Is your four-legged bestie not having proper bowel movement? Does he or she look uncomfortable: he/she strains, crouches and/or cries while trying to poop, then it is because he/she is constipated. Worry not. Instead try these home remedies for constipation in dogs.
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In dogs, constipation is common, but that does not make it less difficult. The absence or infrequency of bowel movements is uncomfortable for them, and can cause pain.
Suggested read: Poop Problem? Say Bye Bye To Constipation With These Natural Home Remedies!
Symptoms of constipation
The common symptoms of constipation in dogs are,
- Dry stools
- Hard stools
- Passing mucus while defecating or trying to defecate
According to Cesar’s way,
“If your dog has not defecated in two or more days, this is often a telltale sign that she is suffering from constipation. Additional indications of constipation include straining, crouching, or whimpering while trying to defecate. Grass particles, string, or matted feces around the anal area may also be signs of constipation in your dog.”
Causes of constipation
The causes of constipation in dogs include,
- Inadequate fiber intake
- Blocked anal sacs
- Dehydration
- Obesity
- Inflamed prostate gland
- Orthopedic problems
- Side effects of a particular medication
- Lack of exercise
The other causes of constipation are,
- Tangled hair around the anal area due to lack of grooming
- Tumors on the anus
- Tumors within the rectum
- Trauma around the pelvic area or the pelvis
- Neurological disorders
- Swallowed items caught in the abdominal tract
Usually pets that are a little older have difficulty in pooping, and so they might be more prone to constipation.
The home remedies will treat your dog’s constipation, and ensure that large amounts of feces do not get packed in his or her colon, because this might cause lethargy, loss of hunger, unproductive straining and even vomiting.
There are many medicines that you can give your dog for the constipation problems, but these easy natural treatments will ensure there are no side effects, and that the bowel movements become regular on a long term basis.
Home remedies for constipation in dogs
Here are 8 natural treatments for relieving your dog’s constipation.
1. Pumpkin
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The first remedy on our list on natural treatments for constipation in dogs is pumpkin. Pumpkins have great water content which will moisten the poop, and the fiber in it will create the pressure.
Pumpkins do the trick when it comes to constipated dogs because they are rich in fibers which are soluble. This fiber dissolves easy in water and forms a vicious gel. This gel gets coated, which then cures the bowel problem.
Also, the taste of pumpkins is loved by most dogs, and they are likely to eat the vegetable without making a fuss. Canned puree also works, but it is suggested you feed your dog fresh homemade pumpkin puree. Follow this dosage:
- If your dog weighs less than 15 pounds, then give 1 to 2 teaspoons.
- If your dog weighs 15 to 35 pounds, then give 1 to 2 tablespoons.
- If your dog weighs 35 pounds or more, then give 2 to 5 tablespoons depending on size.
A word of caution: Pumpkin pie is not an option in this case because the sugars and spices it contains will not help with the constipation.
2. Aloe Vera
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The next remedy on our list is aloe vera, which not only treats constipation in dogs, but also gives comfort to the stomach.
Aloe vera is succulent and so its juices benefit the digestive system. Not many people know this, but aloe vera is also great for cleansing the system.
Aloe vera will also give relief from all symptoms that are associated with constipation in dogs.
To use it as a remedy, extract aloe vera juice from a leaf of aloe vera. Mix half a teaspoon of the juice in your dog’s regular food.
You need to feed this to your dog two times a day.
Do consult a doctor before giving your pet aloe vera juice, as he or she might be allergic to it.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt contains digestive enzymes which give instant relief from constipation. It also contains probiotics, which will help with indigestion in dogs. Probiotics increase the good bacteria in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, which in turn, increases the fermentation of the food that is digested. This makes it easy to absorb and easy to pass through the colon for your pet.
You can follow this dosage:
- If your dog is small, then feed 1 to 2 teaspoons of yogurt
- If your dog is medium-sized, then feed 1 to 2 tablespoons of yogurt
- If your dog is large, then feed 2 to 4 tablespoons of yogurt
Suggested read: 16 Most Effective Home Remedies To Cure Your Loss Of Appetite
4. Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
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Another natural remedy you can try is olive or coconut oil. Add a teaspoon of the oil to your dog’s food to help him or her eliminate stool quickly the next morning.
Oils work as lubricants and provide instant relief to the pet.
The dosage again depends on the size of your pet. You should, in general, give your pet a teaspoon of olive or coconut oil in his or her regular food.
Also, do not give your dog too teaspoons of oil as it can induce diarrhea.
5. Ginger and Chicken Broth
The fifth remedy is chicken broth flavored with ginger. This can provide relief to your constipated pet in a jiffy, plus it is tasty, so there will be no fuss about the menu!
Also the broth relieves the dog’s digestive system in general and helps against dehydration.
To prepare the broth, bring some water to boil. In the pan, add some chicken bouillon cubes and one-fourth of a teaspoon of grated ginger. You need to cook the cubes until they dissolve in the water to form a broth. Remove it from the fire, and allow it to cool.
You should serve the broth to your dog in small amounts, thrice through the day. Also use boneless chicken.
6. Milk
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Next up on our list of natural treatments for constipation in dogs is milk. However, you need to first make sure that your pet is not allergic to milk or sensitive to it.
Milk works as a laxative for dogs, and causes intestinal motility so quickly that only in a few hours, your dog will be better than ever before!
To use it as a remedy, you should offer your pet half a cup of milk. You should serve it twice, but if your dog vomits the first time, then don’t serve it again.
Also, do not give your dog too many cups of milk as it can induce diarrhea.
7. Oats
The next beneficial natural treatment are oats. You can also give your pet wheat.
Both oats and wheat are high in fiber which makes them a great laxative, making the release of stool very easy and hassle free.
To use it as a remedy, all you have to do is add about a tablespoon and a half of bran to your pet’s regular food. This should, however, depend on the size of your dog. You can add bran to a food that is wet in nature, because bran absorbs water quickly, and so when your dog eats bran, it is drinking more water.
8. Figs
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The last remedy on our list today are figs that treat constipation not only in dogs but also in humans because they are rich in fiber.
Figs are also a rich source of potassium, which improves bowel movement.
For the remedy, you need to soak some dried figs in water. Leave them that way for a night, and next morning, pulverize them into a paste. Give one teaspoon of this paste to your dog two times a day, until the bowel movement is normal again.
You must not give your pet too many figs as it can cause diarrhea.
Suggested read: All You Need To Know About The Numerous Health Benefits Of Figs
Additional Tips
- Consult a vet and give your dog a medication to soften his or her stool.
- You need to increase the fiber intake of your dog. you can begin by feeding your do boiled veggies. Give him or her sweet peas, sweet potatoes and even green beans. However, before making any changes to your dog’s daily diet, you need to consult the vet.
- You SHOULD NOT give your dog human laxatives, as they can be very dangerous.
- You need to groom your dog. Trim the hair around his or her anus, so that it does not tangle to form a mass.
- If your dog is vomiting too, then you need to consult your vet immediately.
That is all we have on home remedies for constipation in dogs.
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Featured image source: Pixabay, under Creative Commons License
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