What to do if Your Dog is Constipated? 5 Tips to Help Dog Constipation

As pet owners it’s hard not to feel helpless when your dog is in pain. Similar to humans, dogs can have similar issues and constipation will cause your dog discomfort. Since we are constantly looking after our dogs it shouldn’t be difficult to notice if they’re constipated.

Dog Constipation

At first you’ll need to understand the severity of your dog’s constipation. You want to gauge your dog’s discomfort and if they have any other symptoms like vomiting, no appetite or weakness. If your dog is severely constipated it can lead to other illnesses and you’ll need to contact your veterinarian.

However, if your dog is mildly constipated then there are a few things that can be done to help the comfort of your dog when constipated.

What causes constipation in dogs?

Constipation can be normal in dogs just like it is for humans. When we say normal we don’t mean your dog should be constipated, but it’s not rare for this to happen. Constipation typically occurs when the stool is too large or to firm to be released. Some more causes can be:

• Dehydration
• Treatment with some types of medications
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Intestinal inflammation
• Pain while defecating (e.g., a broken pelvis or arthritis)
• Neurologic problems
• Eating material that can’t be digested
• Tumors
• Hernias
• Hormonal disorders
• Lack of exercise
• Anxiety

5 Ways on How to Help a Dog with Constipation

Check your dog’s rear end

Often times if your dog has long hair or has not been properly cleaned they may be at risk for developing mats of fur or incorporated feces. This can completely cover the anus and make it very difficult for your dog to release stools. You can check this area and try to clean it or shave off some of the hair, but if you see other abnormalities, then you should call your vet.

Increase Water Intake

One of the biggest reasons humans get constipated is due to dehydration. When the body is lacking water it absorbs the water it can find causing the feces to become hard. Make sure your dog is drinking plenty of water when constipated. It is important to make sure your dog has easy access to fresh water constantly. If your dog is still not drinking water you can even add some water to the dry food, or give them wet food.

Get Some Exercise

It’s also important to make sure your dog is getting the right amount of exercise. When taking your dog on a walk it will promote normal movement, but also they will smell other dogs and this may trigger the urge to get the gastrointestinal tract working.

Increased Fiber in Diet

Yes! Your dog’s diet may be lacking some fiber, but that’s okay we can resolve that. Adding fiber to your dog’s diet is temporary, but it can definitely do the trick. You can use about a teaspoon or tablespoon of canned pumpkin depending on your dog’s size. You could also use half a teaspoon of Psyllium for every 10lbs of body weight.

Laxatives

This step may require you to consult with your vet because most laxatives are not safe dogs. I am sure everyone will have a different experience with giving their dog laxatives, but not everyone’s results will be the same. If your vet approves this then you can use a gentle laxative like Laxatone. Laxatone is a petroleum based lubricant gel that is flavored to make them taste good so your dog might not hesitate in taking it.

If all of the above fails there is still one more natural home remedy for dog constipation and that is CBD oil.

Paws Elite offers CBD Oil for Dogs and this CBD Oil helps your dog by targeting receptors in their brain, and organs which help provide your dog with relaxation. If your dog is constipated you may want to use CBD Oil to help them with a calming supplement.

The secret is that Cannabinoids produced in the dog’s body have an anti-inflammatory effect. Endocannabinoids seem to play an important role in regulating inflammation processes.

CBD Oil is safer for dogs and provides non-toxic and non-psychoactive treatment. CBD has been shown to have other medical benefits aside from helping with skin allergies in dogs. It is used to reduce pain, stimulate appetite, reduce anxiety, and help fight against cancer.

Read here to find out how to give your dog CBD oil.