Why Is My 4-Week Old Puppy Constipated: Probable Reasons and Easy Cures
As adorable as puppies are, they definitely require a lot of attention and care. Even more, if they’re just a few weeks old. Things may get more worrisome and tense for you if you have a constipated puppy 4 weeks old in age.
However, you need to know that there are certain causes of this. Sometimes, it might not even be constipation but rather some other issue.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the reasons why your puppy is constipated, the treatment, and whether it is constipation or some other issue.
Various Reasons Why Your 4 Week Old Puppy Is Constipated
When it comes to a constipated puppy 4 weeks old in age, there are many probable reasons for this. The reason can be related to changes in diet or other lifestyle problems.
Let’s take a look at some of the most probable reasons why your puppy is constipated.
1. Diet
One of the major reasons why your puppy is constipated is because of an improper diet.
Constipation usually occurs in puppies when the diet doesn’t have proper amounts of water and fiber.
The reason is that fiber helps in the movement of the digested food through the intestines. Thus, it ensures proper bowel movement.
Similarly, water ensures proper moisture content and helps in smooth movement. You should also encourage your puppy to drink more water whenever possible.
2. Stress or Anxiety
When you bring a puppy to your home, they may get extremely stressed and anxious. This may cause constipation.
Dogs and puppies are susceptible to physical illnesses due to emotional stress.
So, when your new puppy sees the new environment, they may not feel good. This can cause increased muscle tension which eventually causes constipation.
There are many different signals of puppy stress symptoms that will alert concerned owners to focus on their puppy’s health at the moment.
3. Obstruction
Puppies are curious little creatures. So, they may eat things they shouldn’t sometimes such as plastic bags, small toys, etc.
Due to eating such uneatable objects, your puppy may have an obstruction in the colon that is causing constipation.
So, if you suspect that this may be the actual problem, fix an appointment with your vet immediately.
4. Lack of Activity or Movement
Puppies are usually able to walk, play, and run around the age of four weeks. However, if yours isn’t active much, try to encourage them to stay active somehow.
Constipation also happens when your puppy just lazes around. When your puppy is active, they will have regular bowel movements.
5. Certain Medications
There are certain medications that are known to cause constipation. Now, if you have just given your puppy new medication, we advise you to consult your vet regarding this.
Also, try consulting your vet before you start any new medications.
So, these are some of the most common reasons why you may have a constipated 4-week old puppy.
How to Ease Bowel Moments In a Constipated Puppy?
Now, let’s talk about treatment.
It is essential that you act quickly when you realize your puppy is constipated as waiting for long can cause more complications.
Given below are some of the methods to get a constipated puppy 4 weeks old to poop.
Try Adding Pumpkin In Puppy Food
One of the easiest and safe treatments to stop constipation in your puppy is by adding pumpkin in proper and healthy puppy food.
All you have to do is mix only a tablespoon of pumpkin or pumpkin puree in the food and feed it to your puppy.
As mentioned earlier, fiber and water can help in increasing bowel movements. The good news is that pumpkin contains both of them in sufficient amounts.
Try Out Laxatives
Laxatives can definitely be of great help if you want instant and quick results. The only catch here is that you need to consult your vet before you go for any laxative.
Also, you need to keep in mind that you definitely shouldn’t give laxatives meant for humans to puppies. Such laxatives can cause harmful side effects rather than treating your puppy.
So, only go for proper vet-approved laxatives such as Lax-Aire (Link to Amazon). Additionally, make sure you have the proper dosage as per the age.
Give Them Proper Milk
If your puppy is facing constipation problems continuously, it is important that you change their diet and plans.
Try to give them milk instead of anything else. Puppies, especially only a month-old, require proper amounts of milk.
Now, sometimes milk is linked to diarrhea. However, keep in mind, milk can help in the easy movement of bowels in your little puppy.
Make Your Puppy Active
A month-old puppy is still a bit too small for exercising. Yet, it doesn’t mean you can’t play with them and keep them active.
Try to spend as much time as possible with your puppy if they are too inactive. Make them excited and keep playing with them to get them active and their bowels moving better!
Massage Their Tummy
Belly rubs and massaging your puppy to poop may not be the first option out there, but it definitely helps in easing bowel movements.
Here’s how you can massage your puppy gently:
- Take a warm cloth
- Keep it on your puppy’s tummy and slowly apply little pressure
- Rub it downwards towards your puppy’s anus
- Keep doing it for some time
This way you can also try massaging your puppy’s tummy. Remember to not apply too much pressure as it can hurt your puppy. Here’s a YouTube video that explains this well.
Take Your Puppy to the Vet
If nothing works, fix an appointment with your vet as it may be an underlying issue.
Why Is Your Puppy Straining to Poop?
Sometimes, it isn’t constipation that is causing a problem but rather an underlying problem.
So, if your puppy is straining a lot while pooping, it may not be constipation but urinary tract infections. In this case, ensure that you take your puppy to the vet as soon as possible.
At times, the reason can even be something as little as excessive growth of fur near the anus which causes straining in pooping.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are so many reasons why you have a constipated 4-week old puppy. The best you can do is not panic and try out our given solutions.
If they don’t work, visit the vet immediately as your puppy’s constipation can be due to an underlying problem.
