Puppy Not Pooping? What To Do When Your Dog Is Constipated

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With the cold weather fast approaching, it's time to bring your dog inside. It's also time to start planning for the winter bouts of canine constipation. You may not realize this, but the sedentary lifestyle that most dogs need to lead during the cold winter months can increase the occurrence of constipation. That's because dogs can't get out and remain as active as they should when the ground is covered with ice and snow. In addition to finding ways to keep your dog active while it's stuck inside, here are four other steps you can take to prevent constipation.

Push the Fluids

Dogs need plenty of water to keep their bowel movements regular. Unfortunately, dogs tend to drink less water during the winter, possibly because they're less active. To help your dog avoid constipation, be sure you push the fluids. One way to do that is to add a bit of beef broth to their water once a day. The added flavoring will encourage your dog to drink more water.

Offer Some Bran

If you're noticing that your dog is straining to relieve itself, it's time to add some bran to its diet. There are a couple of ways you can do that. You can add about ¼ cup of bran cereal to your dog's daily diet. Add the cereal to your dog's dry food, and mix it with about a cup of water. You can also mix the cereal in with canned food, as well. Add one serving of bran to your dog's food once a day to keep its bowels moving during the winter.

Add Some Oil

If you're noticing small, pebble-like pieces of stool when your dog tries to relieve itself, it's going to need more aggressive treatment. Try adding some lubricant to your dog's daily diet. Lubricants such as olive oil, coconut oil, or fish oil are beneficial in softening your dog's stool and relieving constipation. Try adding two teaspoons of olive oil or coconut oil to your dog's food. You can also place a fish oil capsule in your dog's food.

Consider Medical Intervention

If your dog is straining during its bowel movements, or appears to be in pain, it's time to consider medical intervention. This is particularly important if your dog is bleeding from the rectum after a bowel movement or it's been several days since your dog has had a bowel movement. Contact a veterinarian clinic, such as Acequia Animal Hospital, and schedule a checkup for your dog.

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26 October 2017

Talking About Pet Vaccinations

Hello, my name is Marissa. Welcome to my site about veterinarians. I decided to buy myself a puppy for the holidays. I searched my community for a breeder and picked up my puppy right away. Unfortunately, within a day, I noticed my puppy was not feeling well. The poor animal picked up a virus on the way home due to the lack of proper vaccinations. The vet was able to save my puppy and give her all the correct vaccinations. I will use this site to explore viruses and other conditions that vets prevent through precisely timed vaccination schedules. Thanks.