Relieving Dog Constipation: Effective Remedies
Oct 26,2024 | puaintapets
Constipation can be an uncomfortable and concerning issue for our furry friends. As dog owners, it's important to know what we can do to help relieve their constipation. In this article, we'll explore some effective remedies.
How to Know if Your Dog Has Developed Constipation?
I. Frequency of defecation
- Normal Situation
Healthy dogs usually have regular bowel movements 1 - 3 times a day, and puppies may have more frequent bowel movements.
- Signs of constipation
If your dog does not have a bowel movement for 2 - 3 days or more, this may be a sign of constipation.
II. Faecal Texture
- Normal Faeces
Normal dog faeces should be moderately soft, well formed and easy to pick up, not too dry or too loose.
- Constipated Faeces
Constipated dog's faeces will become dry and hard, like small stones, sometimes even in the form of granules piled up together, may also have mucus or a small amount of blood, this is because the dry and hard faeces in the intestinal tract may cause slight damage to the intestinal mucosa when moving.
III. Defecation Posture
- Normal defecation posture
Normal defecation in dogs is relatively easy and natural, and the faeces can be passed smoothly soon after squatting.
- Constipation posture
A constipated dog will show obvious difficulty in defecation. He may frequently perform defecation postures, such as repeatedly squatting and straining, but fail to pass faeces, or pass very small amounts of hard, dry faeces. During this process, the dog may also make a low growl or wail in pain.
IV. Abdomen
- Normal Abdomen
Under normal circumstances, the abdomen of the dog should be soft to touch, with no obvious hard lumps or bumps.
- Constipated Abdomen
If the dog is constipated, when gently touching the abdomen (especially the lower abdomen near the intestinal area), you may feel hard or stringy faeces, which is the faecal matter that accumulates in the intestines and is not discharged.
V. Other Related Symptoms
- Appetite changes
Constipated dogs may experience a loss of appetite. This is because the accumulation of faeces in the intestines will affect the dog's digestive function and make the dog feel uncomfortable, thus not wanting to eat.
- Mental state
The dog may become lethargic and not as active as usual. This is because the physical discomfort caused by constipation can affect your dog's overall state.
- Anal condition
Observe your dog's anus. When constipated, you may notice redness and swelling of the anus, which is caused by prolonged straining to defecate. In severe cases, there may also be a slight prolapse of the anus.
What Causes Constipation in Dogs?
1.Age factor
Older dogs are more prone to constipation than puppies, which can be caused by a weakening of the body's gastrointestinal tract.
2.Dietary problems
Constipation may occur if a dog eats a food that is too low or too high in fibre, doesn't drink enough water, or ingests foreign objects such as bones, hair (especially those who over-groom themselves), or a sudden change in food.
3.Obesity or lack of exercise
Dogs that lack exercise and are obese are more prone to constipation.
4.Disease problems
Diseases such as arthritis, chronic kidney disease, metabolic disorders, neurological problems, colonic obstruction, megacolon, etc. may cause constipation.
Also Read: Arthritis Medicine for Dogs: A Comprehensive Guide to Canine Joint Health
5.Psychological problems
The dog may feel very anxious due to the surrounding environment (e.g. change of bowel location, etc.), making it difficult for him to have a smooth bowel movement and triggering constipation.
6.Side effects of medication
Medications such as antihistamines, diuretics, narcotic painkillers and aluminium thiosulphate may be the ones that make your dog constipated.
7.Anal Gland Problems
Dogs have something called anal glands outside their anus. If the anal glands are not squeezed regularly, it may lead to the glands blocking the dog's excretory opening, thus causing constipation and inability to poop.
What To Give a Dog For Constipation?
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Medications
When your dog is constipated, there are several medications or methods you can try to help relieve it:
1. Canine Probiotics
Canine probiotics can help regulate your dog's intestinal flora, increase bowel movements and promote bowel movements. For example, you can feed a canine probiotic such as Woofsutra with honey or yoghurt for better results.
2. Corkscrew
If your dog's constipation is more serious, you can use corkscrew under the guidance of your veterinarian. Be careful to avoid harming your dog when using it, and it should not be used frequently to avoid dependence.
3. Laxatives
For primary constipation, laxatives can be used, such as 5-30 g of sodium sulfate (or magnesium sulfate) in 200 ml of normal water and 1 infusion. For mild constipation, taking some honey internally can also often give better results.
4. Enema
For dogs with constipation in the middle stage, you can use 0.1%-0.29% warm soapy water or turpentine 4ml plus 300ml soapy water stirred well to administer enemas, insert the enema carefully into the rectum and slowly inject the prepared warm soapy water into the intestinal tract, according to the dog's body weight and flexibility to inject 100-300ml.
5. Surgery
If your dog's constipation is very severe and cannot be relieved by the above methods, surgery may be required to remove the persistent faeces.
Please note that any medication should be administered under the guidance of a veterinarian to ensure safety and effectiveness. Meanwhile, adjusting your dog's diet to increase dietary fibre intake, ensuring adequate water intake and proper exercise are all important measures to prevent and relieve constipation in dogs.
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Food
When your dog is constipated, try the following foods to help relieve it:
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Foods high in fibre
Foods rich in dietary fibre such as pumpkin, bananas, apples and sweet potatoes can help promote bowel movements in dogs and aid in defecation.
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Yoghurt
Yoghurt is rich in lactic acid bacteria, which can help your dog promote digestion and regulate the stomach, but choose lactose-free plain yoghurt.
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Honey
A moderate amount of honey can increase the moistness of the intestinal tract and promote the elimination of persistent faeces.
Also Read: Can Dogs Have Honey
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Easy-to-digest fluid food
Such as millet porridge, vegetable porridge, etc. to reduce the burden on the dog's stomach and intestines.
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Dog food with high absorption rate
Choosing a dog food with high absorption rate and fructooligosaccharides can help your dog to improve its absorption rate and solve the problem of constipation.
Blueberries are very helpful to your dog's body. They not only remove undigested food from your dog's body, but also reduce constipation and help regulate the balance of your dog's intestinal microflora.
Precautions
While adjusting the dog's diet, attention should also be paid to ensure that the dog has sufficient water, and appropriately increase the dog's exercise to promote the body's metabolic cycle, increase intestinal peristalsis and help digestion. If the constipation of the dog is serious, it is recommended to consult a doctor in time, under the guidance of the veterinarian to use Keflex or other drugs to help the dog to pass stool.
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