What can I do for my puppy that is constipated?

regina: What can I do for my puppy that is constipated?
I have 5 week old puppies that I started to feed puppy food. (moist puppy food) now they are showing signs of being constipated. Is there anything I can give them to help them go.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Storm
Give them a little bit of olive or vegtable oil in thier food that should help lossen their bowels. Hope I helped

Answer by petermorgan
take
it
to
a
VET

simple. dont mess about with internet advise, if you animal is sick take it to a vet. if a child is sick take it to a paediatrician, if your car is sick take it to a mechanic.

unless you really want to mess around with it yourself, mess it all up and make things much worse

Answer by marina
Yes. Give them 1-2 teaspoons of canned pumpkin puree. The pure stuff -not pumpkin pie mix. The fiber in the pumpkin should get his bowels moving in no time. You can mix the pumpkin in his food or give it to him straight. Dogs usually love the stuff too.

Answer by Goldengal
I would really consult a vet before I would feel comfortable recommending anything to you. They are so very young that I feel anything I would suggest for an older pup or dog may give them diarrhea.
Please call your vet for advice on this one OK.

NOTE: Please do not give pups that young pumpkin. It will do a nasty job on their intestines.

Answer by amypemcrest
Make sure he/she is getting plenty of water. Hydration is very important for avoiding consitpation. The dog’s body will soak up the water it needs from the bowel. Poop inside the bowel can get dried up and difficult to pass.
Hope he/she feels better soon!

Answer by nancy b
depending on how long your puppy has been constipated, try a little(teaspoon) mineral oil in it’s food. if it has been more that three days or a reoccurring problem you must find a vet. it’s probably a food issue, but don’t take chances. things can go really bad really fast with puppies and kitties, try the mineral oil for one day, if you get no results call your vet.DO NOT PUT THE MINERAL DOWN THEIR THROATS, THEY MIGHT INHALE IT! best of luck nancy

Answer by asharpermind
Water water and more water.

I also hear that if you stick the head of a self striking match in the anus of the dog – that it will induce what you need it too… Alternate? Try a enema from the pet store.

Answer by Snowhiker
I would take the puppy to the Vet. as soon as you can. The puppy could have a bowel obstruction. If so the puppy could be in pain. Usually puppies have loose stools.
Your puppy will be needing it’s 6 week old shots any way. Please call the Vet. !!!
The Vet. might be able to just tell you what you can buy over the counter if he does not think the puppy needs to be seen.
There are many things a puppy can catch. Make sure your puppy gets all it’s shots.

I brought home a 6 1/2 week old Lab puppy. She is now 12 weeks old. I have had problems with the loose stools.
Has your puppy been checked for worms? All puppies are born with worms. They have to be dewormed 3-4 times at least.
Good Luck

Answer by allison_sdlr
mix olive oil with the food that you feed him. that should help

Answer by Eddie S
When dealing with puppies that are (or should be) still weaning off of their mothers, I would recommend seeing the vet. You can try a warm towel compressed (lightly!) on the tummy and gently massaging in a circular motion in the same area to help move things along. You can even try a small amount (and by small, I’m talking about probably 1/8 cup or less, depending on the size of the puppies) of cow’s milk. Dog’s don’t have the enzyme that is necessary to digest cow’s milk, so this can cause a bit of diarrhea. However, when dealing with a severely constipated dog, any bowel movement is a good one! My guess is that you’re weaning them a bit too soon and that’s the problem. Or it could just be that they aren’t adjusting to the weaning very well, which is not all that unusual. But like I said, I’d see the vet as soon as possible.
Good luck!

Answer by Annie
Puppies NEED to be with mom till they are 8 weeks, preferably 12.

At 5 weeks, they are not weaned and cannot even go to the bathroom w/o mommy. The licking stimulates their bowel movements. So, either take it back, find a surrogate, or start licking!

Answer by Daniel M
This works really well:

Feed your dog nothing but scrambled eggs and ricefor the meals (not mixed together) and gaterade. Don;t give him water, just gaterade. I hve done this and it works wonders. I wouldn’t suggest pumkin…

I have also heard that a little mineral oil can help loosen things up, but this has side-effects that you woudn’t want, so I wouldn’t suggest this.