Safe Ways to Use Metamucil for Your Dog's Digestive Health

Warning

If your dog does not have a bowel movement at all for two days, you should take her to a veterinarian; she may have an intestinal blockage.

Be sure to provide sufficient water when treating with Metamucil or an intestinal obstruction could occur.

Do not administer Metamucil to dogs with a history of bowel conditions, such as colitis.

Discontinue use immediately and contact a veterinarian if vomiting occurs.

Dogs become constipated just as people do. Common causes are lack of exercise and improper diet. Feeding your dog a high-quality dog food and providing plenty of opportunities for exercise can prevent constipation. Still, despite your best efforts, your dog may occasionally suffer a bout of constipation. While it is not FDA approved for use in dogs, a home remedy veterinarians frequently recommend to treat constipation in dogs is Metamucil (which is a brand name for psyllium).

Step 1

Recognize that your dog has constipation. Dogs normally will have one or two bowel movements daily. Constipated dogs sometimes will have more bowel movements than normal on a daily basis, but they will pass small, hard and dry stools. The dog may strain while trying to pass stool, and will seem uncomfortable. He may hunch over or crouch in an awkward position.

Step 2

If you think your dog is constipated, consider administering Metamucil. It is a bulk-forming laxative derived from the fibrous coating of a plant seed. Passing through the dog's intestinal tract undigested, it absorbs water and expands in size once in the colon. This softens the dog's stool and makes it larger, thus stimulating intestinal contractions and allowing the stool to be more easily passed. Metamucil is readily available over the counter at any pharmacy.

Step 3

Add Metamucil to the dog's diet, preferably mixing it in with wet food. Give half a teaspoonful twice a day to small dogs, and two teaspoonfuls twice a day to larger dogs. Be sure to give the dog plenty of water. It may take 12 to 72 hours for the Metamucil to be effective.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.