This piece discusses what to do when your dog has poop hanging out. As a dog owner, you may have noticed that when your dog is out to do its business, some poop is left hanging out. This can be tied to many factors including digestion problems.
It is a very uncomfortable situation for your dog, and you too, to an extent. And most dog owners usually are not sure what to do in such a situation. That’s understandable.
This article discusses not just what you can do when a dog has poop hanging out but also the causes of hard poop, and how to prevent poop from hanging out.
The attitude you need
Your dog is still undergoing grooming, so please be patient, and show care and affection whenever you’re handling this kind of situation.
Do not punish your dog for this, lest you breed fear in it. Now, that said, get some paper towels and hand gloves. Things are about to get messy, so brace yourself. Ew! And hey, it’s okay if you can’t stand it though, your vet should be able to, so put a call across to them, if that’s the case. But if you can, then let’s help your fur friend together.
What to do when your dog has poop hanging out
Find out if your dog’s poop contains any fabric, strands of hair, or any foreign material. If it does, try to pull it gently and see if it comes out or not. If it’s hard to pull, or your dog gives off a reaction, then use scissors to cut it. The long material could be stuck around your dog’s intestines, and pulling at it can cause severe internal bleeding. You do not want that for your furry friend. Your dog will excrete it alongside the rest of the poo on its own. If it doesn’t, then consult your vet immediately.
Let’s check out these safer methods to remove your dog’s poo hanging out of its butt.
1. Warm Baths
Giving your dog a warm bath is one of the easiest ways to remove poop lodged in your dog’s anal sphincter. You need warm water for this. The warm water will help loosen and soften the feces. In addition, dried poop will come off easily from your dog’s hair.
You can let your dog sit in the warm water sometimes (see this to keep the water bowl clean), then continue with your cleanup. Use dog shampoo to wash your dog. Then use blunt scissors to trim the hairs around your dog’s anus to prevent feces from sticking to its hair in the future.
2. Use the Bowel Express Method
This method includes using your thumb, middle, and index finger to make a pull motion around your dog’s anus. Use the three fingers to grasp the area surrounding its butt and make a pull motion.
That motion stimulates your dog’s rectal muscle, which will encourage it to push out the rest of the poo. Repeat the pull motion five-six times, and hopefully, your dog will get the rest of the poo out.
3. Finger Swab Method
This method has great responses, so you are likely to be successful in pulling out the rest of the poo. Here’s what to do: wear a glove on your small finger.
Or apply some lubricants on a cotton swab. Now all you have to do is insert only the tip of your finger or the cotton swab (depending on which one you decide to use). Be careful while you’re doing this so you don’t hurt your dog.
4. Try the Spray Method
The main aim of spraying your dog’s anus is to stimulate it, which in turn improves bowel movements. You can use plain cool water or add antiseptic to it and spray on your dog’s butt until you notice signs of puckering in the sphincter. Now, use a moist baby wipe to clean your dog’s butt in a circular motion. This will encourage your dog to push the rest of the poo.
5. The Squeeze Method Can Help
If your dog’s poop is hanging out its butt, chances are that something is causing the blockage. The squeeze method will let you feel what’s blocking your dog’s poop.
Using your thumb and index finger, press gently inwards on your dog’s butt. Do you feel a solid texture in your dog’s rectum? If you do, then that’s the hard stool causing your dog difficulty in pooping.
While you press inwards, your dog’s poop will protrude through its rectum. Now use your other hand to grab the poo, pinch, and break it off. When you do, you will find out that the anus is opening, this will enable the rest of the poo to come out easily. Be careful to not pinch too hard so you don’t damage your dog’s rectum or cause injury to its muscle. Repeat the process a few times until the hard poo is released completely.
Causes of Dog Poop Hanging Out
Occasionally, your dog can have digestive problems which prevent a smooth bowel movement, thereby, causing some of its poo to hang out of its butt. This could be a sign of constipation (see PetMD for symptoms. Some causes of constipation are easy to resolve while some might require the attention of a vet for examination. Let’s find out some of the common causes of constipation below.
1. Dehydration
If your dog lacks water in its system, it can cause constipation. This is because it needs water to break down its food, and the absence of it causes its feces to compact. Excreting it might be so much work for it, that is why some of the feces are stuck out its butt.
2. Inactivity
Inactivity slows down digestion in your dog. Your dog needs to get enough exercise to boost bowel movement.
3. Diarrhea
When your dog has a runny stomach, and its matted fur is obstructing the free passage of poo, the poo could get stuck in its butt.
4. Diet
When your dog’s food lacks fiber, it can cause constipation. Dogs need a good amount of fiber to aid their digestion.
5. Eating Non-Food Items
Your dog can pick up rubbish around the house and eat (including the puppies). These causes blockage and consequently, difficulty in excretion. These items could range from tree bark, hair strands, pieces of toys, or other items around the house.
6. Serious Illness
Your dog could have underlying health issues such as kidney disease or hernias. These health conditions could cause constipation. Consider contacting your vet in this case.
How to Prevent Dogs Poop from Hanging Out
Prevent dig poop from hanging with the following tips:
1. Include Fiber in Meals
To help prevent poop from hanging out your dog’s butt, simply provide a good amount of fiber in its food to improve digestion. In addition, feeding it a digestible and balanced diet will discourage the eating of non-food items. You can supplement your dog’s diet by adding a small amount of pumpkin mixture into their meal.
2. Exercise
Help your dog get enough exercise to enhance digestion.
3. Mind the food
Stop your dog from eating non-food items around the house such as grasses, strands of hair, rubbish from the bin, etc. These are sure to cause blockage and difficulty in pooping.
Conclusion
If you find poo hanging out of your dog’s butt, don’t freak out. Yeah, it could be disgusting, but your dog needs help. Whatever method you choose to go with, be gentle with your dog so you don’t hurt it. If you think it’s too messy for you to put your hands in, or you find out there is more to it health-wise, consult your vet immediately.
