There are few images as frightening as your dog constipating for devoted dog parents.
It is difficult seeing the agonizing cries, straining during defecation, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating accompanying constipation.
Of course, you’ll have the vital need to give your dog Miralax, which is one of the most regularly used laxatives, as soon as you see him.
However, the more important topic is whether dogs can take Miralax for constipation.
Yes, a constipated dog can take Miralax for a short period, but it should not be a long-term solution.
Miralax works short-term by encouraging your dog to retain more water in his feces, making passing such a stool more pleasant.
Before giving Miralax to your dog for constipation, you should see your veterinarian.
What is Miralax?
Miralax is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug.
It’s a type of laxative known as an osmotic laxative. Constipation’s remedy is Miralax.
It’s typically for short-term relief, but it can also treat chronic constipation over time.
Miralax is also sometimes used to prepare the bowel for a colonoscopy.
Note: Miralax isn’t a cure for chronic constipation, especially in dogs.
How Does Miralax Work for Dogs?
Miralax (generic name: polyethylene glycol 3350) is an osmotive laxative that stimulates bowel movement by increasing the water content of your dog’s stool, making it less painful to pass.
Miralax works by stimulating your dog’s colon nerves.
As a result, the muscle contracts, forcing the excrement through the colon of the dog.
Miralax is an osmotive laxative that makes your dog’s feces less dry and compact, making it simpler to pass through its digestive system.
Miralax is most effective when used to treat intermittent constipation.
What are the signs that your dog is suffering from constipation?
However, before you give Miralax to your dog, you should make sure they suffer from constipation.
What warning signals should you look for in your dog?
- When you realize your dog hasn’t defecated in days, it’s most likely suffering from constipation (say more than two).
- Constipation is present if your dog’s feces is dehydrated and stiff, even feeling like solid stones when touched. You may also detect whether your dog is constipating by the amount of discomfort it has when defecating.
- Your dog is likely suffering from constipation if it is straining to pass stool that has a significantly reduced liquid content (and, in some circumstances, bloody stool).
Is it safe to administer Miralax to a dog?
Miralax would have little effect on your dog if administered as a short-term pain reliever.
However, Miralax, for some dogs, does, of course, have specific adverse effects.
After consuming Miralax, your dog may have vomiting and diarrhea.
This reaction is common when your dog has an allergic reaction to Miralax’s main ingredient, polyethylene glycol.
When the Miralax dosage given to your dog exceeds the prescribed amount for your dog’s weight range, such reactions are common.
Pancreatitis can also affect your dog in other ways.
This effect occurs when the pancreas of the dog becomes overworked and eventually fails.
This reaction is an uncommon occurrence that happens when your dog consumes an excessive dose of the medicine.
However, if you are careful and follow the rules, such severe negative consequences should be minimal.
When delivering Miralax to constipated dogs, you should take the following precautions:
- Miralax should not be used on dogs with sensitivities or allergies to polyethylene glycol.
- Miralax is only a Band-Aid and should not be an indefinite remedy. Miralax dosing over an extended period might cause electrolyte imbalances in your dog, resulting in dehydration, sodium suppression, or potassium excess.
- It would be best if dog owners did not administer Miralax to dogs with rectal bleeding, toxic colitis, or gastrointestinal blockage.
Regardless of the situation or the severity of your dog’s constipation, it is critical to obtain your veterinarian’s consent before administering Miralax to your dog.
If your dog is currently on medicine, your veterinarian’s clearance is even more critical to ensure that Miralax does not interact poorly with other pets.
If you detect any changes after administering Miralax to your constipated dog, such as difficulties breathing, swelling, or even allergic reactions, take your dog to the vet right once.
In addition, when your dog consumes an excessive amount of the drug, an emergency visit to the veterinarian is required.
The following is a rough estimate of the dosages of Miralax Dogs should receive:
- 80lb dog: 1 and 2/5 of a teaspoon for every 24 hours.
- 50lb dog: not more than one teaspoon for every 24 hours
- 40lb Dog: 4/5 of a teaspoon every 254 hours
- 20lb Dog: 2/5 of a teaspoon within 24 hours
- 5lb dog: not more than 1/5 a teaspoon every 24 hours
How long will it take for Miralax to take effect on your dog?
After giving Miralax to your dog, you should see an improvement in a bowel movement within 24-72 hours.
However, if you still have severe constipation after this time, it could signify a serious underlying health condition.
It would help if you did not administer Miralax with other medications since they may hinder the Miralax from being absorbed properly by the dog’s system.
You should not give your dog any medication for at least 120 minutes before and after giving Miralax because Miralax will be more effective in your dog in this manner.
Can you Administer Miralax via Dog Food?
Miralax is most effective when administered through the dog’s diet.
But, of course, giving Miralax to your dog through his food has a psychological effect.
Even though Miralax has a mild flavor, a hungry dog will be less likely to eat the food if it notices you adding the pill to it.
The resulting loss of appetite could make the day last longer.
As a result, make sure the Miralax is mixed in with the dog’s food and out of sight.
It’s not an issue to put Miralax in the dog’s water.
But, on the other hand, dog owners have observed increased drug efficacy when administering Miralax through the dog’s food.
Aside from Miralax, there are a few home remedies that are useful when your dog has constipation.
Some of these remedies include:
- Checking the dog’s bottom- Milder examples of this inability to defecate may be due to dense mats of fur blocking the anus. Dogs with long hair and fur are more prone to this condition. This type of hair can become coated with excrement, thereby shutting off the dog’s anal hole. In this instance, you should acquire some electric clippers to chop off such mats of fur. In the circumstances where you can’t take them off, you should contract out to a professional groomer or your vet. Refrain against the urge to use scissors in a hurry. Aside from the potential for contamination, you may potentially end up hurting your dog.
- Hydrate your dog more- When your Dog’s stool forms little, dry stones, your dog is most likely dehydrated. Stools with large amounts of water within the dog’s body tend to evaporate. Keep fresh water available to your dog at all times. Accessibility to water is much more critical for senior dogs.
- Give your dog fiber-rich foods- Fiber helps treat constipation in dogs. Not usually, however. In some dogs, fiber may aggravate constipation. Because of this, you should perform a dog food trial with this fiber therapy to see if it works.
- Exercise your Dog- Giving your Dog any controlled exercise encourages movement in its intestines.