Modern living seems to have caused a decline in our health and our dogs are suffering too. Dog constipation is just as uncomfortable and painful as it is in humans and has the potential to cause more serious diseases if not treated quickly. While it is possible that constipation is caused by something serious, it is more likely a poor diet, dehydration, or lack of exercise. However, treating dog constipation and making sure your dog can eliminate regularly is critical for a dog’s overall health.
Often, constipation in humans or animals is treated with a laxative. However be aware that most doctors advise that relying too heavily on laxatives can bring about a slew of other medical complications, which may include the inability to expel waste in the future.
In nature, animals eat a diet high in protein. If they get an upset stomach, they are often seen consuming fiber, like grass. Regrettably, commercial dog foods contain little protein, but plenty of fillers like corn, wheat and other carbohydrates. Dogs in the wild do not eat bread! Dogs kept as pets commonly have yet another less than healthy eating habit: they will eat just about anything, even items that are inedible.
Symptoms of a constipated dog are usually easy to spot, if you pay attention. A dog will not be able to eliminate, though he may continue to try. Eventually, he will become bloated and sluggish, less playful and less likely to eat. He may even be a bit more gassy, as undigested food his intestine begins to create turmoil.
While prevention of such things is usually the smartest route by means of a good diet, plenty of water and exercise, by the time your dog is constipated, it will be time to take more proactive measures. The first thing is to boost your dog’s water intake. A quick solution I have used myself is a mixture of high protein food with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. The results were messy but very effective! Changing your dog’s diet around to include oil and more protein can do the trick.
It is a good idea to give your dog a nice little tummy massage. No need to go over the top here. Don’t use too much pressure and always rub in the direction of the tail. This might help you detect such things as a hardened stool, in which case a doggie enema might be necessary. In any case, making these changes should provide your dog with some relief.
Again, handling canine constipation is important. Prevention is clearly best, but should your best buddy be unable to eliminate, it’s necessary to deal with the problem immediately, usually with a change in diet and in increase in water and exercise. Should these methods be insufficient, more aggressive methods might need to be used, including a trip to the vet before the problem becomes more serious.
