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Constipation in a
dog is a nuisance just as it is for a human, but
there are plenty of dog constipation home remedy options
to choose from.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation is not a disease, but a symptom that
something is wrong in the digestive system.
Matter does not pass through the colon and get expelled
at the rear end as easily as it should. This can lead
to pain, discomfort and toxicity in the colon.
The first thing to recognize is that a dog (just like
a human) is not necessarily constipated if he does not
poop every day. However, if he seems to have trouble,
if it is painful, or if his feces are small, hard and
dry, then this probably needs some attention.
Cause
Constipation in dogs can be caused by several factors.
1. Poor diet
A diet
of cooked, processed, canned meat is not always the
best thing for a dog. Especially bad for the dog is
feeding him scraps from the dinner table or 'treats'
like chocolate. Cut them out and try feeding him more
raw meat and even raw vegetables for a while.
Also, be sure that he always has plenty of fresh
water to drink. If you use dried dog foods, try moistening
them with water before giving them to the dog.
2. Insufficient exercise
A dog needs to be walked twice a day to stay healthy.
A younger dog can be helped through most digestive
problems by being encouraged to run and fetch. An
older dog may not be up to such strenuous exercise.
Still, a twice-daily walk should help, even if it
is slow.
3. Not going out when he wants to
If a well-trained dog is not able to go outside when
he needs to poop, he will try to contain himself and
this can lead to problems. Ignoring signals like this
means that the reflex system gets weaker. So try to
take your dog out immediately after his morning and
evening meals, when he most needs it.
4. Other medical problems
Constipation can be caused by other medical problems
or the medication that is used to treat them. If your
dog is on medication, discuss the problem with your
veterinarian to see what can be done.
Remedies
With a good diet and plenty of exercise, a dog's
metabolic system should regulate itself within a few
days. However, if diet and exercise fail to solve
the problem, consider one of these remedies.
Bran - add 1-2 teaspoons of bran to his meal. Alternatively,
use psyllium, which can be less irritating for the
digestive system. Like bran, this is a natural fiber
which will bulk out the dog's food and help the stool
to pass more easily.
Mineral oil - this is a laxative and should not be
used for more than a few days, but it may help to
get your dog's system working again. Use 1-3 teaspoons
in each meal, depending on the size of dog.
If the problem persists despite these dog constipation
home remedy ideas, or if you notice that the dog is
lethargic, has lost his appetite or has blood in his
stools, consult with your veterinarian.
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