Being constipated is not a pleasant experience for anyone. The same can be said for canines. Can you imagine how your furry friend feels when they’re having difficulty passing regular stool?
Your dog will get sick, and anxiety will kick in when they become constipated. This is why it’s important for you to be proactive when signs of constipated surface.
You can give your canine a daily dog supplement. This will keep them healthy and regular. You can find some good daily dog supplements at your grocery market, a pet store, and on the internet.
With so many brands of dog supplements being marketed these days, it’s easy for anyone to select the wrong brand. Make certain you choose a brand that has a solid reputation in the pet industry. Your choice of quality supplements will help sustain your dog’s health.
It’s not strange for devoted dog owners to ask, “What can I give my dog for constipation?” Fortunately, you have many options to choose from.
In this article, we’ll go over five dog constipation remedies that work extremely well. First, you should know more about constipation.
What is Constipation?
Constipation occurs when you’re having difficulty with passing a sufficient amount of stool. It’s vital to mention that constipation does not automatically mean there’s a build-up of stool. According to PetMD, you will have the sensation to go, but you’re unable to relieve yourself.
As a dog owner, it can be challenging to recognize the symptoms of constipation. However, you will be able to see that your dog is having a hard time going to the bathroom.
Here are three types of canine constipation:
Intrinsic Constipation – Hormone imbalances or neurological disorders are the culprits behind constipation
Intraluminal Constipation – This takes place when a blockage in the colon does not allow stool to pass
Extraluminal Constipation – An exterior source is causing a blockage in the colon
How did my dog become constipated?
The causes of constipation fall into the three categories above. Intraluminal constipation is the most common form of constipation. In this instance, a swallowed object or tumor is causing the blockage in the colon.
When something becomes lodged in a dog’s throat, intraluminal constipation can take place. This could be hair, grass, or string. These items will eventually make their way through your dog’s system. Only on rare occasions is surgery needed to remove these objects.
Please note the exterior blockage referred to in the description of extra-luminal constipation may not be visible. In some instances, clumped hair can cause the blockage in the anus. There are situations where a broken bone or arthritis is hindering the dog’s ability to pass stool comfortably.
It can be difficult for veterinarians to see an exterior blockage. There’s a possibility that a clump of hair is causing the obstruction. In many other cases, arthritis or a broken bone is hindering regularity outside the colon.
Intrinsic constipation is not common. It’s typically a side effect of medication given to your dog. In rare cases, neurological disorders will show up as constipation. However, intrinsic constipation will take place after a medical procedure.
According to AvoDerm’s research, the following can cause constipation in your pooch:
• A change in diet
• Lack of exercise
• Neurological Disease
• Stress and anxiety
• Intestinal obstructions
• Dehydration
• Matted fur
• Arthritis and other physical problems
• Side effects of supplements and medicine
• Damage to the exterior of the anal cavity or anus
The veterinarian must detect constipation before they can treat it. If you believe your pup is showing symptoms of constipation, keep a close eye on them.
Here are the warning signs of constipation:
• Vomiting
• Small, dry, and hard stools
• Constant biting or knowing at the tail
• Strange objects in the stool like grass or hair
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty urinating
• Licking the anus
Your dog may also drag their hindquarters along the floor. This is known as “scooting”. Your dog will scoot to reduce the pressure they feel in their anus.
You can help lower the pressure by carefully rubbing the area where their lower abdomen meets the hip joints. Please call your vet if your dog whines after touching this area. Their whining means they’re in serious pain.
A sensitive abdomen could indicate that there is a blockage or another serious medical issue. In either case, take your dog to the vet immediately. You don’t want your dog to suffer in pain.
A soft abdomen massage may help loosen stool. If that doesn’t work, you can try the 5 dog constipation remedies below. We’re sure they’ll get the job done.
1. Take a Close Look
This is not a pleasant option, but it’s effective. If your dog sheds a lot, there’s a possibility that a mass of hair needs to be removed from their anus.
So you need to take a look. If you see any hair in the anus, you must remove it.
Professional tip: Use clippers to remove hair in this area. Never use scissors because you could injure your beloved canine.
If the offending object is visible, give your dog a chance to pass it through. If they’re unable to eliminate it naturally, you should consider taking them to the vet. They have the equipment and experience for the job.
2. Make Them Move Around
If your dog fails to get adequate exercise, their digestive system will suffer. It will not be able to function properly. Your dog will not be able to process and digest their food.
An out-of-shape dog will normally slide into survival mode. When this happens, their food will be stored in their stomach and intestines. Fecal matter will build up and your pooch’s health will decline.
Vigorous exercise outside can break up hard fecal matter. It may take several attempts for your dog to pass their stool. Eventually, they’ll have a good bowel movement.
If exercise doesn’t work, take your dog to the vet. The fecal matter may be too hard and large for your dog to pass. Your vet may need to give your dog an enema to soften the stool.
3. Stool Softeners for Dogs
Your pooch may need a little help, so giving them a stool softener could yield positive results. Dogs are mammals, but this doesn’t mean you should give them one of your laxatives. A dog-specific stool softener will do a better job.
If you want to expedite your dog’s recovery, you can add more fiber to their diet. For example, you can give them canned pumpkin. It has a solid reputation for alleviating constipation in canines.
Pumpkin’s high fiber content is more than capable of pushing the hardened waste through your pooch’s digestive tract and out their anus.
Please give your dog small quantities of canned pumpkin and stood softener. You don’t want to overdo it!
4. Hydrate
As we mentioned above, dehydration is a huge contributing factor for constipation in dogs. You may not be able to detect that your dog is dehydrated.
Here are some signs of dehydration:
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Panting
• Foamy drool
• Vomiting
• Lack of balance
• Heavy breathing
How can you tell if your dog is dehydrated? According to the American Kennel Club, you can pull the excess skin behind their neck gently. If the skin snaps back fast, your dog is hydrated. If the skin fails to snap back fact, your best friend is dehydrated.
Contrary to popular belief, water alone will not help hydrate your dog. You must give them Pedialyte and bone broth. The electrolytes and salts from these products will help re-establish the right pH balance.
When you give your dog bone broth and Pedialyte, make sure you them a small amount. Giving them too much can cause more stomach problems. Administer the beverage with a syringe if your dog is too weak to drink on their own.
When your dog becomes hydrated, their regular bowel movement should return within 24 hours. Start pouring a small amount of water in their dog bowl. This will help them make a full recovery.
You may want to think about getting dog-specific hydration supplements if dehydration becomes a recurring issue.
5. Treat Your Dog to Better Food
A change in diet may be the reason why your dog is constipated. The new dog food may not be suitable for their nutritional needs. Most vets will not hesitate to tell you processed foods are not good for your pooch so you should read the label carefully.
There’s an old saying, “You are what you eat.” This old adage also applies to dogs. If your dog is on a poor diet, their health will suffer dramatically.
Making homemade dog food can do wonders for your dog’s health. However, it’s time-consuming and expensive.
If you decide to go this route, make certain you add supplements, vitamins, and probiotics to their food. This will help them reach optimum health.
Final Summary
It may be time to make a trip to the veterinarian if your dog hasn’t had a bowel movement in two to three days. The 5 dog constipation remedies in this article can help, but there may come a time when you must take your dog to the vet for professional medical attention. Your dog’s constipation problem should not be taken lightly. Having a full understanding of constipation will put you in position to assist your dog while they’re having a hard time passing their stool.
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