Dog Constipation: Common Symptoms & Treatment

Is your dog seemingly having problems defecating? Do its stools feel rock hard when you pick them up? It could be suffering from constipation.

Dog constipation can occur for a number of reasons and may manifest itself as infrequency, difficulty or missing bowel movements.

If your pup is not producing normal stools on its normal schedule and seems to be straining when trying to defecate, it may be suffering from constipation.

Read on to find out more about the frequent causes, the symptoms, the diagnosis and treatment of dog constipation, so that you can help your furbaby get back to its normal bowel movement schedule without pain or strain.

What is dog constipation?

In normal healthy dogs, the leftover fecal matter from the digestion travels through the digestive tract to the colon. There the electrolytes and water are absorbed from the fecal mass.

It is then moved through the colon via peristaltic waves, ready to leave the body of the dog.

When the dog is constipated, this process is slowed down, and the fecal mass remains in the colon for longer than usual which is necessary. As a result, the moisture absorption continues, and the fecal matter becomes harder dryer, much more difficult, and sometimes even impossible to pass.

Scientists describe this as a concretion of the stool that becomes as hard as a rock.

In some chronic cases of dog constipation, the pup will retain the dry and hard fecal matter in its digestive tract for so long that it becomes impossible for the dog to defecate at all. This is called obstipation, and in severe cases, could require surgical removal of the hardened fecal matter.

Veterinarians may categorize the different types of dog constipation based on the location of the problem, including:

• Intraluminal – where there is a blockage in the colon itself
• Extraluminal – where the obstruction is outside of it and is caused by a fracture of the pelvis or a tumor
• Intrinsic – when it is caused by various diseases or nerve injuries

What are the common causes of dog constipation?

Like in humans, there are various reasons for constipation in dogs. Here are some of the most common ones:

• • The diet – Just like with us, the lack of fiber in the diet can cause constipation.
  • Ingestion of foreign objects – it can also be caused by a blockage caused by the dog eating something it isn’t supposed to eat and cannot digest like a toy, kitty litter or hair. Bones and dietary calcium can also cause dog constipation.
  • Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration
  • The age – the older the dog, the more prone it is to constipation
  • The activity level – dogs with sedentary lifestyles tend to suffer from constipation more often
  • Some types of medications such as diuretics, opiates, antihistamines, antacids, and cancer medication
  • Stress or other psychological problems can cause the dog to not be able to pass stool normally
  • Orthopedic disorders which cause difficulties squatting
  • Surgical procedures and the medications administered during the surgery can cause constipation in dogs
  • Anal gland issues where the anal sacs are blocked or abscessed
  • Matted hair around the anus

• Obesity
• Metabolic diseases such as hypothyroidism
• Disorders of the central nervous system
• Tumors in the pelvic region
• Tumors or masses in the digestive tract, in the rectum or the anus
• Spinal injuries or diseases
• Prostate enlargement

Common symptoms of dog constipation

Some of the most common symptoms that your dog is suffering from constipation include:

• No defecation for one or two days
• The dry and hard stool which feels like stone or pebbles
• Attempts to defecate which produce only mucus or small liquid fecal matter with blood (tenesmus)
• Painful or difficult defecation, called dyschezia

In case your dog has not had a normal bowel movement in two or more days or if you notice that it is straining, crouching, or crying when trying to defecate you should go to the vet right away.

Are some dogs more susceptible to constipation than others?

Older dogs and dogs which lead sedentary lives are more prone to have difficulties with their bowel movements.

How can dog constipation be treated and prevented?

Depending on the cause of the dog having difficulties defecating, your vet may prescribe one or more than one of the following treatments for dog constipation, as well as for preventing it in the future:

• Giving it a laxative or stool softener
• Using coconut oil as a natural laxative to help loosen stool
• Tamarind is a tropical plant that has long been used as a natural laxative. It can benefit both humans and dogs that are constipated.
• Medication that increases the large intestine contractile strength
• Adding fiber to the food (wheat bran, canned pumpkin, or fiber supplements)
• Feeding your dog milk to alleviate constipation
• A high-fiber diet
• Canned dog food which has more moisture than kibble
• Increased hydration – more fresh water and added electrolyte supplements
• An increase in the exercise level

When is it time to take a constipated dog to the vet?

As soon as you notice signs of constipation, or in case your dog has not had a bowel movement in over a day, it is advisable to go to the vet.

Long-term constipation, as well as chronic dog constipation, can lead to obstipation which is a buildup of dry and hard fecal matter in the colon. This can cause or be caused by megacolon which is a condition where the colon is distended and loses the ability to move feces.

When you go to the vet, you should be ready to provide the following information to help the doctor diagnose the problem and treat it as soon as possible:

• The last time the dog defecated normally
• The consistency and color of the stool
• Any changes in the diet or routine of the dog
• Any non-food items which the dog may have ingested
• Is the dog showing pain or is straining when attempting to defecate
• Has it been undergoing any drug treatment
• Has it had recent injuries or surgeries
• Is it showing other signs of discomfort such as lethargy, vomiting, or a bloated appearance

Depending on the cause of constipation, the vet will examine the dog and can perform one or more of the following examinations:

• Palpation of the abdomen
• A rectal exam
• A radiograph of the abdomen
• An ultrasound or colonoscopy
• A urinalysis
• A complete blood count
• A neurological exam

How will the vet treat constipation?

In most cases, your vet will assign mild home treatments such as increasing the number of liquids and moisture in the food, adding more fiber to the diet, giving the dog more water with electrolytes, giving it laxatives, and increasing its exercise.

In more serious cases, the vet may need to perform:

• A barium enema
• Removal of the hard and stuck feces manually
• Administer medication to activate the functioning of the colon and the production of enzymes
• In very rare cases surgery (colectomy) may be necessary when the dog is suffering from megacolon

Thankfully, dog constipation is usually only occasional and can be completely prevented by providing the dog with a well-balanced diet, access to fresh water, and with regular exercise. Also, by keeping it from eating inedible things.