Here are some of the best home remedies for cat constipation:
- Increased water consumption. Many cats don’t like to drink water unless it is fresh, so try setting up a pet fountain to keep your cat’s water fresh.
- Feeding canned pumpkin. Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) is very high in fiber and a safe, gentle way to boost your cat’s digestion at home.
- Using an over-the-counter fiber supplement. As long as you have your vet’s approval, you can try using a fiber supplement like Metamucil – add 1 to 4 teaspoons (depending on ...
- Increasing your cat’s activity level. Sometimes a little exercise is all your cat needs to get things moving so break out the laser pointer and ribbon toy and get your ...
- Use a little wheat bran. Though wheat ingredients have little nutritional value in cat food, wheat bran can be used as a fiber supplement to help relieve constipation in cats.
- Try a stool softener like Miralax. Though it is designed for human use, you can use a little Miralax with your vet’s approval – try ¼ teaspoon once a day ...
What is the best cat food for constipation?
Top 6 Best Cat Foods For Constipation
- Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Funk In The Trunk Chicken in Pumpkin Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food Review. ...
- Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Cat & Kitten Food Review. ...
- Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Turkey & Duck Pate Canned Cat Food Review. ...
- Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food. ...
What to do if your cat is constipated?
You can follow these steps to reduce the likelihood of an episode:
- Always allow access to clean, fresh water.
- Choose an appropriate diet. ...
- Reduce environmental stress. ...
- Cats that are post-surgery may not go potty for two reasons: the pain and stress of surgery, and an empty stomach (there is not much to evacuate until the pet ...
- Sometimes a dirty litter box may discourage your cat from going. ...
What can I give my Cat for constipation?
The Top 10 Best Cat Foods for Constipation
- NomNomnow Fresh Food. ...
- American Journey Minced Chicken Recipe in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Cat Food. ...
- Nature’s Variety Pride Instinct Grain-Free Cheshire’s Chicken Recipe Canned Food. ...
- Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Healthy Kitten Pate Recipe Canned Food . ...
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Indoor Senior Chicken Recipe Canned Cat Food. ...
What is the best cat food for gassy cats?
The Top 5 Best Cat Foods for Gassy Cats
- Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food. Making its way to the top of our list is the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Cat Food. ...
- Nutro Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food. Another grain free choice that’s big on nutrition is the Nutro Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food. ...
- Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Cat Food. ...
Symptoms of Constipation in Cats
“Your cat should be producing stool about once a day,” says Liz Bales, VMD. “A healthy stool has enough moisture that litter will stick to it. If y...
Causes of Cat Constipation
“Anything that causes dehydration in a cat may result in constipation,” says Bales. Chronic diseases that result in constipation in cats include ki...
Home Remedies For Constipation in Cats
Increasing water consumption is key to help constipation in cats. “ Some cats prefer to have their water source in a different location than their...
Medical Treatments For Constipation in Cats
Your veterinarian may elect to administer fluids intravenously and/or an enema. “Administering an enema to a cat is a veterinary job and should not...
Lifestyle Changes to Aid Constipation in Cats
Dr. Bales suggests “enriching your cat’s environment” with cat trees and toys to give your pet plenty of exercise running, jumping, and climbing. T...
How to help a cat with constipation?
Since dehydration contributes to constipation, drinking more water and staying well-hydrated helps prevent constipation. Cats aren’t very good at drinking standing water, so the best way to increase their water consumption and keep them well-hydrated is by feeding them wet food. This dramatically increases their water intake and significantly reduces their risk of constipation.
What is the best laxative for cats?
You should ask your vet if they’re a good option for your cat. Miralax (PEG 3350) is commonly used in cats with constipation, and Colace (docusate) is also an option. Other laxatives that are designed for people can cause issues for cats.
Why do cats have megacolons?
Some cats with long-term constipation or obstipation may have megacolon, an enlarged intestine caused by a defect in the muscle strength of the colon. Cats with chronic constipation or megacolon that have been unresponsive to medical treatment may respond to removal of the affected section of the large intestine.
What color is cat poop?
Dry, hard stools (inside or outside the litter box) Normally, the poop is a rich brown color and should look well-formed. “A healthy stool has enough moisture that litter will stick to it,” says Dr. Liz Bales, VMD. Cats with constipation may have very dry, hard stools.
How often do cats poop?
Constipation is characterized by infrequent stools or stools that are difficult to pass. Most cats will poop about every 24-36 hours. If your cat is pooping less frequently and having some difficulty, she may be constipated.
Why is my cat not pooping?
Your cat may strain but not be able to poop at all. Showing discomfort in the litter box can also be a sign of serious urinary tract issues, so you should contact a vet if you see these signs. Constipation is really a symptom of other issues, so you may also see signs of the underlying cause. These may include:
Why does my cat have a lot of stools?
Obesity causes intestinal inflammation, which causes things to slow down in the intestines. Too much water is then absorbed from the stool, causing constipation. In severe cases, there’s so much fat in the belly that it physically impedes movement of stools. Your vet can help you figure out if your cat needs to lose weight and work with you to create a diet plan.
How Do I Treat Cat Constipation?
Once you’ve identified the cause, treating your cat’s constipation is reasonably simple. However, it’s a good idea to visit your vet to get professional advice.
What is the best food for cats with digestive issues?
Eukanuba Cat Veterinary Diet Intestinal. For cats with digestive issues, Eukanuba’s intestinal food is tasty and beneficial. It’s made with mannan-oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and beet pulp. These all work to support your cat’s body, get rid of bacteria and prevent constipation.
What is Royal Canin gastrointestinal food?
Royal Canin standard gastrointestinal food is infused with prebiotics which supports a balance of good gut bacteria.
What is a cat's bathroom made of?
It’s made of highly digestible protein and fat as well as a mixed fiber source , which helps maintain gastrointestinal health. This comes in both wet and dry food, made with easily digestible ingredients that will get your cat’s bathroom habits back to normal in no time.
Why does my cat keep going to the bathroom?
Once you’ve recognized that your fur baby is struggling to go to the bathroom, it’s a good idea to find out the cause. Dehydration is one of the main reasons for constipation but it’s not the only one.
How to get a cat to get active?
You can also help your kitty get active, invest in some new cat toys, or even a laser to get them some extra exercise. This will not only get their body moving but it’ll stimulate their intestines too.
What are the signs of constipation in cats?
Things like lack of appetite, tense abdomen and hunched posture can be some signs of cat constipation.
Signs and Symptoms of Constipation in Cats
One of the biggest cat constipation signs and symptoms is straining in the litter box. A feline that’s mildly constipated will visit their litter pan frequently. They may end up going, but the results are small, pebble-like pieces of stool or rock-hard stools. You may even see a small amount of bloody diarrhea.
What to Give a Constipated Cat
There are many reasons why a cat can have trouble pooping. Fortunately, there are several ways you can treat it, such as administering a laxative or stool softener, just make sure it’s designed for feline use. Keep an eye out for any side effects, such as diarrhea, bloating, or a lack of appetite.
Remove Any Possible Causes of Constipation
Below, you’ll find some tips on how you can help reduce or eliminate issues with constipation in the future.
Medical Conditions
As pet parents, we all hope bowel issues will resolve themselves on their own, but in some cases, you will need to seek medical attention for a professional diagnosis. If your cat is experiencing severe abdominal discomfort, your vet may need to run some diagnostic tests to check their stool, blood count, and determine the exact diagnosis.
When to Call Your Veterinarian
You can reasonably treat an otherwise healthy cat who is struggling to poop, at home. However, there may be times when you need advice, or an appointment with your veterinarian for professional help and treatment.
How to Give Your Cat a Pill
If you’ve made an appointment with your veterinarian to determine what’s causing your cat’s chronic constipation, he or she may prescribe medication to administer for one to two weeks. If you have a senior cat, you may need to give this medication every day, indefinitely.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what you can give your cat for constipation, you can easily treat mild to moderate cases of constipation, at home. However, if this is an ongoing problem, or your cat is displaying serious symptoms, it’s time to call the vet. A vet can examine your cat and run some tests to determine the cause of constipation.
How Can the Right Cat Food Help with Constipation?
If your cat is constantly constipated, or if you want to lower the risk of your pet developing constipation in the first place, it’s best that you start him off on a high fiber diet. Fiber can’t be digested, which is why you might notice some leafy greens in your stool after you chow down on a salad.
How to help a kitten with constipation?
For starters, giving him the right food might help ease the potty problems and make it easier to respond to each rising bowel movement.
How does fiber help cats?
The basic idea behind this is that fiber works almost like a broom, brushing away blockages and other waste material that refuses to leave your cat’s system. The bulk of fiber can also promote more aggressive peristalsis – the movement of the digestive tract – in order to encourage regular bowel movements.
What is the best wet cat food?
On our list, the best high fiber wet cat food has to be the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Overweight Management Cat Food. This unique formulation incorporates low fat and low calories, but packs a punch with high fiber and high protein. So it gives your cat everything he needs to improve his lean muscle mass, while allowing him to lose those few extra pounds.
Why does my cat eat more food than he needs?
When your cat becomes accustomed to ‘binge eating’ practices, it becomes easier for them to eat more food than their body needs. Aside from the fact that the excess simply clogs up the system on its way out of the back end, these cats may also experience anatomical changes.
How to change cat food?
The trick here is making the change gradual. Slowly incorporate the new cat food in with the old, and increase the amount of new food as each new day comes. Keep doing this for a week until you can serve a whole bowl of the new food to your cat.
What do cats eat?
So it’s no surprise that some cats will eat things like string, rocks, and other small objects. Sometimes, they end up eating these non-food objects because they think it's food.
What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Constipation in Cats?
Though it may not seem like a big problem, recurrent episodes of constipation in cats can lead to problems like enlargement of the colon and impaction. Not only can these consequences be unpleasant, but they may require surgery.
Why does my cat have constipation?
Dehydration – This is one of the most common causes of constipation in cats and also the easiest to prevent and to remedy. Lack of Fiber – Though cats have a limited ability to digest plant matter, fiber in the diet is essential for helping food move through the digestive tract properly.
What is the best cat food for a senior cat?
You may also find that your senior cat’s digestion slows down, making him more prone to constipation. This Merrick Purrfect Bistro Indoor Senior Chicken Recipe Canned Cat Food is a great high fiber cat food for constipation that is uniquely formulated for senior cats. This recipe features fresh chicken as the main ingredient with grain-free carbohydrates to ensure digestibility. Overall, it provides 2.5% crude fiber and 81% moisture, and it is supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
What is the best food for constipation?
As you know by now, the best cat food for constipation is rich in moisture and fiber but still made with healthy, wholesome ingredients to ensure complete and balanced nutrition. Your cat’s nutrition is always the top priority, so take everything else you’ve learned here with that grain of salt.
How much moisture does cat food have?
Moisture Content – Most dry cat food has a moisture content around 10% while canned food is closer to 80%. You can still feed your cat dry food but consider moistening it with water or chicken broth or add some canned food or a wet food topper to boost his moisture intake.
What to consider when buying cat food?
Another thing to consider when shopping for cat food, in general, is that the quality of the ingredients matters. When your cat is prone to constipation, his digestive system is already a little sensitive so you may want to consider a limited ingredient diet to further reduce the risk of sensitivity or allergies.
How to keep cat's water fresh?
Many cats don’t like to drink water unless it is fresh, so try setting up a pet fountain to keep your cat’s water fresh. Feeding canned pumpkin. Canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) is very high in fiber and a safe, gentle way to boost your cat’s digestion at home. Using an over-the-counter fiber supplement.
What can I give my cat if she's constipated?
Fiber can help waste move through the digestive system easily and quickly. Try adding pumpkin or natural bran cereal to our cats food. Fiber supplements increase fiber in the diet as well.
What is the best cat food for constipation?
Diamond Care Weight Management Formula could be the best cat food for constipation in kibble form. When we talk about fibers in dry cat meals, this recipe is surely the boss.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is the abnormal accumulation of feces in the colon resulting in effortful bowel movements. This usually causes lesser defecation, or even no defecation, which results in discomfort in cats.
What Causes Cat Constipation?
There are many causes for a cat's constipation. It’s more common in adult cats, especially senior and middle-aged cats, but it's possible to experience it in any life stage. Here are the most common factors that makes a cat constipated:
How can Constipation be Treated?
The treatment of cat constipation depends on the cause of constipation. In mild cases or short-lived symptoms, a simple change in your cat's diet may do the trick.
Is cat constipation an emergency?
If it happens infrequently, there's no need to worry, but you should contact your vet if it becomes a common problem or if it's been more than 48 to 72 hours since she's had a bowel movement. Constipation can sometimes be a sign of serious health issues, not to mention be uncomfortable (and severe in some cases).
Can massage help constipation in cats?
Sarah Wallace, a veterinarian based in Washington, D.C., says that this is not the case and a cat constipation massage should never be attempted.
