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If you've ever had a dog with digestive problems, you will soon become more familiar with their toilet habits than you ever really wanted to be. Dogs tend to have bowel movements at least once a day, after they eat, or 10 to 20 minutes into a walk, with a minimum of squatting. If this isn't happening, your dog may be constipated.

Catching problems early can allow you to successfully use a home remedy, saving your dog a great deal of discomfort and embarrassment, and possibly eliminating the need for a costly trip to the vet. Especially as your dog ages, it is worth it to keep an eye on when, how and where your dog goes to head off problems before they become severe.

If your dog isn't 'going', but is eating well and doesn't appear to be in any discomfort, here are some things you can try:

- Pumpkin
Pumpkin is the great digestive cure-all for dogs, treating diarrhea, Coprophagia (stool eating) and constipation. Depending on the severity of the problem and the size of the dog, a teaspoon to a half-cup mixed in with a smaller than usual serving of food may do the trick. And the pumpkin is generally very easy to see in the grass, once things start happening!

- Vegetables
Especially if constipation is starting to be a reoccurring problem, try adding vegetables to every meal. According to raw food proponents, veggies grown above ground are loosening, veggies grown below are binding - so try green beans and/or peas. Make sure the vegetables are lightly cooked and/or pureed so your dog gets the full benefit of the nutrients - a dog's digestive system can't breakdown a plant's cellular walls.

- Talk a long, gentle walk
Most dogs naturally 'go' when they have walked 10 to 20 minutes - the motion stimulates the colon and nature takes it's course. So if your dog is physically able (not too overweight or in any discomfort from being constipated), try taking them for a walk - and make it a part of your regular routine.

- Water
If you are feeding only dry food, if you have moved or changed your source of water, your dog may may be dehydrated. Trying adding water to their food - even dry food becomes much more interesting if you soak it in hot water (the smell can be over-powering), just make sure the food has cooled to body temperature before you feed your dog.

If your water supply has changed, (my city dogs refuse to drink well-water) try offering bottled or distilled water - if you're planning on traveling, take a jug of water from home.

Long-term Cures for Constipation When It's Becoming

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