Constipation might not be the most glamorous topic, but it’s a bigger deal for cats than you might think. While a little tummy turmoil here and there isn’t unusual, ongoing difficulty with bowel movements can lead to serious discomfort—or even a medical emergency for our felines.
Since most cat parents don’t keep close tabs on their cat’s daily bathroom habits, constipation can easily go unnoticed. If you are a cat owner, it’s important to know the signs, understand the causes, and recognize when it’s time to call in veterinary professionals when your pet is dealing with possible constipation problems because left untreated…things can be a whole lot worse than just a stinky situation.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation in cats occurs when there is an excessive buildup of feces in the colon, leading to difficulty passing stools. This condition can cause a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements or, in some cases, a complete inability to defecate.
Cats should typically have a complete bowel movement every 24 to 36 hours. Their stool should be well-formed and either extremely hard or soft. While every cat's bathroom habits may differ, it is generally accepted that a cat going more than 48 hours without a bowel movement indicates an issue that needs medical attention.
Constipation that is allowed to progress can result in greater health complications that can negatively impact a cat's well-being and quality of life. Untreated constipation can lead to appetite and weight loss, as constipated cats often have abdominal swelling and eating becomes too uncomfortable for them. If the stool is left in the intestinal tract for too long, cats may also experience toxin buildup and intestinal and rectal damage, like irritation, bleeding, and even prolapse.
Constipation vs. Megacolon
In some cases constipation in cats can be caused by megacolon, which is a condition where the colon stretches and loses its ability to contract, leading to further complications with bowel movements. Because megacolon is essentially a weak colon that does not contribute to the effective passing of stool, it can contribute to chronic constipation and other intestinal and rectal health problems.
What Causes Constipation In Cats?
Constipation can occur in cats of any breed and of any age, although most often, constipation is seen in middle-aged to senior cats. Some studies have also recorded that male cats who have Domestic Shorthair, Domestic Longhair, or Siamese lineages may also experience higher rates of constipation.
Outside of breed and gender considerations, some cats may be more prone to constipation based on their health, age, or lifestyle. For example, older cats are considered one of the more at-risk groups for constipation due to their changing diets, reduced mobility, dehydration, and underlying health conditions that contribute to instances of constipation.
Other factors that may lead to constipation, or even chronic constipation in cats, include:
- Nutrition and low-fiber diets
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Lack of Exercise or General Movement
- Obesity
- Arthritis
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Intestinal Blockages from Tumors, Masses, Foreign Objects, and Hairballs
- Hyperthyroidism
- Diabetes
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Previous Instances of Constipation
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Constipated?
One of the biggest challenges of owning a cat is that they mask pain and discomfort well, and it can be difficult for some owners to tell that their cat is sick and needs medical attention until their condition has really progressed. However, like many other illnesses and ailments, there will be a few signs that can tip cat owners off that something isn't quite right with their furry friend. It is important not to confuse an inability to urinate (which is life threatening) with constipation!
Signs that can point to a constipated cat include:
- Avoiding the litter box or designated bathroom spaces to leave small pieces of stool elsewhere while still using the litter box for urination.
- Straining, crying, or vocalizing in the litter box during defecation.
- Entering and exiting the litter box multiple times without a bowel movement despite trying.
- Not being able to poop at all. Cats should defecate every day!
- Small pieces of stool in litter box
Is Constipation in Cats an Emergency?
Constipation in cats may or may not be considered an emergency depending on the severity, as well as how long the cat has been constipated. Cases of constipation in cats are either considered mild or severe.
Mild cases of constipation are most commonly caused by low-fiber diets, dehydration, and obstructions from hairballs. In these cases, cats are often not unable to defecate but instead may strain, produce small, dry poops, or poop less frequently. Mild cases of constipation may be difficult for some owners to detect unless they're watching closely, as many cats with mild cases of constipation may still be eating, drinking, and acting normally. Signs of physical discomfort as well as a lack of poop in the litter box, are typically the most common signs owners will notice when their cat is constipated.
Severe constipation, on the other hand, is much more serious and treatment of severe constipation cases should always be managed by a veterinarian. Severe constipation is also known as obstipation and is marked by complete impaction of feces in the colon that impedes normal function, leading to little or no passage of stool. In these more severe cases, the causes are often linked to chronic conditions like megacolon, blockages (foreign objects, tumors, or strictures), or systemic illnesses such as kidney disease or diabetes.
You should see your veterinarian if:
- Your cat hasn't defecated in more than 48 hours.
- They're straining or crying in pain.
- They're vomiting, lethargic, or refusing to eat.
- You notice blood in the stool or a swollen abdomen.
Treating Constipation in Cats
The treatment prescribed for constipation in cats is determined by the severity of the constipation, as well as if veterinary intervention is necessary. Some treatments, like increasing the amount of fiber in your cat's diet or encouraging them to drink more water, are straightforward, while others will require veterinary supervision.
Some common treatments for constipation in cats include:
- Dietary changes: Switching to a high-fiber or prescription diet based on your veterinarian's recommendations.
- Hydration: Increasing water intake at home or administering subcutaneous fluids at the vet.
- Medications: Stool softeners, laxatives, or prokinetics (medications that stimulate the digestive tract). However, these should only be used with approval from a veterinarian.
- Enemas: Performed by a veterinarian to clear impacted stool.
- Surgery: In extreme cases, surgical intervention may be required, especially for conditions like megacolon or severe impaction.
How You Can Help a Constipated Cat at Home
How much you can safely help your cat with constipation at home depends on how severe their constipation is. Along with the treatments recommended above, we've got a few specific recommendations on how you can help your cat get things moving again.
One of the best ways to help a constipated cat is to increase their water intake through direct drinking or incorporating more liquid into their food. Wet food naturally contains a higher percentage of water than dry food, which can help to hydrate the cat and soften their stool. If your cat prefers dry food, you can also add water directly to their kibble to moisten it and up their water intake.
When it comes to food, you can also add a small amount of plain canned pumpkin to their meal, regardless of whether it's wet or dry food. Pumpkin is a natural source of fiber, which can help to bulk up the stool and make it easier to pass, and is a commonly used and successful home remedy for a number of stomach-related ailments in animals. However, it's important to only use plain canned pumpkin, as any variety with spices can be harmful to cats and potentially worsen their stomach issues.
While it may take a little convincing, try to keep your cat active and encourage them to play when constipated to help stimulate their bowels and promote regular bowel movements. Exercise helps to increase blood flow and muscle contractions in the digestive tract, which can aid in the passage of stool and make a bowel movement easier for your cat.
However, while these options are great for some quick at-home relief, always check with your veterinarian before trying home remedies to ensure they are safe and effective for your specific cat's needs and health. A quick phone call to the vet's office to ask a question can never hurt!
What Not to Do
When our cats are struggling with constipation, it’s only natural to want to help them find relief as quickly as possible. But before reaching into your own medicine cabinet, think twice — human laxatives should never be given to pets unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian. What works for us can be dangerous for them, so it’s always best to consult your veterinarian for a safe and effective solution.
There are a number of human medications that are toxic and potentially deadly to animals, so administering anything without veterinary approval is a risky move. Instead, you can work with your veterinarian to find an appropriate laxative that is approved for use in cats, leading to increased safety and better treatment outcomes.
Similar to laxative use, enemas for cats are something best left to the professionals at your local veterinarian's office. Enemas can be life threatening for cats if administered incorrectly.
Preventing Cat Constipation
To help prevent cases of constipation in your cat, you can start by:
- Ensuring your cat stays well-hydrated.
- Check and scoop litter boxes daily.
- Feeding a balanced diet with appropriate fiber levels.
- Keeping them at a healthy weight.
- Regular playtime and exercise to encourage movement.
- Routine grooming, especially for long-haired cats, to minimize hairballs.
However, even if you're doing everything right, there still may be some occasions where your cat experiences constipation. Don't worry; it can happen to any cat. If you do notice any concerning changes in your cat's bowel movements or bathroom habits, it's always a good idea to get in touch with your veterinarian to check-in.
Working with your veterinarian and letting them know about any discomfort or straining your cat is experiencing can help them get any necessary treatment early, thus, avoiding worsening of constipation cases and expensive vet visits and potentially invasive procedures.
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