Dog Constipation: Symptoms and Treatment

Constipation is a common problem for all types of dogs. A dog suffers from constipation, if it does not defecate once in two days. The causes of irregular bowel movement in dogs are many, some of which include low water intake, dehydration, poor diet, low fiber food and physical inactivity. Feeding the dog with highly processed dog foods for a prolonged duration can lead to constipation.

At times, constipation is caused due to ingestion of bones or other indigestible particles and side effects of medications. Foods that may worsen your dog's constipation are bread, cookies, chocolate, rice, pastries and ice cream. The dog owner should limit feeding the dog with foods that contain flour, refined sugar, dairy products and protein-rich foods. Let's take a look at the symptoms, treatment and preventive care of dog constipation.

Symptoms of Dog Constipation

As a pet owner, one should take proper care of the dog's health and should be aware about any abnormal health conditions. Any change in the dog's behavior may be related to underlying diseases. A pet suffering from constipation may appear uncomfortable and show certain signs like difficulty in walking, abnormal gait, increased whining, lethargy, reluctant to physical activities, loss of appetite and mental stress.

Very often, dog constipation is observed due to inflammation of the large intestine or colon. In such a condition, the pet suffers from increased pain in the abdominal portion. In case of severe constipation, the pet dog may pass blood in small amounts, which is due to the damage of blood vessels in the colon. Bloody and/or watery stools may indicate infection rather than dog constipation.

Treatment of Dog Constipation

In case, a dog does not pass stool for a couple of days, it is always advisable to seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Dog constipation, if not treated in the early stages may lead to certain other dog health problems such as indigestion, skin problems, bad breath, body odor, flatulence, bloating, obesity and bowel cancer. The veterinarian may prescribe food supplements that contain certain enzymes or chemicals for treating dog constipation. If necessary the vet may prescribe an enema.

Treatment of dog constipation can be done effectively by changing the regular diet plan of your pet. Some of the natural remedies are, feeding your dog raw meat, bran, wheat, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Also, make sure to take care of the dog's likes and dislikes. With each passing day, you can lower the amount of the regular food. Allow the dog to drink ample water, in order to keep the body well-hydrated. While adding dietary fiber, make sure that the amount is increased gradually, otherwise it may worsen the constipation by causing indigestion.

If your pet shows no improvement even after changing the diet plan, you can opt for natural laxatives like psyllium husk and mineral oil. Add the laxative to the dog's food as per the recommendation of the vet. Usually, the amount of laxative depends on the size and overall health of the dog. It may take four to six weeks to regain the normal health conditions. In order to prevent dog constipation, it is always advisable to feed the dog healthy foods and maintain a regular exercise regimen.