What You Can do When Your Dog Has Constipation
Constipation occurs occasionally in dogs. Constipation is defined as infrequent or absent defecation with retention of feces in the rectum and colon. Older and less active dogs are most prone. Signs that your dog may have constipation include straining to defecate, with or without dry feces. Causes of constipation include indiscriminate eating, for example garbage and diapers, a lack of dietary fiber, dehydration and obesity. Dogs with chronic diseases, anal sac abscesses and poorly healed pelvic fractures, are also at risk.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
* Increase the fiber in your dog’s diet. Add fresh vegetables ¼ cup of grated raw vegetables per 10 lbs. Along with cooked brown rice or wheat bran. Raw meat acts as a natural laxative. For example, liver tastes good and is a source of B Vitamins and Iron. For long-term prevention increase dietary fiber to ten or 15 percent. Increasing your dog’s fluid intake is also beneficial; try offering honey water, chicken broth and fruit juices.
* Exercise increases blood flow to the intestines and promotes motility which helps prevent constipation.
* Prolonged and/or recurrent bouts of constipation can adversely affect nerve function to the intestines. Confirm a diagnosis with your vet to help avoid long-term consequences.
(NOTE: Constipation can affect older, less active dogs that are dehydrated.)
COMPLEMENTARY TREATEMENTS
HERBAL REMEDIES
Remedy #1: Increase dietary fiber with any of these herbs: Psyllum, Cascara sagrada, Senna, and Aloe.
Remedy #2: For small dogs, soak four pitted prunes in water and mix into a bowl of oatmeal with two tablespoons of milk. Larger dogs should have six to eight pitted prunes prepared in the same way and added to oatmeal with four tablespoons of milk.
Remedy #3: Make planters of edible oats and wheat or try growing edible grass.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
If spoiled food is the problem try Nux vomica 6c (poison nut): one pellet every 12 hours for three days. For poorly nourished dogs, try Silicea 6c (silicon dioxide/tissue salt): one pellet every 12 hours for three days. Withhold food 10 minutes before and after these treatments.
I have all over the Internet and it says that prunes are toxic to dogs. Causes kidney disease?? Please clear this up for me???
Hi Lynn,
Great question, I am sure other dog owners are curious as well. To the best of my knowledge and research, prunes are not toxic to dogs. It is the prune seed that should be avoided as it contains minute amounts of cyanide, which is not healthy for pets.
Yours in good pet health,
Dr. Carol
You stated…Remedy #2: For small dogs, soak four pitted prunes in water and mix into a bowl of oatmeal with two tablespoons of milk
1- Is that uncooked oat meal + milk or cooked +milk?
2- wouldnt milk tend to constipate vs using water or soymilk?
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How much Psyllum?
Hi Marina,
If your dog is mildly constipated try adding a teaspoon of vegetable oil per 20 pounds of body weight to the food.
Regarding your specific question, the oatmeal is cooked, then Milk is added. This would not cause constipation. Most dogs don’t drink milk regularly, so the milk actually induces defecation. In pets with lactose intolerance it can cause diarrhea. The amount of Psyllum used would correlate with the dogs body weight.
I hope this information is somewhat helpful.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Carol
My dog will not eat the things that could help him he eats chicken and ground beef period! He rarely will eat dog food should I put some pumpkin in his food . He is old and does not walk as much He does not try to go
You can certainly give that a try, we would recommend Dr.Carols Probiotics, and Digest-Zymes. This will help his gut to break down food better, which will help prevent re-occurring constipation problems. I would also advise taking him to your vet to see if something else could be the cause for the problem.
My dog hasn’t gone poop for 3 days I have tried just about everything. Would it be safe to give him baby food prunes?
Hi Sheryl,
Prunes won’t hurt your dog, but please see your vet if he doesn’t defecate immediately please see your vet as he
likely needs fluids and an enema.
Thank you Dr carol