Wondering ‘why is my dog constipated?’ Don’t worry, as the experts from Green Pantry have got you covered. Constipation in your dog is not only uncomfortable for them, but can also lead to complications if not treated soon enough.
Here at Green Pantry, our natural dog food recipes have been created to address specific health and dietary requirements, such as constipation. In this guide, we’ll offer tips and tricks to support a constipated dog and keep their bowels moving normally!
Let’s dive straight into it…
Why is my dog suddenly constipated?
In case you don’t know, constipation in dogs is a pretty common condition that’s characterised by straining, discomfort, and difficulty in defecating. Although it can be uncomfortable, don’t worry, as it’s pretty treatable and most dogs return to normal after a few adjustments to their routine and lifestyle. Dogs of any age can get it, although it’s more common in senior dogs due to their digestive system and metabolism slowing down with age.
While it’s not a major cause for concern, it should not be left untreated. Sometimes, your dog might have eaten something they shouldn’t have, and their constipation could be caused by an obstruction or blockage. If this is the case, you should take them to the vets immediately.
Other causes of constipation in dogs can include:
- A lack of exercise
- Excessive or insufficient fibre in their diet
- Illnesses that result in dehydration
- Trauma to the pelvis
- A sudden change in diet or sampling new foods
- An orthopaedic issue
- Matted hair surrounding the anus
- Side effects of a medication
- Not having the opportunity to go to the toilet
- Anal gland infections
Signs of constipation in your dog
The most obvious thing is that your dog will struggle to poo, either passing small amounts of hard poo or nothing at all. They’ll usually show signs of discomfort or pain, and might even pass spots of blood. If left untreated, it can lead to lethargy, vomiting, depression, and a loss of appetite.
Constipation is fundamentally a digestive issue, but luckily for you, we’ve created natural digestive care dog food, helping to ease signs of constipation and other symptoms with ease.
How to treat a constipated dog naturally
Now that you can clearly identify signs of constipation in your dog, you’re probably eager to treat it. Aside from taking your dog to the vet for an examination, there are some natural at-home treatments you can adopt to ensure your dog maintains a consistent and healthy routine.
Let’s look at them in a bit more detail…
A healthy, balanced diet
In order to promote digestive health and motility, a balanced diet should be at the top of your list of priorities. Fibre is an important part of a balanced diet, which controls the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, moderates blood sugar peaks and promotes digestive health. Crucially for constipation, insoluble fibres add bulk to the stools and also increases the water content, improving stool quality, regular poos and the natural expression of the anal glands during defecation.
At Green Pantry, we’ve got just the thing! Our Trout with Salmon, Lentils & Spinach dog food contains a combination of fibre-rich ingredients to promote digestive health. Trout and salmon are highly digestible protein sources, while peas and lentils offer a plant-based protein combined with dietary fibre. Sweet potato and Alfalfa also contribute to the fibre profile, helping to maintain digestive regularity.
Get your hands on a bag today and let us know what you think by adding to our amazing reviews.
Plenty of fresh water
Poor hydration has knock-on effects throughout the body, reducing markers of health and vitality. Drinking lots of water can help to soften your dog’s stools and improve their intestinal function. When your dog is hydrated, it increases the moisture content in their intestines, which makes stools much easier to pass and reduces discomfort and straining when pooping. Even if your dog isn’t constipated, regular access to clean water keeps their digestive system working properly, preventing their faeces from drying out and future constipation.
Make sure you’ve got plenty of water bowls scattered around your house so that your dog always has access to fresh, clean water. You can even add some water to their dry kibble, or better yet, explore our natural wet food range. Mixing wet and dry dog food together is also highly common and can increase your dog’s water intake.
Addition of supplements
Did you know that adding Green Pantry natural dog supplements to your dog’s diet can improve their digestive health? In particular, we’ve curated a Natural Gut Health Supplement, made completely from herbal and natural ingredients to help your dog feel their best.
It boasts a crude fibre content of 14.6%. The combination of prebiotic chicory root and postbiotic yeast nourishes the gut microbiome. Alfalfa delivers insoluble and soluble fibres to aid digestion and motility. Whilst yucca extract works to help bind ammonia in the gut, to aid the gut environment and reduce stool odours and flatulence. A combination of studied ingredients focusing on various elements of gut health and digestion to soothe upsets and build gut health and microbiome diversity!
New to the world of supplements? Discover which supplements are best for your dog by reading our handy blog post.
Regular exercise
And finally, you should make sure your dog is getting plenty of walks and exercise daily. Not only is this beneficial for their physical health, but it’s great for constipation because exercise directly stimulates the digestive system and promotes natural bowel movement. Walking also encourages your dog to actually go to the toilet, preventing them from holding onto their waste too long, which can actually cause it to become hard and dry.
A lack of exercise is actually a leading cause of constipation in dogs. Regular walks will prevent their tummy from feeling sluggish, resulting in a more energetic and mobile dog. And, more exercise reduces stress and anxiety, which can directly affect your dog’s gut health.
Look out for your dog with the help of Green Pantry
Hopefully, we’ve answered your question: ‘Why is my dog constipated?’ After using our tips and tricks above, you can provide some relief to your furry friend’s toilet problems. If, after some time, your dog is still showing signs of constipation, we recommend taking them to your local veterinarian for a more thorough check-up.
Here at Green Pantry, we’re genuinely passionate about your dog’s health and well-being. Check out what’s in the pantry and introduce your dog to our delicious natural recipes today! We’d love to have you and your furry friend on board.
Need more advice, or just a friendly voice to chat through? Then give us a call on 01553 811 320, or use our online contact form to get in touch.
