Canine Constipation Can Be Traumatic - What You Should Try To Minimize Your Dog's Distress

It seems that the human race is being affected by an epidemic of poor health, so it should come as no great shock that our dogs are equally affected. Just as in people, canine constipation can be quite irritating and even painful, potentially causing other more serious issues, like gastrointestinal blockages. While it is likely that canine constipation is caused by something threatening, it is more likely a poor diet, dehydration, or not enough exercise. But nonetheless, treating dog constipation and making sure your dog can eliminate systematically is critical for a dog's basic health.

Usually, constipation in people or animals is treated with a laxative. Doctors warn, however, that over reliance on laxatives can cause a series of other health difficulties, such as the inability to eliminate in the future, as the body becomes accustomed to a laxative and will not eliminate well without it.

In nature, animals, including dogs, have a diet high in protein. If they experience an upset stomach, they are normally seen eating fiber, like grasses. Unfortunately, most regular commercial dog foods are low in protein and fiber and also high in wheat, corn, fillers and carbohydrates. Dogs in the wild tend not to eat human food, it's that simple. Domesticated dogs often have another unhealthy habit, they will eat virtually anything, even items that we consider to be inedible!

Signs of canine constipation are usually easy to observe, if you pay attention. A dog will not be able to eliminate, though he could continuously try. Gradually, he will become heavy and sluggish, less playful and less likely to eat. He could even become a little gassier, as the undigested food left in his bowel begins to ferment.

While prevention is usually the smartest route through a good diet, adequate water and exercise, when your dog is constipated, it will be time to take more proactive steps. First, increase your dog's water intake. One solution I have myself used included a few cans of very high protein dog food with a few tablespoons of olive oil. The results were messy but very effective. A change in diet to have more oil and protein is usually quite effective.

It is often a good idea to give your dog a nice little stomach rub. This shouldn't be anything too harsh. Don't rub too hard and always rub downwards, in the direction of the tail. This might enable you find out such factors as a hardened stool, in which case a dog enema may be necessary. At any rate, making these adjustments should have your dog with some comfort.

Again, managing canine constipation is essential. Prevention is clearly best, but should your best buddy be unable to eliminate, you will need to to treat the problem right away, usually with a change in diet and more water and exercise. Should these techniques be insufficient, more aggressive strategies might need to be employed, including a trip to the vet before the problem becomes more serious.