Constipation in Dogs
Causes of Constipation in Dogs
Constipation itself is a symptom, not a disease. It's a sign that something's amiss in your dog's system. The cause can be something as minor as her diet or as serious as a neuromuscular or metabolic disorder.
Often, what your dog ingests is the cause of her constipation. This can be what you feed her or what she feeds herself -- including dog food that is low in fiber, hair ingested from self-grooming or licking the floors, or bones, pieces of toys, dirt, gravel or anything else that can be difficult to eliminate.
Other triggers of constipation are:
- Medication side effects
- Lack of exercise
- Dehydration
- An obstruction in or outside the colon wall
- An obstruction at the anus
- Neurologic, metabolic or endocrine disorders
- Enlarged prostate gland (in male dogs)
- Hernia
- Orthopedic disorders that cause pain when crouching
- Old age
- Missed meals
You will need to have a veterinarian investigate the specific cause of your dog's constipation.
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Pet Health: Constipation in Dogs:
Treatments for Constipation in Dogs
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