Key Takeaways
- Dogs can end up having constipation due to a number of factors, which are often similar to the factors that cause us humans to get constipated.
- But the great thing is aside from being easily treatable, constipation in dogs responds well to switching to the right diet.
- Usually, all it takes to alleviate your dog’s constipation is putting him on a temporary diet that’s rich in fiber and stool-softening foods. Fortunately, homemade dog food for constipation is very easy to make.
Does your dog whine when pooping? Is your dog’s poop really compacted, hard, and dense? If you are a pet parent that can relate to any of these questions, your dog may be constipated. However, you can make a delicious recipe of homemade dog food for constipation with some fairly easily procured ingredients, such as ground turkey, brown rice, lentils, spinach, sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, olive oil, and chicken breasts.
There are number of things you can do to alleviate constipation, preferably after taking your veterinarian’s counsel. The good news is constipation in dogs is usually very treatable. I’ve had a lot of success just giving my dog plenty of exercise and trying home remedies. One of the most effective ways to treat this condition is by making your own homemade dog food that softens stool and helps your dog pass it more comfortably. This homemade dog food for constipation is a recipe that I’ve developed after years of being a pet parent who sometimes had to deal with her dogs coming down with constipation.
Causes of Dog constipation
Many things can cause dog constipation. The following are some of the most common ones.
Lack Of Water: Dehydration can often lead to constipation due to lack of fluid to process and soften stool. Senior dogs are especially prone to dehydration, so they’re more likely to get constipated too.
Medications: One of the most likely side effects of some medications is constipation. Make sure to talk with a vet to determine which, if any, of your dog’s medications may be causing constipation.
Anxiety: Anxious dogs are more likely to become constipated than non-anxious dogs, because of the way stress hormones can throw off the proper functioning of your dog’s digestive tract. Many situations can cause a dog to become anxious such as moving, meeting new dogs, going to a dog park, and waiting for a pet owner to get home.
Too Much Self-Grooming: If your dog enjoys grooming himself, he’s likely to end up eating his hair and foreign objects stuck to it. If you’re lucky, the worst that could happen is that they get an upset stomach. But sometimes, it can lead to more severe problems with your dog’s digestive system like constipation.
Foreign Objects: If your dog eats something that shouldn’t be consumed by dogs, there’s a good chance that he will become constipated if he can’t pass it outright. This can constitute anything from things that dogs should obviously should never eat, such as batteries, coins, plastic bags; to more natural objects such as rocks and sticks. If you can, try to check your dog’s rear end as well for any signs of foreign objects.
Matted Fur: For dogs with long fur, the matted fur on their rear end may be causing a blockage, which ultimately results in constipation. But in this case, all a pet owner has to do is trim the fur around their dog’s anus.
Tumors: Dogs that have tumors on their rear end may experience constipation too. A vet may have to perform surgery to remove the tumor.
Lack Of Exercise: Many dogs that don’t get enough exercise will become constipated, because the lack of muscle tone fails to give the colon the assistance it needs to process and pass stool.
Signs and symptoms Of Dog Constipation
Before we can discuss homemade dog food for this condition, we must first determine whether or not your dog is really suffering from constipation.
Dog Straining: One of the major signs of constipation in dogs is straining while having a bowel movement.
Inability To Poop: An obvious sign of a constipated dog is a lack of pooping. If your dog hasn’t pooped in two days, there’s a good chance that it’s constipation.
Whining: Do you notice your dog whining when attempting to poop? Many pups that whine when trying to poop are constipated. Such dogs whine because they are experiencing pain.
Obvious Discomfort: If your dog flinches when you touch his stomach, he may be constipated. Appearing to be in pain in general may also be a sign.
Refusing To Eat: More likely than not, a constipated dog will not want to eat. A constipated dog might refuse even his favorite foods or treats.
The Best Homemade Dog Food Recipes For Canine Constipation
Out of all the homemade dog food recipes I’ve tried, this is what I’ve found to be the best at treating constipation in dogs. It’s a bit of an amalgam of all of the dog food recipes that I’ve sampled, from ones I found on pet parent blogs to reverse engineered recipes from some of the best homemade dog food brands. I’ve arrived at this combination that balances constipation-treating properties with flavors that would appeal to dogs of any taste.
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Brown rice
- Lentils
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin puree (NOT to be confused with pumpkin pie filling)
- Olive oil
- Chicken breasts
Directions
To make this great homemade dog food recipe, you need to boil 1 pound of the meats in a large pot of water. Be sure that there are three cups of water in the pot. As soon as the meats come to a boil, remove the pot from the heat.
The next step is to place these ingredients in the pot: Sweet potatoes, brown rice, and lentils. Bring the entire mixture to a boil again. It shouldn’t take any longer than 20 minutes.
Next, place the spinach, pumpkin puree, and olive oil in the pot. You can also add chicken broth or a bouillon cube if you want to increase the flavor. Make sure you get pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, as the latter contains spices and other things that may not be good for your dog. If there isn’t any, you can make your own pumpkin puree or use the canned variety.
Boil the mixture until there isn’t any water left, and you’re done.
Home Remedies For Canine Constipation
In addition to homemade dog food, you can also supplement your dog’s diet with home remedies. Most of these dog constipation home remedies can be found at your local grocery store.
Canned Pumpkin: An extremely common remedy for dog constipation, canned pumpkin effectively treats this condition because of its high fiber content. Since it’s perfectly safe for pups to consume, many vets would suggest this great home remedy for dog constipation. You can either serve canned pumpkin in your best pal’s food or present it to your dog as a treat.
Sweet Potatoes: Just like canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber. As a result, you should definitely consider feeding your dog sweet potatoes for his constipation. When you serve sweet potatoes to your dog, there’s a really good chance that his digestive system will become much healthier.
Olive Oil: If you haven’t already heard, olive oil has been shown to improve constipation in dogs. Only add a small amount of olive oil to your dog’s food, and then watch your dog’s symptoms significantly improve.
Other Ways To Treat Constipation In Dogs
Here are some great alternative ways to treat constipation in canines that you can try before resorting to medications.
Exercise: A simple way to improve your dog’s constipation is to take it for a walk or let it run around at the dog park. If you encourage your dog to engage in physical activity regularly, you will probably notice a positive change in his bathroom habits.
More Water: As simple as this may sound, giving your dog more water can help get rid of constipation. You can even make drinking water a lot of fun for your dog by buying a dog water fountain. Whether you use a dog water fountain or dog bowl, just be sure that your dog always has access to water throughout the day.
High Fiber Diet: According to many expert vets, a high fiber diet can treat dogs’ constipation. A high-fiber diet may consist of dog food and dog treats that are rich in fiber. Before you feed your best pal high fiber food, always consult with your vet. A vet will tell you if it’s okay to incorporate more fiber into your dog’s diet.
When Should You Take Your Dog To A Vet?
A common question I usually get from dog owners is “when should I take my pup to the vet?”
The answer is simple: If your dog hasn’t had a bowel movement in several days, you should take your canine friend to the vet as soon as possible. You should also seek veterinary assistance immediately if your canine friend is constantly vomiting, panting, sleeping, or refusing to move.
The vet may prescribe a stool softener or a high-fiber diet. Be sure to follow your vet’s recommendations carefully.
Warning: Do not give an over-the-counter laxative to your dog without talking with a vet. A few over-the-counter laxatives are not vet-approved. You should also avoid giving your furry friend human laxatives because they can do more harm than good.
Conclusion
Most of the time, constipation in dogs is pretty easy to treat. If you want to improve your dog’s condition at home, consider trying homemade dog food or home remedies. Don’t forget to exercise your dog on a regular basis and give it water throughout the day.
When deciding whether or not you should take your dog to the vet, you should trust your gut. You know your canine pal better than anyone. If your dog isn’t behaving like normal after trying homemade dog food and remedies, don’t hesitate to seek veterinary assistance.
Frequently asked questions
1. What homemade remedy can I give my dog for constipation?
One of the best homemade remedies that you can give your dog for constipation is canned pumpkin, because of its stool-softening properties. A high fiber diet that includes sweet potatoes and olive oil would also help a lot.
If you want to discover more great homemade remedies for your constipated dog, talk with a vet. A vet should be able to give you great suggestions.
2. What can I feed my dog to make him poop?
If you are trying to get your dog to poop, the first thing that you should feed it is homemade dog food. If you want, you can combine homemade dog food with home remedies such as sweet potatoes and canned pumpkin. You can even try serving your dog a little bit of olive oil to help it poop.
3. What can you do for a constipated dog?
While the best thing that you can do for constipated dogs is giving them homemade dog food or home remedies, there are also great alternative ways to treat dogs’ constipation. Stay away from kibble and canned dog food while you’re alleviating the symptoms, if you can.
One of the most effective alternative treatments is simply taking your dog for a long walk to give him some extra exercise. You should also provide plenty fresh water for your dog throughout the day.
If you notice that these treatments aren’t working, you should take your dog to the vet immediately. A vet may suggest prescription medication or another effective treatment.
4. Does sweet potato help dogs with constipation?
Many pet owners highly recommend using sweet potatoes to help with constipation in dogs. Sweet potatoes are really rich in fiber, so they should get rid of your dog’s constipation in no time.
The great thing about sweet potatoes is that they won’t harm your dog. They are generally safe for dogs to eat. If your dog consumes sweet potatoes over time, his digestive system will be performing optimally.
THANK YOU for this wonderful information. My senior girl has pancreatitis & very finicky eater. I’m going to try some of these recipes & cut down on her can (low fat) food. Thanks.