How can I tell if my puppy is constipated?

Your dog is probably constipated if they aren’t pooping at all or at all less than usual. If they do poop, it will be painful for your dog to pass the small, dry, hard stool as it is.

Most dogs urinate 1-3 times daily, frequently after eating. Normal stool is soft but still holds its form. Constipation is uncommon in dogs, but often easy to treat. It can also be mild or severe.

A condition known as obstipation, in which defecation is impossible, can result from severe constipation. Prolonged or repeated obstipation can lead to megacolon. The colon wall muscles in this condition become permanently stretched and are unable to function normally.

What you need to know about canine constipation, from symptoms and causes to home remedies and when to see a vet, is provided below.

After your dog eats, the food enters their digestive tract. The stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (also known as the colon) are the primary digestive organs.

One of the final stages of digestion is the colon. It receives chyme (a mass of mostly digested food and digestive juices) from the small intestine, and as the feces move toward the rectum, it absorbs electrolytes and water from the mass. Natural lubrication and the rhythmic contraction of the colon wall muscles help the mass move through the colon.

The colon will continue to absorb the salts and water from the fecal material if it travels slowly. Your dog develops constipation as a result of the smaller, drier feces that are harder for the colon to pass.

The simplest sign to spot is your dog struggling to urinate, but this is easily confused with other issues like diarrhea and difficulty urinating.

Call an emergency veterinarian right away if you notice that your dog is having a medical emergency and is unable to urinate.

Your dog may become lethargic, stop eating, or start vomiting as constipation worsens. Call an emergency veterinarian as soon as you notice any of these symptoms.

Constipation in dogs is most commonly caused by indigestible foods that get stuck in the colon and stop feces from moving forward. Other reasons for constipation include:

Your initial thought might be to treat your dog’s constipation at home. But occasionally your dog might require a trip to the veterinarian. Here are some recommendations for how to properly treat your dog.

What Are The Most Common Causes of Constipation in Dogs?

Some of the most typical causes of a dog’s constipation include ingested toys, gravel, plants, dirt, and bones caught in the intestinal tract.

Inactivity, too much fiber in the diet, and even illnesses that cause dehydration can all cause your dog to become constipated. Constipation in dogs can occasionally be brought on by clogged, infected, or enlarged anal sacs or prostate glands.

If there is a lot of hair in the stool or matted hair around the anus, even excessive self-grooming or a lack of it can cause a dog to become constipated.

Other causes of constipation in dogs include:

An adverse reaction to a medication can be the underlying cause

An orthopedic problem that causes pain during a bowel movement

Changing your dog’s diet suddenly or trying new foods

Disorders of the nervous system as well as obstructions by tumors on the anus or within the rectum

A painful abdomen injury or pelvic trauma that causes discomfort when the dog is passing feces

How can I tell if my dog is constipated?

The majority of dogs urinate at least once daily, and many of them have bowel movements that correspond to the number of meals they receive each day. If your dog is constipated, he or she will likely make several unsuccessful attempts to pass feces. Your dog may be seen repeatedly circling, scooting (dragging its bottom along the ground), squatting, or in more severe cases, even crying out. Other clinical symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, small amounts of watery or mucus-containing feces (without a typical bowel movement), and weight loss. If you press on a constipated dog’s stomach or lower back, they may cry or growl and have a tense, painful abdomen.

If your dog doesn’t have a bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours of a previous bowel movement, call your veterinarian.

A physical examination and medical history will be used to diagnose the majority of cases. Your dog’s veterinarian will likely feel a firm, enlarged colon while inspecting your dog’s abdomen. He or she might perform a rectal examination to rule out tumors, foreign objects, other abnormalities, and rectal strictures (a narrowing of the exit passage brought on by a prior issue). Abdominal radiographs (X-rays) are frequently taken to assess the degree of constipation and identify any obstructions. To check for infection or dehydration, blood tests and urinalysis are helpful. An abdominal ultrasound may, in severe cases, assist in determining what is causing your dog’s constipation. If a rectal mass or stricture is suspected, biopsies may also be suggested.

Most cases of constipation are relatively easy to treat. The impacted, hardened fecal matter must be first removed or made more manageable. Enemas, manual removal, and medication are some of the therapies that can be used to remove something, either alone or in combination. Drugs like lactulose (brand names: Cephulac®, Kristalose®, Generlac®, Constulose®, Enulose®) and dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) are frequently prescribed. Drugs like cisapride (brand names: Prepulsid®, Propulsid®) or tegaserod may be suggested when stimulant laxatives are necessary.

Some dogs might need to be admitted to a hospital for multiple enemas or to receive fluid replacement therapy to treat dehydration. More severe conditions might call for additional therapies, such as surgery or ongoing medical or dietary supervision. Depending on the specific cause of constipation in your pet, either a low- or high-fiber diet may be required. Dogs with psychological or behavioral causes of constipation may require medication or behavioral modification through training. After the constipation has been resolved, supplements like probiotics may be used.

When Can You Monitor Dog Constipation at Home?

Once you’ve followed the above instructions, you can treat mild constipation at home:

Try taking your dog on a long walk or more frequent walks. Exercise can stimulate the colon and may relieve constipation.

To increase hydration, try switching to canned food or adding water to kibble.

You can also add 100% canned pumpkin (not pie filling with other ingredients) or Metamucil to each meal. Canned pumpkin does not have as much relevant fiber as Metamucil or bran, but it is more readily available and can be sufficient for milder cases.

• Depending on your dog’s size, give 1-4 tablespoons of canned pumpkin per meal. Small breeds receive 1 TB, medium breeds receive 2-3 TB, and large breeds receive 4 TB.
• Metamucil: Ask your veterinarian how much to give your dog.

Do NOT try any of the following:

DO NOT give mineral oil or white petrolatum to your dog. These unflavored items can be easily inhaled, leading to fatal aspiration pneumonia.

DO NOT use any over-the-counter enemas, unless specifically instructed by your veterinarian. Many common human enemas are toxic to dogs.

Giving your dog coconut oil or olive oil is also not recommended. Inappropriate amounts can lead to pancreatitis, bloat, vomiting, or diarrhea. Talk to your veterinarian first.

FAQ

What does a constipated puppy look like?

Your dog may be seen repeatedly circling, scooting (dragging its bottom along the ground), squatting, or in more severe cases, even crying out. Other clinical symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, small amounts of watery or mucus-containing feces (without a typical bowel movement), and weight loss.

What helps a constipated puppy?

1. Canned pumpkin.
2. Bran cereal.
3. Metamucil, Siblin, or a similar product.
4. Canned dog food to increase moisture.
5. Exercise.
6. Extra water.
7. Enemas.

Is constipation common in puppies?

While it is undoubtedly not normal for a puppy to become constipated, it can occur quite frequently, especially given that they have a propensity to swallow objects that can cause obstruction.

What happens when puppies constipated?

Constipation that persists can make a puppy lose weight or not gain it properly, as well as cause them to lose their appetite. If the condition persists for a prolonged period of time, the puppy’s intestinal lining may become inflamed, which prompts the release of mucus or a murky liquid along with the feces.