There’s nothing worse, as a pet owner than when your fur baby is having digestive issues — whether it be diarrhea or constipation. One of the best ways to address digestive issues like constipation is to make sure that your dog gets a diet that’s high in fiber and moisture.
Needless to say, finding the right dog food for your puppy, adult dog, or senior dog with constipation might take some time. There are a lot of options out there, but not all wet dog foods are made using high-quality ingredients. Still, there are plenty of quality dry and wet dog foods available from trusted brands like Under the Weather.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the best wet dog food options for dogs with constipation issues. We’ll also be talking about why some people decide to feed their dogs wet food over dry food, the most common causes of constipation in dogs, the benefits of wet dog food for constipation, and more — so stick around.
Why Choose Wet Food for Your Dog?
Some dogs just prefer the taste or texture of wet food. It can also be easier for them to digest since it usually has fewer preservatives and isn’t as heavily processed. That said, you should be cautious of wet foods that only contain meat since these foods usually don’t provide a well-rounded diet for your dog.
Both dry and wet dog foods are held to the same nutritional standards, but comparing their labels can be tricky because wet food contains more water. To properly compare them, you’ll need to look at the nutrient content on a “dry matter basis,” which shows the nutrients without the water. If you’re confused, your vet should be able to help you figure it out.
Wet food generally has higher protein and fat levels, with fewer carbs. Before switching your dog from dry to wet food, talk with your vet to make sure that it’s suitable for your dog — especially if they might struggle with digesting high amounts of protein or fat.
The Best Wet Dog Food for Constipation
When it comes to picking out wet dog food for constipation, there are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration. The ingredients in wet dog food, for example, can make a big difference. Let’s take a look at some of the best wet dog food options for constipated dogs from Under the Weather below:
Hamburger, Rice, & Sweet Potato Bland Diet
The Hamburger, Rice, & Sweet Potato Bland Diet combines lean hamburger meat with white rice and sweet potato to create a nice, soothing meal for dogs with constipation. It’s designed to help calm an upset digestive system and promote normal bowel movements in dogs.
Ingredients
- White Rice
- Hamburger Meat
- Sweet Potato
Chicken & Rice Bland Diet
The Chicken & Rice Bland Diet is a great option for dogs with constipation issues. This formula uses cage-free chicken and white rice, which means it’s super gentle and easy to digest. It’s also packed with electrolytes, which will help keep your dog hydrated while they’re recovering from their digestion issues.
Ingredients
- White Rice
- Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast
- Glycine
- Sodium Chloride
- Potassium Chloride
Chicken & Rice and Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin - 2 Pack
This 2-pack includes the Chicken & Rice Bland Diet along with the Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin version. The added organic pumpkin powder provides extra digestive support, so it’s a fantastic option for dogs with sensitive stomachs and constipation issues. Buying the 2-pack will give your dog another option, so they won’t be stuck with just one flavor of food.
Ingredients
- Chicken & Rice: White Rice, Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast, Glycine, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride
- Chicken, Rice & Pumpkin: White Rice, Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast, Pumpkin Powder, Glycine, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride
Hamburger, Rice, & Bone Broth Bland Diet
This bland diet includes a mix of hamburger, rice, and bone broth. It provides a nutritious and comforting meal for dogs who are dealing with signs of constipation. The bone broth, in particular, adds flavor and hydration — which will encourage your dog to eat and stay hydrated.
Ingredients
- White Rice
- Hamburger Meat
- Bone Broth
What Causes Constipation in Dogs?
Constipation in dogs can honestly be caused by quite a few things. The more you understand these factors, the easier it will be for you to take great care of your dog. Let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of constipation in dogs below:
Eating things they shouldn’t
One of the most common causes of constipation in dogs is the ingestion of non-food items — like pieces of plants, dirt, bones, or even parts of toys. These objects can get stuck in a dog’s intestinal tract, which might make it difficult for them to pass stool.
Lack of exercise
Lack of exercise is another common cause of constipation in dogs. Dogs that don’t get enough physical activity often have slower digestive systems, which can lead to constipation and other issues.
Dehydration
Dehydration is another factor that can lead to constipation. Usually, dehydration happens because of some sort of underlying illness. This is a major reason why feeding wet food to a dog with constipation can be helpful.
Diet changes
When a dog suddenly changes their diet or tries new foods (or when someone feeds them table scraps), it can disrupt their digestive system, which can lead to irregular bowel movements. As much as your dog would probably love to eat your leftover bacon, it’s probably best to just feed them dog food — especially if they’re prone to constipation.
Age
Have you noticed that your senior dog has trouble passing bowel movements? Senior dogs are more prone to constipation (often because of health conditions). This is pretty normal — just like it is for older humans. Feeding your senior dog wet food could help with this. It’ll also be easier on their teeth, which tend to wear down and be more sensitive with age.
Why Wet Dog Food is Good for Constipation
Wondering why wet dog food, in particular, is good for constipation? The simple answer is “there’s more moisture,” and this extra water content will help soften your dog’s stools. However, there’s more to it than that. Let’s break it down below:
Hydration
Once again, wet food has a higher moisture content, which will help keep your dog hydrated. This is especially important when your dog is dealing with constipation. If they’re constipated, they’re probably dehydrated — so it’s important to make sure they’re getting as much moisture in their diet as possible.
Better Nutrient Absorption
Wet dog food often contains high-quality, easily digestible ingredients, which can help dogs with constipation (and other digestive issues) absorb nutrients better. Plus, wet food usually includes prebiotics and fibers, which help dogs maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Taste
Wet food usually tastes better and has a softer texture. This tends to make it more appealing to dogs with reduced appetites. This can be particularly helpful if your dog isn’t eating well due to their stomach problems.
How to Give Your Dog Wet Food for Constipation
If your dog mainly eats dry kibble, switching them to canned food (i.e. wet food) might make a big difference. Wet food has more moisture, which can help with digestion and might make it easier for your dog to poop. Dry food doesn’t always support your dog’s digestive health as well as wet food can, so trying wet food could be a good solution.
Even if your dog is a fan of dry food, you might want to mix things up by feeding them wet food for a couple of days. After that, you can gradually reintroduce their usual dry food. Making sure that your dog gets enough fresh water is also important. If you notice that your dog’s stool is small and hard, it could be a sign that they’re not getting enough water.
For dogs that struggle with constipation often, it might be worth considering adding probiotics to their diet. Just make sure to use probiotics made for dogs, since human probiotics can be harmful to them.
In more severe cases, talking to your vet about stool softeners could be necessary. These softeners or laxatives help your dog’s intestines absorb more water, which supports their digestive tract and makes it easier for them to have regular bowel movements.
Conclusion
At Under the Weather, our goal is to make the process of picking out the right pet food easier. If your dog suffers from constipation (or another digestive issue), they would probably benefit from eating a bland diet. Thankfully, Under the Weather has lots of bland diet options to choose from — including Hamburger, Rice, & Bone Broth, and Chicken & Rice for especially picky eaters.
Choosing the right dog food for a dog with constipation can be difficult, but we hope this guide has helped. When a dog is constipated, feeding them wet food will usually help, so that’s a great place to start. Feel free to check out the wide range of dog food options that Under the Weather has to offer. As always, a healthy pet means a happy home.
