The pain and discomfort associated with constipation touches just about every one of us at some point, but did you know that dogs can suffer from the very same affliction? Dog constipation, just like its human equivalent, is a very common malady that will affect nearly all dogs at one point in their lives.
Most of the time, it is not a major concern, but if it is persistent or if other symptoms are present, it is important to seek out veterinary treatment.
So, what exactly is it that causes constipation in dogs? There are quite a few things that can result in your dog becoming constipated.
One of the first things that you should investigate is whether or not your dog is on any sort of medications.
Just as many different medications can cause constipation in humans, there are medications that will result in constipation for your dog.
Sometimes, if your dog has recently undergone surgery, it may be suffering from constipation as a side-effect of that surgery.
There are other things that can cause dog constipation, of course, such as ingesting foreign objects like toys, plants, clay, or even dirt.
All of this material can potentially lodge in the colon and cause a blockage that can prevent stool from passing.
The same is true if your dog is grooming excessively, which causes an increase in hair ingestion, potentially leading to the same problem.
Aside from these, there is also the possibility that your dog is simply growing old and becoming more susceptible to all the different other conditions that can result in constipation, such as an enlarged prostate or an imbalance in electrolyte levels.