What to Do When Your Dog Is Constipated

As we all know, having stomach issues is never fun. I can only assume that is ten times worse for furry friends. After all, they can’t even verbalize the level of their discomfort. 

Unfortunately, it is common for dogs to deal with constipation. According to WebMD, your furry friend may be constipated for several reasons. For instance, they may need more exercise, a more fibrous diet, be dehydrated, or have some more serious health problems, like an enlarged prostate, tumors, or hypothyroidism. 

As previously mentioned, given that your dog is unable to talk, you will have to do some detective work to determine if they are constipated. Symptoms include a lack or barely any stool, difficulty releasing stool, and having blood in the stool. 

Once you've figured out that your dog is constipated, you could try some at-home remedies. The East Coweta Veterinary Hospital reported that taking your dog on a long walk or giving them pumpkin puree may do the trick. That being said, it is in your dog’s best interest to contact your vet if the issue persists, as your furry friend could get an obstipation. 

WebMD also suggests that pet parents collect information like how long it has been since their dog had their last stool and its shape and size. You should also let your vet know if your furry friend may have ingested something outside their regular diet or changed medications. While at the vet, your furry friend will go through some tests and a physical to understand what is causing the issue.