The Usual Suspects
Too little fiber. Dietary fiber, the indigestible, healthful stuff found in vegetables, cereals, and legumes, has been called nature’s scrub rush because it helps stools move more quickly through the body. Most commercial dog foods contain a lot of cereals which are very high in fiber. Dogs who mainly eat meat, however. may not be getting enough fiber to stay regularly.
Not enough water. The stools absorb large amounts of water in the digestive tract, and as they swell, they stimulate the intestines, Dogs who don’t drink much water because it’s not available or because their thirst mechanisms aren’t as sensitive as they should be often get constipated because the stools are too hard and small to stimulate intestinal movements.
Lack of exercise. The large intestine is a muscle, and like any muscle it needs regular exercise to work efficiently.
Overweight. Dogs who are a little pudgy are more likely to get constipated because fat deposits in the abdomen can interfere with the intestines’ normal movements. Overweight dogs also tend to get less exercise, and this makes the intestines work less efficiently.
Eating trash. Dogs who sanck on garbage are more likely to get diarrhea than constipation, except when they eat cardboard, paper, or plastic, which can partially block the digestive tract and make it harder for stools to get through.
