There is nothing abnormal about constipation in dogs after surgery. Your dog could have difficulty eliminating just due to the medications used for pain relief and anesthesia during surgery. Moreover, the pre-surgery fasting could have disrupted the dog’s digestive rhythm. Pain following surgery can also prevent a dog from eating and drinking normally for one or two days, which could lead to constipation.

Constipation can be aggravated when the mobility of the dog is restricted. Try to get your dog to walk around so that its normal rhythm sets in. An electrolyte imbalance can also give rise to constipation, especially in dogs that are slightly older. You need to monitor your dog to ensure that its eating and drinking habits revert back to normal as soon as possible. You can entice your dog with canned food since canned food has a stronger aroma. You can add a few tablespoons of water in the food to increase your dog’s intake of water.

Constipation is listed as one of the side effects of many of the medications that are used after surgery. For instance, in the case of Previcox which is often prescribed for pain relief after surgery, constipation, bloody stools and stomach upset are listed as common side effects. Likewise, anti-inflammatory medications like Carprofen, Rimadyl and Novox also list constipation as one of their side effects.

Tramadol is another pain relief medicine often prescribed after surgery. Although it has fewer side effects, it often causes the dog to lose appetite. Most dogs on Tramadol prefer to sleep longer, skipping the intake of food and water, which can indirectly lead to constipation.

Adding fiber to your dog’s diet can help relieve constipation. Canned pumpkin is a good source of fiber, and dogs love it. It can be easily mixed into dog food and it is inexpensive too. It is a recommended treatment for constipation in dogs after surgery.

Adding Psyllium husk to canned dog food is another way to treat canine constipation. Normally, about half to one teaspoon full of psyllium husk is adequate for a dog that weighs around 60 pound. Ensure that your dog drinks plenty of water after consuming the husk.

You can increase your dog’s fluid intake by preparing a salt-free chicken or beef broth. You can prepare it at home by dropping a few meat bones in water and simmering the mix for about one or two hours. Let your dog drink this directly or mix it in the food.

You can most often treat canine constipation on your own. Call your veterinarian if you see blood in your dog’s stool, when the dog is under medication. Some medicines can cause bleeding by aggravating the stomach’s lining. Your veterinarian would then put your dog on a different medication.