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Constipation in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms & What Helps Against It

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If constipation in the dog only occurs occasionally and temporarily, there is usually no reason to worry. The digestive disorder, also known as constipation in medical terms, can also become chronic. In this case, quick help from the veterinarian is necessary to avoid incurable late effects. You can find out here how you can recognize in good time if your dog has problems defecating and what you can do about it.

If your dog is constipated, it will have trouble passing its stools. Digested food backs up and becomes concentrated in the large intestine, making it increasingly difficult and painful to pass out.

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Dog Constipation Prognosis

Sometimes constipation resolves on its own and the dog quickly recovers from the rigors of indigestion. If your dog’s constipation persists for a longer period, a visit to the vet is recommended. Do not wait too long, otherwise, constipation can overstretch the intestinal wall and trigger so-called megacolon.

The intestinal wall overstretching cannot be reversed and permanently disturbs the digestion of the four-legged friend. The earlier the symptoms are recognized and the causes found and treated, the greater the chances of recovery.

Symptoms: This is How Constipation in Dogs Becomes Noticeable

If your dog keeps crouching down to defecate while walking, but nothing comes out, then he is suffering from constipation. There may also be some feces, but these are very hard and dry. Sometimes so-called pseudo diarrhea can also occur; the animal excretes mucus and blood.

Other accompanying symptoms are severe abdominal pain, sometimes colic,  flatulence, and “sledding” – the dog lets its buttocks drag across the floor, as is often the case with anal gland inflammation.

Constipation is generally associated with pain and discomfort for your four-legged friend. This can manifest itself in a lack of appetite, lack of drive, and other abnormalities in dog behavior.

Possible Causes of Indigestion

Constipation in dogs can have a wide variety of causes: from the wrong diet and too little exercise to insufficient care and deeper-lying diseases. Common feeding mistakes include not drinking enough water and eating too much bone. The latter can happen with the wrong BARF.

If your dog gets a lot of dry food and this is not compensated with an increased amount of water, this can also lead to constipation. Insufficient grooming, especially in long-haired dogs, can ensure that the anus becomes smeared and the feces can no longer get out so easily.

Too little exercise leads to constipation – the digested food is no longer transported properly, builds up in the large intestine, and becomes more and more solid. In turn, there can be various reasons for the lack of exercise: the duration and number of walks may be too short, there is a lack of species-appropriate dog sports or the four-legged friend has difficulties moving. This is the case, for example, with obesity, but also with joint pain, hip problems, arthrosis, rheumatism, and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Inflammation & Other Diseases as a Cause of Constipation in Dogs

Inflammation and abscesses in the anal region can also make defecation difficult and painful for your dog. The four-legged friend then “holds back” to avoid the pain of defecation. However, as a result, the digested food builds up in the intestines – a blockage occurs and the pain only gets worse.

The same happens when foreign bodies such as small swallowed objects or hair cause an intestinal blockage or when a tumor in the anal region prevents digested food from being excreted. Chronic diseases such as hypothyroidism are also often associated with constipation.

Side Effects of Medication & Mental Stress as Triggers

Some medications cause constipation in dogs as a side effect, such as dehydration pills, which are common for dogs with heart problems. Certain painkillers and sedatives as well as anti-allergic drugs also affect digestion.

In addition, mental problems can throw the dog’s digestion out of balance, for example, if your four-legged friend’s daily routine changes suddenly or he is in a completely foreign environment. That can quickly upset your stomach.

Home Remedies: Treat & Prevent Constipation in Dogs

The right dog food and enough liquid are of particular importance for a dog to be able to get rid of constipation. Dietary fibers in the form of raw fibers play an important role in dog nutrition. They stimulate intestinal activity and improve stool consistency. You should also give your loved one plenty of water to drink. Avoid bones for dog feeding and give your four-legged friend nibble sticks or soft chewing bones made of buffalo skin for dental care.

Mild laxatives such as lactulose or psyllium husks can also help to quickly soften the congested feces in the intestine so that the four-legged friend can excrete it. Flaxseed and bran also serve this purpose. Dose these home remedies sparingly and carefully. If in doubt, consult your vet first.

What Else Helps Against Constipation in Dogs

In addition to high-fiber dog food and plenty of water, exercise can also help relieve constipation. Half an hour to a full hour after the meal, you should walk your dog to help the intestinal activity.

However, if your dog doesn’t feel like exercising, and seems apathetic and listless, a serious illness can be behind it. Your pet may have eaten something untoward that got stuck in its intestines. Make sure to get this checked out by the vet as soon as possible. Even if the constipation is still there after two days, you should go to the vet.

Dog is Constipated: What Does the Vet Do?

The veterinarian will first talk to you in detail and then conduct various examinations to find out what is causing indigestion. Depending on the diagnosis, he then initiates the appropriate treatment.

Possible examination options include an examination of the large intestine (colonoscopy) or the removal of a tissue sample. If an ultrasound or X-ray examination reveals that a foreign body or tumor is blocking the intestine, an operation is usually unavoidable. Severe dehydration (dryness) of the body may require the veterinarian to give fluids intravenously.

If the constipation is not chronic, you can also ask your vet about homeopathic remedies. Here, for example, Nux vomica D6, Bryonia D6 or Graphites D12 come into question, which can be given to support the treatment.

Mary Allen

Written by Mary Allen

Hello, I'm Mary! I've cared for many pet species including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, and bearded dragons. I also have ten pets of my own currently. I've written many topics in this space including how-tos, informational articles, care guides, breed guides, and more.

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