It seems that humanity is suffering from an epidemic of poor health, so it should come as no great surprise that our dogs are equally affected. Just as in humans, canine constipation can be quite uncomfortable and even painful, potentially leading to other more serious issues, like intestinal blockages. While it is possible that canine constipation is caused by something threatening, it is more likely a poor food choice, dehydration, or lack of exercise. However, treating dog constipation and making sure your dog can eliminate regularly is critical for a dog's overall health.

Often, constipation in humans or animals is cured with a laxative. Doctors warn, however, that over dependence on laxatives can cause a series of other health problems, like the inability to eliminate in the long run, as the body becomes accustomed to a laxative and will not eliminate properly without it.

In nature, most animals, including dogs, have a diet high in protein. If they get an upset stomach, they are often seen consuming fiber, like grasses. Unfortunately, most typical commercial dog foods are low in protein and fiber and high in wheat, corn, fillers and carbohydrates. Dogs in the wild do not eat human food, it's that simple. Domestic dogs often have another unhealthy habit, they will eat just about anything, even items that are inedible!

Symptoms of canine constipation are usually very easy to spot, if you pay attention. A dog will not be able to eliminate, though he may well keep trying. Eventually, he will become bloated and sluggish, less playful and less likely to eat. He may even become a little gassier, as the undigested food left in his intestine begins to ferment.

While prevention is usually the smartest route through a good diet, adequate water and exercise, by the time your dog is constipated, it will be time to take more proactive measures. First, increase your dog's water consumption. One solution I have personally used included a couple of cans of very high protein dog food with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. The effects were messy but very effective. A change in diet to include more oil and protein is usually quite effective.

It is often a good idea to give your dog a nice little belly rub. This shouldn't be anything too drastic. Don't rub too hard and always rub downwards, towards the tail. This might allow you determine such things as a hardened stool, in which case a canine enema might be necessary. In any case, making these changes should provide your dog with some relief.

Again, managing canine constipation is essential. Prevention is obviously best, but should your best buddy be unable to eliminate, it's necessary to deal with the problem immediately, usually with a change in diet and an increase in water and exercise. Should these methods be insufficient, more intense techniques might need to be employed, including a trip to the vet before the problem becomes more serious.

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