Senior Dog Comfort & Care

There is nothing that can make you feel more helpless than watching your poor senior dog try to poop when they can’t. Constipation is commonly due to diet issues, but other factors may be involved. Diet issues include eating what they shouldn’t or not getting enough of something, like fiber. When dogs consume foreign materials, such as soil, cloth, or bones (including some raw diets that are high in bone content), it can cause blockages or solidify their poop to the point it can’t pass. When they don’t consume enough fiber or water, they can get constipated. Unrelated to diet, lack of exercise, and arthritis can also contribute to your dog’s constipation. There are cases where there are underlying illnesses that affect how your dog poops and can mimic constipation. In these circumstances, especially if your dog has not pooped in 36 hours, you should contact your veterinarian. Some things you can do to help prevent your dog suffering with constipation include providing plenty of fresh water, supplementing with fiber, giving pre and probiotics and joint supplements, and ensuring they get plenty of exercise.