The 9 Best Remedies for Constipation in Dogs and Puppies
Constipation is a medical symptom characterized by the absence or infrequency of defecation. Even though, at first, this problem isn’t an emergency, if it worsens it could even threaten the pet’s life. Therefore, it’s important to know about some remedies to treat constipation in dogs and puppies.
It should be noted that constipation remedies usually only work in the early stages of this problem. Because of this, their use may not always solve the problem, so you should be careful to go to the vet as soon as possible to avoid future complications for your dog. Keep reading this space and discover the best remedies for constipation in dogs and puppies.
How to know if the dog or puppy has constipation?
The clearest sign that a dog has constipation is the absence or infrequency of defecation (stools). However, this isn’t the only sign that owners can detect, as some of the following are also present:
- A tense (hard) abdomen
- Hard (dry) stools
- Straining to defecate (with pain)
- A lack of appetite
- Walking with a stooped posture
- Frequent attempts to defecate.
What to do if a dog or puppy has constipation
If you think your dog may be suffering from constipation, the most advisable thing to do is to go immediately to the veterinarian. In this way, the specialist will be able to detect with certainty the origin of the problem and will give the appropriate treatment. In addition, this also serves to rule out more serious complications such as neoplasms.
Although it’s true that a visit to the veterinarian isn’t always necessary, you should never take the situation too lightly. Remember that your pet’s health depends entirely on you, so spare no expense and give it the veterinary care it deserves.
What remedies can treat constipation in dogs and puppies?
There are different home remedies that allow you to treat constipation in dogs and puppies. However, they should be taken as a complement to pharmacological treatment, since most of them are palliative and don’t help to remedy the original cause of the condition.
Also, before giving any type of home remedy to your pet, try to discuss it with your veterinarian to obtain his or her approval. It’s rare for this type of alternative therapy to interfere with the initial treatment, but it’s better to confirm it before causing any potential harm to your dog.
Remedies for constipation in dogs and puppies
Once the specialist in charge has given their approval, you could opt for one of the following remedies:
- Hydrate your pet well: A lack of water causes the intestine to try to capture as much liquid as it can, which dries out the stools and causes constipation.
- Cooked pumpkin: This food is a great source of fiber for dogs, which promotes intestinal transit and helps fight constipation. Just remember that you shouldn’t give them such a large portion; a daily spoonful in addition to their normal food is enough.
- Natural yogurt: Yogurt provides several probiotics that can help stabilize the intestinal microbiota, which can be the cause of constipation. Of course, yogurt should be natural and should only be given at most once a week.
- Milk of magnesia: This product is a common over-the-counter laxative often used to control constipation or heartburn problems. Although it’s relatively harmless, it’s best to have your veterinarian monitor its use and dosage.
- Plantago psyllium powder: Several commercial products use the seeds of this plant as a type of supplement. As you can imagine, the fiber it provides improves the symptoms of constipation and even diarrhea, but care should be taken not to exceed the dose of 1 tablespoon per day per 10 kilograms of weight.
- Wheat bran: This product is made from the “husk” of wheat seeds, which contains a lot of fiber and helps to improve intestinal transit.
- Increase exercise: Increasing the amount of exercise helps the bowels to “move” and become active. However, one must be careful here, because, in cases where the dog has been constipated for a long time, it could be dangerous.
- Regulate feeding schedules: Constipation in dogs and puppies could also be caused by stress, and one of its remedies is the formation of feeding habits. This helps dogs stay calm and reduces the possibility of eating disorders.
- Malt: This product is a well-known supplement that provides fiber to the dog’s diet and improves its intestinal transit.
Although many remedies can be used for constipation in dogs or puppies, you should always consult an expert before giving them to your pet. Also, you should bear in mind that they aren’t substitutes for the pharmacological treatment that your vet will prescribe, but are a complement to help alleviate the symptoms. With these tips, you can be sure that your pet will soon recover without problems.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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- Alexander, J. E., Tu, C. H., Pan, F. Y., & Hsu, T. Y. (1998). A Case Report of Constipation in a Dog Secondary to a Leiomyoma of the Colon. 中華民國獸醫學會雜誌, 24(2), 82-87.
- Best, K. J., Daggy, B. P., Schewe, R. M., Carryl, O. R., & Berry, D. A. (1998). The superior laxative effects of psyllium over calcium polycarbophil in a dog model: Implications for human laxative users with high gastric pH. Gastroenterology, 114, A720-A721.
- Langre, S. R., & Larrea, M. D. S. A. (2018). Consideraciones veterinarias en la terapéutica gastroentérica de pequeños animales. Panorama actual del medicamento, 42(419), 1249-1260.