Dog Constipation & Stool Issues Are Common
And Owners Often Struggle For Years Trying To Correct The Problem!

It's important to act if either of these conditions is beyond a couple of days and talk with your veterinarian. Although there are several things that dog owners can do to stabilize there dog's stool consistency, ruling out any larger health concerns with a vet is critical.

As unpleasant as it may be, dog owners must be observant to their dogs stool and any changes with it.

That includes the dog not moving their bowels at all. If left untreated, the results of dog constipation can lead to bowel cancer, bad breath, body odor, skin problems, gas, obesity, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

A lack of fiber in the diet is a big problem for both constipation, dog loose stool and diarrhea in dogs. Dog stool should be moist, firm and free of blood and worms that resemble pieces of rice in the stool. It's normal to see a trace amount of blood in dog stool occasionally.

Again, for blood in dog stool or diarrhea lasting longer than two days, this could be a larger problem that should definitely be discussed with a Veterinarian. Never ignore blood in the stool.

Dog Constipation And Loose Stool

For many years we struggled with our yellow lab "Lulu" and her severe allergies, stool problems and other skin problems. These days our dog's only eat an all-natural grain free diet and any dog poo problems are now minimal. They also only eat only all natural brands of dog treats. The shedding is now minimal and their skin and coats are beautiful and healthy. No scratching, chewing or chronic ear and anal gland problems. This is what diet alone can do!

•  Raw meat is known to be a natural laxative for dog constipation. However, if your dog does not normally eat raw meat, only feed a small amount mixed in with his food over a few days until you notice a looser stool.
•  Dogs with allergies often suffer with continuous soft stool and anal gland problems. Scooting, sliding on the carpet, quick turns and biting at the tail often indicate anal sac issues. They might be full and not emptying on their own.

  We recommend AnalGlanz which has a very high success rate with dog owners for treating dogs with anal gland issues. The product treats infected anal glands in dogs naturally by helping the glands to empty on their own like they should.

•  For soft stool, you can also try adding a little PLAIN Metamucil to a small amount of canned dog food. Canned dog food is recommended because of the water content. Mix 1 teaspoon of Metamucil for each 10-25 pounds of body weight per meal.
•  Pumpkin works wonderfully if given the right amount (canned 100% pumpkin not ready made pumpkin pie filling) to his diet daily: 1-2 tsp. per meal for a 15lb. or less dog/cat, 1-2 tbls. 16-35 lbs. and larger dogs require 2-5 tbls. per meal.
•  Like pumpkin, canned all natural sweet potatoes (no syrup) are also a great source of fiber. Mashed sweet potatoes are also available in the baby food section.

•  Brown rice also acts as a binding agent for dog loose stool.
•  Mineral Oil should only be used TEMPORARILY for dog constipation and for no longer than a week. Continued use depletes the body of "Vitamin A" and the dog's body will also become dependent upon it for normal elimination. Again, depending on the size, add 1/2 tsp. to 2 tsp. to the food daily until a bowel movement occurs.
•  For dog diarrhea most veterinarians will recommend a 24 hour fast.
•  "Pepto Bismol" or Pink Bismuth can be given to dogs for mild diarrhea or stomach upset over a 48 hour period. In order for it to work, you must give the correct amount based on your dog's size. You must also give it every 4-5 hours until your dog's stool has returned to normal consistency. SINCE PINK BISMUTH CONTAINS ASPIRIN AND CAN BE FATAL TO CATS, AVOID GIVING WITHOUT THE GUIDANCE OF A VETERINARIAN.
•  "Kelp" AKA the "vegetable of the sea" is a form of seaweed that is rich in nutrients. Kelp is rich in fiber and can increase fecal bulk or act as a mild laxative if needed. Besides keeping your dog regular, Kelp provides energy and endurance, promotes circulation and relieves nervous tension.
•  For dog constipation, provide exercise with several short walks during the day.

Dog constipation and dog loose stool problems usually start with diet. After ruling out any major health concerns with your vet, diet should be your primary focus. Don't expect to see wonders in a few days, unfortunately this isn't how it works. The body must first eliminate all the toxins before you see any benefits at all. If changes to the diet are introduced too quickly, you will definitely see a diarrhea problem.

Over a period of a week, introduce the new diet slowly by adding it to the old food. Each day decrease the amount of the old food and increase the amount of the new food. We noticed major changes in our dogs after approximately 6-8 weeks.

For more information on dog nutrition and diet, click on the links below:

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