Digestive System: Home Remedies for Constipation

Different Home Remedies:

It is highly recommended that a dog suffering from anything other than mild constipation be taken to the veterinarian for an examination. It is important that the underlying cause of the Dog constipation be identified and treated vs. just treating symptoms. A veterinarian will need to conduct a thorough examination.

Common Home Remedies Dog Constipation:

Foods: Most foods which contain high levels of water and fiber are recommended for dogs with constipation. Regular dog food can be altered by either adjusting the ratio of ingredients, or with the addition of ingredients. 

• Pumpkin; Pumpkin a widely used home remedy to treat dog constipation. The most effective way is to use canned pumpkin, which contains more fiber and water. Adding 2 – 4 table spoons of this preparation is sufficient if it is mixed with regular dog food. 

• Aloe vera; Aloe vera is a succulent plant. It relieves the physiological problems of gastrointestinal tract, thus improving the way it functions. It should be used in a juice form and then mixed with regular dog food. Half a table spoon is considered effective. 
• Oat and Wheat Bran; Bran of wheat or oats are considered another effective laxative that can be used at home. It is high caloric, contains fats and makes a dog drink more water. Adding 1 – 2 table spoons of either bran in dog food is enough to treat mild cases of dog constipation.  Metamucil is a conveninent source. Grape Nuits cereal is another source of dietary fiber. Provide your dog with 2 to 3 teaspoons a day.
• Yogurt and Milk; Yogurt contains pro-biotics which enhance the multiplication of microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, which helps to increase fermentation of digestive material. It will be absorbed and passed easily. 2 – 4 table spoons are enough in each meal. Use of milk is debatable, as some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to milk. Small volumes should be fed initially and then any changes should be noted. Some dogs may immediately vomit after being fed milk. If this is the case then don’t use this approach. . Mild constipation can effectively be treated with the use of milk as the only approach taken. 

• Oils: Fats are considered lubricant laxatives, thus different edible oils commonly found at home can act as a home remedy dog constipation. Different oils like mineral oils, olive oil, almond oil and coconut oil etc can be used for treating dog constipation.

Herbs: There are many herbs famous for treating mild dog constipation at home, two of them Rhubarb and Frangula are very effective. 

Try a Homeopathic (natural) Remedy which combines fiber and herbs: A good homeopathic dietary supplement that combines fiber and herbs is Natural Moves. It contains Psyllium, an excellent source of fiber, and select herbs which support normal bowel functioning.

Increase Outdoor Exercise: Increasing the frequency of walks could help bring on the urge to deficate.  Each walk should last 20 minutes.   

Cut the Hair at the Anus: If a dog has long hair, tangles at the anus could cause a dog to avoid deficating.

Precautions:

Home remedies dog constipation should only be used for mild constipation. In the case of chronic constipation, recurring dog constipation and if any complexity appears such as the presence of blood in a hard stool or if a dog is showing any signs of generalized illness along with constipation, the dog should be referred to a veterinarian. A dog should also see a veterinarian if the constipation lasts for more than a day.