Visit A Vet Clinic If Your Dog Is Frequently Constipated
If you've ever suffered from constipation, you know that it can be an unpleasant condition that often requires some form of help. Dogs can also deal with constipation at various times in their lives, and there are several different reasons that this issue may occur. While a brief period of constipation in your pet dog isn't necessarily a big concern, you should schedule an appointment at your veterinary clinic if the issue is occurring frequently. As a pet owner, it's important for you to monitor your dog to look for signs of constipation. Here are some indicators that may be evident to you.
Lack Of Bowel Movements
You probably have a good idea of how often your animal typically has a bowel movement. For example, if you walk your dog twice a day, in the morning and at night, they may routinely move their bowels on each of these walks. It's important to monitor if this frequency changes. For example, perhaps you've noticed that the pet has gone from two movements a day to one every two days. This can be a major concern and potentially a sign that something is wrong with the animal's digestive system. You'll want to contact your vet clinic to set up a visit.
Difficulty With Bowel Movements
You should also get in the habit of watching your pet when it squats to move its bowels. On a walk, you might use this opportunity to check your cellphone, but it's better to keep an eye on your dog. Some dogs will experience difficulty being able to successfully move their bowels. For example, your pet might squat for a prolonged period and be visibly straining, perhaps with no success. A pet should be able to relieve themself with relative ease.
Hard Fecal Material
When you bend down to pick up your pet's feces, it's useful to note how they feel. Even through a plastic bag, you should be able to discern whether they feel soft or hard. A dog that is struggling with constipation will often have feces that are noticeably hard and dry. In some extreme cases, you may even notice some blood on the exterior of the feces, which is an indicator of the dog's struggle to move their bowels. If hard feces have begun to be the norm for your pet, you'll want a veterinarian to assess the animal and offer some suggestions on how to improve this situation.
Contact a local veterinarian to learn more.
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