Dog constipation is one of the common health problems, every dog owner faces. But when there is a fruit that can feed your dog and help him come out of constipation, then there is no room for worries. Pumpkin – this amazing fruit or vegetable, is rich in cartenoids, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, zinc, fiber, iron, vitamin A and potassium.
While there are no scientific evidences to prove that pumpkin is helpful for dogs skin or coats, it has been proved to work well for your dog's digestive tract.
Is your dog constipated?
A dog may be constipated due to his diet or the food that he ate or due to gastrointestinal infections. Veterinarians also say that dogs lifestyle, stress or any other underlying medical conditions can cause constipation in dogs.
You can detect dog constipation if you observe that your dog hasn't done his poo job for more than 48 hours. On average, dogs eliminate feces once or twice per day, depending on the type of diet he is on. But there is nothing to worry about this as most of the time, constipation is acute and will resolve with home remedies or without administering any treatment. However, if your dog's condition is more complex, it is better to consult your veterinarian asap.
Pumpkin for dogs
It is said that pumpkin is rich in fiber and water content that helps in preventing constipation in dogs, plus can help bulk up your dog's stool.
Start feeding your dog with 1 or 2 tablespoons of pureed pumpkin a day, depending on your dog's size. Pumpkin does not cure your dog if he is having any underlying medical condition. Call for vet advice if constipation still persists.
Pumpkin is also known for treating dogs to lose weight. Some dogs gain weight as their owners don't want them to feel hungry. Pumpkin is a great low-fat dog treat. It makes your dog feel fuller due to its rich fiber content.
Pumpkin treatment for my dog
At first, I thought it hard to feed my dog with pumpkin, but I was wrong. Its really simple to feed our dog with pumpkin, be it raw or canned pumpkin. Canned pumpkin comes with nutrients and it is easy to mix in your dog's food. Give it to your dog as a treat or use it as an ingredient when you make dog treats such as Pumpkin Paw Prints.
You can also use fresh pumpkin to feed your dog. Peel it, grate and then feed your dog. Give the dog no more than 5 tbsp of the grated pumpkin twice per day. If you feed your dog more than the recommended dose, there are chances that your dog may develop diarrhea.
Looking for any alternative treatments?
Although pumpkin is a good constipation treatment for dogs, some dogs wont love pumpkins. There are also other home remedies that may be used for treating dog constipation. These include olive oil, fish oil and oatmeal. When the dog is constipated, you will have to provide a lot of liquids, to stimulate bowel movement and prevent dehydration.
Other natural tips you can try for preventing dog constipation
- A balanced diet can help your dog poop regularly. Feeding raw food or yourself preparing food for dog with natural recipes and balanced ingredients is the best way to keep your dog's whole body function well.
- Make him do plenty of exercises – until and unless your dog's body moves well, he won't be able to poop. Encouraging him to do regular physical activities and drinking clean water can prevent your dog from constipation.
- Organic apple cider vinegar – an organic apple cider vinegar is a bit of a natural wonder drug. Apple cider vinegar is known to improve digestion and relieve constipation.
- Aloe juice – another effective natural remedy for treating dog constipation. 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight 1-2 times daily on food.
- Chiropractic, accupuncture or massage – all three of these natural treatments have been proven to prevent constipation in dogs.
There are natural medications for treating dog constipation. The treatment will vary depending on the dog's condition. If your dog doesn't poop after the pumpkin treatment, you should visit the vet as the dog may be affected by any other health problem.
