Just like humans, dogs can also suffer from constipation, a condition that makes it impossible for them to poop. This can become a very serious issue and at some point might even require the help of the vet. If you notice that the dog hasn’t taken a dump in more than three days, then you should really make sure that nothing serious is going on, by visiting the veterinarian for a consultation. The next part of the article will list some of the most common reasons why a dog would be unable to poop for days and what you can do about this.
Why Your Dog Hasn’t Pooped for a Few Days
Your dog not being able to poop is actually an issue that can be caused by several reasons, and some of them can be pretty serious. It doesn’t take more than just changing the diet of the dog for him to have trouble pooping for a few days straight.
All kinds of environmental stresses can be behind the dog’s inability to poop, including a change in his routine, his shelter, or the food he eats. If any of these is behind your dog’s inability to poop, then you should know that these aren’t considered severe issues and should pass on their own within a few days.
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Dehydration is another factor that might make it hard for your dog to poop. This is because when dehydrated, the body of the dog will absorb moisture from his poop in order to make up for the lost fluids. In case of severe dehydration, especially if the dog had enough fresh water around him, you should take things more seriously and you should schedule a consultation at the vet as soon as possible.
The health of the dog’s digestive tract is also kept in check with regular exercise and fiber intake. The dog should also be encouraged to drink as many liquids as possible, especially in hot temperatures. Your dog can even get more fluids from popsicles or ice cubes if fresh water doesn’t seem to be enough. The pet can also eat more wet canned food, as it contains a higher amount of water than dry one.
The reason for your dog’s inability to poop might also be related to some kind of gastrointestinal blockage. A complete obstruction would stop all the poop from going through the dog’s system, while a partial obstruction would only stop some of the poop to move, which ultimately will build up. Blockage is most likely the issue that is behind the dog’s constipation especially if he is the type of pet to eat and chew on different things. An obstruction can easily reach a life-threatening stage, needing surgery to get fixed.
How to Treat The Dog’s Constipation
A first step you can take towards the treatment of your dog’s constipation is booking a consultation at the vet. They would be able to prescribe laxatives if the cause of constipation calls for such a treatment. The second thing you should do is switch the dog’s diet to a more healthy one made of wet food that has enough nutrients and water to make your dog feel better. Dry kibble is always worse than wet food for constipated dogs, so switching the diet might be enough to fix the problem.
If your dog really wants to eat some dry kibble as well, then at least try to get the food moisturized with either water or broth. You should also encourage your dog to drink as much water as he needs to. You do this by cleaning and washing the water bowls every day and supplementing the water intake with ice in hotter weather.
A decent amount of exercise is also important for the dog’s bowels to work properly. Getting enough exercise is vital, as it will help the food pass through the intestinal tract. A dog that exercises and plays a lot will most likely have a very healthy digestive system and also be healthier overall.
If you don’t have the necessary time to play with your dog all day, get him some interesting toys he can run after and play with. If he plays a lot, even if the exercise isn’t as intense as a run, he will still have a healthy digestion of food and thus, avoid constipation.
