My dog is constipated. What should I feed her to help relieve it?

I would definitely not add salt as this can cause him to have salt poisoning and subsequent neurological problems. I would suggest adding 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) to his food daily which will add fiber and hopefully allow him to go #2 a bit easier. If he is still having issues then I would have his prostate examined to check if it is enlarged and possible the underlying problem as to why he can't go easily. An enlarged prostate will push up on the colon, making the hole narrower so that poop can't easily pass through. The cure for this is to have him on a laxative through your vet and ultimately getting him neutered can resolve this issue for good. I hope everything works out for your pet Kitty. Take care.

Mild constipation that lasts no more than two days can usually be resolved at home with increased fiber and hydration. Canned pumpkin (not pie filling, just the straight-up pumpkin) or liquid paraffin can be used, and should work straight away in the following 8 hours from administration. DO NOT TRY to give an enema as it could be dangerous and cause electrolyte imbalances and colon perforation. If constipation lasts more than 24 hours from administration of those or 48 hours in general, a check up at your local vet is required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Administering enemas are best left to your veterinarian. You can add Miralax to his food. Miralax is a very gentle, easy to give treatment for constipation, available over the counter at any pharmacy. The dose of Miralax is 1 tsp per 50 lbs mixed in with food once a day. You can also add a tablespoon of vegetable or olive oil to his food once daily, or add a couple of teaspoons of canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to his food daily. If he is severely constipated right now, I recommend you get him in to see your vet to be debulked.

Poor guy. I am glad that he was able to have a normal bowel movement. Thanks for the update. From here moving forward it is best to add fiber to his diet daily. You can either purchase a Food that has added fiber in it already, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal high fiber or the Hill’s Science diet W/D, both prescription brands. Or you can try adding in 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) into his food daily. I hope this helps and best wishes with your pet Maui. Take care.

Travelling is always a stress on the system. Try to increase fluid intake & make sure she gets plenty of exercise while you are travelling. We often advise feeding canned pumpkin , 1- 2 tablespoons twice a day to help move the bowels. As long as she is not vomiting, try feeding her some special treats like some chicken or cooked hamburger. If she actually seems unwell, or starts vomiting, you will have to find a veterinarian to see her. I hope she is feeling better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Oreo. Give her a tablespoon of canned pumpkin pureee (not pumpkin pie filling) with each meal to see if that helps. Also feed her canned food and add water to it. If these things do not help, you will have to have her seen by a vet. Best of luck.

Constipation can be a very serious condition, it can be caused by a physical blockage (foreign body like a bone) or a functional peristalsis deficiency of the intestines. In order to treat simple constipation, you should increase the fibers in the food (e.g. canned pumpkin) and can add a little mineral oil to the diet. I strongly advise taking Rosie to the vet in order to check if there is a serious condition causing the constipation first.