Why Does It Take My Dog So Long to Poop?

Tell us if this sounds familiar: Your dog begs to go out, so you oblige and then wait an eternity for your pup to go to the bathroom. Ten minutes pass without a poop or a pee. Twenty minutes. It feels like your dog is deliberately taking a long time to poop just to mess with you. Why does it take so long for dogs to poop sometimes? Well, your dog may be looking for a place that is well-protected, not too far from home and—for real—along a north-south axis. I asked certified dog trainer and behaviorist, Annie-Mae Levy to elaborate on this phenomenon for us.

Annie-Mae Levy is a certified dog trainer and behaviorist at Woofz. She has a degree in animal behavior from Exeter University and experience training dogs from all walks of life, including reactive dogs or those suffering from anxiety. Levy is accredited with the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association and the Guild of Dog Trainers in Britain.

Dogs who take a long time to find a spot to poop are likely in search of a safe zone, where their backside won’t be vulnerable to surprises (no one likes to be interrupted mid-poop). “Pooping for a dog means being stationary for a little while, which, for their ancestors, would have put them in a very vulnerable position,” Levy says. “The perfect spot will vary for each dog, but generally…an area that provides some coverage and allows them to have their butt facing a wall or bush will be preferable.” 

Levy says dogs who suffer from anxiety or are more nervous in general may need the most time to find a secure poop spot. Some pups may even decide to hold it in until they get back home, to the safety of their own yard.  

Canines are also territorial animals. Levy says that while it’s more common to see dogs marking territory with urine, some use poop to get the same results. “When dogs use poop to mark, you will often also see them scratching at the ground with their back legs afterward,” Levy tells us. This behavior may indicate your dog’s desire to poop close to home or in the same spot over and over again.  

Finally, we may have earth’s magnetic fields to thank for our dogs taking so long to poop. A study conducted by the Czech University of Life Sciences and published back in 2013 found that dogs favor the earth’s north-south axis while pooping. The study only examined 70 individual dogs, so we’d like some more research before blaming long poop journeys on the planet. But, still, dogs have keen noses that can sense everything from hidden treats to pregnancy. If your dog takes a really long time to poop, you might try pointing him north and crossing your fingers.

If your dog hasn’t pooped in 48 hours or only poops a very small amount after straining hard, he’s probably constipated. “A dog usually will take no more than 30 seconds to poo and will keep relatively still during the process,” Levy says. “If the dog is frantically circling, moving around, turning to look behind them, or taking longer than 30 seconds, these can be signs they are straining.” 

VCA Animal Hospitals notes that long-haired dog breeds who lick themselves may be at higher risk of constipation because they swallow more hair. Keeping pups hydrated can help. VCA adds that it’s possible to misdiagnose constipation if your dog excretes some liquid while trying to poop. Many people may assume this is diarrhea, but a small amount of liquid or mucus could indicate a blockage. 

Rushing your dog to poop may only increase anxiety or pressure (no one likes to poop on command when the timing isn’t right). “Gradually increasing fibre in the diet will often speed up the poo process for most dogs,” Levy says. “But, if in doubt, please check with a vet or certified canine nutritionist.” 

Some supplements, like prebiotics, can help soften stools for dogs. Pumpkin has also been known to ease canine constipation. Your vet will be able to tell you if it’s time to upgrade your pup’s diet or switch to a food for dogs with sensitive stomachs.