The day you decide to own a dog is also the day you choose to care for it in all circumstances, whether healthy or unhealthy. And therefore, during difficult times, furry friends deserve all of the care they should get, including cleaning up their vomit and poop.
In general, dogs have a powerful digestive system. However, if they are fed something unhealthy or have a disease, their digestive system is likely to become weakened. It may be embarrassing to go and ask if my dog has poop stuck in its bum. What to do? But this needs to be discussed with the veterinarian.
Poop sticking can be a much more dangerous problem than you might think in some cases. Poop stuck in a dog’s bum is also known as pseudocoprostasis in medical terms. Pseudocoprostasis affects dogs and cats with thick, long hair. Poop gets stuck in this thick mass of hair, which can lead to various problems.
Defecation is difficult for dogs due to the thick hair growth on the anus. Remember, pseudocoprostasis is not the only cause, and this article will enlighten you with other reasons too.
Although the process of resolving the problem may be filthy, seek the assistance of a veterinarian. This article will explain why your dog’s poop is stuck in his or her intestines and how to treat it.
Major Causes of Poop Stuck in Dogs’ Bum
Pseudocoprostasis is not the only reason behind stuck poop in a dog’s bum. There are numerous reasons behind it. It can be infection, obstipation, constipation, and so on. Let’s have a look at some of the most common reasons.
#1. Constipation
Constipation is the main reason behind the stuck poop in dogs’ bums. Dogs may produce very little solid and dark poop that gets stuck in their bum, or they may release no poop at all.
There can be numerous reasons behind constipation. It can be their diet, lifestyle, any illness, or some other reason.
Reasons
When the food gets digested in the digestive system, the waste fecal matter that contains electrolytes and moisture moves towards the colon; In the colon, there is the reabsorption of water and electrolytes from fecal matter.
If, for any reason, the time of passing stool increases, the colon will continue its work of reabsorbing water and electrolytes, causing the poop to get drier with each passing second. This dry stool is hard for dogs to pass out of their bodies. This situation sometimes causes them pain and even injury in the anus.
There can be numerous reasons behind constipation. Let’s have a look at some of the main reasons behind constipation in dogs.
Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the primary reasons behind your dog’s constipation. Digestion in dogs is directly connected to hydration as well as moisture.
If the dog’s body is suffering from dehydration, the stool that will form in the dog’s body will be more dry and hard to pass out, leading to constipation in dogs.
Lifestyle
Some dogs may follow a sedentary lifestyle. No daily exercise or walk, being lethargic, eating but not moving around will slow down the metabolism in dogs. This causes numerous digestive problems, including constipation.
Age Factor
Over time, the digestive system of dogs tends to get weak. This weak digestive system leads to the formation of little as well as hard stool. This will result in constipation in dogs.
Unhealthy Diet
An unhealthy diet or a diet that is deficient in fiber can be the main cause of constipation or the formation of hard, dry stools.
Besides this, your dog may tend to eat something absurd from outside, either from the park or from home. That is dangerous for them and one of the main reasons for constipation.
Electrolyte Imbalance
For passing stool easily, your dog’s body needs electrolytes. And these electrolytes help to maintain hydration in a dog’s body, Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are some of the electrolytes that regulate water balance in the body, and as a result, stool passage is made easier. A diet deficient in these electrolytes will cause constipation.
Illness’s Effect
Some psychological diseases, tumors, and metabolic diseases can lead to problems with defecation in dogs. It is observed in the aftermath of disease in dogs, or due to the effect of medicines, they suffer from constipation.
Treatment
As a treatment for constipation, give your dog a lot of water. Add some ice cubes or collagen-rich bone broth to it, and also make sure to lodge your dog with a great amount of water.
Instead of giving your dog dry food, change their diet and add some wet food. Wet food is the best way to treat constipation.
Add fiber-rich foods to their diets, such as pumpkins or sweet potatoes. These fiber-rich foods will cure constipation.
Mix mineral oil or other forms of oil into your dog’s food. This is highly recommended by the experts. Just make sure that the oil you’re giving your dog isn’t given directly but is thoroughly mixed with food.
Keep an eye on your dog and make sure they don’t chew on random things from the park, house, or other places.
In severe cases or cases when you are unable to treat your dog’s constipation, Immediately give a visit to your dog’s vet. He may perform some tests to check the health of your dog. Follow the vet’s advice for your dog to help them recover quickly.
#2. Obstipation
Obstipation, or megacolon, is a digestive blockage. This condition arises when your dog suffers from constipation for a very long period.
The condition arises when the hard fecal matter gets stuck in the colon, causing the nerves around it to weaken. Weak nerves will lead to problems in the normal functioning of the intestine. It is like constipation but more painful than that.
Obstipation needs a proper course of treatment from a vet. It is not something that you should ignore; otherwise be ready for the harmful effects it will lead to.
Signs and Symptoms
The dog suffering from obstipation will be in excruciating pain and will prefer to lie down the majority of the time. There are symptoms similar to those of constipation.
Along with this, your dog will suffer from extreme weight loss, changes in appetite, changes in eating habits, and others.
Treatment
Obstetric treatment often includes surgical methods to remove stool from the colon and clear blockages, but this process is very costly. Thus, the vet’s advice is to change the diet of your dog to one that is rich in all nutrients and fibers. Along with it, they will advise you to feed your dog a great amount of water so that the fecal matter can be passed out easily from their body.
#3. Pseudocoprostasis
Pseudocoprostasis is common in dogs that have long and thick fur. Dry poop from a dog may get lodged in the thick hairs surrounding the anal opening, causing it to close. This can be the reason for the stuck poop in your dog’s bum.
When your dog has suffered from diarrhea, it has released soft stool from its body. This soft stool may get stuck on the thick matted hairs near the anal opening. After drying, the same stool causes closure of the anal opening in dogs; thus, constipation occurs.
Due to blockage of the anal opening, there is no proper removal of the fecal matter from the dog’s body. The new fecal matter that forms reaches the colon and stretches its walls further, causing extreme pain to the dog.
The stuck fecal matter is in constant contact with the skin. Flies can also lay their eggs on this fecal matter, resulting in maggot infestation on the dog’s skin. This not only irritates your dog but also results in several other skin infections.
Symptoms and Signs
- Scooting off the bottom on the ground
- Foul smell from the dog
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Presence of thick matted hairs around the anus, covering its opening.
- Difficulty in defecation
Preventive Measures
The best preventive measure is to give your dog a healthy diet, as suggested by the vet.
Find the root cause of diarrhea or soft stool that causes poop to get stuck in the bum.
Groom your dog once in a while and use wet and soft baby wipes to clean the anal region of your dog. Keep cutting the hairs surrounding the anal region so that no poop gets stuck in the area.
Maintain your dog’s hygiene. Make sure it goes for frequent bathing sessions. Frequent bathing sessions with a mild shampoo will help you identify if any skin infections or poop are stuck in your dog’s anus.
Keep a check on your dog’s stool to see if it is healthy and normal. Check and observe their defecation. Along with this, check their anal opening for any stick stool.
Treatment
If you see thick matted hairs covered with some dry poop of your dog near the anal region; it can be a clear indication of pseudocoprostasis. The following are possible treatment procedures you can follow.
- Clear the anal opening covered with matted hair. Make sure not to use scissors as they may cause sizable lacerations.
- Clean the affected area with mild shampoo or soap. Harsh soap may cause pain and irritation in your dog.
- Apply ointment to the affected area after cleaning it. This will help in the faster recovery of the wound.
- Immediately consult your veterinarian and follow all the hygienic precautions he advises you for your dog.
- Use an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from licking the affected area.
#4. Injury
Dogs always squat at the time of poop. But if your dog faces difficulty squatting, it may be due to some injury, joint pain, or arthritis.
If the injury is not treated properly, your dog will face difficulty squatting. Arthritis or muscle pain may be the reason your dog is not squatting properly, causing the poop to get stuck in the bum.
Signs and Symptoms
If your dog is facing difficulty due to any injury or joint pain, he will not only face problems during squatting but also be unable to perform other daily activities.
- Limping
- Problem during walking
- Struggle to squat
- Loss of balance
- Appetite loss
Treatment
If you identify any injury around the anal part or bum, consult a vet immediately. He will provide you with proper treatment for the injury. Injuries will take time to heal, but make sure you put on ointment daily for faster recovery.
If there are joint pains, muscle pains, arthritis, or any other issues, your dog’s vet will advise you to give it some medications; and also you should ensure your dog has proper exercise.
#5. Having Trouble Passing A Foreign Object
As per their nature, dogs tend to sniffle and chew on foreign objects, but the trouble is caused when they swallow the object.
Foreign solid objects such as glass, stones, or other such objects are not digested by the digestive system of dogs. Instead, it gets stuck in the colon. This leads to constipation and obstipation in the long run if not treated properly.
Symptoms and Signs
- Severe pain during pooping
- Constipation
- Obstipation
- Reduced mobility
- Yelping and crying during passing poop
Treatment
If, by any chance, your dog has consumed any foreign objects and is showing the above signs and symptoms, consider immediately taking all the possible measures as suggested by the vet.
How to Remove Stuck Poop From a Dog’s Bum?
You can remove the stuck poop from the dog’s bum, and it is highly recommended. However, the anal region is very sensitive, so you should be very careful while removing the poop from the dog’s bum. Make sure you use the proper steps or consult a veterinarian if you are not able to do so.
The following are some of the steps and methods you can use to remove stuck poop from your dog’s bum instead of letting it hang.
1. Simple Pull Method
This method is quite simple. In this case, you have to apply Vaseline or any other lubricant around the sides of the dog’s anus and then gently pull out the stool.
If the stool is hard and stuck inside, you have to put your finger in the dog’s anus. If you are not comfortable with it, you can go to the vet as soon as possible.
2. Warm Bath Method
Placing your dog in warm water is the easiest way to remove the stuck poop. Here, the dog is made to sit in the tub filled with hot water. The hot water will loosen the stool, and as a result, it will be easily passed out of the dog’s body.
If the poop is stuck in the hairs surrounding the anus, clean it gently with warm water and shampoo. Then, remove the stuck poop gently.
3. Spray Method
In the spray method, water is mixed with antiseptic, or cold water is sprayed on the dog’s bum until the sphincter puckers. Then the anal region is gently wiped by baby wipes in a round motion to allow the release of any remaining poop.
This method is used to stimulate the bowel movements of your dog. The reason behind using the antiseptic is that if there is any injury, your dog gets relief from antiseptic use.
4. Bowel Express Method
In the bowel express method, the dog’s bum is grasped using the middle finger, index finger, and thumb. After that, the massage is given to this part in an outward motion. This will stimulate the rectal muscles, thus leading to the pooping of dogs.
The massage will provide lubrication beforehand, so it will be less painful for the dog to pass out the stuck poop.
5. Squeeze Method
This method allows you to find the exact reason behind your dog’s inability to defecate. You need to gently press the round area of your dog’s bum near the rectum, and you will feel the solid object that is responsible for causing constipation or stuck stool in your dog.
To grip the fecal matter through the skin, you need to hold the rectum from both sides with the help of your forefinger and thumb. This will allow the stool to move a bit more easily. After that, you can simply hold the poop and gently remove it from your dog’s body.
Be careful while taking out the poop from the dog’s body. Don’t pinch too hard as it may cause some damage to the rectum or anal region of your dog.
6. Finger Swab Method
In this method, the gloved pinky finger or a cotton swab is inserted inside the dog’s anus.
This method is done as it is proven to be effective in defecation. The insertion of the finger will stimulate the poop to move out of the dog’s body.
Preventing Measures While Removing Poop from a Dog’s Bum
When you decide to remove the poop from your dog’s bum, there are a few things that you should take care of. Here are a few preventive measures you need to follow.
- If you are inserting your finger in the dog’s anal opening, make sure you are wearing disposable gloves.
- Sanitize your hands properly before dealing with your dog’s poop.
- Don’t insert any sharp object in the dog’s anal opening.
- If you feel you can’t do it at any moment, stop immediately and rush to a vet.
- Clean your dog gently, and don’t use any harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
Stuck poop in a dog’s bum can be very painful for them and needs immediate treatment. You can follow the methods mentioned above, but if you are not comfortable in doing so, immediately contact your dog’s veterinarian.
Keep your dog’s diet healthy and high in nutrients and proteins. Make sure they exercise daily and stay hydrated. If these things are properly followed, this fiasco will never arise.
