One of my coworker’s dog just had surgery for his other ACL (he is doing fine), but she told me that the dog is crated and on meds and is having trouble going potty. Of course the first thing that comes to my mind is PUMPKIN. This made me realize that maybe I should share with all my readers the remedies that I have used over the years. Since Louise has colitis, she goes back and forth with the consistency of her bowel movements. I find that pumpkin actually can work both ways, help them go, or go less. Here is my list of remedies for constipation. Add any ones you can think of into the comments.
1. Pumpkin: I feed the dogs pumpkin regularly. A tablespoon in their food is all they need. Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix (which contains a whole bunch other stuff especially sugar). When I make dog food, pumpkin is a main ingredient,
2. FiberSupplements: For regularity (we do this for the cats), add fiber, like Metamucil, to their water. There are many over the counter fiber supplements that could work. Check with your vet to see what she recommends and also for how much per pound of the animal.
3. Bran: You can try any kind of bran: rice, oat, wheat. This is one one of the most common remedies for animals and humans when it comes to constipation. I used to give my dogs wheat bran but I soaked it in chicken broth first, so that it was more easily digested and flavorful. Again, ask your vet how much bran per pound of dog.
4. Browm Rice: Did you know that brown rice is much more beneficial than white rice when it comes to fiber? You can sprinkle some on top of your dogs food with each meal.
5. Vegetables and Fruits: When not giving the dogs pumpkin with there meal, I give them either green beans, carrots, or peas. I buy the NO SALT cans (sodium is really bad for dogs) and wash the veggies well. This is just another source of fiber to keep it all pushing along. Louise doesn’t like fruit at all but Sofie loves cantaloupe. I know people whose dogs love apples. (Just make sure to remove the core and the seeds, because the seeds contain bits of cyanide which can be toxic.). Also try unsweetened apple sauce; Mojo and Zelda’s Mom freezes the little apple sauce cups and gives them as an alternative to Frostypaws.
6. Mineral oil: Mineral oil can get things moving but don’t give it directly. Make sure you put it in food. I give 1 tsp for 10 pounds of dog weight, but check with your vet.
7. Exercise: There is nothing like getting the blood flowing through exercise to help move things along. Take Fido for an extra long walk if you can.
8. Laxatives, Milk of Magnesia, or other medications: Some vets may advise a mild laxative or other medications. If it gets to this point, listen to the doctor.
There are many reasons why our furbaby’s get ‘concentrated.’ Hopefully some of these ideas can help loosen things up.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Zoo 