2023-05-10 06:30:00
Constipation is a major health issue that also affects dogs. Read here what you should definitely consider if your four-legged friend suffers from it.
Constipation, also known as constipation, can not only cause general discomfort – if left untreated, constipation can also lead to permanent health damage in dogs.
Symptoms: How can I recognize constipation in dogs?
On average, dogs do their big business once or twice a day, some more often, some less often. If that doesn’t happen for a day, don’t worry. Nevertheless, from now on you should observe your dog closely and, in an emergency, react competently to behavioral problems.
If you notice that your dog is experiencing pain and discomfort when passing their stools, or that their defecating is less frequent or very delayed, they are probably suffering from constipation. Chronic constipation can lead to the so-called megacolon, an irreversible, debilitating overexpansion of the large intestine. You can recognize constipation by the following symptoms:
- Attempts to defecate with no success.
- Little droppings that are dry and hard, you can sometimes see attached mucus.
- Pseudo-diarrhea: Excretion of bloody or mucous stool.
- You notice unusual tiredness and/or flatulence in your dog.
- The dog is sensitive to touches on the stomach.
Causes: What can cause constipation in dogs?
The reasons for constipation are varied and numerous: Even small changes in everyday life can cause constipation, but illnesses and the anatomical condition of your dog also play an important role. In old age or with a change in diet for other reasons, getting used to the change from soft to dry food can be the cause of constipation. You should allow at least two weeks for such a change. The most common causes of constipation are:
- Quick fix – a lack of fluid. Not only insufficient water intake, but also heavy sweating can lead to constipation in the long run. Older four-legged friends in particular run the risk of suffering from a deficiency and chronic constipation due to their declining kidney performance.
- Intestinal obstruction: In the worst case, the intestinal wall can break or tears can form. Common reasons for an intestinal blockage or narrowing are: eaten bones, swallowed foreign objects that cannot be digested such as plastic or paper, muscle disorders (paralysis or cramps), a disease-related narrowing of the colon wall or rectum.
- Reduced motility of the intestines, usually caused by functional disorders (low-fiber diet, lack of exercise, limited mobility due to pain or old age).
- Medicines that harden the stool, for example: painkillers, diuretics or iron supplements.
Diseases such as prostate enlargement, tumors or metabolic diseases (hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus) can cause constipation.
Pain that the dog feels in the area of the rectum: An injury to the anus can cause your dog to actively suppress defecation.
Therapy options: What to do against constipation in dogs?
If you notice constipation all over again, you can try to counteract it with home remedies. In any case, you should make sure that you give your dog enough opportunity to defecate during generous walks. Enough fresh water, which can stimulate digestion, should also be available to your darling at all times.
Adjusting the diet with lots of fiber, probiotics and prebiotics as well as suitable teas ensure a healthy intestinal flora and stimulate the intestinal function and thus digestion – fruit and vegetables with easily fermentable fiber, cereals and legumes are particularly suitable. We have put together a summary of the most effective remedies for you here:
- Fennel or chamomile tea in addition to water has a flatulent effect and promotes digestion.
- Probiotics like yogurt.
- Grains such as psyllium husk or flaxseed (example: mix 2-5 grams of flaxseed with water in a ratio of 1:10 daily).
- Legumes: black cumin oil, castor oil.
- Fruit: apple, apricot, pear, date.
- Vegetables: carrot, beans, green leafy vegetables, sauerkraut.
Constipation: when should I take my dog to the vet?
If you don’t see immediate success, but no improvement after three days at the latest, or you feel unsafe, consult a veterinarian. If your dog shows these symptoms, you should definitely arrange for veterinary treatment:
- Your dog has no appetite and is vomiting.
- The defecation causes him visibly pain.
If your dog defecates despite being constipated, be sure to take a stool sample. In any case, always keep an eye on your dog’s droppings – this way you can react quickly if irregularities occur and thus save your four-legged friend unnecessary suffering.
Prevention: How to prevent constipation
If your dog suffers from constipation more often, there are a few things you can consider:
- Exercise, exercise, exercise… Regardless of age, adequate exercise is fundamentally important for all dogs. Walks and play sessions not only keep the intestines fit and healthy, but also your dog.
- If your dog has been fed dry food so far, it would make sense to switch to BARF or soft food. If your dog needs special dry food, you can moisten it with a little water.
- Feed your dog fewer bones. If there is a bone for your darling, please only feed it raw. When boiled or fried, it no longer contains sufficient moisture and is difficult to digest. Also, in this condition, bones break more easily into sharp pieces that could injure the intestines.
- Increase your dietary fiber intake: feed cellulose and wheat bran are good and support bowel movements. Special high-fiber feed variants are also available on the market.
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