Dog Constipation Remedies
There are so many human ailments that dogs experience, too. One of them is constipation. Fortunately, it is easy to cure with many of the same remedies that we would use if we were having the same problem.
What makes a dog constipated?
Oftentimes, it’s just a matter of your dog having to “hold it” too long. A dog that has to wait long hours before relieving himself will experience constipation symptoms as a result of their stool drying out and hardening over time.
Another reason is that your dog may not be getting enough fiber and water in their diet. Sound familiar?
Still another reason for constipation in dogs is a general lack of exercise.
Curing Dog Constipation
Exercise
Dog exercise cures a large variety of ills, but when it comes to constipation, it helps in two ways.
- Short walks around the block give your dog quite a few chances to relieve himself.
- The movement that exercise creates stimulates the intestines and allows the waste to move through your dog’s system faster.
Change Up Your Dog’s Diet
If your pooch is frequently suffering, then adding fiber will ease the symptoms. Fiber bulks up the stool, makes it softer and easier to pass. A dog that has more frequent bowel movements will never have to worry about being constipated in the first place!
If you don’t want to start buying new food, try a few of these easy fixes:
- Mix some bran cereal in with your dog’s food. We all know how well this stuff works for getting things to start moving down below. Canned pumpkin also works wonders.
- If the constipation is quite infrequent, give your dog a little milk in a bowl. Usually milk causes diarrhea in dogs, but when your dog is constipated, it will have the same effect as laxatives do for humans.
Keep The Water Coming
A lot of times, constipation is a result of your dog not getting enough water. Lack of water causes your dog’s stool to harden, which makes it much more difficult to pass. Introducing more water into your dog’s diet is also essential if you are adding more fiber to his diet.
Common dog constipation should only last for a day or so, if you’ve tried the above remedies and your pup still isn’t getting relief, it’s time to call the vet. Long-term constipation could be a sign that there’s something more serious going on within your furry baby’s body.