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Constipation can be a difficult topic, even for your favorite four legged friend. Dogs with a healthy diet and lifestyle do not usually suffer from constipation but it can occur. A few good tips will help keep your dog on the right track.

Normally a dog that is well taken care of; healthy diet, plenty of exercise and water, seldom suffer from constipation. People might believe that a dog's digestive system is much different than ours yet many of the same remedies work equally well. For any dog that hasn't had a bowel movement in a 24 hour period simply feed a little Metamucil or oil, such as cod or liver, and it should clear up the problem. Extra fiber to help clear out the system is always a good idea. Oil helps aid any hard stool that may have built up to pass more easily.

Constipation that is still fairly recent, 24-48 hours, try the remedies above along with wet food. Make sure they have access to plenty of water and are still walking and moving around. Feeding the dog a small amount of pumpkin pie filling, only about a cup or two, should also aid getting his bowels moving in the right direction. Don't give him the whole can as that may cause diarrhea instead of just curing the constipation. Take him out for an extra walk to ensure he has had plenty of exercise.

After a couple of days with little or no result another remedy to try is a puppy enema. While most would probably prefer to leave this to a vet, it is quite possible to apply this at home. Coffee is the recommended ingredient, a tablespoon per cup of warm water, and plan to use a pint of the mixture for small dogs to a quart for a large dog. Depending on the size of the dog, using an ear syringe to a turkey baster helps make application easier. Smear a little Vaseline or petroleum on the end for easier insertion and for the comfort of your pet. Give the dog only a portion of the enema at a time and give him time to walk around in between applications.

Any dog that has not had a bowel movement in four or more days should be taken to the vet. Other danger signs include loss of appetite, vomiting, increased or unusual lethargy, unusual aggressiveness or unresponsive behaviour. Take any animal displaying these symptoms to the vet immediately. The behaviour may be caused by anything from severe blockage, binds, irritable bowel syndrome to parasites. Keep in mind some dogs don't have daily bowel movements such as older or less active animals. Think about your dogs normal behaviour and act accordingly.

Severe or reoccurring cases of constipation in a typically healthy dog are usually explained by refuse scavenging or table scraps. Pork bones in particular are problematic for dogs because of how brittle they are. Not feeding a dog table scraps is not being unfair to your pet, it simply helps them maintain a regular and healthy diet. Use your best judgement on when to make the situation an emergency. Remember, no one knows your four legged pal better than you do!

Sources:
"The Veterinarian's Guide to Natural Home Remedies" by Martin Zucker, Three Rivers Press 1999
www.ezinearticles.com

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