How can you monitor their constipation at home?
After going through all those excruciating steps mentioned above and not checking any boxes, you might be able to deal with the fact that your dog is constipated at home. First, take your dog on a long walk.
Exercise could easily stimulate the colon and relieve constipation. Then, if you want to increase hydration, switch to canned food and add water to the kibble.
You could try another thing, as I’ve heard many people talk about it: you could add 100% canned pumpkin or Metamucil to each of his meals.
It is true that canned pumpkin doesn’t have as much relevant fiber as Metamucil, but it’s still widely available, and it can be more than enough for milder cases.
How vets usually diagnose what’s causing the dog’s constipation
When you visit the vet, he or she will perform a physical exam, which also includes a rectal palpation.
Based on the exam and your dog’s health history, they might be able to determine if your dog is constipated or not.
Radiographs, also known as x-rays of the abdomen, can easily confirm the diagnosis and the severity of it.
They could also help you identify any possible causes, like ingestion of foreign material, a previous pelvic fracture, or a perineal hernia.
In some cases, further tests will be needed, especially if your dog is constipated often.
