Slight constipation; what should I give her?

[Freedom]

Lacey has been with us 2 weeks. I think that is enough time for her to have adjusted to the food I feed. {Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.}

She has been slightly constipated ever since she arrived. She has a time "going," and her poops are beyond firm, almost hard.

Is there anything I can give her to help loosen things up for her? I'm thinking a natural supplement, something I can add to her food maybe, rather than a pill.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[cyber-sibes]

Make sure she's drinking pleanty of water (yeah, like you can MAKE her drink, right? :rolleyes: ). See if she'll eat some mashed sweet potatoes, canned pumpkin, or yogurt mixed into her food. You can also try adding some fish oil on her food.
My old cat had this probem most of his life, it's very frustrating. If it persists, talk to the vet. I had to give my cat a medication to assist peristalsis. Not all vets will think of that, my other vet was quite surprised, but thought it was a good idea. (If I can find my old vet records, (filed away somewhere) I'll pm you the name of the meds)
*edited to add canned pumpkin

[lizbud]

My dog Maggie developed this problem & I took her to the Vets twice
trying to find out what the problem was. Doc said it was nothing psysically
wrong with her. :confused: The best tip was from a Vet tech who told me
to try adding water(5oz) to every meal (kibble). Maggie loves it and the
problem with #2 went away.

[crow_noir]

cyber-sibes and lizbud gave all the suggestions that i was going to give. Only thing i can add is that for a smaller dog you'd want to adjust the amount of water added to the food accordingly. (I'd estimate 1/4 to 1/3 water to the amount of food.)


Lacey has been with us 2 weeks. I think that is enough time for her to have adjusted to the food I feed. {Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul.}

She has been slightly constipated ever since she arrived. She has a time "going," and her poops are beyond firm, almost hard.

Is there anything I can give her to help loosen things up for her? I'm thinking a natural supplement, something I can add to her food maybe, rather than a pill.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[anna_66]

My book Prevention's Symptom Solver for Dogs and Cats (http://www.amazon.com/Preventions-Symptom-Solver-Dogs-Cats/dp/0425174395) has a few remedies:
1)Give a little bit of Metamucil (small dogs 1/2 tsp 2x's/day until they return to normal stool passing)
2)Exercise (go for two 15 min. walks/day)
3)Add 2-3 tsp of bran flakes to food once a day until constipation ends.
4)Give 1/8 cup of milk/day until constipation ends.

With my RB Angus the milk and a nice brisk walk almost always worked.

Good Luck!