Seeing your trusty canine companion strain and squirm while trying to pass his bowel can be a hurtful sight. Who would want their dog to feel pain in trying to pass the waste in their body? To help you remedy your dog’s constipation problems without having to bring them directly to the vet, here are a few tips to prevent dog constipation as well as cure your dog’s constipation.
Like humans, the first thing to look at when your dog is constipated is his diet. Is he eating the right food? Does he receive sufficient and balance food and nutrition. A dog should have at least 7 to 13 percent fiber in his daily diet. Fiber, both in dogs and humans, help the body easily digest the food, absorb the food’s nutrients as well as pass the waste. Make sure that your dog gets enough fiber in his diet. A sudden change in your dog’s diet can also trigger his constipation. If you want to change your dog’s diet, you may want to do it gradually so as to prevent any constipation. Examine your dog’s food nutrition facts and avoid the following ingredients: glyceryl monostearate, maltodextrins & fermentation soluble, phosphoric acid, corn gluten, propylene glycol, wheat gluten, brewers rice, animal fat, potato product, animal digest, corn syrup and chicken byproduct meal.
Insufficient or inadequate hydration can also be a reason why your dog is having problems with his feces. Not enough water can make it difficult to pass dog’s waste out of his system. Make sure that your dog has access to plenty of water. Make sure that you give him fresh water everyday, replacing and replenishing it throughout the day. If he doesn’t drink much you may want to add a little water to what he is eating to add liquid into his system.
Another reason why your dog may be having waste problems is his lifestyle. He may have a sedentary lifestyle, where he is often kept inside the house with no garden or yard to play into. Lack of exercise can affect your dog’s digestion and waste removal. Make sure you take him on walks everyday and let him play around a bit. Exercising your dog can be a great way to keep him healthy and prevent constipation problems.
You can also try administering Metamucil to your dog. Depending on your dog’s size, you can give him one half teaspoon to two teaspoons twice a day. Remember to add the Metamucil and water to his food. You can also add one tablespoon of olive oil to your dog’s diet a couple of times in a week. While most pets are lactose intolerant, milk may be a good solution to their constipation. Small dogs can be given 1/8 cup of milk two times a day while big dogs can be given 1/2 cup of milk twice a day. Once the constipation is over you can stop giving milk gradually. If all this fails bring your dog to the veterinarian to be given proper treatment and medication and to rule out any other diseases.
