After we published our article going over the common causes of bloat in axolotls, we noticed a number of people reaching out to ask a number of questions about having a constipated axolotl.
With there already being a number of people asking about this and the popularity of axolotls constantly increasing with every month that goes by, we wanted to publish our own article going over treating a constipated axolotl to try and help as many of our readers as possible.
A constipated axolotl can end up being a serious problem so you really do have to investicate if you do notice that your pet axololt is not pooping for some reason.
How Do I Know If My Axolotl Is Constipated?
There are a few key things that you can look for to know if your axolotl is constipated.
The first sign that something might be wrong is if there is a noticeable change in behavior.
A constipated axolotl will often become lethargic and stop moving around as much as they normally would.
They might also stop eating as much or seem generally uninterested in food.
If you notice any of these changes in behavior, it’s worth taking a closer look at your axolotl to see if there are any other signs that something is wrong.
Another sign that your axolotl might be constipated is if their stomach appears to be bloated.
This is usually easy to spot as axolotls don’t have a lot of extra room in their bodies for their stomachs to swell up.
If you notice that their stomach is looking swollen, it’s definitely worth taking them to the vet to get checked out.
The last sign that your axolotl might be constipated is if they are straining to poop but nothing is coming out.
This is usually a pretty obvious sign that something is wrong and you should take them to the vet as soon as possible.
What Is The Difference Between Constipation And Impaction?
Many people confused constipation and impaction in axolotls with each other but they are actually different problems.
Constipation is when your axolotl is having difficulty passing stool even though there is no blockage.
Impaction, on the other hand, is when there is an actual blockage preventing your axolotl from being able to poop at all.
If you’re not sure which one your axolotl is suffering from, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and take them to the vet to get checked out.
Is Constipation Common In Axolotls?
Unfortunately, constipation is actually quite common in axolotls.
There are a number of different things that can cause it such as a change in diet, dehydration, or even stress.
It’s important to be aware of the signs of constipation so you can catch it early and treat it before it becomes a serious problem.
If you are new to keeping pet axolotls then double check the diet that you are feeding them as it is very common for beginners to make easy to avoid mistakes with the diet of their axolotls.
What Causes Constipation In Axolotls?
There are a number of common causes of constipation in axolotls but the vast majority of axolotls that have constipation will be having problems with their diet, either an unsuitable, low quality diet or a sudden change in diet.
Here is a quick look at some of the more common causes of constipation in axolotls:-
- A Change In Diet.
- A Low Quality Diet.
- Dehydration.
- Stress.
- Parasites.
- Kidney Problems.
- Cancer.
A Change In Diet!
One of the most common causes of constipation in axolotls is a change in diet.
This can be either a sudden change or a gradual change over time.
A sudden change in diet is usually caused by someone switching from live food to frozen or vice versa without slowly transitioning their axolotl to the new diet first.
A gradual change in diet is usually caused by an axolotl owner slowly switching from one type of food to another over time without realizing that they need to make some changes to the way they are feeding their axolotl.
For example, if you are gradually switching your axolotl from live food to frozen food, you might not realize that you need to start feeding them more frequently as frozen food doesn’t have the same nutritional content as live food.
A Low Quality Diet!
Another common cause of constipation in axolotls is a low quality diet.
There are a lot of different brands of axolotl food on the market and not all of them are created equal.
Some brands of axolotl food have very low nutritional content and this can lead to a number of health problems including constipation.
It’s important to do your research and make sure you are feeding your axolotl a high quality diet that is suitable for their needs.
Dehydration!
Dehydration is another common cause of constipation in axolotls.
Axolotls are semi-aquatic creatures and they need to be kept in an environment that has a high humidity level in order to stay healthy.
If the humidity level in their tank drops too low it can lead to dehydration which can in turn lead to constipation.
Stress!
Stress is another common cause of constipation in axolotls.
Axolotls are very sensitive creatures and they can easily become stressed out by things like a change in their environment, over crowding, or even being handled too much.
If you think your axolotl is constipated, the first thing you should do is check to see if there have been any changes in their environment or diet that could be causing stress.
Parasites!
Parasites are another common cause of constipation in axolotls.
Axolotls are prone to parasites and if they are infected it can lead to a number of health problems including constipation.
If you think your axolotl might have parasites, the best thing to do is take them to the vet so they can be checked out and treated if necessary.
Kidney Problems!
Kidney problems are another common cause of constipation in axolotls.
Axolotls have a very high metabolism and they produce a lot of waste products.
If their kidneys are not functioning properly it can lead to a build-up of toxins in their body which can in turn lead to constipation.
Cancer!
Cancer is another common cause of constipation in axolotls.
Axolotls are very prone to cancer and if they develop cancer it can often lead to constipation.
If you think your axolotl might have cancer, the best thing to do is take them to the vet so they can be checked out and treated if necessary.
How Can I Treat My Axolotl’s Constipation?
If you think your axolotl is constipated, the first thing you should do is take a look at their diet and see if there are any changes that can be made.
If they are on a diet of live food, try slowly transitioning them to a diet of frozen food.
If they are on a diet of frozen food, try slowly transitioning them to a diet of live food.
If you are unsure of what to do, the best thing to do is take your axolotl to the vet so they can be checked out and treated if necessary.
Once you have made any necessary changes to their diet, the next thing you should do is make sure they are getting enough exercise.
Axolotls are very lazy creatures and they often don’t get enough exercise which can lead to constipation.
Try to encourage your axolotl to move around more by adding toys or rocks to their tank that they can climb on.
You can also try gently prodding them with a stick or their food to get them moving.
If you are still having trouble getting your axolotl to exercise, the best thing to do is take them to the vet so they can be checked out and treated if necessary.
How Often Should An Axolotl Poop?
There is no set answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors including diet and exercise.
However, a good rule of thumb is that an axolotl should be pooping at least three times per week.
Many people think that their axolotl is constipated but many axolotls on a perfect diet in perfectly fine health will not poop every day and this can be totally normal and natural.
