Is it okay to give my dog milk for constipation? Will it help?

Hi, the best course of action is trying to understand the cause of constipation and address it. If it is not possible, try to help making sure that Maddy is hydrated and that she has a reasonable amount of fibre in her diet. In terms of ailments you can use, what is safe in dogs to use is lactulose, you could start with a small dose such as 2.5 ml twice a day and if it seems to help try to reduce it to once a day. Hope this helps !

Poor Baby Girl! Constipation can be common in puppies, and I recommend diluting the puppy milk and feeding her more frequently in smaller amounts. If this doesn't help and she is still constipated in 24-48 hours, then I would take her into the vet for treatment. Please do not give her a human enema, they contain ingredients that can be toxic to puppies.

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!

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.

[Pumpkin](https://www.petcoach.co/article/health-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-pets) is a "super food" of the canine world. [Pumpkin](https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/pumpkin) contains soluble fiber and beta-carotene and can do wonders for both constipation and diarrhea. However, if your dog is lethargic, not eating, vomiting has diarrhea or is straining and not passing any stool, you need to seek veterinary attention immediately. That being said, the recommended amount of [pumpkin to give a dog](https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/pumpkin/) is 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight of plain, canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) or fresh, steamed pumpkin. Given once or twice daily, this can aid in defecation. Always have fresh water available. Mix in some warm water in the food to increase intake which can also help prevent constipation. If the constipation persists for more than 24 hours, you should see your veterinarian.

Please do not feed your dog grape juice, grapes or raisins as they are toxic and some dogs get kidney failure from ingesting grape products. It is better to make sure your dog eats fiber-rich food (you can mix canned pumpkin into her regular food, not pumpkin pie filling) and make sure she exercises a lot. Take her for a long walk, which will help with eliminating. If the constipation does not resolve she will need to be seen by a veterinarian who will give her an exam trying to find the cause for the constipation and possibly an enema especially for dogs. he may also prescribe medication to facilitate elimination.

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.