What To Do When Your Puppy Is Constipated

How Will The Vet Treat My Dogs Constipation

In all cases of constipation, its best to contact a vet for proper assessment and appropriate treatment. If you start to see early signs of possible constipation, bring your dog to the vet immediately. Waiting for further signs can make the condition worse and may require more invasive or aggressive treatment.

Mild constipation in dogs can be treated and managed medically at home. Changing to a highly digestible diet will help speed up the transit of food along the GI tract. Increasing water intake can also soften the feces.

There are medications that can address delayed motility in dogs. Laxatives like Lactulose may be recommended by your vet to help draw out water from the large intestine into the lumen to soften the feces for easier transit. It also mildly irritates the lining of the large intestine to cause more rapid peristalsis. Prescription medications like Bisacodyl speed up the motility of the intestinal tract which helps in passing feces and managing constipation in dogs.

Severe cases of constipation and obstipation in dogs require a more aggressive approach. Dogs that have really hard feces built up in the latter segments of the intestine often require intravenous fluid therapy for proper hydration and hospitalization at the veterinary clinic.

Though mild constipation can easily be treated with non-invasive treatment and medication, its still best to bring your dog to a vet if youre suspecting that it may be suffering from constipation.

What Do You Do When Your Dog Wont Poop

First, think through the issue. Does your dog have enough time to poop on your walks? Have you made any changes to her diet? Has she had enough water to stay well hydrated, especially in hot weather?

Next, take a look at your dogs rear end. If there is matted hair covering her rectum, she might not be able to poop. A mat of hair and fecal matter, called a fecalith, is more common in long haired dogs, and acts as a brick wall to the passage of poop. If your dog has a fecalith, you can try removing it by gently trimming the mat using scissors and gloves.

Once you determine that your dog is well hydrated, accustomed to the food shes eating, and has a clear exit path with no blockage, your vet might recommend boosting your dogs dietary fiber by adding some canned pumpkin or a laxative like Metamucil to his diet.

If your dog is eating regularly but isnt pooping every day, check for more symptoms. Your dog might be straining to poop, having discomfort with bowel movements, passing mucus, or passing ribbon-like soft feces . If so, its time to call your vet. Make a note of each of the symptoms you see, and maybe even a photo of his pooping posture and the poop itself to show your vet.

Dog Constipation: Why Your Dog Cant Poop

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, its 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.

Keep in mind, too, that constipation can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Although this is a lot less common than a simple bout of normal, everyday constipation, theres always the possibility that theres something else going on. If you think your dog may be sick or none of the usual treatments for constipation are helping him, take him to the vet right away.

You May Like: Lettuce Makes Me Sick

Signs A Dog Is Constipated

Knowing these signs is important because if your dog is showing severe symptoms of constipation, you need to call your vet for an appointment.

Severely constipated dogs can become systemically ill, and they risk having permanent damage to their GI tract.

Here are a few signs to look for in constipated dogs:

Give Your Dog More Exercise

Your vet may also suggest you simply exercise your dog more for a few days and see if that helps. Many times, dogs will improve their pooping habits if they are taken on longer walks or are engaged in outside play for longer periods of time than theyre used to. A lack of exercise can contribute significantly to constipation in dogs.

Recommended Reading: Florastor Gastritis

Why My Puppy Is Constipated

Constipation occurs when solid waste remains in the puppys colon for too long and almost all the moisture content is absorbed. The stool becomes hard and dry, causing difficulties in passing it. There are several causes of this.

1. Diet

Fiber, specifically insoluble fiber, plays an important role in easing the movement of digested food material through the intestines. Not only does it help prevent constipation, it also results in good quality poop. This is stool that is bulky and solid . Adequate hydration on the other hand ensures that stool has enough moisture content to move through the bowels and get expelled without difficulty. Before you start giving your pet more water, first make sure that dehydration is the underlying cause of constipation. If there is another problem, giving more water will not help. Another aspect of diet that can cause constipation is low quality food specifically, cheap and highly processed food. It can cause digestive problems for your puppy. Highly processed foods have very little fiber and have preservatives and chemical dyes added to them. The combined effect of all these issues can result in constipation as well as other health problems. Finally, sudden changes in diet can also cause constipation. If for instance you suddenly change from canned food to dry food, the shock to the digestive system can result in constipation or diarrhea. Making gradual changes over a period of a few days will be easier on the puppys digestive system.

How To Make A Dog Poop Quickly

Read more to know about how to help a constipated dog immediately:

Wiping methodâTake a clean cloth, wipe and dip it into warm water. Now start wiping your dog’s anus in a circular motion. It will help stimulate the bowel movement of your dog. Rub your pet’s belly in a circular motion to warm it up.

Squirting methodâTake cool water and a container or water pipe to squirt it directly into your dog’s anus. Make sure he doesn’t have any injuries. Repeat it a couple of times.

Icing methodâLift your dog’s tail, and hold the ice on his bum. You may need another person’s help here because your dog will try to run away. It should take around 30 seconds or a little more to make your dog contract his muscles and push the poop out.

Recommended Reading: What Can U Take For Diarrhea When Pregnant

Constipation In Adult Dogs

Adult dogs can suffer from constipation for all the same reasons as a puppy, plus a few more. So if your pup has problems now, be aware of these issues in the future as well.

• Prostatitis can develop in unneutered males. The prostate swells and blocks the colon in the pelvic region. Rectal exams should be part of the annual exam for intact males over 5 years of age.
• Tumors of the prostate or rectum or perianal region also can cause constipation.
• Constipation can also be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes with either condition, there’s excessive urine production that prompts the colon to conserve water. This causes dry stool that can lead to constipation.
• Elderly dogs commonly suffer bouts of constipation, which may be due to a combination of weak abdominal muscles, reduced exercise, or improper diet.

When To See The Vet

Normally, a dog poops at least once a day. If it has passed 24 hours since your dog has pooped, do not panic and wait another 24 hours. If you don’t see any bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours since his last defecation, it’s time to take your dog to a vet.

If you see symptoms like loss of appetite, an infection in the anus, vomiting, fever, rush to the nearest vet clinic immediately.

Delay in diagnosis may lead to obstipation, a severity of dog constipation that doesn’t allow feces or gas. Chronic constipation in dogs may also contribute to a disorder of colon known as megacolon, in which waste materials remain inside, causing an abnormally enlarged colon.

Recommended Reading: Does Pepcid Help Ibs

Puppy Constipation Prevention Tips

Your puppy may have gotten over the difficult period and is now back to his playful normal, but if you are not careful it could happen again. This is especially if you did not understand the cause of the problem in the first place. Here are some things you can do to ensure that your pet is not constipated again.

If you were wondering how to make a puppy poop, how to make the stool softer, what to give a constipated puppy or how to prevent constipation, hopefully the above information has helped. A constipated puppy is something every owner dreads. The pup refuses to eat, whines in pain and refuses to go for walks. But with the easy remedies provided above, she should be back to her normal self in no time. With the provided prevention tips, you should be able to keep constipation at bay. For most constipated puppies, the problem is often in the diet. Tweaking the diet will usually end the constipation. But do not keep the pet at home if constipation persists. Take it for a checkup to ensure there is no serious underlying condition.

A Summary Of Constipation

Constipation can affect all types of dogs, but it can usually be managed by appropriate treatment. It can also be preventable, so ensure your dog has:

• Plenty of water
• Regular exercise
• A balanced and appropriate diet

If youre concerned about your dogs health, or think their gut may be blocked always speak to your vet.

Recommended Reading: Can You Take Probiotics And Antacids Together

When To Take A Constipated Dog To The Vet

Its 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 megacolon. 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 dogs diet or routine
• Non-food items the dog may have eaten
• Straining or pain while trying to go
• Drug treatments
• 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
• Radiographs of the abdominal area
• Barium enema

How Is Constipation Diagnosed

Most cases will be diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. When evaluating your dogs abdomen, your veterinarian will likely feel a firm, distended colon. He or she may conduct a rectal examination to rule out rectal strictures , tumors, foreign bodies, or other abnormalities. In many cases, abdominal radiographs will be performed to determine the extent of constipation and whether or not an obstruction exists. Blood tests and urinalysis are valuable to search for dehydration or infection. In advanced cases, an abdominal ultrasound may help identify the cause of your dogs constipation. Biopsies may also be recommended if a rectal mass or stricture is suspected.

You May Like: Align Probiotic Review

Things You Need To Do When Your Dog Is Constipated

Do you suspect that your dog has some problems when trying to take a poo? The chances are that your dog is constipated.

If your dog is suffering from some intestinal blockage, it can be an uncomfortable experience for both of you. If youre wondering what to do when your dog is constipated, youve definitely come to the right place.

Unfortunately, this problem is quite frequent, and no dog is happy when it occurs. But luckily, someone is researching this to help them!

Im here today to give you a quick breakdown of what can be done about it and how to do it to relieve the discomfort for both of you.

Why Is My Dog Constipated

Your dog may become constipated due to several reasons such as lack of exercise and anxiety. Besides, the most common causes of dog constipation are as follows:

• Swallowing objects that are hard to digest: Swallowing indigestible objects such as bones, grass, dog hair, toys, fabric items can make a dog constipated. And dogs who lick themselves a lot may swallow their hair, leading to difficulty in passing poop.
• Poor diet: Poor quality dog food that contains too much fiber can make a dog constipated. Similarly, dog foods with very little fiber can also cause constipation. Bone meals, high-calcium foods are likely to cause your dog difficulty in pooping.
• Dehydration: Maybe your dog can’t poop because he is dehydrated. Most dogs need to drink around 30 ml of clean water per pound of body weight daily.
• Anal sac disease: Anal sac disease is pretty common in dogs. If you notice swelling and blister on both sides of the dog rectum, it might be the reason your dog having trouble pooping. Take your dog to the vet soon.
• Matted fur around the anus: When the dog coat becomes extremely matted around the anus, it may cause dog constipation.
• An underlying disease: There can be some other underlying medical condition causing constipation to your dog like these:

• Prostate enlargement

• Anxiety, discomfort, and lack of energy
• Sporadic vomiting

You May Like: I Ate A Salad And Now I Have Diarrhea

What Can Happen If My Dogs Constipation Is Not Treated

If your dogs constipation goes untreated, they could reach the point where they become unable to empty their colon on their own . The colon then becomes packed with an uncomfortably large amount of feces, causing lethargy, unproductive straining, loss of appetite and potentially vomiting.

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.

Eight Ways To Clear Out Canine Constipation At Home

1. Lots of exercise and clean, fresh water. To keep his digestive system moving, youve got to keep your dog moving. Regular exercise will help to push stool straight through the colon. On top of that, make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. This will help get that doggys juices flowing. Both of these factors can help prevent and remedy dog constipation. So, this is an easy first step in your canine constipation adventure.

2. Adding more fiber to your dogs diet. Even humans benefit from adding more fiber to their diet. So you probably already have some safe dietary dog fiber in your home. If not, you can find some at your local grocery store. There are some simple solutions that you can mix in with your doggys usual dinner. Just a few include canned/pureed pumpkin ground/chopped dark green leafy vegetables Coconut fiber/oil: 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds/body weight) and psyllium powder . If you mix it well into your dogs favorite wet food, chances are he wont even notice.

3. Adding digestive enzymes and probiotics to your dogs diet. This is another preventative measure that could be taken before any problems arise. Mixing some digestive enzymes and probiotics help in with his food can help with maldigestion. This is one of of the most common causes of canine constipation and even doggy diarrhea. Sometimes its better to fight these sorts of problems before they even start.

Related: Smashing Pumpkin And Carob Dog Treat Recipe

Amy Tokic

Read Also: 27 Weeks Pregnant With Diarrhea

What Causes Constipation

There are many potential causes of constipation in dogs. The most common cause is ingestion of irritating or indigestible substances. Dogs with long hair or those that lick or groom themselves excessively are also at risk for becoming constipated.

Other common causes of constipation in dogs include:

• diseases of the colon

• drugs that cause constipation

• fear, anxiety, and other behavioral conditions that alter passage of normal bowel movements

• foreign bodies or intestinal obstruction

• hormonal diseases

• inadequate exercise and physical activity

• megacolon

• painful conditions, such as osteoarthritis that make it uncomfortable to pass stool

• pelvic injuries or abnormalities

• sudden change in diet or ingestion of new foods

• tumors or masses in the colon or rectum

Up Their Activity Levels

If youre not walking and playing with your dog regularly, the lack of exercise can cause a lot of problems, including constipation.

While youre modifying their diet to ensure the smoothness of future bowel movements, you should also be helping your dog to exercise more.

Take an extra five minutes on your walk, go jogging with them, or do any kind of activity which keeps your dog moving. It will help move blood to their internal organs and massage their internal organs, which will then improve the performance of their intestines.

Pro tip:If youre too exhausted after work to walk your dog, fifteen minutes of playing fetch is a good alternative.

Its still best to walk your dog if at all possible, but there are other ways to make sure they get the right amount of activity.

Also Check: Can Pepcid Cause Dizziness