By Amy Tokic,

How can you help your pet pass poop without resorting to meds and ensure his constipation clears up in a few days?  There are a few ways you can support your dog’s digestion, improve his bowel movement, and help him keep regular – you might have to combine a few different methods to get results.  Every dog is different, so what works for your pet might not be the best choice for another dog.

  1. Exercise and water. To keep his digestive system moving, keep your dog moving. Regular exercise will help to push stool through the colon, so don’t skip those daily walks. And make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, clean water to drink. Both factors can help prevent and remedy dog constipation.
  2. Add fiber. Your dog will feel better with a fibre-rich diet. Fiber that is safe for dogs is easy to source – you probably have some safe dietary dog fiber in your home. If not, you can find some at your local grocery store. It’s easy to sneak into your dog’s usual dinner and he won’t be able to tell the difference.
  3. Digestive enzymes and probiotics. A preventative measure, mixing digestive enzymes and probiotics in your dog’s meals can help with maldigestion. Imbalance in gut flora is one of the most common causes of canine constipation – when their delicate gut microbiome is disrupted, digestive issues can occur. Introducing a quality probiotic or digestive supplement with enzymes to your pup’s regular routine can help if he is struggling with digestive troubles.
  4. Canned food – for a limited time only. If your dog typically eats dry kibble, this might be the culprit of his bunged-up booty. The moisture content of dry dog food is not enough on its own, so if your pooch isn’t drinking enough water, he probably isn’t hydrated. Switch your dog to a quality canned food for a few days. Since the wet food has more moisture, it’ll be easier for your dog’s bowels to move.
  5.  Ginger and Chicken or Beef Broth: When you add ginger and chicken or beef broth together, you’ve got a helpful dog constipation home remedy. Here’s what you do: just mix ¼ teaspoon ginger with ½ cup of chicken or beef broth. Ginger helps an upset stomach, plus both the ginger and broth fat get things moving along. It’s completely natural, yummy, and made from wholesome ingredients that nourish your dog’s body.
  6. Milk Moves. Milk can give your dog the runs… but when your dog is bunged up, it’s the perfect remedy. A small bowl will get things moving, often within a few hours.
  7. Olive or Vegetable Oil: This home remedy is one you don’t want to use too often as it can cause diarrhea. However, if your dog’s constipation is rough, you can add a tablespoon of oil to your dog’s food. Then, stand back or take cover!
  8. Native Pet Pumpkin Powder: This topper supports a healthy digestive system by providing bowel movement regularity and assisting absorption of essential nutrients. Native Pet Pumpkin Powder offers gentle relief for digestion, absorption, bowel health, and normal stool. And it’s only made with three ingredients – Organic Pumpkin Powder, Organic Pumpkin Seed Powder, and Organic Apple Powder. All you need to do is sprinkle it over your dog’s food or you can mix it with water to make a puree. You can even freeze it as a treat or bake it into a doggy bone.

Pet Expert Amy Tokic is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/ Chihuahua cross and Zed, a Japanese Chin.  In her free time, Amy loves pursing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon ( a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).