Best Way To Help A Constipated Cat Poop Again
Take him to your vet. There! Easy! The Cornell Feline Health Center indicates a vet will evaluate your cat’s hydration levels, assess overall health, and eliminate other possible clinical causes.
Another reason why a professional exam is the best remedy for cat constipation is if the condition is more serious, the vet team takes immediate action. “Constipated cats may need an enema at the vet clinic to help them defecate. This is a liquid that softens and lubricates the passage of feces,” Anthony says. “Some cats can get so ‘blocked up’ that they are unable to move the stool. This is called obstipation and requires fecal extraction by a doctor under sedation/anesthesia.”
There are home remedies for cat constipation that you’ll probably find online, and your vet will likely recommend the safest and most effective options. “Often, adding fiber such as pumpkin or psyllium and/or stool softeners can help, as will increasing dietary moisture with canned food or low-sodium broths,” Anthony says. “No changes should be made prior to visiting a veterinarian, however, as dietary recommendations should be made with the whole cat in mind.”
Health Benefits Of Pumpkin For Cats
Plain pumpkin is a good source of fiber for cats. In fact, many veterinarians turn to pumpkin as a remedy for constipation in feline patients.
Dr. Angelo Maggiolo, medical director of County Animal Clinic in Yonkers, New York, often recommends pumpkin as an easy fix for mild cases of constipation in cats. It will get the colon moving a little better in cats predisposed to constipation, he says.
And while pumpkin is a good source of vitamins A and C, which help support vision and immune system health, Meyers advises that its not necessary to use pumpkin as a vitamin supplement. Cats are generally not deficient in these vitamins if theyre on a well-balanced diet, she says.
Pumpkin also contains zinc, which can help improve a cats skin and coat, and cucurbitacin, a biochemical compound that is thought to have some activity against intestinal parasites. However, with a well-balanced diet and proper veterinary care, most of these concerns can be taken care of without the need for pumpkin.
Olive Oil As A Cat Constipation Remedy
Jessica’s first loves were the animals in her life, and she turned that love into a passion, becoming a vet tech and working on the board of a nonprofit animal rescue. As a freelance writer, she can whip up a story on just about any pet you can think of.
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If your kitty seems to be having problems with regularity, you can use olive oil as a natural remedy for feline constipation. Learn how to tell if your cat is constipated and how to use this method to help.
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Cat Constipation Home Remedies
constipation is often noticed when he will onlyeliminate feces once every 2 or 3 days. If the constipation is not asymptom of a more serious disease, it may be treated using someavailable home remedies. Most of these remedies should help your petand relieve constipation within 1 or 2 days after administration of theremedy.
How Do You Treat Constipation In Cats
A vet appointment is recommended prior to giving any home remedies. This is because some conditions causing constipation can require medical treatment, such as intravenous fluids or diagnosing an existing condition. If there’s an obstruction in the intestines it can be dangerous to give any medication or home treatment without consulting a vet.
Mild constipation may be treatable at home with a few simple steps, but if this isn’t helping dramatically then you must call a vet for assistance.
Increasing hydration is an easy way to help your cats bowels move beautifully. Ensure they have access to water at all times. It can help to have multiple water bowls present lots of cats like to drink away from their food bowls, so try separating the two. Water fountains or running taps suit some cats, and may increase their drinking. Wet diets are another foolproof way to increase your pet’s hydration. Wet pouches, which are mostly water, are another option, as most cats like this type of thing.
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Cat Constipation Activity Level
Its also possible that your cat needs more exercise! Try buying some new toys that you know will get your cat going, like a ribbon on a stick you can wave above them. Or a jingly ball they can chase down the hall.
A lot of people arent aware of how important exercise can be for cats and let them lounge around all day. Adding some interactive activities to their daily schedule may regulate their bowels as well.
How To Help A Cat Poop When Constipated
If you believe your cat is constipated then you’re going to want to do something to help. The good news is that there are a number of home remedies which can work wonders but, if you’re going to try to offer assistance rather than call the vet at this stage, keep an overview of your treatment plan to ensure that it’s having a positive effect.
You can do this by keeping a diary and noting down any symptoms you spot each day. It’s a good idea, if the issue relates to an outdoor cat, to try and keep them indoors and introduce them to a litter tray so that you can monitor the stools for consistency and number. Keep a good idea on any potential displays of pain or strange behavior and check that they are eating.
But what home remedies can you try? Much depends on what you think the problem is but here are some suggestions:
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When Might Surgery Be Necessary
If megacolon develops or if the constipation is severe and medical treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be recommended. Surgical treatment involves removal of the affected portion of the colon, in a procedure called a partial or sub-total colectomy. Most cats do very well with few side effects following this surgery.
How Are Constipation And Megacolon Diagnosed
In most cases, a diagnosis of constipation can be made on the basis of the cat’s clinical signs and medical history. Affected cats usually strain unsuccessfully to defecate, and may cry in pain. Any feces passed are hard and dry. The cat may also show signs of lethargy, reluctance to eat, abdominal pain and distension, and vomiting.
Unless your cat is obese or tense, your veterinarian can often palpate or feel the accumulated fecal material in the colon. Further tests may be needed in order to diagnose the cause of the constipation. These may include abdominal and pelvic radiographs to look for pelvic injuries, colonic strictures , or tumors, as well as bloodwork and urine testing to look for underlying disease conditions that can contribute to constipation. Radiographs are also the primary test for the diagnosis of this condition.
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Remedies For Constipation In Cats
We have some of the best and most effective natural home remedies for cat constipation. Generally, feline suffers from chronic constipation issues because she doesnt drink more water, intakes less fiber, and stays less active.
It can cause trouble in their digestive system and thus promote constipation. She will face pain in defecating. Therefore, you must try these effective home remedies for her. You should also ask your vet before giving them to eat!
Supportive Remedies For Constipation In Cats
Dietary fibre supplements can help reduce the frequency of constipation episodes. Both soluble and insoluble fibres are beneficial soluble fibre is metabolized by colonic bacteria and provides nutrients for gastrointestinal cells, while insoluble fibre adds bulk to feces and encourages movement through the intestines. Some common options for dietary supplementation include psyllium husks or wheat bran, both of which should be taken 1-2 times per day and mixed with food. Canned pumpkin can also be used but isn’t as effective as either wheat bran or psyllium husks. For cats specifically, there is a dry diet available from Royal Canin that is enriched with psyllium and has been shown to manage constipation effectively.
Prokinetic drugs can be used to help with chronic constipation, though they should not be used in cats who have gastrointestinal obstruction. Some prokinetic agents that work by affecting colonic motility include cisapride and ranitidine. In one study, mosapride citrate was found to effectively prevent recurrent constipation when used as a single treatment.
While probiotics and prebiotics can be helpful for chronic constipation, synbiotics may be even more effective. One study showed that the use of a multi-strain probiotic resulted in clinical improvement in cats with chronic constipation and megacolon.
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When To Go To The Vet For Cat Constipation
If your cat has been constipated for more than a full day, its time to make a vet appointment. Its especially concerning if your cat is crying when trying to use the litterbox or if you notice blood in their stool.
Just like dealing with a cat that has diarrhea, this is not something you want to wait out. A delay could spell health complications for your kitty. Vets will be able to determine the cause of a cats constipation problems, offering treatment plans, medication, and lifestyle changes that will keep your cat healthy and happy.
How Is Constipation In Cats Treated
Though some constipation issues are mild and can be treated with changes to diet and lifestyle, along with at-home remedies, some may be severe and need the attention of your vet. Serious issues may become emergencies.
Constipation must be treated as soon as possible to decrease the risk of permanent damage as a result of prolonged distension of the colon.
To treat constipation in cats, the underlying disorder must be identified and if possible, corrected. Impacted feces should be removed and recurrences prevented. The inability to pass urine or feces, or pain when passing urine or feces, is considered a veterinary emergency. Your veterinarian may first run any applicable diagnostic tests, then provide fluids or an enema for immediate relief, and prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter meds.
Lets stress that veterinary expertise is needed to safely and effectively perform the enema – these should not be done at home as some types of enemas designed for humans are toxic to cats.
If your cats constipation is long-term or shes suffering from obstipation , she may have megacolon, an enlarged intestine due to a defect in the colons muscle strength.
Cats with chronic constipation or megacolon that does not respond to medical treatment may need to have the section of the large intestine thats affected removed.
How to treat constipation in cats: At-Home Remedies
These at-home remedies may help to relive your cats constipation:
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Effective Home Remedies For Cat Constipation
Keeping your feline happy and healthy is something every cat owner wants. Sometimes you might find your cat is a little uncomfortable and they are suffering from constipation. Cats can suffer from constipation just like us and we all know how it feels. We want to find ways to bring your cat relief if they are having troubles going to the bathroom. I will share home remedies for cat constipation ways to know if your cat is constipated. Help make your cat as comfortable and happy as they can be with these awesome home remedies.
Some cats struggle with constipation from the foods they eat, minimal water intake, or other health reasons. The vet can prescribe laxatives but you may want some home remedies as well. I will share a handful of ways to help get your cat feeling more like themselves and using the bathroom on the regular. If by chance none of these work, then it might be time to head to the vet and get your cat feeling better.
Over The Counter Laxatives
We highly recommend talking with your veterinarian before you give your cat any over the counter laxatives. However, sometimes these laxatives are the only way to avoid further complications, like megacolon. Once the vet gives the go-ahead, there are several brands of over the counter laxatives that work very well at relieving your pet of constipation.
Be aware that a laxative can cause your cat to lose control of itself temporarily, and it may not be able to make it to the litter box when the medicine takes effect. Therefore, we recommend isolating the cat in an area thats easy to clean until the procedure is complete.
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When Olive Oil Shouldn’t Be Used For Your Cat’s Constipation
Olive oil is not a suitable treatment for felines with recurring constipation issues. It contains terpenic acids and phenolic compounds, which a cat’s liver is not able to process properly. Only use it in small doses, and bring your cat to the veterinarian immediately if any side effects occur or your cat’s constipation persists.
Reasons For Constipation In Cats
Dehydration. This is the most common cause of constipation. Older cats frequently develop kidney disease as they age. This can be a common culprit for developing constipation because kidney disease first affects the bodys ability to conserve water. This means cats with kidney disease produce a lot more urine and these fluid losses can lead to global dehydration.
Other medical issues that can lead to dehydration are diseases like hyperthyroidism and hypercalcemia which both cause increased urination.
Chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased water consumption secondary to illness, medications or other conditions that lead to decreased water consumption such as nausea, lack of easy water access, or oral diseases.
Orthopedic diseases such as arthritis which can make posturing to defecte difficult, or a previous pelvic fracture which fused causing a narrowed pelvic canal.
Neurologic dysfunction from intervertebral disc disease or any other disease which affects posture and balance can create trouble with posturing to defecate easily. Abnormal innervation of the smooth muscles of the colon from malformation of the caudal spine.
Excessive stool volume from a diet too high in fiber
Genetic causes in some cats such as the Manx breed suffer from abnormal innervation to the colon because of caudal spinal malformations. These cats can develop megacolon which causes generalized weakness of the muscles of the colon and dilation of the colon.
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Watching For Your Cat’s Constipation
Track the frequency of your cats litter box deposits and stool consistency initially for at least twice a week, then weekly or biweekly.
If you see hard, dry feces, or if you notice that your cat is straining while defecating or exhibiting other symptoms of constipation, contact your veterinarian – especially if diarrhea is a factor as dehydration may quickly become a problem.
Do you think your cat is constipated? Contact our Stockton vets immediately to schedule an appointment. We will be able to diagnose the cause of your kitty’s constipation and provide them with the best possible treatment plan.
Patients
Best Home Remedies To Treat Cat Constipation
Constipation, meaning difficulty defecating, is relatively common in cats. Home remedies such as switching to a high-fiber diet often work to resolve this health issue.
Constipation, meaning difficulty defecating, is relatively common in cats. Home remedies such as switching to a high-fiber diet often work to resolve this health issue.
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Consult Your Veterinarian About Products
What about all of the magic products for sale to treat hairballs and prevent constipation? Some good products are out there, but some are just marketing attempts to get your money. If your cat needs a special food, long-term supplement or medication, consult your veterinarian to be sure you arent wasting your money on a bogus product. Most cases of simple constipation can be treated readily, effectively and inexpensively.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cat Constipation
Most cats will use the tray at least once a day. The of this is enough to get most owners to clean it out regularly, so you should notice a pattern in your cat’s poop. Stools should be formed but not too firm, with no blood or mucous. If faeces are runny or small in size, or if there’s fresh bloody streaks, it could be a sign of constipation. If there aren’t any deposits, or if these are few and far between, there might be a problem. Other signs of constipation are:
- A tense abdomen or abdominal pain.
- Straining or crying when trying to pass faeces.
- Lack of appetite.
- Vomiting.
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Using Laxatives In Cats
Laxatives in cats are either bulk-forming, lubricant, osmotic or stimulant.
Bulk-forming laxatives rely on added fiber to increase stool volume which then can stimulate a bowel movement. This can be useful in mild cases but in chronic constipation may worsen the problem.
Lubricant laxatives help to lubricate the stool to help it pass. It also is best used in milder cases or as an adjunctive treatment.
Osmotic laxatives are by far the most regularly utilized laxatives. Osmotic laxatives work by drawing water into the bowel to soften the stool. My favorite laxative is the osmotic laxative Miralax. It is a polyethylene glycol powder available without a prescription . It is a tasteless powder that is easily mixed into moistened food or water. Another popular osmotic laxative is
Finally, there are stimulant laxatives available. These should be recommended by your veterinarian before use and should be incorporated after other methods have been tried. Stimulant laxatives cause cramping as they stimulate the bowels to move. They are contra-indicated for any cat suspected of having a bowel obstruction and these stimulant laxatives can cause vomiting and nausea and discomfort. They are most commonly recommended in cats with weak bowel function .