do dogs get constipated?

[comfort80]

Sweeney is starting to teethe and the vet said he might get an upset tummy and a visit from the runny monster, but can dogs go the opposite way and get constipated?
i noticed that he hasnt pooped since last night. he usually goes in the morning before breakfast, and around 330pm when my daughter gets home, then after dinner, and maybe one more time before bed. his energy, and appetite are where they usually are. he's not throwing up, so i don't think he's blocked, but you know puppies, he may have eaten something thats stuck in there.
how long should i let it go before i call the vet? are there any other symptoms i should be looking for if there were something wrong?
is there any home remedies that will make him go, but not summon the runny monster? i know with human babies, peas usually do the trick, but the last time i gave Sweeney peas, the runny monster stayed for two weeks, and i only gave him not quite a table spoon. i know yogurt is usually the best to keep things in line down there, but even a teaspoon loosens up the output way too much. because he's so small and im feeding flint river ranch, any bit over what he needs, makes it really really loose, and he needs a tsp of canned pumpkin just to maintain solidity.
we finally had him regulated, and he starts to teethe! great!!

[Ken Nielsen]

Dogs get constipated with change of diet. How old is Sweeny 5 months? A dog this young shouldn't have constipation if you are feeding a steady and controlled diet of dry puppy food. How much do you feed Sweeney per day and which quantities at what time. What does teething have to do with constipation?

[Dax]

Dogs can get constipated just like humans. Baby laxative can be given. I prefer to feed some more vegtables (lightly steamed) over drugs. In most cases it will resolve within 24-36 hours. If "something" stuck, vomitiing will start to occur as the backup of the pipes continue (clear as mud?)

I don't it's anything - plenty of fiber, plenty of water are the best course of action.

[comfort80]

Originally Posted by Ken Nielsen

Dogs get constipated with change of diet. How old is Sweeny 5 months? A dog this young shouldn't have constipation if you are feeding a steady and controlled diet of dry puppy food. How much do you feed Sweeney per day and which quantities at what time. What does teething have to do with constipation?

I don't know if it had anything to do with teething, i know human babies usually go the other way (very loose)when they teethe, i didnt know if dogs could be different...
i feed sweeney 1 rounded tbs of flint river puppy and adult food (not the formed kibble, the chunky stuff) 3x a day, it works out to 1/4 cup of food a day, which is what was recommended directly from flint river based on his weight. a hair over 1/4 cup a day gives him loose stools, not diareah(sp) just loose. Flint river said that is normal with their brand food if you overfeed. he's been on flint river since i got him in february, so its not due to changing his food. he eats at 6:45 am, 12:15 pm(an hour later on tuesdays), and 5:45 pm every day. he is on charlee bear liver flavored treats and has been onthose for months. he doesnt eat anything else...oh he did get his heartworm pill yesterday, i forgot about that.
i'm not even sure if he is constipated, i heard its ok to miss one or two bm's, i just wanted to know at what point should i start to worry that there might be something wrong. if he was obstructed, how long before he backs up?

DAX, i hate the thought of medicating, and would rather use a natural remedy instead, its just that the last time, it swung him right to the opposite extreme.

i think i'm just going to play it by ear, and worry only if he starts throwing up, or acting uncomfortable. his belly isnt hard either (a baby's will get hard if they're constipated)

[Moo]

I suggest throwing some metamucil into his food if you have it on hand. Just some fibre.