Constipation in dogs is a cause for concern because it significantly harms their overall health. When left untreated, your dog’s constipation can lead to a condition called megacolon. Megacolon is a medical term used to describe a very flaccid, dilated colon.
This causes your dog’s colon to become uncomfortably large and can become the reason why they become lethargic, vomit excessively, and lose appetite.
As a pet owner, it’s crucial that you’re well-informed about constipation in dogs – from the cause of the health problem to the possible treatments available for dogs. This information will make it easier for you to take care of your dog’s health.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is difficult or infrequent passage of stool or feces and is usually a temporary condition. A constipated dog will experience pain or straining when attempting to defecate. Obstipation, one of the most severe forms of constipation, is often linked to a serious, irreversible, or permanent medical condition.
Dog’s colon works by absorbing water, and being constipated will cause food to move slowly in the colon – too slow that the colon will require more time to absorb water from the waste. This is the reason why constipated dogs produce hard and dry stool, making passing feces very difficult. Dog constipation can also lead to dehydration when left untreated.
In some cases, chronic constipation will cause dogs to pass small amounts of liquid feces or blood because of excessive straining. There are also instances when the liquid feces is mistaken for diarrhea, but in reality, when the dog strains too much, a small amount of liquid fecal material is able to squeeze around the hard fecal mass.
But whatever the case is, if you suspect irregular bowel movements in your dog, take them to the vet immediately. Time is of the essence to prevent the condition from worsening.
What Causes Constipation?
There are many reasons behind dog constipation; the most common being ingestion of indigestible or irritating substances. Most dogs with long hair, such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, and Pomeranians, or those who lick themselves excessively are also at higher risk of suffering from canine constipation.
Other common causes of dog constipation are:
- Abnormalities in the dog’s diet (lack of dietary fiber, eating foreign objects, insufficient dietary calcium)
- Diseases of the colon
- Drugs that cause constipation (usually as a side effect)
- Fear, anxiety, and other behavioral conditions that alter a dog’s normal bowel movements
- Foreign objects or intestinal obstruction
- Hormonal diseases
- Inadequate exercise and physical activity
- Megacolon
- Sudden change in the dog’s diet
- Tumors or masses in the dog’s digestive tract
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Constipation In Dogs?
Most dogs defecate at least once a day. A dog’s bowel movement depends on the number of meals they have in a day and how much food they consume. A constipated dog usually exhibits the following symptoms:
- Scooting or squatting frequently
- Showing several attempts to pass feces unsuccessfully
- Engages in circling motions excessively
- Crying while trying to defecate
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Starts to whine, growl, or cry if your press their lower back or stomach
How Can You Treat Constipation In Dogs?
Seeing your dog constipated is not only heart-breaking; it can also affect their day-to-day living and overall wellness. Having an irregular bowel movement can cause severe pain in your dog’s abdomen and can prevent them from being active.
Here are common treatments for your dog’s constipation:
Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is an effective solution for constipation in dogs. Canned pumpkin is packed with fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Adding a spoonful of canned pumpkin to your dog’s food can go a long way in treating both constipation and diarrhea, settling their upset stomach and making them feel more comfortable.
Additionally, the soluble fiber content of canned pumpkins can also help stimulate water absorption and intestinal sodium in dogs. This help alleviate symptoms of constipation.
We love this canned pumpkin from Nummy Tum Tum because it’s made from 100% pure and organic pumpkins.
To try this treatment option, mix about one teaspoon of canned pumpkin for every ten pounds of your dog’s body weight. Make sure that you’re using products free from any additives and flavorings as these can further irritate your dog’s stomach.
Increase Your Dog’s Fiber Intake
One of the most effective ways in treating your dog’s constipation is increasing their fiber intake. Fiber is one of the most important nutrients for your dog to have for them to produce regular, normal stool. Not having enough fiber can result in chronic constipation and even block their anal sacs.
Assess your dog’s current diet and determine if there are any ways to add more fiber on a regular basis. This could usually mean switching to a new type of diet that’s higher in fiber.
You can also add supplements to your dog’s diet to improve their digestion. For instance, topping your dog’s regular meals with unsweetened wheat bran is an excellent way of adding fiber into their diets and helping your dog poop. You can also add a cup of chopped leafy greens into their kibbles as these are high in fiber and healthy for dogs to eat.
Olive Oil
Do you know that olive oil actually acts as a natural stool softener? Add a few drops of olive oil into your dog’s food, and you’ll be able to see results quickly. However, keep in mind that excessive consumption of olive oil can also trigger diarrhea, so limit the amount you give to your furry friend. Ideally, olive oil should be the last resort in treating constipation in dogs.
Stimulate Your Dog’s Digestive System
There are numerous ways to stimulate your dog’s digestive system. If your fur baby only struggles with occasional constipation, give them more exercise during the day to get their digestive system moving again. Find time to go on walks regularly and consider making the activity longer than usual.
You can also make certain changes in your dog’s regular diet to stimulate their digestive system. For instance, you can feed your dog foods that contain plenty of hydration or fiber to speed up their natural digestive processes.
Physically massaging your dog’s stomach can also ease constipation in dogs. Just make sure that you’re gentle to the touch, as your dog might already experience a painful abdomen. If this is a frequent problem, you can reach out to your vet to determine how to effectively massage your dog to stimulate their digestive system.
Manually Remove Hair
One of the reasons why dogs experience constipation is because of too much matted hair blocking their rectum that they’ll have difficulty passing feces. If this is the case with your dog, bathe them to soften any stool that may be caught in the hair around their rectum. You can also use electric clippers to remove matted hair quickly.
If you’re leaning towards this direction in treating constipation in dogs, avoid using scissors. Cutting in the wrong place or angle can cause severe pain in your dog and might require emergency surgeries to repair. If you’re uncomfortable with removing matted hair around your dog’s rectum, consult a groomer or vet.
Improve Your Dog’s Hydration
Dog constipation can also be triggered by dehydration. When your dog doesn’t have sufficient water in their bodies, stool can’t easily pass through their digestive tract.
To improve your dog’s hydration, give them access to clean water 24/7. This can mean putting several water bowls in different areas of the house and carrying a travel bowl whenever you’re out and about.
If your dog doesn’t like drinking water, offer them treats and plenty of affection when they do. This will encourage them to drink water as they’ll associate it with a positive experience.
Another way to motivate your four-legged friend to drink more water is to mix some chicken or bone broth. The flavors of these liquids will entice dogs to drink more. You can also add a teaspoon of thinly sliced ginger into their water bowls to calm their stomach.
If all else fails, add some ice cubes into your dog’s water bowl. Most dogs enjoy munching on ice cubes as it makes drinking water more fun and exciting for them.
Use Probiotics For Constipation
Giving your dog probiotics can improve their gut health, providing relief to constipation. The market is bombarded with probiotic supplements made specifically for dogs, so you won’t have any problems buying one.
Probiotic supplements, like this one here, can treat and prevent constipation as they can promote the healthy bacteria in your dog’s gut, making it easier for them to digest food. If your dog doesn’t like ingesting supplements straight, crush them up and mix them with their food. Never feed your dog with human probiotic supplements, as these can only do more harm than good.
Laxatives
In more severe cases, laxative suppositories might be the ideal treatment. You can buy stool softeners that are available over the counter or ask for a prescription from your vet if the problem is already very serious.
A stool softener works by helping your dog’s intestines absorb more water and, therefore, pass food much more easily. But expect that it might take some time for your dog’s bowel movements to return to a normal or regular pattern after taking laxatives.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Aside from providing tons of health benefits to humans, apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular home remedies in treating constipation in dogs. Add a small amount of apple cider vinegar into your dog’s water dish to treat stomach upset.
When feeding your dog apple cider vinegar, make sure that you limit the amount. Giving your dog too much apple cider vinegar can irritate your dog’s stomach and can possibly worsen their tummy troubles.
Aloe Vera
This might come as a surprise for some, but you can actually use Aloe Vera to treat constipation in dogs. Aloe Vera juice acts as a natural laxative that can help your dog process their food more efficiently and soothe their stomach.
Unlike artificial laxative suppositories, Aloe Vera is more gentle on your dog’s stomach and doesn’t trigger diarrhea or irritation. Aloe Vera is also anti-inflammatory, which means that it can soothe your dog’s stomach and alleviate any pain and discomfort.
How Constipation In Dogs Is Diagnosed?
Once you bring your dog to the clinic, the vet will perform a thorough physical exam. Your dog’s medical history will also be obtained, so make sure you’re prepared to answer questions concerning your dog’s diet, symptoms, and usual activities. Depending on the severity and duration of the condition, the vet might also perform a rectal examination to rule out the narrowing of the anal opening or rectum.
Abdominal ultrasound and x-ray can also help the vet determine if there are any obstructions in your dog’s digestive tract. If the vet suspects a mass in the rectum, your dog will have to undergo a biopsy. Blood tests and urinalysis can also assess if infection or dehydration is present.
When Should You Consult A Vet?
Although mild constipation is normal for some dogs, this condition can also signify more serious health problems. This is one of the reasons why you should always keep a close eye on your fur baby in case their symptoms get worse and would require professional treatment.
One sign that you should take your dog to the vet is if they’re constantly panting or vomiting. Dogs with serious constipation problems might also refuse to move or show signs of lethargy. Having anal discharges is also common for dogs with chronic constipation. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your vet immediately.
Finally, if you notice your dog’s belly consistently swollen or doesn’t calm down even after following all of the home remedies mentioned here, it’s time to take them to the vet.
Act Fast
Constipation in dogs is common, but this doesn’t mean that you should leave this problem untreated. On the contrary, you should immediately look for solutions if you notice that your dog’s bowel movements suddenly change or are not normal anymore. The sooner you act on the problem, the sooner your dog can recover from constipation.