Dog constipation can be an uncomfortable and painful condition for your pet. Just like humans, there are dogs who have a tendency to become constipated. However, once constipation has been identified, it is usually relatively simple to treat. There are both medications and natural remedies for dog constipation.
How Do You Know If Your Dog Has Constipation?
If your dog is constipated, you will probably notice that he or she has difficulty passing feces. The feces are small and very dry. You may also notice blood in the feces or bleeding from the rectum.
Dog Constipation Treatment
Mild constipation can be treated at home. The usual way is to give the dog more fiber in food, just as you would with a human.
Canned pumpkin is very effective in treating dog constipation. Be sure to get the unsweetened kind. Most dogs will like the taste if you serve it along with their regular food and they don’t need much. 1 tablespoon twice a day is enough for a small dog (under 25 pounds), 2 tablespoons for a dog weighing 25-50 pounds and 3 tablespoons for a large dog (over 50 pounds).
If your dog is prone to constipation, you should probably add fiber to the diet all of the time, not only when constipation appears. Some grated vegetables or canned pumpkin can be added to the main meal of the day.
Another source of fiber is psyllium husks which are sold in health food stores and can be used for treating constipation in humans too. You may find it under the brand name Metamucil (R). Do not use sweetened or flavored varieties.
To give psyllium, sprinkle a little on the dog’s food either once or twice a day, from a quarter teaspoon for a very small dog to 1 whole teaspoon for a large dog. Be sure that water is freely available to a dog who is taking psyllium because it absorbs a lot of water in the stomach.
Milk gives many dogs diarrhea and therefore some owners give milk to constipated dogs. In most cases, this is not an ideal solution. The dog may be allergic to lactose, causing not only diarrhea but perhaps other symptoms too. If you do want to try milk, give it one time only, just a quarter cup to half cup depending on the size of the dog.
Mineral oil is frequently used to lubricate the digestive system, although it can deplete the dog’s stores of vitamin A and other essential nutrients so it should not be used for more than 7 days and some vets do not recommend it at all. Mineral oil is almost tasteless so you can just mix it with a little food and the dog will eat it. The dosage is from 1 teaspoon for a very small dog, to 4 teaspoons for a large dog, twice daily.
If your dog is not eating, or if your dog’s constipation continues despite treatment or recurs after treatment stops, it is important to see a vet to rule out other problems. Constipation can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as hernia or intestinal obstruction. In some cases these require surgery. Do not assume that dog constipation is always a minor condition.
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Dog allergies are probably as common as allergies in humans. Allergic reactions in dogs usually produce the same range of symptoms, too. The most common reaction in a dog is itchy skin that will lead him to scratch constantly. However, they may have respiratory reactions such as coughing or sneezing, or digestive symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.
An allergy is simply a hypersensitive reaction to a substance that is usually considered harmless. It happens when something that most animals would not have a problem with, triggers an immune system response in a particular dog. Sometimes a pet can become allergic to something that never gave him a problem in the past. Often this is because he has been over exposed to it for a while. This happens in humans too.
The following are the main things that can cause dog allergies and how to deal with them to avoid having your pet suffer.
1. Flea allergies
While of course fleas always cause discomfort and scratching, sometimes a dog will develop an allergy to the saliva of the flea. This makes the bites intensely itchy and can cause the dog to start chewing his skin.
The remedy for this is to get rid of the fleas and protect your dog from these parasites in the future. It is not possible to stop your pet from encountering fleas because they can be found in all the places he likes to go when you take him walking, as well as when he meets other dogs. So do not wait for the fleas to become a problem, but treat him every couple months whether he seems to be scratching or not.
2. Food allergies
Dog food allergies are very common, especially as a result of built up intolerance to ingredients used in most dog foods including dairy products, soy, corn or even beef or chicken. You will need to change the dog’s regular food. You may need to try several different brands until you identify one that does not cause a problem. The allergy may disappear after around 6 months and at that point you can rotate foods every few months to prevent another intolerance from building up.
3. Contact allergies
Just like many children, dogs can become allergic to household products that come in contact with their skin. This could be the detergent that is used to wash their bedding, a spray that you use in the house, something they come into contact with in the yard, or plants that you have in the house or garden.
The symptoms of contact dog allergies are often a lot like eczema in humans. The dog will usually develop dry, red, itchy patches of skin. The skin may form blisters or become cracked.
If you can identify what is causing the problem, you may be able to remove the irritant from the dog’s life. If not, your pet can be treated for contact dog allergies with oral steroids or shampoos prescribed by your vet.
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It is very important that you select a dog food that will give your dog the nutrition that it needs. With all the big name brands and high price advertising you get bombarded with every day it can be difficult to determine what the best dog food is for your beloved furry friend.
Most dog food manufacturers make food for specific age ranges of dogs, and the food you buy for an older dog is not usually suitable for a puppy. Proper nutrition is vital to the health of your dog and its happiness, and it is essential that your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals that it needs for a healthy life.
Here’s a list of some of the essential vitamins and minerals that your dog food should have to give your dog a more healthy diet…
Vitamins A, D, E, B-complex, Biotin, Calcium, Choline, Copper, Folic Acid, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Niacin, Manganese, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium Chloride and Zinc.
Of course, that is not all, but they are certainly ingredients that you should be looking to find in your dogs food. Giving your dog fresh meat with some vegetables and grain included is a healthy natural diet that many dog experts believe is better than anything you can buy from the store.
There are also some excellent ebooks and other information online about making your own dog food where you can be assured that your dog will get all the best ingredients needed for all-around health and nutrition. This can be a cost effective method of feeding your dog without being concerned that the dog might not be receiving all the ingredients it should for a healthy happy life.
One of the best ebooks I have ever found on the subject of dog food is Dog Food Secrets. In it he reveals why you are killing your dog with commercial dog food and how to prevent it.
Also, remember that if your dog has any specific health problems, they need to be addressed when determining what the best food is for your dog. A consultation with your veterinarian or a dog food expert should be done to see if there are any special food requirements your dog needs or determine any problems that certain foods might create for your dog.
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