Cats and Constipation

• Facebook
• Tweet
• Pinterest
• Reddit
• Email

(Picture courtesy of Freepik.com)

When cats are constipated, it not only makes them uncomfortable and restless, it could be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem.

 

Cats, on average, move their bowels about every 24 to 36 hours. If yours doesn’t pass one as frequently, strains when attempting to poop or doesn’t leave any poop in her litter box, she may be constipated. While most cases of constipation are mild enough to be treated at home, it’s wisest to contact your vet if yours hasn’t moved her bowels in more than 48 to 72 hours.

 

If you’re unfamiliar with the many possible causes of feline constipation, consider the following:

Insufficient fiber in their diet

Dry food

Stress or anxiety

A bowel obstruction due to bones or string blocking it

Excessive grooming (this results in extra hair inside their digestive tracts)

 

 

Arthritis pain

Pain or spinal issues

Kidney problems

Feline megacolon (this occurs when a cat’s colon gets so large that the muscles are unable to squeeze, leading to a buildup of dry, hard stool)

Allergies

Nerve problems

Ruptured or impacted anal sacs (both can cause pain when defecating)

Narrow places, tumors or other problems within the colon

Chronic conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes or kidney disease

Inflammatory bowel disease

Perianal disease

Cancer

 

As to the various signs and symptoms of cat constipation:

Inability to defecate at all

Straining or crying when inside the litter box  (Picture courtesy of Freepik.com)

Avoiding the litter box

Going into and leaving the litter box numerous times without pooping

Any one of these behaviors merits an immediate call to your vet since your cat may be suffering from a serious urinary tract problem.

 

And because constipation can be a sign of other underlying health issues, you may notice that your kitty is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms:

Decreased appetite

Drinking more or less water

Urinating more

Difficulty jumping up

Loss of muscle

Hiding

Walking stiffly

Weight loss

Nausea

Vomiting

 

In short, the reason(s) for your kitty’s severe constipation must first be properly diagnosed, then promptly treated to decrease the risk of permanent damage due to prolonged distension of her colon.

 

If, however, your kitty’s constipation is both infrequent and mild enough to be treated at home, consider the following suggestions:

Help her maintain a healthy weight

Minimize her stress and anxiety

Provide her with probiotics

Switch to a hypoallergenic diet, one with lamb or chicken and special, limited ingredients to reduce any intestinal inflammation

Try fiber-rich foods, a teaspoon of canned, pureed pumpkin once or twice daily, or ginger as natural remedies  (Picture  courtesy  of  Freepik.com)

Increase her exercise to both help her lose weight and keep her active, thereby reducing stress and promoting normal movement within her intestines

Use over-the-counter laxatives (before doing so, consult your vet since they may worsen symptoms in cats with underlying or chronic diseases) *

Keep track of how often your cat poops in her litter box and the consistency of her stool at least twice a week initially, then every week or every two weeks thereafter if all is well.