Dog Constipation
Is my dog constipated?
Here are some signs that your dog may be constipated and common remedies to help them.
- Difficulty walking
- Excessive whining – constipation is painful for your dog
- Refusal to eat
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Can be a side effect of recent surgery
- If your dog strains hard and doesn’t have a bowl movement
- If your dog strains hard and only a small hard stool is passed
- If your dog strains hard and a small hard stool is accompanied with blood or bloody mucus.
The most common cause of constipation is the lack of fiber in your dogs’ diet. Once given the proper amount of fiber your dogs’ constipation should end in a couple of days. NOTE: If the constipation last for more than 2 days, please consult your veterinarian as there may be an underlying medical problem.
Fiber is not absorbed in your dogs’ digestion tract, it goes directly to the colon, therefore your dogs’ body is not absorbing the proper amount of fiber. Most store bought dog food does not provide the adequate amount of fiber and are also high in ash content. You can purchase specially made high fiber low ash dog food through your veterinarian.
Some dogs are “garbage” dogs and will eat anything they come across. Make sure their yard is clear of any debris they might want to chew on. Especially in large dogs, use the hard rubber balls like “Kongs” so they can’t chew them up and eat them as easily as the softer balls. Check your dogs’ toys often for any rips or pieces of plastic that is missing. If you find toys that are ripped or holes have been eaten through the toys, remove these items and replace them with new ones.
Dehydration is another cause of constipation. Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water each day. Since outside dogs have a tendency to tip over their water buckets, I used to dig a hole the size of the bucket about 4” into the ground and set the bucket inside the hole, filling in any gaps with the left over dirt. This helps prevent your outside dog from tipping it over.
Treatment of constipation in dogs
First your veterinarian will need to take a blood sample and stool sample. He will ask what type of food you are feeding your dog and how long the constipation has been going on. He may advise you to change the food to a prescription diet that has a high fiber low ash content. Your veterinarian may also prescribe medication in the form of a tablet or liquid.
In worst case scenarios there may be a blockage (foreign object) which will involve x-rays and will have to be surgically removed. NOTE: When dogs are fed a lot of bones, they break up and form back together in the intestine causing a blockage. Also, a high meat diet will cause constipation.
The following are more inexpensive ways to treat your dogs’ constipation:
- 100% bran cereal,Fiber One Bran Cereal, (Pack of 6)
- Canned Pumpkin 15-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)
– mixed with their food most dogs love this and it is all fiber.
- Use Metamucil Fiber Wafers for dog treats.
- Enema – although this is not pleasant for either man or dog, it is effective however should not be given on a regular basis.
- Mineral Oil – mix with food
- Increased Exercise – great for both man and dog
- Laxatives – pill form of an enema
- Supplements – dietary vitamin supplements
- Pet DetoxPlus - eliminates waste & toxins.
– mixed with their food this is a great detox for your dog
Your veterinarian will advise you of the proper amounts to give.
Some dogs have chronic constipation and have to be on medication on a daily basis. Or they need to be on a food that makes smaller stools so they can eliminate easier.