If your dog is constipated, you want to help them find relief. You may have heard about pumpkin as a home remedy for canine constipation, and wonder if it will help your dog. You’ll also need to know how much pumpkin to give your dog to treat constipation.
HowPumpkin Help With Constipation in Dogs
Pumpkin has high amounts of water and fiber and helps add bulk and soften a constipated dog’s stool. In other words, it acts as a natural laxative, making the stool easier to pass.
Besides helping your pup stay “regular”, pumpkin is a great addition to your dog’s diet because it is rich in a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium.
Fiber is also known to act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in your dog’s intestines and inhibiting the growth of bad or harmful bacteria.
But how can pumpkin help both diarrhea and constipation in dogs? This is a common concern among many dog owners, so you aren’t alone if you are asking this question.
The simple answer is: pumpkin has both soluble and insoluble fibers, which interact differently with your dog’s gastrointestinal health.
Soluble fiber, for instance, acts like a sponge when there is excess moisture in your pup’s GI tract (diarrhea).
On the other hand, insoluble fiber draws moisture into your dog’s GI tract when the stool is hard and dries (constipation) to make the stool bulkier and softer.
So, in the case of diarrhea, the soluble fiber in pumpkin slows down the GI tract while in the case of constipation, the insoluble fiber quickens bowel movements.
Pumpkin contains soluble fiber which slows down digestion and can help manage loose stools. It also absorbs water which allows for the bulk up and control of loose stools.
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It’s often best to determine what works best for your individual dog, monitor your dog whenever using a food like sweet potato or pumpkin to help with diahrea or constipation and see what works best.
Usually, pumpkin is the first go-to when your dog has loose stool. I’m not sure why or how this got started but I actually prefer some sweet potato to help firm up loose stool as well. Why? Because just as much as pumpkin can help with diarrhea, it can also help with constipation. I’ve actually found more success using sweet potato to firm up stool, and used pumpkin to act as a laxative. Sweet potato contains a nice mix of soluble and insoluble fiber that is really good for overall bowel health in humans and dogs. Insoluble fiber does add bulk to stool and can increase transit time. That transit time could cause a laxative effect but again, I’ve often found pumpkin acts more as a laxative than sweet potato. Another thing to note, pumpkin has a high water content it can be beneficial in softening stools for constipated dogs. Pumpkins are actually 90% water vs. sweet potatoes which are 70% water.
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How much pumpkin should I give my dog for constipation?
There’s some conflicting information on how much to give your dog, so there may be an element of trial and error involved in getting the dose right.
The good news is too much pumpkin will not cause your dog any serious problems, but it can cause minor issues with diarrhea or stomach irritation. Before we look at how much pumpkin to give your dog, it’s important to know why they are constipated in the first place.
Your dog’s bowel movements will vary slightly from those of other dogs, but should maintain a regular pattern. Some dogs go up to 4 times a day, while others normally go once a day.
If your dog hasn’t gone within 48-72 hours, they are constipated. However, if your dog typically goes several times a day and only goes once in 24 hours, they may be constipated as well.
In addition to frequency, look at the consistency. Does their poop appear hard? Is it a smaller amount than normal? These are also potential indications your dog is backed up.
Lastly, watch their behavior when pooping. Do they attempt to poop, but can’t make it happen? Does it take them longer than usual? Do they whine or show other signs of pain when pooping? These issues are usually caused by constipation.
Pumpkin can definitely help ease dog constipation. However, it’s also important to resolve the cause of your pooch’s constipation if possible.
Dogs sometimes eat things that their body can’t digest. Some dogs have pica, which causes them to crave and eat non-food objects. Other dogs just swallow the wrong things in the course of their regular meals.
Bones, hair, and grass are common culprits of dog constipation. Dogs love bones, but they have difficulty digesting them. Most dogs won’t intentionally eat hair. However, they can swallow it during grooming. It can also make its way into their food. They will occasionally eat grass to settle their stomach, but this is also very difficult for them to digest.
When the stomach contents are not fully digested, it is harder for it to go through the intestinal tract and find its way out.
A diet that’s too low in fiber can cause constipation. Fiber helps pull water into the waste. This keeps it soft, and allows it to work its way through the intestine without straining. When your dog doesn’t eat enough fiber, the poop can become dry and hard. This makes pooping difficult and can cause a blockage in severe cases.
Exercise stimulates the digestive tract. You may know that taking your dog for a walk can encourage them to poop. This is because when the body is active, the digestive system is also working. It causes the intestines to activate, and begin pushing waste through the digestive system.
If your dog doesn’t get enough activity, they can suffer from slow intestinal motility. This essentially means that the intestines are sluggish, and not moving things along at the correct rate.
An enlarged prostate can cause constipation in dogs, just as it can in humans. Swollen or full anal glands can also cause issues. Dogs have an anal gland on each side of their poop shoot. When they poop, these glands release fluid, which coats the poop. This carries important information about the dog, which other dogs can smell.
When the glands become blocked, they don’t release their fluid. They swell, making it hard for the poop to pass through. Anal glands can be expressed by your vet. You can also do it yourself, if you are brave enough.
Digestive disorders can also cause constipation. This includes a lack of good bacteria, known as probiotics, as well as diseases like IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Other causes of constipation are not directly related to the digestive system. These include kidney disease, hernias, and trauma to the pelvic area.
FAQ
How fast does pumpkin work for dog constipation?
How much pumpkin can you give a dog?
Does pumpkin make dogs poop more?
Plus, the fiber in canned pumpkin absorbs even more water. As a result, canned pumpkin can make your dog’s stools bulkier and softer.