Milly Gaines
A raw food diet is a natural diet for dogs, and it can provide them with the key nutritional elements they need for optimal health. However, some dog owners have reported their dogs experiencing constipation after transitioning to a raw diet. This could be due to several factors, including a diet high in bone content, lack of fibre, dehydration, stress, and exercise levels. It is important to monitor your dog's bowel movements and consult a veterinarian if the constipation persists, as it could indicate underlying health issues.
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What You'll Learn
Dehydration
However, it is still essential to always have a bowl of fresh water available for your dog, even if they do not consume much. If you are concerned about your dog's water intake, you can add moisture to their diet. For example, you can feed your dog raw dog food with offal, boneless beef, and green tripe.
Another way to add moisture to your dog's diet is to feed them raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. This helps restore the pH in your dog's gut to optimal levels and aids in digestion. A small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon per 10 kg of body weight) in your dog's food or water daily will be beneficial.
You can also add fibre to your dog's diet to help with constipation. Feed your dog a pumpkin-based vegetable mixture at least once a week. About 200 grams (less than half a pound) of raw pumpkin is sufficient.
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Lack of fibre
A raw diet is a natural diet for dogs, and it is expected to improve their gut health and reduce constipation. However, a raw diet may not always be balanced, and a lack of fibre is a common cause of constipation in dogs.
Fibre is essential for maintaining good gut motility and regular bowel movements. Dogs fed a raw diet may not be getting enough fibre, especially if their meals are not precisely balanced for their unique digestive needs. This lack of fibre can lead to poor gut motility, making it difficult for dogs to pass stools and resulting in constipation.
To address this issue, dog owners can increase the fibre content in their dog's diet by incorporating fibre-rich vegetables or specific supplements. Vegetables such as cooked sweet potato or pumpkin are excellent sources of fibre and can help regulate bowel movements. Additionally, feeding your dog a pumpkin-based vegetable mixture at least once a week can prevent constipation.
Another way to increase fibre intake is to add plant matter to their meals. This can include a variety of fruits and vegetables, ensuring a balanced raw diet. It is important to monitor your dog's bowel movements and adjust their diet accordingly.
In some cases, constipation may be due to other factors such as stress, medications, exercise, illness, or dehydration. It is always recommended to consult a veterinarian if constipation persists or if there are other concerning symptoms.
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Excessive bone content
If a dog is consuming too much bone, it may lead to constipation. This is because bones are rich in calcium, and to meet the minimum FEDIAF guidelines for calcium content, more bone may be required if using softer bones, which have lower calcium content. As a result, dogs may experience constipation, with stools that are hard, dry, crumbly, chalky, and white.
To prevent constipation due to excessive bone content, it is important to monitor your dog's bowel movements and adjust their diet accordingly. One way to do this is by calculating your dog's daily raw meaty bone allowance using the 80/10/10 formula, which consists of 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, and 10% offal, along with plant matter and other healthy extras.
Additionally, it is recommended to introduce bones gradually when starting a raw diet, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach or is an older dog, as they may have a lower bone tolerance. Recreational raw bones, such as long bones and flat bones, can also be given to dogs for chewing, mental stimulation, and oral health benefits, but they should not be consumed entirely.
If your dog is experiencing constipation due to excessive bone content, you can try diluting the bone content in their food by substituting some of the raw bone with boneless mince or having a boneless meal day with just muscle meat and offal. You can also try switching to a different brand of pre-made raw dog food with lower bone content or adding some muscle meat to balance it out.
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Stress
Just like in humans, stress can have a negative impact on a dog's gut and cause constipation. Stress hormones prepare the body to defend itself or escape, shutting down non-essential processes such as digestion.
If your dog is experiencing constipation due to stress, it is important to keep them calm and stress-free. This can be done through various means, such as providing a safe and quiet place for them to defecate, ensuring they get enough exercise, and addressing any underlying causes of stress.
Additionally, it is worth noting that a lack of physical activity can also contribute to constipation in dogs, as it may take longer for them to stimulate bowel movements between walks. Therefore, ensuring your dog gets enough exercise can help alleviate constipation caused by stress and other factors.
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Exercise
Daily exercise is recommended for dogs, and this should include a brisk walk or a run for at least an hour. This will help to keep your dog's gut moving and prevent stagnation. If your dog is experiencing constipation, it may be that they are not getting enough exercise to stimulate bowel movements.
If your dog is older, they may be experiencing hip dysplasia, which can make it painful to squat. In this case, you may need to adapt their exercise routine to make it easier for them to relieve themselves.
Stress can also be a factor in constipation, and exercise can help to reduce stress levels. Ensuring your dog has the opportunity to explore and play can help to keep their stress levels low and their gut healthy.
It is important to note that exercise is not the only factor in preventing constipation. A well-balanced diet, with plenty of fluids, fibre, and healthy fats, is also essential.
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Frequently asked questions
Constipation in dogs on a raw diet can be due to a variety of reasons. It could be that the diet is high in bone content or lacks sufficient fibre. Bones are rich in calcium, which can harden stools, so it is important to balance the diet with adequate fibre sources like vegetables or specific supplements.
You can try adjusting their meals to contain less bone and add more fluids. You can also try adding fibre-rich vegetables or some extra fruit to your dog's meals. Pumpkin is a good option to help prevent constipation.
If your dog's constipation persists, it is recommended to take them to the vet to rule out any underlying health issues. Conditions like watery diarrhoea and very hard, dry stools can lead to dehydration, nutrient loss, and discomfort for your dog, signalling more severe gastrointestinal issues.
