Constipation is characterised by the infrequent passage of dry and hard stools, which can lead to discomfort. When bowel movements are delayed and faecal matter lingers in the colon for two to three days, the colon absorbs excessive moisture from the waste material. This process results in stools that are difficult to pass and can cause significant pain and straining during elimination.
Puppies may squat and strain without producing anything for a long time. If constipation lasts a while, the puppy might lose its appetite and not eat anything. While older dogs do not get constipated more often, it’s important to know how to treat it in your puppy and when to see the vet.
Also read: How to Keep Your Dog Healthy
Why Do Puppies Get Constipated?
Puppies can become constipated for several reasons, including swallowing objects. Some materials, like sand or cat litter, can make poop difficult to pass. Puppies often chew and swallow things they shouldn’t, like paper, sticks, grass, and cloth. These can form lumps that cause blockages. We would list some of the common reasons why puppies get constipated.
Poor Diet
For instance, when consumed in large quantities, rawhide chews can lead to digestive issues, resulting in constipation. Additionally, diets that lack adequate fibre can create stools that are not only smaller and denser but also sticky and challenging for dogs to pass comfortably.
Furthermore, it is important not to overlook hydration. When a puppy does not have access to clean water, dehydration can occur, often leading to the formation of harder stools. So, ensuring a balanced nutritional diet and adequate water intake is essential for maintaining digestive health in dogs.
Stress
Stress can significantly impact a puppy’s well-being, especially negatively, particularly regarding their bathroom habits. For instance, when puppies are placed in an unfamiliar environment, they may be scared and instinctively hold back from defecating, leading to constipation. This stress may manifest in other ways as well, as some puppies might develop a reluctance to eat or drink, which further leads to the issue of constipation. So, ensuring a puppy feels secure and relaxed in new settings can help mitigate these challenges.
Grooming Issues
Neglecting proper grooming, particularly for long-haired puppies, can lead to uncomfortable issues like constipation. Breeds such as Pomeranians are particularly susceptible to developing hairballs, and the fur can accumulate beneath the tail, becoming matted with faeces, which may result in anal inflammation and make the act of defecation painful for the puppy.
In more severe cases, these mats can create an external blockage that disrupts regular bowel movements. To help prevent such complications, it’s important to keep puppies well-groomed, ensuring that the anal area of long-haired dogs is regularly groomed to avoid the formation of mats.
Constipation in Adult Dogs
Adult dogs can also experience constipation due to many factors affecting puppies, but they have additional considerations as they mature. If your puppy faces digestive issues, it’s important to remain vigilant and informed about potential future challenges. As dogs age, their diets, activity levels, and overall health can contribute to gastrointestinal problems, making it essential to understand the various reasons behind constipation in adult dogs. Being proactive about dietary choices, hydration, and regular exercise can help prevent these issues as your pup grows.
- Prostatitis is when the prostate gets inflamed, and it can happen in unneutered male animals. This swelling can block the colon in the pelvic area. It’s important for intact males over 5 years old to have regular rectal exams for annual check-ups.
- Tumours in the prostate, rectum, or around the anal area can cause constipation.
- Constipation can be a sign of kidney disease or diabetes. In these conditions, the body produces a lot of urine, which makes the colon try to save water. This leads to dry stool and can cause constipation.
- Elderly dogs often have constipation. This can happen because they have weak abdominal muscles, exercise less, or eat the wrong diet.
Treatment
If your puppy hasn’t had a bowel movement in over two days, or if you notice your dog straining, crouching, or whining while trying to defecate, it’s crucial to contact your veterinarian without delay. These symptoms could mean that there are health issues that need immediate attention. Your vet will want to rule out conditions presenting similar signs, such as diarrhoea, intestinal obstruction, urinary tract infections, or back pain. During the visit, the veterinarian will conduct a comprehensive physical examination, which will be instrumental in determining the necessary diagnostic tests and the most appropriate course of action to ensure your puppy’s health and comfort.
Help From the Vet
Your veterinarian may give enemas or prescribe suppositories. If you need to use suppositories, ask the vet to show you how to insert them before you try it yourself. Letting the vet handle enemas is safer, as you might accidentally hurt the puppy. Often, a vet’s help is needed to empty a puppy’s colon, and the puppy might require sedation. Remember that if your dog is in pain, it may react with nips or bites, even if you are trying to help. If dehydration is part of the issue, your vet may suggest fluid therapy.
Home Treatment
To treat constipation in dogs, you need to focus on the specific cause. Generally, the treatment is similar to that for people. Feed your puppy a diet with 7% to 13% fibre (check the pet food label). Always encourage your puppy to drink plenty of water to be kept hydrated. Make sure your puppy gets regular exercise, like going for multiple 20-minute walks each day. Increasing playtime is also helpful. Here are some additional tips:
Adding natural fibre to diet: Psyllium fibre supplements and plain canned pumpkins are good sources of fibre that puppies usually enjoy. To help with regularity, add half a teaspoon to your small puppy’s food or about two tablespoons to a larger puppy’s meals each day. Use plain canned pumpkin, divide it into small portions on a cookie sheet or ice cube tray, and freeze it. You can then thaw these tasty pieces and treat them to your puppy.
Giving your puppy healthy chews: If your puppy enjoys vegetable snacks, provide them with a carrot or celery stick. These crunchy vegetables contain fibre and water, which can help with constipation and satisfy your puppy’s need to chew. Avoid giving your puppy bones or rawhide treats.
Also read: Best Vegetables for Dogs
Ways to Prevent Constipation
Constipation in puppies can often be prevented by following a few simple steps. First, give your puppy a balanced diet and plenty of water. Make sure your puppy gets enough exercise every day to help with digestion. Regular grooming is important, especially for long-haired breeds, and keep your puppy away from foreign objects they might chew on. If you notice your puppy straining or showing signs of constipation, act quickly to prevent it from worsening.
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