Canine Constipation Can Be Traumatic - What You Can Attempt To Minimize Your Dog's Discomfort

It seems that the human race is being affected by an epidemic of poor health, so it should come as no great surprise that man's best friend is as well. Just as in humans, canine constipation can be quite uncomfortable and even painful, potentially causing other more severe issues, like bowel blockages. While it is likely that canine constipation is caused by something serious, it is more likely a poor diet, dehydration, or lack of exercise. However, treating dog constipation and making sure your dog can eliminate regularly is critical for a dog's general wellbeing.

Usually, constipation in humans or animals is treated with a laxative. Doctors warn, however, that over reliance on laxatives can cause a series of other health problems, for example the inability to eliminate in the future, as the body becomes adapted to a laxative and simply cannot eliminate properly without it.

In nature, animals, including dogs, eat a diet high in protein. If they get an upset stomach, they are often seen consuming fiber, like grasses. Unfortunately, most regular commercially available dog foods are deficient in protein and fiber and also high in wheat, corn, fillers and carbohydrates. Dogs in the wild do not eat bread, it's that simple. Domesticated dogs often have another unhealthy habit, they will eat just about anything, even items that are inedible!

Indications of canine constipation are usually not hard to notice, if you pay attention. A dog will not be able to eliminate, though he could continue to try. Eventually, he will become bloated and sluggish, less playful and less likely to eat. He might even become a bit gassier, as the undigested food left in his gut begins to ferment.

While precaution is usually the smartest route by means of a good diet, plenty of water and exercise, by the time your dog is constipated, it will be time to take more proactive measures. First, increase your dog's water consumption. One solution I have myself used included some cans of very high protein pet 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 often recommended to give your dog a nice little body rub. This shouldn't be anything too harsh. Don't rub too hard and always rub in a downwards direction, towards the tail. This might help you ascertain such things as a hardened stool, in which case a canine enema might be necessary. Anyhow, making these adjustments should have your dog with some comfort.

Again, handling 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 straight away, usually with a change in food and more water and exercise. If these methods be insufficient, more aggressive methods might need to be employed, including a trip to the vet before the problem becomes more serious.

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