PET ARTICLES BLOG

Modern living seems to have caused a decline in our health and our dogs are suffering too. Dog constipation is just as uncomfortable and painful as it is in humans and has the potential to cause more serious diseases if not treated quickly. While it is possible that constipation is caused by something serious, it is more likely a poor diet, dehydration, or lack of exercise. This is why it's critical to recognize and treat dog constipation and ensure your dog's general health and wellbeing.

Traditionally constipation both in humans and animals gets treated with a laxative. However be aware that most doctors advise that relying too heavily on laxatives can bring about a slew of other medical complications, which may include the inability to expel waste in the future.
In nature, animals eat a diet high in protein. If they get an upset stomach, they are often seen consuming fiber, like grass. Unfortunately, most typical commercial dog foods are low in protein and fiber and high in wheat, corn, fillers and carbohydrates. Dogs in the wild do not eat bread! Domesticated dogs often have another unhealthy habit: they will eat just about anything, even items that are inedible.

The signs of a constipated dog are usually easy to spot, if you pay attention. A dog will not be able to eliminate, though he may continue to try. Eventually, he will become bloated and sluggish, less playful and less likely to eat. He may even become a little gassier, as the undigested food left in his intestine begins to ferment.

Taking steps to prevent constipation from ever occurring is usually the most advisable way to go by means of a healthy diet and enough water and exercise. At the point when your dog actually becomes constipated, it will be necessary to take more drastic action. The first thing is to boost your dog's water intake. One solution I have personally used included a couple cans of very high protein dog food with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. The results were messy but very effective! A change in diet to include more oil and protein is usually quite effective.

It is a good idea to give your dog a nice little tummy massage. This shouldn’t be anything too drastic. Don’t rub too hard and always rub downwards, towards the tail. This might help you detect such things as a hardened stool, in which case a doggie enema might be necessary. At any rate, making these modifications should give your dog some degree of relief from his discomfort.

To reiterate, dealing with canine constipation is important. Prevention is clearly best, but should your best buddy be unable to eliminate, it's necessary to deal with the problem immediately, usually with a change in diet and in increase in water and exercise. Should these tactics prove to be inadequate, you may need to pay an emergency visit to your vet.