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Remedies for Constipation in Dogs

Constipation in dogs can be caused due to various reasons, most common being lack of exercise, dehydration and lack of fiber. Sometimes it might be caused due to a rather serious problem like an enlarged prostate, when you can observe painful laxation and trouble urinating along with constipation.

At times, consumption of a foreign object can lead to intestinal obstruction. If your dog usually has a habit of eating non-food items then this might be a probable cause. You will notice your dog straining during bowel movements, vomiting or becoming lethargic. Remember that in this case you must take him soon to a vet. In older dogs, if you see no obvious reasons of this condition then get them examined as this can be sign of metabolic disease. If your dog has recently undergone a surgery, then infrequent and irregular bowel movement is a common side effect of the same. In other cases, change in regular diet can lead to this problem.

Identifying the symptoms and opting for a treatment is much essential. In case, irregular bowel movement is caused due to food consumed you can always opt for home remedies. In other serious cases or after trying home remedies for not more than five days, you must take your dog to a vet. Common symptoms include straining during bowel movements, infrequent bowel movements, hard and grayish stools and no bowel movements for 2-3 days.

You might also notice some changes in dogs behavior. He will look upset and angry. Prolonged constipation can further lead to problems like loss of appetite, and vomiting. In any of the above cases you can start with home remedies for constipation in dogs.

Home Remedies

Remedy 1: Grooming
Make sure you groom your dog well. Especially in case of long hair dogs, do keep the rear end well-trimmed. Matted or tangled hair around the anus can prevent the passage of feces. Also regularly brushing his hair and then cleaning the shelter will ensure that they are not swallowed in. Keep their shelter clean and remove all the non-eatable items.

Remedy 2: Water
As dehydration can be one of the various causes of constipation in dogs, make sure they drink a lot of water. Keep a bowl of clean water in his shelter. Filtered water is best, instead of giving tap water. Also keeping their food moist by adding a few drops of water to it is a good idea.

Remedy 3: Pumpkin
Pumpkin, natural laxative is known to be the best treatment. Opt for a canned pumpkin. It is a fiber rich food which very effective in treating this problem. You can mix cup of pumpkin to his meals till he gets relief.

Remedy 4: Aloe Vera
Another classic home remedy is using aloe vera juice. Make sure you feed it in small amount, 1/2 tsp will be enough. You can mix it with water or wet dog feed.

Remedy 5: Diet
A healthy diet is essential for curing this problem. Dry beans can be added to his diet, which are one of the fiber rich foods. Also, add other fiber rich foods in his diet till he gets relief. Raw or boiled vegetables are good for constipation. Also make sure you avoid lacteous and other high fat products. Add 2 tsp oatmeal or wheat bran to his meal for a few days to cure problem of dry hard stools. Feeding a bland diet that consists of cooked rice, milk and cereals along with meat broth is the best remedy. You can also feed your dog, not more than 1/8 cup - 1/2 cup milk daily that will help lubricate the colon.

Remedy 6: Fiber Supplements
One of the best ways to help your dog get relief is to add psyllium husk, avena sativa, aloe ferox, herbal fiber supplement to his meals. There are many fiber products available in the market but your dog might not be able to digest them well. Fibers are known to be useful in faster evacuation of feces. If you opt for commercial fiber supplements, make sure they do not contain sugar. The right fiber dosage is, tsp two times a day for a medium-sized dog. You can also opt for 2 tbsp of milk of magnesia that will help evacuation of feces.

Remedy 7: Olive Oil or Mineral Oil
If you are sure that your dog is suffering from this problem, add olive or mineral oil, that are lubricant laxatives to regular dog food. It will help ease the dogs digestion process and lubricate the colon. Remember that excess of olive oil or mineral oil can lead to diarrhea. You can also use almond oil or coconut oil instead.

Remedy 8: Exercise
Lack of exercise can be one of the causes of irregular bowel movement. Hence daily exercise along with healthy diet is essential to cure the problem. Taking your dog for a walk of 15-20 minutes, at least twice a day is a must. Taking them for a long walk after meals is also essential. This will help your dog in regular bowel movements.

If the aforementioned remedies dont help him in getting relief then you must take him to a vet. A veterinarian will prescribe proper medications, give stool softeners and recommend dietary changes for treatment. Sometimes enema can also be used by the vet. If the problem persists, blood analysis and urinalysis will be recommended to know whether any other underlying health condition is the cause of constipation.

In much severe cases, a colonoscopy would be recommended by the vet. Knowing your dog well, monitoring his behavior regularly, will help you identify the problem soon and give him the required treatment before it becomes a serious problem.

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