Dogs become constipated when they have difficult, infrequent, or no bowel movements. Constipation is a very common gastrointestinal (GI) problem in dogs and has many possible causes, such as drug side effects, lack of exercise, and too little fiber consumption. Just like humans, constipation is also a condition that makes dogs feel uncomfortable. If your dog is constipated, you can treat it with home remedies. However, your dog may need a vet check if the constipation is serious.
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Part 1 of 2: Coping with Constipation in Dogs
Step 1. Determine if the dog is constipated or not
Common symptoms of constipation are difficulty passing stools and passing only small amounts of dry, dry stools afterward. You may also notice discharge around the anus, especially in long-haired dogs. Feces can stick to the long fur when the dog poops, preventing the dog from pooping normally.
- When you have difficulty defecating, your dog is more likely to feel pressure and pain.
- Keep in mind that people can mistake the symptoms of constipation for another disease, such as a urinary tract infection. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether these symptoms are due to constipation or another disease.
- If the dog is constipated for several days, the dog may show symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. Even the area around the dog's anus may also bleed. If you experience these symptoms, immediately take your dog to the vet for treatment.
Step 2. Clean the dog's anal area
As disgusting as it sounds, you should do this if you see dry, dry-textured stools or other things (like grass particles) stuck to the fur around the anus. Before touching the area, wear latex gloves; if you are allergic to latex, you can wear gloves made of nitrile.
- If the dog has long hair, use a pair of small scissors to remove the hair that is stuck to the dirt. Dogs may not like the shaving process. If your dog doesn't like it, you can wet the coat with warm water first to make it easier to trim.
- Use warm, soapy water and a small towel to clean the dog's anal area. Because of the constant difficulty in defecating, the area may be very sensitive. Clean the area very gently and speak in a soothing tone to reassure the dog. When you shave, the dog can be positioned standing or sitting. Let the dog rest in whatever position is comfortable for him.
- Applying KY jelly to the area after cleaning will help relieve irritation. You can buy it at the nearest pharmacy.
Step 3. Treat the constipation
Unfortunately, once it occurs, constipation can be difficult to relieve and may require an enema. Medications taken orally can take days to pass through the digestive tract to the lower end. Therefore, although effective for prevention, oral constipation medication may not be able to help treat the disease. Your veterinarian may also recommend the use of prescription medications. If you're not sure what medication to give your dog, contact your veterinarian and ask for a recommendation.
- Give the dog laxatives or laxatives. Laxatives or laxatives for humans are too strong for dogs. So, ask your vet for a prescription for laxatives and laxatives.
- Add mineral oil to dog food for one week. Mineral oil should not be given by mouth, as it can accidentally enter the dog's lungs and cause pneumonia. With a measuring spoon, add 0.5 ml of mineral oil for every 1 kg of the dog's body weight (0.5 ml is about 1/8 teaspoon). For example, if your dog weighs 18 kg, add 10 ml (1 tablespoon less) mineral oil.
- Add a little unsweetened canned pumpkin to dry dog food. Depending on the dog's weight, add 1 tablespoon (for dogs weighing less than 11 kg), 2 tablespoons (for dogs weighing 11-22 kg), or 3 tablespoons (for dogs weighing over 22 kg). kg) canned pumpkin on the food.
- If your dog is always being fed dry food, replace it with canned food for a few days. Canned food has more moisture, making it easier for the dog's digestive system to digest. However, because it can cause diarrhea, give canned food in moderation for a few days.
- Give 60-120 ml of milk to the dog. Although milk usually causes diarrhea in dogs, the lactose in it can help relieve constipation.
- Sprinkle a powdered fiber supplement containing psyllium in dog food every 12-24 hours, (1/4 teaspoon for dogs weighing less than 11 kg, 1/2 teaspoon for dogs weighing 11-22 kg, and 1 teaspoon tea for dogs weighing more than 22 kg). The addition of fiber will help the food material pass through the dog's gastrointestinal tract more easily. You can buy it freely at the nearest pharmacy.
- Along with adding fiber content in the diet, also provide plenty of water.
- If these home remedies still don't relieve your dog's constipation after about a week, and your dog seems to be getting sicker, take your dog to the vet for an examination and treatment.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing and Treating Constipation in Dogs
Step 1. Add more fiber to your dog's diet
The addition of fiber is a tool as well as a way to prevent/manage constipation. You can sprinkle powder containing psyllium on dog food in the same way it treats constipation. You can also add fresh vegetables to your dog's diet to increase their fiber intake. Some examples of vegetables that can be added are carrots, peas, and beans.
Be sure to give your dog plenty of water to drink as you increase his fiber intake. With more fiber, the dog's digestive tract will produce more feces. If your dog doesn't drink enough water, the stool won't be able to pass through the anus, which can lead to constipation again
Step 2. Increase the dog's physical activity
Exercise can stimulate your dog's digestive tract to move, which makes it easier for food to pass through and prevents feces from settling in the colon. The exercise doesn't have to be intense. A 15-minute walk every day will be enough to help get your dog to exercise.
Step 3. Reduce the dog's habit of eating grass
While dogs may eat grass occasionally, ingesting grass may cause constipation. Try to make sure that your dog doesn't eat grass while in the yard or on a walk.
Step 4. Give your dog plenty of opportunities to defecate
If the dog seems to want to go outside (to have a bowel movement), let the dog out. If held, the risk of feces trapped in the digestive tract, causing constipation can be even greater.
Step 5. Clean the dog's coat regularly
Long-haired dogs are more prone to constipation because it is easy for feces to soil the fur around their anus. If you are comfortable enough to shave, soaking the fur in warm water will help with the process. If you don't feel comfortable shaving around your dog's anus, take your dog to a professional for regular grooming.
Dogs can also swallow their fur if they clean it themselves, causing constipation. Regular cleaning by you or the service provider can reduce the risk of your dog swallowing his fur
Step 6. Neutralize your dog
As they age, the male dog's prostate can enlarge, making it harder for feces to pass through his digestive tract. If your vet diagnoses an enlarged prostate as the cause of your dog's constipation, castration will help prevent constipation from occurring again.
An enlarged prostate is one example of a disease, as are anal glands and perineal hernias, which can cause constipation. If your dog has frequent problems, contact your veterinarian so that the underlying disease can be addressed and treated
Tips
- Older dogs are prone to constipation, because they move less often than younger dogs. If you rarely move, the movement of the digestive tract is reduced and increases the risk of constipation. If you have an older dog, consult a veterinarian to prevent constipation.
- In addition to home remedies, your veterinarian may also recommend other treatments, such as enemas and medication to increase the activity of your dog's digestive tract. If constipation is seriously affecting your dog's health, your vet will likely give you intravenous fluids to get more fluids into your dog's digestive tract.
- Dogs suffering from joint problems may find it difficult to squat normally and have a bowel movement. Your veterinarian can recommend medication to relieve joint pain.
- Tumors in the digestive tract can cause constipation because they physically compress and reduce the size of the large intestine, rectum, and anus. The vet will be able to determine whether the dog has a gastrointestinal tumor or not.
