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Constipation in dogs can be an easily treatable condition or a symptom of a more serious condition. And curing constipation depends on the kind of constipation a dog has. In general terms, constipation is the inability to evacuate the bowel. This results in a build-up of feces that gets drier and harder as the water it contains is absorbed by the colon.

CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

Chronic constipation may be caused by eating large amounts of foreign material such as grass, paper, bone chips, cloth and cellulose. It can also be the result of inappropriate diets, for example, low-fiber or high-meat, or giving your dog cooked or small bones that splinter easily, then cement together and get stuck in the colon. This can actually lead to fecal impaction, a more serious matter. Another cause of chronic constipation is simply not getting enough exercise, which can slow down the elimination process.

CHRONIC CONSTIPATION TREATMENTS
One common treatment for constipation is an enema, usually done under light anesthesia or sedation by a veterinarian. It can also be done at home, with great care, by the more adventurous, using 1 ounce of over-the-counter Fleet enema fluid per 10 lbs body weight, according to Delbert G. Carlson, DVM and James M. Giffin, MD in "The Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." They add that a tap water enema is effective for grass-induced constipation. It consists of a rubber catheter connected to the enema bag, with a lubricated tip, inserted so that the rectum retains fluid (2 or 3 inches.)

Holistic veterinarian Richard Pitcairn in his book "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" recommends a natural anti-constipation diet of fresh veggies (pumpkins, squash, and celery are particularly effective) and raw meat. Adding bran to each meal (1/2 to 1 tsp) to hold more moisture in the colon may also do the trick. Another choice is powdered psyllium seed ( to 2 tsp with meals), or mineral oil on a short-term basis for a large fecal buildup ( tsp to 2 tsp to food twice a day for no more than a week). Mineral oil should not be used longer than that because it removes vitamin A from the body and the dog may become dependent on it for elimination. Milk of magnesia ( to 2 tbsp a day) may also be used. Another simple constipation cure is increased exercise, which will massage internal organs and increase blood flow in the colon.

PROBLEMS WITH OLDER DOGS
Establishing an elimination schedule is a good idea, particularly for an older dog with

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