Constipation causes, constipation in dog and cats, home remedies for dog, home remedies for cat,
Causes of Constipation in Pets
Not drinking enough water, a very common cause of constipation.
The food does not contain enough fiber.
Matted hair might be blocking the rectal area.
Genetics make some pets more prone to constipation.
Side effect from certain medication.
Swallowing something that might block the passage of stool.
A neurological or neuromuscular disease.
Enlarged prostate in older pets.
While grooming, your pet might have swallowed hair that has bound up in the intestines.
Symptoms of Constipation in Pets
The amount of time and effort your pet spends trying to poop.
They have not-so-easy, irregular or no bowel movements at all.
The poop is very dry and hard.
Your pet strains hard when pooping.
They tremble or whimper while trying to poop.
The volume of feces is very little or nothing at all after trying hard to poop.
Preventing Constipation in Pets
Include fiber-rich food in your pet’s diet.
Switch to a nylon chew toy instead of a natural one.
Regular exercise also helps to keep the bowel movements regulated.
It might be as serious as a tumor growing in the anus or as simple as they swallowed something they shouldn’t have. If your pet is vomiting, seems depressed, losing weight or showing signs of severe dehydration, consult your veterinarian right away.
For temporary constipation, you can use a home remedy as the first course of action.
Here are home remedies for constipation in dogs and cats that might help relieve your furry little friend.
Method 1: Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin has high water content, and its seeds are rich in fiber. The pumpkin serves as a laxative to facilitate a proper bowel movement. Whereas, pumpkin seeds rich in fiber aid in easy digestion. The seeds are also potent enough to expel worms in petstoo.
Single-Step Treatment: Add pumpkin puree or seeds to your pet’s diet
Feed your pet with pumpkin puree or seeds to treat constipation easily
You can use both pumpkin and its seeds to treat constipation:
You can either grind the seeds in a coffee grinder and mix it in your dog’s food or feed them whole as treats if your dog likes them.
You can also get a fresh pumpkin. Peel off the outer shell and smash the pulp. Feed the pureed pumpkin to your pet. Some people cook the pumpkin or boil it first.
You may even buy plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) and feed it to your pet. Check the ingredients on the label. Canned pumpkin might contain ingredients that are synthetic in nature and might not be as good for your pet as fresh pumpkin.
The amount to feed your pet depends on their size.
For seeds give ½ teaspoon per 10 pounds of your dog’s weight.
In case of feeding direct pumpkin, 1 tablespoon for pets who weigh less than 15 pounds.
Feed 1 to 2 tablespoons for pets weighing between 15 and 35 pounds.
Feed 2 to 5 tablespoons for pets who weigh more than 35 pounds.
You should see results in 24 hours. If not, take your pet to your vet.
Note: To know if you’re overdosing on the pumpkin, check your pet’s stool.If it is a pudding-like consistency, then reduce the amount of pumpkin you’re giving.
Method 2: Coconut Oil
You might already know the amazing health benefits that coconut oil has for the human body. It turns out that it can help animals as well, including easing their pain of constipation.
Also, it’s typical for cats to have hairballs, but a high frequency can be a sign of internal problems. Feeding your cat coconut oil can reduce this frequency.
Single-Step Treatment: Mix coconut oil to dog or cat’s food
Coconut oil helps ease the pain while passing stool
You can feed coconut oil to your pooch or feline either by:
Adding ½ to 1 teaspoon to your pet’s wet food.
Directly feeding the measured amount of coconut oil to your pet.
If you’re feeding coconut oil for the first time, start as small as ¼ teaspoon for smaller pups, ½ a teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight for larger breeds and 1 tablespoon per 30 pounds. Remember, feeding them too much can cause diarrhea.
Method 3: Aloe Vera
The juice of the aloe vera plant is known to be a great laxative. It can be given to your pets with constipation by mixing it with their wet food. The amount depends on the size and weight of your pet.
Single-Step Treatment: Feed aloe vera to your pet
Aloe Vera acts as a laxative and gives relief from constipation
It is recommended that you give 1 to 3 drops of aloe vera juice per pound of your pet’s body weight, 2 times a day. So, if you have a pet who weighs 10 pounds, you should give them 10 to 30 drops of aloe vera juice twice a day.
Note:
Aloe vera juice is something of a debated concept among veterinarians. So, consult your vet before giving aloe vera juice to your pet.
Be very careful on the dosage and do not overdose on aloe vera juice.
Method 4: Milk
Milk that we normally consume acts as a kind of laxative for dogs. Dogs are generally lactose intolerant and don’t digest cow’s milk very well, so it causes them to have diarrhea. However, if your pet is suffering from constipation, you can give milk as a home remedy for constipation to your dog or cat, in a measured quantity to relieve their misery in a few hours.
Single-Step Treatment: Add milk to your pet’s diet in measured quantity
Milk in monitored quantity acts as a laxative
Add ¼ to ½ cup of milk to your dog food or water. Repeat once a day for a few days, and it should do the trick.
Note: Do not make this a regular part of their diet.
Method 5: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is known to reduce inflammation and promote detoxification in humans. However, it can also be given to dogs and cats in the case of ear infection, constipation, intestinal gas and episodes of diarrhea. While you’re at it, make sure you’re feeding only organic apple cider vinegar to your pets.
Single-Step Treatment: Mix apple cider vinegar to your pet’s food
Use apple cider vinegar to treat constipation in your pets
Apple cider vinegar is known to improve digestion in dogs and balancing out the pH levels in their body. It would be a difficult task feeding it undiluted to your pets because of the smell, but you can mix it with their food or water in the mentioned proportions.
The measurements should be as stated below:
¼ teaspoon per 10 pounds of your pet’s body weight daily for 1 week.
For pets weighing 50 pounds or more, give 2 teaspoons each day for at least 1 week.
Method 6: Olive Oil
Oil serves as a natural lubricant for your pet’s intestinal tract. Adding a little oil to your pup’s food will help loosen up the stool and make it easier to pass. You can use olive oil or mineral oil for this purpose.
Single-Step Treatment: Mix olive oil to your pet’s food
Treat constipation in your dog or cat with olive oil
Add as little as ½ teaspoon of olive oil per 10 pounds of your pet’s bodyweight per day. You can go up to 1 to-2 teaspoons if the constipation is stubborn. Don’t exceed the dosage for more than 3 or 4 days, as it can deplete Vitamin A from your pet’s body.
Olive oil is advantageous for your pet’s general health and digestive system. Use mineral oil in the same quantity as olive oil, according to your pet’s weight as a home remedy for constipation in your dog or cat.
Note: Do not try to give these oils directly into your pet’s mouth, as it could be accidentally inhaled into the lungs and cause severe issues.
Method 7: Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics that greatly help with digestion in pets. Choose a variety with live cultures. Yogurt also helps you to get rid of yeast infection in pets.
Single-Step Treatment: Add yogurt to pet’s diet
Yogurt aids digestion in your pet relieving constipation
You can continue giving yogurt to your pet if they are not intolerant to it. However, in a situation where you’re trying to make your pet poop, observe it for 2 days. If nothing is happening, then consult your vet. You can give your pet up to 1 tablespoon a day directly or by mixing it in their wet food.
Note: Do not feed your pet yogurt if they are allergic to it. In which case, try using other methods.
Method 8: Ginger with Chicken Broth
Ginger, one of the home remedies for constipation in dogs and cats, assists with proper digestion and dials down muscle spasms in a situation like constipation.
Single-Step Treatment: Mix ginger to your pet’s chicken broth
Ginger aids in digestion relieving constipation naturally
Mix ¼ teaspoon of crushed ginger with either chicken or beef broth and feed it to your pet. The fat of the chicken or the beef in broth smoothens the linings of the intestinal tract.
Method 9: Wheat or Oats
Bran flakes, millets or cooked oats are great fiber supplements for your pet’s food. They are not very expensive and can help meet the daily requirement for fiber in your pet’s diet.
Single-Step Treatment: Feed your pet with fiber-rich food
Fiber-rich diet ensures regulated bowel movements
Including these in small amounts in your pet’s food can make it easier for them to poop. However, do not use them in large quantities or feed them only bran. It might cause your pet to regurgitate or vomit. It may also cause gas or diarrhea.
Method 10: Water
If you feed your pet with dry food, you’ll see that when you put the food in water, it swells by absorbing the water. This is the same mechanism that happens inside your pet’s colon. The food expands in the gastrointestinal tract of the pooch or feline, absorbing all the moisture and making it dry and difficult to pass the stool.
Keep your pet hydrated
Try infusing water right when you give your pet food. This will make sure that your pet consumes enough water and stays clear of constipation and digestive issues.
Tips
Do not forget to keep your dog’s anal region clean.
Increase your pet’s physical activity.
Get your pet neutered, in case of an enlarged prostate.
Do not give laxatives used by humans to your pets.
No comments:
Write comments