Signs & Treatment – Pibbles & More Animal Rescue

Cats, being obligate carnivores, are prone to constipation. A typical adult cat poops once every 24 – 36 hours. If your cat goes to the bathroom less often or has difficulty defecating, the stools are hard and dry, please schedule a visit to the vet as soon as possible. Do not mistake by assuming it’s normal behavior or that the cat will recover on its own without your intervention.

Constipation in cats can be a serious problem. Your cat may require extensive medical intervention, including (but not limited to) surgery.

Read on and learn more about the signs of constipation in cats and the different remedies. But first, what causes constipation in cats?

photo taken by Marina Khrapova above Unplug

Causes of constipation in cats

A number of problems can cause a cat’s bowel movements to be difficult or infrequent. The most common causes include:

• Ingestion of indigestible matter (especially fur from self-grooming).
• Low fiber diet.
• Loss of water.
• Gastrointestinal obstruction due to foreign body.
• Tumors.
• Narrowing (narrowing) in the digestive tract.
• Electrolyte disturbances.
• Neuromuscular disease.
• Constipation can be a side effect of taking various medications.
• Enlarged prostate gland.

While we know the top causes, it is often difficult to pinpoint a specific cause of constipation in cats. The following are the main symptoms of constipation in cats.

Signs of constipation in cats

Infrequent or difficult bowel movements

Infrequent bowel movements are probably the first sign you may notice. Most cats have a bowel movement every 24-36 hours. If cats go longer, for 48-72 hours without successfully defecating the litter box, they may be constipated.

Be a little more observant about your cat’s behavior and look out for the following symptoms.

Dry and hard manure in and around the litter box

A healthy cat’s poop should be dark brown, well-formed, and solid, but not hard. It has to be damp enough to be able to stick on it. However, if your cat is constipated, you may notice that the stools are very dry and hard. A quick look around the trash can, you can see that not everything is in its right place. The cat may feel discomfort or pain and leave the litter box before leaving.

Raise voice or strain when trying to use the toilet tray

Another sign that cats may be constipated is their behavior towards the litter box. Your cat may be fussy or stressed when using the litter box. She can enter and exit multiple times before using it successfully. Sometimes the cat may avoid it altogether.

Other symptoms of constipation in cats include

• Eat delicious.
• Comatose.
• Abdominal discomfort.
• Lack of self-grooming.
• A hunched position.

The above symptoms may also indicate the existence of other diseases. For example, urinary tract problems have similar symptoms. So it’s important to contact your veterinarian whenever you notice these signs. Don’t ignore your cat, especially if she’s older.

Treatment of constipation in cats

Depending on the severity of the constipation, treatment may be at the vet or at home. Some of the remedies you can make at home include:

• Increase the amount of water for the cat. Dehydration is a significant contributing factor to constipation. Increasing your cat’s water intake can be helpful. Try setting up more drinking spots around the house. If your cat likes flavored water, consider adding a little tuna or beef broth.
• Change your cat’s diet to a high-fiber wet food. If the cat likes it, it will greatly reduce the chances of constipation. You can add some Pumpkin in the cat’s diet.
• Fitness and enrichment activities. Regular exercise and nourishing activities help strengthen the intestinal muscles, making it easier for your cat to have bowel movements.

On the other hand, severe cases of constipation in cats should only be seen by a qualified veterinarian. Some of the treatments your veterinarian may perform include:

• Expression. Your veterinarian will irrigate the fluid through the rectum into the colon. This movement increases the moisture in the stool and stimulates contractions of the intestinal muscles. It activates the faecal evacuation process. Although some people recommend that you can do an enema at home, you shouldn’t. It can be dangerous for you and your cat.
• Laxative It works by increasing the water content of the cat’s stool or by lubricating the substance in the stool. Have some Veterinary approved laxatives. However, we recommend that you consult a qualified veterinarian for a prescription that is safe for your cat.
• Hand suction.
• Surgery. In severe cases, the cat may develop an obstruction or megacolon. In such cases, treatment is surgical and should only be done by a veterinarian. But you can Help your cat recover quickly.

Author: Elsa Smith