Dog constipation is a condition in which the animal has difficulty in eliminating solid waste from the body and the feces are hard and dry. Constipation causes the dog to strain and abdominal discomfort. Fortunately, this common condition is easy to treat. One of the first steps in treating canine constipation is to understand what cause it. Dog Constipation Causes Dog constipation can be caused by a stress, anxiety, a lack of fiber and/or water in the diet, prolonged lack of exercise, consuming foreign materials such as cloth, hair, trash or dirt and it can also be the result of a parasite infestation. In some cases, dog constipation can be a sign of underlying medical problems such as infected anal glands, an intestinal obstruction, neurological disease, or metabolic and endocrine disease. If your pet has not had a bowel movement in more than two days and he appears lethargic, won't eat, vomits frequently or you notice blood in his stool, you should visit your vet to discuss aggressive treatment options. If your dog has a simple case of constipation and he's feeling fine otherwise, there are a number of at home treatment options available. Dog Constipation Treatment Treatment methods for dog constipation are a combination of proactive and reactive measures. Avoiding low-quality, low-nutrition, commercial dog food and opting for high-quality products with a 40/50/10 ratio is a great start. This means, 40% meat, 50% veggies, and 10% carbohydrate. It is also important to avoid dog food that lists animal by-products as ingredients as well as preservatives such as BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin. Premium brand and holistic foods do not contain fillers, by-products or harmful chemical preservatives. They contain 100% natural and nutritious human-grade ingredients. Add bulking agents to the diet, such as bran, pumpkin, or methylcellulose, can help prevent constipation as well. In addition to monitoring your dog's diet, you should always: * provide fresh water for your pet * take them out to exercise regularly * take them out to relieve themselves as frequently as possible * keep them away from trash and bones * avoid feeding them table scraps If you follow the preventative measures to the letter and your dog still becomes constipated, it's time to try take a look at the different home remedies. Just a few home remedies include: laxatives, suppositories, lubricants, and enemas. It is important to note that enemas containing a mixture of pure warm water and a little soap are safer for your dog than store-brought enemas. For more information on dog constipation causes and treatment, see: http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-constipation-causes-prevention.html http://www.vetinfo.com/dconstipationremedy.html http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-constipation.html