The term constipation is used to describe patients that pass stools infrequently or exhibit tenesmus (incomplete defecation, straining to defecate or feeling the need to continue to defecate once the bowel is empty) when passing stools. Another term you may have heard is obstipation – this is severe constipation that requires medical therapy in conjunction with dietary modification to fully treat. Going one step further from obstipation, is megacolon; this describes when obstipation becomes so severe the colon stretches as faecal material hardens and accumulates. Megacolon can only be officially diagnosed by way of an x-ray, to measure the size of the colon in comparison to the spine. Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, but they are very different conditions, and they will have slightly different treatment plans.
Symptoms of constipation – tenesmus – abdominal pain – weight loss – inappetence – vomiting – depression/lethargy – blood or mucus in stool – intermittent episodes of diarrhea
Causes of constipation – lack of moisture – lack of fibre – too much fibre – a history of constipation – dysbiosis – poor digestion/excess – some medications – pelvic or spinal injuries, fractures or stenosis – anal gland impaction (dogs) – enlarged prostate (undesexed male dogs) – intestinal blockages from eating non-food items (garbage, gravel, toys or bones) – hormonal issues (hypothyroidism)
So, what is a healthy poo?
A healthy stool is firm but not hard, segmented and leaves little to no residue when it’s picked up. If material sit in the colon for too long, the beneficial bacteria dies off and the fermentation processes that feed the good bacteria may actually produce harmful by-products and gases that kill off good bacteria in the colon. The smooth muscle and nerves of the intestine can also become damaged by the constant pushing and pressure and then hyperextended if the faeces remain inside for too long, which can further predispose the pet to having issues with constipation long term.
How diet can help constipation
For constipation, there are a few things that can be modified in the diet to improve the fecal consistency and reduce symptoms. Water is a key nutrient in that using moist foods and encouraging drinking is beneficial to help soften the stool and replenish the water being lost; adding broths to dry food, having multiple water bowls, offering ice cubes and fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks can all help increase water intake. adding sweet potato or pumpkin can also be beneficial in increasing water content, whilst also adding fibre.
Majority of pets with constipation will improve when the fibre content of the diet is increased, or the diet is changed to a higher fibre diet. This is because fibre increases fecal water content, colonic motility and the intestinal transit rate whilst also acting as a bulk-forming laxative. however, in severe obstipation or megacolon, adding fibre is not always a good idea as it makes the problem worse, so always check with your veterinarian before switching to a higher fibre diet. If you aren't able to change your pet's diet you can try adding a fibre supplement such as psyllium husk or Metamucil. It's recommended to start with half a teaspoon mixed with a bit of water and gradually increase the amount you add each day until you reach the desired effect.
It's also a good idea to consider probiotics in these cases. a veterinary probiotic can help repopulate the gut with good bacteria which may have been starved due to a lack of prebiotic fibre in the diet.
Ingredients in pet food that aid constipation
carbohydrate and fibre often get blamed as the cause of constipation or labelled as 'fillers' but in majority of cases a diet lacking in these ingredients is actually a trigger for constipation. Just because fibre and carbohydrates are not nutritional for pets, this doesn't mean they get no benefit from them being in the diet, in fact they are highly beneficial to gut health. Soluble fibres are readily fermented by bacteria and produce short chain fatty acids that are beneficial to colonic health. These fibres help the stool retain moisture as it moves through the intestine and prevents it drying out too much, keeping it lubricated so it can be passed without much effort.
Insoluble or mixed fibres such as beet pulp, rice, wheat or oat bran, pea fibre, soy fibre, soy hulls, cellulose, cereal grains or peanut hulls have varying degrees of fermentability and solubility and may be referred to as mixed fibres. These provide bulk as well as a source of prebiotics for the good bacteria in the gut. Adding bulk can be helpful in some cases of constipation where the stool is very small and difficult to pass, or when anal gland issues are occurring in conjunction with the constipation - the anal glands help provide some moisture into the stools as well, so when the anal glands are blocked or the stool isn't bulk enough to express them, this can trigger constipation.
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