While occasional tummy upset may not be concerning, your constipated pup may experience severe symptoms and pain if not treated quickly. Here, our San Angelo vets discuss constipation in dogs and answer the question, 'What can I give my dog for constipation?'.
What is constipation?
Constipation is an infrequent or difficult passage of stool (poop). This is a temporary condition that usually clears up quickly once treatment begins. Obstipation, however, is a severe form of constipation. This condition is often connected to a serious, permanent or irreversible medical condition.
Water absorption is one of the colon's main functions, causing the retained stool to become hard and dry. This can contribute to a dog's difficulties when attempting to defecate.
When a dog is constipated, it is likely to strain while trying to pass stool. This can result in small amounts of liquid, including blood and feces, squeezing around the hardened stool, leading many dog owners to believe their dog has diarrhea.
Dog Constipation Symptoms
There are several signs of constipation in dogs. Are your dog's bowel movements infrequent, difficult to pass or absent altogether? If so, your furry friend may be suffering from constipation.
Straining when attempting to pass a stool and/or producing hard, dry stools are signs that a vet should examine your dog as soon as possible.
Constipated dogs may pass mucus when trying to defecate, circle excessively, scoot along the ground, or squat frequently without defecating. If you press on their stomach or lower back, they may have a tense, painful abdomen that causes them to growl or cry out.
My dog is constipated - why?
A wide range of potential contributing factors can lead to constipation in dogs. Some of these include:
- Insufficient daily exercise
- Not enough fiber in the diet
- Sudden change in diet or sampling new foods
- Ingesting hair due to excessive self-grooming
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Neurological disorder
- Side effects of medication
- Ingested pieces of toys, plants, dirt, bones, and gravel caught in the intestinal tract
- Pain due to orthopedic issues when trying to defecate
- Dehydration
- Masses, tumors, or obstructions on the anus or within the rectum
- Matted hair around the anus
- Trauma to pelvis
- Abscessed or blocked anal sacks
How to Help a Constipated Dog
When you are looking at how to relieve constipation in dogs, it's important not to jump on every remedy that you find online. It's important to consult your vet first. Some human treatments can be harmful to dogs.
The best approach is to contact your primary care vet and schedule an exam for your dog. The treatment will depend on what's causing the constipation. If your dog ate something they shouldn't have, it could be causing a blockage, which is a serious issue requiring urgent surgery.
Blood tests could show if your pup suffers from dehydration or has an infection. Your vet will probably ask about your dog's medical history, conduct a rectal examination to rule out other abnormalities or causes, and might recommend one or a combination of the following treatments:
- More exercise
- A stool softener or another laxative
- A prescription diet high in fiber
- Enema (administered by a professional, not at home, as there could be a risk of injury or toxicity if done incorrectly)
- Medication to increase the large intestine's contractile strength
Carefully follow your vet's instructions because trying too many of these or the wrong combination could cause the opposite problem - diarrhea. You don't want to swap one digestive issue for another.
What can I give my dog for constipation?
You may be wondering what to do if your dog is constipated. Home remedies can be helpful, but you should always be sure to speak with your vet first to ensure there are no other concerns, as constipation can be a symptom of a more serious underlying cause.
Here are some of the recommended home remedies to help relieve your dog of constipation:
- Pumpkin puree: Pumpkin puree contains both fiber and moisture, which can help get things moving again. Just be sure to find 100% pure pumpkin puree.
- Canned dog food: Canned dog food is high in moisture, which can help soften stool. Be sure to mix it with their regular food to avoid any other issues.
- Dietary fiber supplements: A simple way of jumpstarting the digestive tract is with the introduction of more fiber. This can be done using supplements. You will need to speak with your vet before giving your dog any supplements.
- Fresh water: Drinking lots of water can help soften your dog's stools, but if they don't drink at all, then you should bring them to a vet right away.
Can changing dog food cause constipation?
Dogs do best when the type of food they eat is consistent. However, there may be times when a change in their food is necessary to meet their growing needs. The key is to switch foods slowly, as an abrupt diet change can cause vomiting, excess gas, constipation or diarrhea.
When you change their food, you should mix it at 25% new food and 75% current food. Every couple of days, you should increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of the previous food. After a week or two, your dog should eat the new food independently.
When is constipation in dogs an emergency?
Constipation in dogs can cause you to wonder what to do. If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normal, it is likely not a cause for concern. Monitor your dog's bowel movements to see if things clear up. More than two episodes could indicate a problem, and you should contact your nearest emergency vet in San Angelo.
If your dog is straining to pass a stool but only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, it could be experiencing a painful blockage due to ingesting a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious concern and needs veterinary attention right away. Contact your vet or come to our emergency veterinary hospital for care.
Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period could be a sign of a very serious health issue, particularly if your dog is very old or very young or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet immediately if your dog is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.
Dogs showing other symptoms, as well as diarrhea, should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. These include:
- Blood in stool
- Unusual drooling
- Vomiting
- Lack of Appetite
- Weakness
- Signs of dehydration (Sunken, dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)
If your dog displays any symptoms that cause concern, contact the vets at our emergency animal hospital in San Angelo immediately.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.