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What Happens To A Dog Holding Poop Too Long?

Just like us hoo-mans, pooping is a healthy, natural function of dogs, and all living creatures for that matter. Dogs poop for a variety of reasons. Some dogs need to poop more frequently than others due to their diet or activity level, while other dogs may only poop once a day or even less.

Dogs also poop to relieve themselves of built-up energy, toxins, or simply because they have to go. There are a few reasons why you don’t want to make your dog hold its poop.

dog holding poop too long problem
What happens to a dog holding poop too long?

Why Your Dog Should Not Hold Its Poop?

Like us, holding poop is not natural and it can actually be harmful to health. 

It can be very dangerous for your dog. If a dog holds its poop for too long, it can actually stretch its intestines or cause it to distend. This is extremely painful and can even be fatal.

Another reason why you don’t want your dog to hold its poop is because it can cause constipation. When a dog holds in its poop, the feces become dry and hard, making it difficult for the dog to pass them. This can lead to a condition called megacolon, which is another serious condition.

So when it’s time for your pooch to go, let him let one rip! 

sad Shih-Tzu
A sad-looking Shih Tzu is on the couch.

Signs That Your Dog Has To Go

When a dog has to poop, he will usually show some common signs, such as sniffing around, circling, or squatting. If you think your dog needs to poop, get him outside as fast as you can! While accidents are part and parcel of being a dog parent, it still isn’t pleasant to have to deal with a hot, steaming pile of ….eeeks, on your favorite rug. 

Once your dog is outside (phew!), be sure to give them some time to sniff around and find the perfect spot. Once they start to squat, they will usually be able to go within a few seconds.

dog sniffing grass
A dog finding a scent he smelled.

How Often Should I Take My Dog Out To Poop? 

The number of times your pooch has to go potty depends greatly on the age. Other factors also include diet and physical condition. 

Like human babies, puppies are notorious pooping machines and should be taken out several times a day. It can be hard to keep up with their bathroom habits! 

There are a few things you can do to help your puppy stay clean and healthy. First, take your puppy out frequently, especially after they eat or drink. This will help them get into the habit of using the bathroom outside. 

Also, be consistent with your potty training routine. If you give your puppy regular opportunities to relieve themselves, they will learn to hold it until they can get to a designated potty spot. 

As a general rule, young puppies below the age of 4 months can hold their poop for about 4-6 hours and need to be out about 4 to 6 times a day. Older puppies should be taken out about 3 to 5 times, and puppies after 12 months can be brought out 2-3 times

Adult dogs are way easier, and the frequency will depend on their individual schedules and bathroom habits. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should take your dog out at least once a day, preferably twice – in the morning and evening

Of course, if you notice that your dog is having more accidents than usual, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and take him or her out more often. You don’t want them holding their poop! 

Why does my dog walk and poop? [Answers]
Why does my dog walk and poop? [Answers]

Why Does My Dog Hold His Poop?

Any fully potty-trained dog worth his salt knows not to soil the inside of the house, or worse yet, his crate. Trained dogs will not poop at home but instead, wait patiently till it is time for their walk and do their stuff outdoors.

Try to keep a regular routine. Dogs love routine, and any disruption might cause a bit of confusion and make it difficult for your dog to poop on schedule. 

However, dogs don’t only hold their poop indoors. Have you ever walked your dog, only to have him stop every few minutes to sniff around? And then, when you finally make it to the park, he finds the perfect spot to go…and just stands there? 

If this sounds familiar, you may be wondering what’s going on. The answer, unfortunately, isn’t always clear. It could be that your dog is feeling anxious or stressed, or maybe feeling a little under the weather

Whatever the reason, there are a few things you can do to help your furry friend learn to let loose. First, try walking him in a quiet place where he feels comfortable. If he still refuses to go, try just walking around and relaxing for a bit until he is ready. 

Be patient. Your dog will sense your impatience and if you are anxious, he is likely to be too. 

With a little patience and some positive reinforcement, your dog will learn that letting go isn’t so bad after all.

Samoyed dog sitting
Samoyed dog sitting at the park.

How Long Can Dogs Hold Their Poop At Night?

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. It’s 2 am and Fido is barking at the bedroom door, clearly desperate to go outside. Urgh. That’s the last thing you want to do when you’re all snuggled comfortably under the covers and it’s cold out. 

Fortunately, most dogs can hold their poop overnight without any problems. Of course, this isn’t true for all dogs – some may need to go out more frequently, especially if they’re young or have health issues. 

However, for the average dog, a potty break just before they go to sleep, and once more the moment they wake would be enough

So next time Fido wakes you up in the middle of the night, don’t be too quick to judge – he’s just doing his best to hold it in until morning, but sometimes, if you gotta go, you gotta go! 

How Long Can A Dog Hold Its Poop After Eating?

Again, it depends on the size and age of the dog, and the type of food they have eaten. For example, a small dog or a young puppy who has just eaten a high-fiber meal and plenty of water is likely to need to “go” within an hour or two

On the other hand, a large dog with a well-balanced diet may be able to hold it for a couple of hours more. 

Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule – some dogs simply have sensitive stomachs and need to make a pit stop more frequently than others. Ultimately, it’s up to you to know your dog’s bathroom habits and schedule accordingly. 

So next time Fido eats his dinner, be sure to take him for a walk – you may just avoid an unpleasant accident.

dog stands beside bowl
The dog stands beside the bowl and looks like it ate too much.

How Can I Make My Dog Poop?

If you’ve ever been a dog owner, you know that one of the most important questions is “how can I make my dog poop?” After all, a dog that doesn’t poop is a very unhappy dog. 

The first step is to get your dog into a regular routine. Take your dog out for a walk in the morning and evening, and make sure to give him plenty of time to do his business. 

If he doesn’t go within 15 minutes or so, bring him back inside and try again later. It’s also important to give your dog plenty of high-quality food with loads of fiber. Water is key for smooth bowel movements, as it binds to the fiber and gives the stool bulk.

A healthy diet will help keep your dog’s digestive system running smoothly. Finally, if you’re still having trouble getting your dog to poop, you can try adding some natural laxative to his food. 

Just be sure to talk to your vet first to make sure it’s the right course of action for your pet. With a little patience and persistence, you’ll have your pup pooping in no time!

owner waits dog poop
The owner waits for her dog to poop on the grass.

Final Thoughts On Dogs Holding Poop

We’ve all been there. That horrid sensation that we need to go, NOW, and we cannot. So we try as hard as we can to hold it in amidst extreme discomfort and sometimes, even the onset of severe abdominal pain.

That’s the last thing we want our dogs to go through. Fortunately, helping your pooch have great bowel habits is pretty easy.

First, make sure that your dog has plenty of access to water. A hydrated dog is more likely to have regular bowel movements than one who is dehydrated. Second, feed your dog a high-quality diet full of fiber-rich foods.

This will help to keep your dog’s digestive system moving smoothly. 

Finally, take your dog on regular walks or runs. Exercise helps to get the digestive system moving and can be an effective way to encourage regular bowel movements. With a little patience and perseverance, you can help your dog develop a healthy pooping schedule, and at the same time, make things way easier for yourself!