Is your puppy having difficulty pooping? Are his stools
hard or dry? Does he strain or cry when having a bowel
movement?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions,
you may have a constipated puppy on your hands.
Although true constipation in puppies isn't very common,
tiny and toy breeds seem to experience more than their fair
share of discomfort in this area.
As with many health issues, it's easier and better to
prevent constipation from happening, than it is to treat
it. However, as many people reading this are looking for
help with a puppy who is already constipated, I'll start
with the remedies!
Remedies for a constipated puppy
The first thing to do when your puppy is having difficulty
with constipation is to increase his fluid intake and his
exercise level. Both of these help to keep his digestive
system moving along.
If he's already straining unsuccessfully or is passing dry,
hard stools, you may well need to try some other options as
well. There are several different things you can add to his
diet (don't add them all at once though, pick one and try
that first!), that will help clear the 'log jam' inside
him. These include:
CANNED PUMPKIN - this should be plain pumpkin, not the
pie-filling variety. Add 1 tsp to 1 tbsp, depending on the
size of your puppy.
BRAN - you can use regular bran, or Metamucil, oat bran,
Grape Nuts and so on. Add 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp (depending on
size of pup) to his food.
OIL - extra oil in his food can help to soften your pups'
stools. 1/2 tsp of Olive Oil added to his meals is simple
and safe. You can try 1 - 2 tsp of Mineral Oil for more
stubborn constipation, but you need to be very careful
about his. Never use Mineral Oil for more than a day or two
as it can be harmful if used to excess.
MILK - dogs don't digest cows milk properly, and it would
normally cause diarrhea or loose stools in a puppy.
However, if your pup is constipated, a little cows milk
(1/4 to 1/2 cup depending on the size of your pup) added to
his food or water, may help get his bowels moving again.
OTC REMEDIES - never use a human constipation remedy for
your dog! There are some specific products available to
treat constipated dogs such as Laxatone to help with
constipation due to hairballs. There are also natural,
herbal remedies that keep bowel and digestive functions
healthy.
Common causes of dog constipation
There may be one, or several reasons, why your puppy is
constipated. Something simple like not drinking enough, or
being a 'couch potato' can make your pups' bowels
'sluggish'. Other possible causes for constipation in dogs
include :
Hairballs - these are more often seen in dogs with long
hair. Or in dogs who have allergies or skin conditions and
are constantly licking themselves.
Medicines - some medications can cause constipation in
dogs, anti-histamines are common culprits.
Medical Conditions - this isn't very common in puppies,
although a hernia or infection can sometimes be the
culprit. However in older dogs, conditions such kidney
disease or prostate problems can cause constipation.
Long Hair Around The Rectum - this is also sometimes called
'mechanical constipation', and it's basically an external
physical obstruction that causes your pup to be unable to
eliminate. If your puppy has long/thick hair, keep it
trimmed short around the anus so that this doesn't happen.
Sometimes a more serious cause of constipation can arise,
and this requires immediate veterinary attention.....
Ingesting Inappropriate Items - every puppy owner knows
that a pup will try to eat just about anything! And often
they succeed in swallowing something that is definitely not
meant to be eaten. In many cases, these 'foreign object'
pass through your pups' digestive tract fairly easily, and
come right out the other end. However, occasionally
something will get 'stuck' and can cause serious problems.
If your dog seems to be in pain when he strains to poop, if
he's vomiting or retching, his tummy is distended, or he
seems distressed (panting, pacing, whining, drooling etc.)
you need to seek veterinary help immediately. This sort of
blockage can be life-threatening. Don't try constipation
remedies if this happens, take your puppy straight to the
vet.
Once you've treated the constipation in your puppy, it's
important to take steps to make sure that this doesn't
become a regular condition.
Plenty of water and exercise are an important part of
keeping his digestive system healthy. You can add a herbal
supplement or pro-biotic to his food on a daily basis to
keep his bowels 'regular'.
For pups or dogs who seem to have regular problems with
constipation, there are some special dog foods that are
formulated to help with this. These contain more fiber than
the average food, and Hills Dog Food has two different
formulas available from most veterinary offices.
----------------------------------------------------
The author is a life long dog-lover and has many years of
experience in breeding, raising and training puppies.
Read the full article 'A Constipated Puppy', and find all
the tips and advice you need to raise a happy, healthy
puppy at http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com
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