Constipation in Dogs

Dogs can get constipation and are as likely to suffer as much as humans. The only issue is that they can’t tell us when they’re having trouble going to the toilet. As a doggy owner, it’s important to be able to recognise when our beloved pets may be struggling with their digestion.

Keeping an eye out for the more subtle symptoms of constipation means you may be able to save your pup from any lengthy unnecessary toileting issues. The earlier you notice that they’re having issues, the sooner you can step in and help them out.

There are several causes of constipation in dogs. It can be as simple as a lack of fibre in their diet or as worrisome as foreign objects in their stomach.

If a dog doesn’t have enough dietary fibre, their digestive system may struggle to move waste through their body. Fibre is important in food digestion, so you should make sure they have enough in their diets and if it’s a recurring issue, it might be time to switch up their foods. Food intolerances can also impact digestive health so feeding ingredients they’re sensitive can cause them to get blocked up.

Sometimes if a dog overgrooms itself, they can have too much hair sitting in their stomach making it hard for anything else to pass through. Similarly, if they swallow anything they shouldn’t like toys, bedding or even stones then this can cause a blockage that may need surgery to remove.  

Dehydration and blocked anal glands can also cause them to struggle to go to the toilet too.

It’s important to know your pup’s toileting preferences so you can keep an eye on them and make sure their motions are healthy. It might be easier to understand their habits on a walk compared to toileting in the garden unsupervised. Some signs to look out for are:

If you think your pup is having some minor difficulties going to the toilet, you can add more fibre to their diet in the form of a supplement.

It’s important to note if you’re canine companion hasn’t gone to the toilet in two days, you should seek advice from your vet.

Vets can recommend supplements and offer laxative treatments to relieve their discomfort quickly and easily. To prevent ongoing issues, they may need a change of diet to make sure it’s not a common occurrence.

If you suspect your pup has swallowed anything they shouldn’t have, especially if they’re items that are likely going to be too big to pass on their own, getting them to a vet as quickly as possible will help your vet treat them to the best of their ability.

Johnsons Diagel Digestive Support Granules For Dogs is an example of a stool softener that can be bought over the counter if you think your pup is struggling to go to the toilet. Sometimes they just need a little bit of extra help to start going to the toilet again and get back on track.

The digestive support granules are a dual action treatment that can both help diarrhoea and constipation in our beloved pets. The nutritional fibre contained in the treatment helps to bind loose stools while if the issue is constipation, it will lubricate stools to help with elimination. It supports healthy digestion to get your pup feeling better in no time.

If after you treat them with digestive support you see no improvement, you should seek out the advice of your vet.

VetIQ Stool Firm-UM is a digestive aid that uses pumpkin puree to help in keeping their gut health in tiptop condition. Since fibre is the key ingredient for helping your pooch to pass healthy stools, using a stool firming supplement can also help them to pass stools that they may be having difficulty passing.

For everything you need to keep your four legged friend’s digestive health in peak condition and all of your other doggy essentials, check out our wide range of stock in store or online.