What to Give a Dog With Constipation?

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Introduction to What to Give a Dog With Constipation?

Is your dog constipated? Do you suspect that he might be? Have you noticed him straining or not pooping quite as often as is normal for him? Constipation is a common issue in dogs, and most of the time, it’s something that your pet can recover from fairly quickly on his own. However, in some instances, it may be a good idea to find a treatment option that works for your furry friend to help him along. Constipation refers to an inability to produce normal stools on a regular schedule, which, for a dog, is generally once or twice per day. Dogs who are suffering from constipation will not “go” at all, strain to defecate, or produce rock-hard stools. This can happen for different reasons and usually can be easily fixed, but some dogs may experience chronic constipation. This can lead to obstipation where the stool becomes drier, harder, and compacted and the dog can’t defecate at all.

What Are the Signs of Dog Constipation?

The signs of constipation are pretty obvious, including:

Lack of defecation for a few days;

Hard, dry stools that feel like pebbles when you pick them up.

Two other signs of discomfort are associated with constipation, including:

Tenesmus – which includes straining to defecate with little or no result, or producing small amounts of liquid fecal matter mixed with blood.
Dyschezia – which is painful or difficult defecation.

Mild Constipation

If a dog is mildly constipated, the typical signs include:

Straining to defecate
Taking longer than normal to defecate
Seeming a little uncomfortable while defecating
Producing small amounts of feces that are harder than normal

If your dog is showing only mild signs of constipation, there are a few remedies that you can try at home to help ease their constipation.

Severe Constipation

If your dog is showing any of the below signs, then they are suffering from severe constipation and you need to call your vet immediately:

Showing signs of discomfort
Vomiting
Not eating
Hasn’t pooped for more than three days
Seems weak or lethargic
Has an obviously distended belly
Has blood in his stool

If your dog is showing these signs, there are no at-home remedies that can help.

They need to be seen and treated by a veterinarian.

What Causes Constipation?

Under normal circumstances, fecal matter travels through the digestive tract, reaching the colon where water and electrolytes are absorbed from the mass. Water reabsorption is the colon’s main function. Fecal material in the colon is moved through a process known as “peristaltic waves.” If this process becomes impaired or slowed, the fecal mass will stall in the colon and continue to lose moisture, becoming hard, dry, and, ultimately, impossible to pass. Scientists have long used a term usually associated with geology—“concretion”—to describe stool that is as hard as a rock.

Most Common Causes

Veterinary textbooks list scores of underlying causes, some as benign as lack of exercise, others much more serious problems, like cancer.

Veterinarians categorize these causes, based upon where the problem occurs along the digestive tract.

They use the words:

Intraluminal (referring to blockages inside the colon)
Extraluminal (obstructions originating outside the colon, such as tumors or pelvic fractures)
Intrinsic (diseases and nerve injuries)

Some of the most common reasons dogs become constipated include:

Diet – As in humans, a diet lacking in fiber is often the problem. Also, unlike humans, dogs tend to eat things that are not food like hair, toys, and kitty litter and these may cause blockages and abnormal fecal transit. Bones, bone meals, and other sources of dietary calcium can contribute to constipation.
Age – Elderly dogs seem more prone to constipation.
Activity level – For reasons unknown, being sedentary often results in slower transit.
Digestive tract tumors
Tumors that narrow the pelvic region
Anal gland issues
Prostate enlargement
Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances
Drugs, including opiates, diuretics, antihistamines, some antacids, certain cancer drugs
Metabolic diseases, like hypothyroidism and renal (kidney) issues
Spinal diseases and injuries
Central nervous system disorders
Stress and psychological problems – Something in the environment that will lead a dog to hold it.
Orthopedic disorders make it difficult for the dog to squat.
Surgery—Medical procedures, and the drugs administered during these procedures, may result in constipation. Call your vet for advice if you observe this in the post-surgical period.

What To Do If Your Dog Is Constipated?

If the problem has just started no more than a day or two a few home remedies might get things moving again.

Call your veterinarian before adding any supplements and keep in mind that no one strategy works for all dogs.

But some of the old standbys for treating constipation include:

Pumpkin—Weirdly, this dietary fix works in some dogs for either constipation or diarrhea. It is high in both fiber and moisture, and many dogs like the taste, so they’ll happily take this medicine. There are several recipes for tasty pumpkin treats that dogs love, although for regulating the digestive tract it’s probably best to give it straight.
Canned dog food—Elevated moisture content of canned food may help regulate the system.
Powdered fiber supplements
Food and herbs, such as ginger, wheat bran, powdered psyllium seeds, and olive oil, may help. A 2011 study, exploring treatments for constipation in humans, showed that fig paste was effective for the treatment of constipation in their research colony of Beagles. Foods that help humans with the problem are likely fine for dogs, but it always is prudent to check with your vet.
Hydration—Make sure your dog has access to fresh water and maybe electrolyte supplements.
Exercise

When To Take a Constipated Dog to the Vet?

It’s a good idea to call the vet as soon as you become aware of the problem. Constipation can be a sign of some very serious diseases.

Long-term or chronic constipation may lead to a buildup of dried fecal matter that gets stuck in the colon, known as obstipation. This may contribute to another condition marked by an inability to defecate normally. The colon becomes distended and loses its ability to move feces along. Chronic constipation is both a contributor and a sign of this disorder.

When you visit the vet, make sure you come armed with as much information as possible, including:

The last time your dog had a normal bowel movement
Stool color and consistency
Changes in the dog’s diet or routine
Non-food items the dog may have eaten (this can include anything from bones to kitty litter)
Straining or pain while trying to go
Drug treatments
Injuries
Other signs of distress or discomfort, especially vomiting, lethargy, or a bloated appearance.

Depending upon the duration and severity of the symptoms, the veterinary exam may consist of:

Abdominal palpation
Rectal exam
Radiographs of the abdominal area
Barium enema
Ultrasound or colonoscopy
Complete Blood Count
Urinalysis
Neurological exam

Complications of Untreated Constipation

If your dog’s constipation goes untreated, it can develop into obstipation.

This happens when the waste in the colon becomes so dry and hard that it can’t be moved.

The colon then becomes packed with stool and your dog is unable to pass it.

This leads to a condition called megacolon.

The colon becomes uncomfortably large and your dog may become bloated and lethargic, lose its appetite, strain while defecating, and vomiting.

These can lead to more serious complications and may require medical interventions like surgery, or a manual stool removal called de-obstipation.

It may be difficult to manually remove all the stool, which can lead to multiple procedures and a high cost.

Given that the process involves anesthesia, this can lead to a greater risk to your dog’s health.

Veterinary Treatment And Prevention

Most cases will resolve with mild treatments, such as boosting liquids and dietary fiber or getting more exercise.

Laxative suppositories and enemas may be helpful, but should only be used with guidance from a veterinarian, especially if they are needed for long periods.

More extreme cases will require such medical interventions as:

Manual removal of impacted feces

Drug to activate normal colon function or to block the production of certain enzymes.

Surgery may be needed in very rare, extreme cases, usually for megacolon.

One surgical procedure is known as a colectomy, in which sections of the colon are removed.

For most dogs, constipation will be an infrequent problem, kept under control through a well-balanced diet, access to freshwater, and regular exercise.