Dog Constipation

Your fur-baby's inability to poop normally is called dog constipation. Though this can happen to humans, too, this should not be taken lightly. In this article, we will go over the signs, the causes, and how you can properly manage and treat dog constipation

Signs of dog constipation are obvious and easy to look out for:

• straining to poop with little to no stool at all
• straining that results in excreting small fecal matter with the presence of blood
• lack of defecation activities for days
• physical distress
• stools that look like pebbles; they're also very dry and hard

As mentioned by Dog Time, dog constipation may be a warning sign of a more serious life-threatening health condition, such as a urinary tract infection or a blocked bladder.

Before giving your dog home remedies for constipation, keep in mind that some signs of dog constipation including painful pooping, passing bloody mucus, vomiting, and sudden decrease or loss of appetite can be all signs of an underlying illness. This is why it is very important to have your fur-baby checked by your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment plans.

What Can Possibly Cause Dog Constipation?

Dog constipation can be caused by a lot of factors. It can be caused by:

• ingesting food or non-food items that are difficult to digest (like plastic or bones)
• hernias
• swollen prostates
• kidney diseases
• passive intestinal processes
• digestive tract issues

According to Pet Honesty, there are different kinds of dog constipation:  

Intrinsic Constipation. This is characterized by neurological disorders or hormone imbalances in the body leading to constipation. 

Intraluminal Constipation. This happens as the result of a blockage in the colon that prevents the passage of stool. 

Extraluminal Constipation. This type of dog constipation refers to the blockage of the colon due to an exterior source. 

Breaking it down to different factors, dog constipation can be because of your fur-baby's:

Age. Your dog's age can be the reason why they are having regular episodes of constipation. Senior dogs are more prone to this. 

Diet. Some dogs are fond of eating things that are non-food items. This, in turn, can create blockages and irregular fecal transit. Your dog's diet may also be lacking with fiber or may contain too much source of dietary calcium; thus constipation happens. 

Water intake. The food your dog eats makes its way from the stomach to the large intestine. If your dog doesn't have enough water in their body, the large intestine soaks up water from the food waste. This makes your dog produce hard stools that are difficult to pass. 

Psychological problems. Something that causes your dog stress or anxiety that's currently present in their environment will lead them to ‘hold’ it. 

Managing a Constipated Dog

Examine the severity of the condition. You, of all people, constantly pick up or clean up after your dog when they poop. You also know them best. Determine how severe your dog's constipation is. Are they in too much discomfort? Have they completely lost their appetite? Have they not pooped for more than three days? Observing all these things in your dog, it is best to take them to your veterinarian immediately to avoid any hazard  injury to the GI tract

Increase water intake As discussed above, water plays an important rolei helpinavoi dog constipation. Your dog's body is in a constant need to reabsorb water and if there's not a sufficient amount of water in the body, the body will begin reabsorbing water from thepoo, making it hard to pass

Provide canned dog foo. If yor fur-bab is not a fan of drinking wate, eeding your fur-baby canned dog food that has an elevated moisture content may help regulate the system. Even mixing kibbles with a small amount of water willbe of great hel

Exercise. Exercisin can help promote proper function and movement of the GI trac of your do

Increase fiber intake Increasing the amount of fiber in your dog's meals or through supplementation can assist in getting rid of dog constipation and preventing it. Fiber adds bulk to your fur-baby's stool, making it pass more quickly. An example of this is pumpkin, it's high in moistue fibe and it's good for dogs, too

Provide probiotic supplements Probiotic promote better bowel movement in your dog's gut, thus improvingtheirconstipatio issue

How Can Pet Parents® Help?

Supplementation with probiotics to your constipated dog is extremely important. It does not onl strengthen your fur-baby's gut healt but also boosts the immune system. Probiotics are also known to better bowel movement and facilitate detoxification in the digestive tract

Choosing the right probiotic supplements can be overwhelming, we have you covered Pet Parent Probiotic Supplemen supports proper digestion in your dog as well as the proper distribution of vitamins and minerals throughout the body. It contains

Pumpkin Loaded with fiber, vitamins,an minerals that support the digestive tract, helping relieve an upset stomac an treat diarrhea & constipation.According

Fructooligosaccharide A natural substance that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, supports digestive & immune health,an helps with healthy detoxification & excretory processes.