No one wants their dog to feel pain if they can spare it. But many dogs experience most of the same common and complex health concerns as their human counterparts. When a dog suffers from constipation, it can lead to a feeling of helplessness in pet owners and discomfort for their loving pet.

What causes constipation in dogs?
Veterinarians classify more complex causes of constipation in dogs into three broad categories: intraluminal, extraluminal, and intrinsic. The word ‘intraluminal’ refers to obstruction of bowel movements within the colon, including inflammation, abnormal growths, or foreign objects. ‘Extraluminal’ can refer to causes that block bowel movements from outside of the colon, such as a pelvic injury or other painful conditions that make it difficult to pass stool. Lastly, the intrinsic causes of constipation in dogs cover a broad range of hormonal and neurological diseases that can affect the digestive tract. Dogs may suffer from constipation even due to these medicines that are used to treat these injuries and illnesses or as a side effect of the injury itself. The most common cause of constipation in dogs is the ingestion of irritating or indigestible substances. Dogs with long hair and having a habit of excessive licking or grooming expose themselves to bacteria and other agents in their surrounding environment that may irritate the stomach or the gastrointestinal tract. Constipation in dogs is also commonly caused by dehydration. Healthy dogs should be drinking about an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. Though staying hydrated can prevent constipation in dogs, there is such a thing as drinking too much water, and Polydipsia can also be an early indicator of other health issues in dogs. Dogs can also experience constipation as a result of an overly sedentary lifestyle. Common pet health practices suggest that dogs go for a fifteen-minute walk twice a day to regulate bowel movements and contribute to the overall quality of life.

Signs of Constipation in dogs:

Constipation in dogs is marked by the inability to pass a bowel movement for more than 24 hours. Most dogs produce feces at least once a day. Many of them have bowel movements that correspond to the number of daily feedings. Hard, dry stools that resemble pebbles in texture are also a common sign of constipation in dogs, also known as concretion. Besides the clear signs of constipation, a dog may also experience one or more of the following symptoms.

• Signs of pain while attempting a bowel movement, hunched posture, tense abdomen, cry of distress.
• Blood in the stool, passing blood without a stool, vomiting, lethargy.
• Lack of appetite, and difficulty in urinating.
• Some dogs will have a tense, painful abdomen and cry or growl if you press on their stomach or lower back if they are suffering from constipation. The dog fails to produce a bowel movement within 48 to 72 hours from the previous bowel movement.

Foods that can help out dogs suffering from constipation

• Canned pumpkin: To help a dog with constipation, you can try feeding them pumpkin, which is high in fiber and water content. You can use either fresh pureed pumpkin or canned pumpkin, but be sure to avoid purees and pie fillings with added sugar, as these often contain a compound that is toxic to dogs.
• Milk: Like humans, many dogs are lactose intolerant. However, a small bowl of milk can act as a laxative for canines in a crisis.
• Olive or Coconut Oil: A natural fruit, vegetable, or mineral oil can help lubricate stool for dogs suffering from constipation.
• Cooked Green Beans are rich in fiber, helping to clean the colon and stimulate bowel movements. This small and tasty vegetable acts as a unique treat for dogs with constipation.
• Ginger and Broth: Many humans turn to ginger to help with indigestion, and this remedy can have an equally helpful effect on dogs suffering from constipation. Prepare a half-cup of chicken or beef broth with a 1⁄4 teaspoon of ginger to help a constipated dog. Constipation can be improved by maintaining a regular schedule of exercise. A healthy level of activity will ensure that the colon receives enough blood flow to function properly. Dogs with constipation should also partake in a fiber-rich diet.

Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine for Constipation in Dogs

Constipation in pets can be due to varied reasons like eating bone pieces, hair, cloth, paper, grass, age-related, dry feces, etc. It can be acute or chronic and is common to dogs. The discomfort of the dog and the helplessness of the pet owners can be addressed with Bakson Veterinary’s Consti Aid Drops for PET, a Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine to treat constipation for any reason.

This unique formulation was brought up by the leading Homeopathic Medicine producing company Bakson Veterinary. The company is certified under WHO GMP practices which highlight its hygienic manufacturing facilities. All the available formulations had undergone many clinical and field trials, thus gaining trust among many veterinarians and pet parents.