Dog Poop Stuck Halfway? Here are 6 Things You Should Do

Is your dog’s poop stuck halfway and swaying ingloriously in the mid-air for everyone to see?

Well, I can tell, it is one of those times when you don’t feel great to be the owner of a dog! This reminds me of when I had to clean my pup’s mouth after he had put some dropping in his mouth! And this is an awkward situation, indeed.

Anyway, this situation of yours is not great for your doggo too. After all, no one likes to be caught like this – and by no one, I meant your furry buddy too!

If your pup can’t poop, it means that they have constipation. Of course, this becomes more troublesome when your pup is handicapped or aged. But whatever the reason for your pup’s constipation is, you need to solve it, right? So, are you ready to get down and dirty? Because that is exactly what this job requires!

Get some paper towels and gloves, and you are all set to extract the poop from your dog’s butt! Now, if you don’t feel like you can do it, it is always a good idea to take your pup to the vet for extraction.

Can You Really Pull Poop Out Of Your Pup?

The answer is “yes.” Did I tell you that this method is the most recommended one compared to the other methods of taking the poop out of your doggo?

The only thing that I ask you is to be very gentle. You know, it is an extremely sensitive area of your pup’s anatomy. So if you don’t be extra careful in pulling a straggling poop out of your pup, it can seriously hurt your dog. And in severe cases, it can even lead to internal bleeding. And you don’t want that, right?

Is there any visible rope and string connecting the fecal mass? Then there is a higher chance that internal bleeding can happen.

Now, what should you do if you see that some soft material or fabric in the dog poop is stuck halfway?

In that case, first, pull it gently and see if it will come out or not. While doing so, be careful. If you see that your pup is giving a painful reaction or resisting you, it would be best to cut it off using scissors. And let your pup pass the rest of the poop in its own time. But, even after a significant amount of time, if your furry buddy couldn’t pass the material, then take them to the vet immediately.

Why?

Because, in that case, whatever material is there inside your dog, it might be twisted and wrapped up in their lower intestines. So, if you pull the string too hard, you will actually risk putting pressure on your pup’s inside. And that can lead to cutting off circulation, thereby causing severe internal injury.

Also Read:- 18 Common Health Problems in Large Breed Dogs

What are the Things You Should Do to Remove Your Dog’s Poop Stuck Halfway?

Here, I have shared some of the safest and the most recommended ways to remove your doggo poop hanging out of their butt. I have asked you earlier to get some paper towels and gloves, right? This is the time that you are going to need it. After all, things are going to get up close and personal from this moment!

#1. The Warm Bath Method

The warm bath method is considered one of the easiest ways to remove poop lodged in your pup’s anal sphincter. You need some warm water for this. Give him a warm water bath, as it will help loosen and soften the feces. And you can remove it with ease. Just make sure that you make your doggo sit in the warm water for a few minutes.

Is the dog poop sticking in the long hair that is there surrounding the region? Then use a sensitive dog shampoo to lather and wash the area. This will help in removing the poop that is stuck. And for the long fur, well, you can cut them off using a pair of blunt scissors. This way, you can make sure that the dog poop is not stuck in their fur in the future.

#2. The Bowel Express Method

In order to try this method, you need to use your middle, thumb, and index fingers so that you can grasp the area surrounding your pup’s butt well. Now, massage the area in an outward motion. This will trigger the act of pooping. If you want to make the process smoother, you can apply some good lubricant to the area before you start massaging.

Doing so will help stimulate your dog’s rectal muscles and encourage them to work harder. Repeat the pull motions five-six times, and hopefully, it will excrete the poop fully.

#3. The Pull Method

This method of getting your dog’s poop out of their butt is the simplest one.

In order to try this method, you need some Vaseline, petroleum jelly, or other lubricants of your choice. To start, put the petroleum jelly or whatever lubricant you are using generously around the sides of your dog’s anus. Now, gently try to pull the poop out.

Is the feces very hard? Then, buddy, you might need to use your fingers and dig in a little bit! I know, it doesn’t sound fun, right?

What if you are not comfortable doing it?

Well, it is better to leave it to the hands of your vet. There’s no point in attempting this method and causing a lot of pain to your doggo.

#4. The Finger Swab Method

You can take a glove and put it on your pinky finger, or you can lubricate a cotton swab. Now, all you have to do is insert only the tip of your finger or the swab into your dog’s butthole. And while doing this, make sure you are very gentle. You don’t want to hurt your dog in the process, right?

Did you know that this process has great responses even in animals that are completely paralyzed?

#5. The Spray Method

The main intention of the spray method is to stimulate your pup’s anus. And once it contracts, it will trigger their bowel movement.

You can use plain cool water. Or, you can mix the cool water with a good antiseptic lotion. Now spray it on your pup’s butt until you notice the signs of puckering in the sphincter. Now take a moist baby wipe and wipe the area gently in a circular motion. And your dog will be able to release the remaining poop.

#6. The Squeeze Method

The squeeze method works in most cases where the dog poop is stuck halfway. And it works because you can, most of the time, feel what exactly is blocking your dog’s butt hole.

Make use of your fingertips and press the circular area of your dog’s butt gently. While you do so, you may feel a solid texture inside your dog’s rectum. This is the hard stool that is making it difficult for your doggo to poop.

So, what you need to do is press your index finger and your thumb inwards on both sides of your dog’s rectum. Now try to grip the stool gently through the skin. Once you are able to hold it, use a firm hand to pinch down and break it off. When you pinch, you will see that the anus is opening. And the hardened poop will come out naturally.

Just make sure not to pinch too hard. After all, you don’t want to damage the rectum and the colon lining, right? You can repeat doing the same until the entire hardened stool is passed and the surrounding tissue of the butt becomes soft again.

No matter which method you choose to use, the chances are that it will make your dog a bit tender and sore in their butt area for the next couple of days. 

You can apply Neosporin on your pup’s butt area every day until they feel fine. This is to make their butt heal early. If you find that the area is irritated and extremely red, you can use a cold pack. That will help in bringing down the swelling.

If you try all these methods but still end up with a dog that has poop stuck halfway, don’t hesitate to take the help of professional treatment. Seeing your dog’s condition, your vet will give them appropriate laxatives that will help them poop out the remaining droppings. In case your dog has severe constipation, your vet might perform an enema so that it can flush the remainder of the feces out.

What is the Right Kind of Gloves to Use to Remove the Poop?

So, you have decided to remove the stuck poop from your pup’s butt all by yourself. Great! But before you do that, please sanitize your hand and use good-quality gloves. This is to make sure that your pup doesn’t develop any infections from the process of removing poop. Of course, this makes it all the more important for you to choose the right kind of gloves. You can get the gloves from your local drug store or buy it online – the choice is yours.

Are you new to buying gloves?

Don’t worry. I’m here with a list of things to consider while getting your hands on the ideal gloves:

#1. Vinyl or Nitrile

The best kind of gloves would be the ones made of vinyl or nitrile. But, of course, latex or plastic gloves can work too. But, in that case, you need to be very careful about the quality of the gloves. After all, you don’t want to use gloves that tear off easily, especially in cases such as this.

#2. Disposable

The gloves that you buy for this purpose need to be disposable. Again, this is to prevent potential infection and contamination from external factors.

#3. Powder-Free

Look for gloves that are non-powdered or powder-free.

#4. Thin

Choose the gloves that are thin. This will allow you to have a more flexible movement.

Why Did Your Dog’s Poop Get Stuck in the First Place?

Now that you know how to remove your pup’s poop when it is stuck halfway, don’t you want to know why it happens in the first place?

Well, I’m going to tell you about that.

The most common reason why your pup may end up with their poop hanging in the air is because of constipation. And as your pup’s poop is stuck halfway, I can say that your furry buddy has quite the serious blockage.

So, how can you understand that your dog is having constipation?

It is when your dog cannot poop as it would normally do on a regular schedule. Instead, they will either have to strain painfully hard to poop that looks like dark-brown rocks or not be able to poop at all.

Sometimes, in cases of severe constipation, the poop can be so hard that they are often called “concretions!” This suggests the time when it gets stuck in places that it should not.

What causes constipation?

Generally, when the fecal matter goes through your pup’s digestive tract, the electrolytes and water contained within will be absorbed again by the colon. But, if the travel is impaired for any reason, or the time of the travel becomes too slow, the digested mass remains in the colon and gradually loses moisture. The more moisture it loses, the harder and drier it becomes. And it becomes more difficult to pass.

The entire digestive process is linked directly to moisture and hydration. This is why there is a high chance that dehydration is the reason why your dog is constipated. However, there are some other reasons why your dog is constipated, such as:

#1. Age

Do you have an aged dog? Then there is a high chance that they will suffer from constipation.

#2. Diet

Most dogs’ diets lack fiber. And things become worse when they eat non-edible objects. This includes duct tape, tree bark, and squeakers. All these objects can add to the fuel of blockages and other kinds of abnormal fecal movement in your dog’s intestine. And did you know that calcium sources such as bones can also lead to constipation?

#3. Illness

Many kinds of illnesses can lead to constipation in your dog. This includes enlarged prostate, tumors in the pelvic region and digestive tract, orthopedic disorders, psychological problems, spinal issues, central nervous system dysfunction, and metabolic diseases.

#4. Dehydration

Electrolyte disparities and dehydration can also lead to constipation in your furry buddy.

#5. Lifestyle Habits

If your dog is more passive or doesn’t exercise much, it will slow their digestive transit. And it will lead to constipation.

Did you know that if constipation in your pup becomes chronic, they can develop further conditions such as megacolon and constipation? 

This can make the feces so hard that your dog will not be able to poop at all.

Another reason your dog’s poop has stuck halfway is that they have eaten a long object, such as hair, rope, string, or fabric material.

While some part of that object may still be outside, the other part of it is still inside of your doggo. This can make your dog’s poop stuck midway, hanging on by an actual thread.

The last reason why your dog’s feces can be stuck is because of a condition known as pseudocoprostasis. Don’t get intimidated by the fancy name of this condition. It is just the feces being entangled in the hair around their anal opening.

This happens especially in dogs breeds that have long hair. Their soft stool can get stuck to the fur while pooping. When those feces start to become dry, it causes matting. This can block their butt hole completely on future attempts. And it can lead to their poop getting stuck in the middle.

And when that happens, it becomes a painful and difficult task for your doggo to poop. Also, as their feces gets in contact with their surrounding skin, the risk of infection and irritation rises significantly.

How Can You Prevent Your Pup Poop from Getting Stuck Halfway in the Future?

It becomes really uncomfortable for your dog when their poop gets stuck halfway. So, if you want to prevent this from happening again in the future, you can try the following things:

#1. Include Food High in Fiber

You can add plain pumpkin or sweet potato paste to your pup’s regular diet. If your doggo has digestive issues, pumpkin can be really effective for that, as it contains high fiber and moisture. You can also feed powdered fiber supplements like psyllium husk, Benefiber, and Metamucil to your four-legged friend. Another food that is proven to be effective in preventing constipation is figs.

#2. Give Them Enough Drinking Water

You need to make sure that your pup drinks a lot of water every day. What if your pup doesn’t like to drink water? In that case, you can try giving them unflavored Pedialyte, collagen-rich chicken bone broth, or ice cubes that they can chew.

#3. Find Substitute for Their Average Dry Dog Kibble

You can replace your dog’s regular dry kibble with some good quality wet canned food alternative. This food will have extra moisture content, and your doggo will just gulp it down. In addition, wet canine food products keep your doggo hydrated and fulfill their regular vitamin and mineral requirements.

#4. Give Them Mineral Oil

If your dog is suffering from constipation at the moment, you can try giving them a teaspoon of mineral oil once every twelve hours. You can use milk, too, as it can act as a stool-softening agent.

Conclusion

If you see that your dog’s poop is stuck halfway and is dangling somewhere between your carpet and their butt, don’t lose your cool.

Okay, you can lose your cool- but just a little. Find some newspapers and put them down at least!

Once you think you are ready, find your gloves, put them on and go help your pup. Whatever method of stool extraction you use, just make sure to be gentle. All the best!

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