dog has at least one bowel movement each day. Healthy pooping patterns are a sign of good health. While every dog is different, they will typically have the same number of bowel movements each day. When a dog more than a couple days without pooping it could be a sign that there are serious problems.
At most a dog can safely go two days without having a bowel movement. Any longer that and you should definitely seek advice from your vet. They can give you tips on ways to help your dog to poop. If you do not see progress within the next 24 hours you will definitely want to have them seen to ensure that there is not something more serious going on. Not pooping for an extended period of time can be a sign that they have a blockage.
Understanding Healthy Bowel Movements For Your Dog
If a dog has a blockage that is not able to be rectified quickly with medication and diet it can potentially be fatal. Blockages can cause a rupture of the intestines which then leads to bile being released into the body. This will lead to sepsis and in many cases death. A vet will be able to evaluate the dog via an examination to determine if this is the case. It may be necessary for them to take an X-ray to confirm their diagnosis before they take further measures to treat your dog. Check out this post to learn about how often should your dog sees a vet.
In the most extreme of circumstances, it may be necessary for the vet to operate on the dog. They have the skills necessary to remove the blockage and repair any tears that may have occurred. It can be scary to know that your dog may have to go under the knife, but postponing seeing the vet is the worst thing that you can do. The sooner you act the more likely it is that they will be able to survive the blockage.
While most people do not think much of it, it is important to keep track of how often your dog is pooping. This is the best way to on top of the chance that there is a problem. Knowing your dog’s normal pooping patterns will lead to you being able to identify a health issue as it occurs. Not only should your dog poop at least once each day, but they should have firm bowel movements that resemble the consistency of play dough. Having poop that is too hard or soft is a sign that there is something affecting their health. If this persists it is best to consult your vet in this case as well.
Dogs, in short, really should not go more than two days without pooping. Anything longer than that warrants a call to your veterinarian. This is not something that should be ignored. Getting care as soon as you can for your dog can mean the difference of either a positive or horrible outcome for your beloved pet.
Dogs, regardless of the breed is one of the greatest human stress relievers of all time. You deserve to know the most important dog facts so you can handle your pooch better and avoid major accidents too! You’ll never know when they are useful.