How does a cat act when constipated
Cat Constipation
What Is Cat Constipation?
Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult defecation. This may mean hard stool; large, uncomfortable pellets; or no production of poop at all.
Cat constipation is a short-term problem. If your cat continues to be constipated, it can become obstipation (painful defecation) or even megacolon, which is the advanced stage of chronic cat constipation that is often nonresponsive to medical management.
Always take your cat to the vet if they are straining in the litter box. The underlying cause could possibly be serious or deadly if untreated.
Symptoms of Cat Constipation
Symptoms that your cat is constipated include:
Little to no fecal production while attempting to poop
Frequent visits to the litter box
Vomiting
Decreased appetite
Abdominal pain
Decreased energy
Decreased interest in interacting with family
Causes of Cat Constipation
Cats can become constipated for many reasons, from stressful situations to health issues. You should always see the vet within 24 hours to rule out health-related causes or underlying diseases.
Litter Box Issues
Sometimes cat constipation starts with a litter box issue: maybe the box isnt cleaned frequently enough or isnt easy to access. Or the litter box could be associated with pain while attempting to poop, or with something thats scary to a cat, like the washing machine buzzer going off.
In these cases, your cat not wanting to go can quickly become not being able to go. To help your constipated cat, examine your litter box and its surroundings, and consider:
Moving it to a quiet location with no noises or activity that would be scary to your cat
Moving it away from your cats food, water, and bed
Cleaning it more often to reduce smells
Switching to a low-sided box that is easier to access
Not Drinking Enough
Cat constipation could also be caused by not drinking enough water. Your cats reluctance to drink might be related to an underlying health concern such as mobility issues, mouth pain, or digestive discomfort. Take them to the vet to rule out any of these issues.
Your cat might also be reacting to an issue with their water dish, such as stagnant or dirty water, or even the type of bowl. Always rule out medical issues first, especially when it comes to dehydration. Then you can also think about:
Using a cat water fountain with flowing water that mimics a stream or river
Trying water bowls made out of other materials, like glass, ceramic, plastic, or metal
Cleaning the water bowl more often
Underlying Disease
Many diseases, both acute (short-term) and chronic, can lead to constipation in cats. These include kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. All cases of straining in the litter box should be evaluated by a veterinarian, because each of these illnesses can become very serious or even deadly if left untreated.
Obstruction
A toy or other nonfood item can obstruct the intestines, preventing the passage of poop. This is
The inability to urinate is also an emergency for your cat; take them in to see a vet as quickly as possible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Not Enough Exercise
Inactivity can also lead to constipation. You should aim for at least 10-15 minutes of activity interactive
Cat trees provide opportunities for climbing and exploration
Scratching posts allow cats to express the instinct to scratch
Toys that mimic prey animals can attract a cats attention
Smart toys that move on their own motivate hunting and chasing
Catnip makes all of these activities more fun for your cat
How Vets Diagnose Cat Constipation
First, your veterinarian will get a history of the problem. Youll describe the symptoms, when they started, and other factors that may be related to your cats constipation.
Providing a full history is very important because straining in the litter box can also be a symptom of lower urinary issues and diarrhea.
After getting your cats history, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam. In constipated cats, a vet can often feel the hard stool, but not always.
Next, your veterinarian will recommend X-rays to evaluate the extent of constipation to determine the best initial treatment for your cat. Bloodwork is often required to assess underlying diseases that may predispose your cat to constipation.
Treatment for Cat Constipation
Treatment for constipated cats depends on the cause and severity. Constipation that is left untreated can lead to megacolon, a form of constipation that is not responsive to medical treatment and can be fatal.
The first step in treatment is to remove the obstructing feces, which sometimes requires administration of fluids or an enema at the clinic. Never give an enema to your cat at home, as human enemas are not safe for cats.
If the constipation is moderate or severe, your cat will need to be sedated for the enema or deobstipation (manual removal of feces).
The next step is to determine the underlying cause of your cats constipation and address it. You may need to make changes in your cats environment, like moving the litter boxes, cleaning the water bowl or litter boxes more often, or trying a cat water fountain or a different type of water bowl.
The vet may also recommend switching your cat to low- or high-fiber food and adding medication specifically for constipation.
But more often, treating any underlying disease, such as kidney disease or arthritis, is the most important treatment to prevent a recurrence.
Recovery and Management of Cat Constipation
Once the hard stool is removed, recovery is usually rapid. Unfortunately, if you dont deal with the original cause, whether its treating a health issue or making lifestyle changes, then your cat is very likely to become constipated again.
Follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Often the food changes or medications will need to be continued for life. Just because your cat is feeling better doesnt mean you can stop treatment.
Pro Tip
Hang a calendar on the wall near the litter box to keep track of your cats poop schedule. This will help you be proactive at the first sign of a problem.
Cat Constipation FAQs
How can I help my cat with constipation?
See your vet within 24 hours to determine if there are any underlying health issues so you can treat them right and prevent ongoing constipation.
The best thing you can do is try to prevent constipation from happening in the first place. Litter boxes should always be clean, easy to access, and located in a safe place. Make sure your cat drinks enough water and gets enough daily exercise.
Will fish oil help cat constipation?
No, fish oil will not help cat constipation. Too much fish oil can cause painful cramping and diarrhea, and will not address the cause of constipation.
What do you feed a cat with chronic constipation?
Nutritional management depends on the cause of chronic constipation. This is a discussion you should have with your veterinarian about your cats specific needs.
What is a natural laxative for cats?
Consult your vet before giving your cat a laxative.
You may be tempted to give your cat over-the-counter products like mineral oil and petrolatum. While they can both help with short-term constipation, they may not be safe for all cats.
How long can my cat go without pooping?
A typical healthy cat should defecate at least once per day. Unless they just had surgery or are recovering from diarrhea, a cat should not go longer than 48 hours without pooping.
Can kittens get constipated, too?
Constipation is rare in kittens that are well cared for, which means they are in a home with access to clean water and a commercially formulated cat food diet. However, any cause of abnormal litter box habits should be evaluated by a veterinarian, no matter the age of the cat.
WRITTEN BY
Hanie Elfenbein, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Elfenbein graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2016. She currently practices in...
Cat constipation: A vet's guide to the causes and symptoms
Unfortunately, cat constipation is pretty common. There are many possible causes, ranging from lifestyle factors to medical conditions. Constipation can be surprisingly hard to spot in cats since the symptoms can easily be confused with other issues.
Considering how important early treatment and management are, it is key that you know what to look out for. Without early treatment, constipation can lead to other problems and is more likely to recur. So, lets take a look at everything you should know about constipation in cats.
What is cat constipation?
Constipation means difficulty passing poo (faeces or stools), passing poo infrequently, or not passing poo at all.
In constipation, the faeces are held in the large intestine (the colon and rectum), where they builds up. Since one of the major functions of the colon is to absorb water from the stools, and it continues to do so while the stool is held in the colon, the stools get drier and harder with time. This makes it even harder for them to pass.
When constipation becomes a chronic (long-term) problem, meaning the colon is being stretched over a period of time, this can lead to a condition called megacolon. With megacolon, the colon is stretched too large, making it unable to effectively push the faeces out.
Causes of cat constipation
There are lots of possible causes for constipation in cats, ranging from factors in the environment to serious medical conditions. Possible causes include:
1. Environmental factors
Cats are fussy creatures, so if they are used to pooing outside and need to be kept in, they may refuse to use a litter tray. Similarly, cats may take a dislike to a certain type of litter or tray, causing them to hold their stool while they wait for an alternative. A dirty tray or having to share a litter tray can also be off-putting to our feline friends. Since water is continually drawn from the stool by the colon, the longer they wait, the drier and harder the stool becomes.
2. Dehydration
When a cat is dehydrated, the body tries to conserve (keep) as much water as possible. This means it draws (re-absorbs) as much water from the stools as possible, making them hard and dry. This means constipation is common in medical conditions such as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
3. A blocked colon
A blockage in the colon caused by a foreign body (i.e. the cat has eaten something it shouldnt have), a polyp or a mass can cause constipation, by physically blocking the stool from passing. A build-up of hairballs can have the same effect! A colon can also become blocked if the pelvic canal (the internal area between the hip bones) becomes narrowed for any reason, such as following a trauma like a road traffic accident.
4. Pain
Anything that makes it painful to go to the toilet can cause a cat to become constipated. They realise that passing a stool will hurt, so are reluctant to go. Arthritis can make posturing to poo painful, for example.
5. Neurological conditions (involving the nerves)
If the nerves controlling the passing of faeces are damaged, for example in a tail pull injury or after a road traffic accident, this can cause constipation (or on the flip side it can also cause incontinence).
6. Idiopathic megacolon
Megacolon isnt always caused by chronic constipation and sometimes occurs as a condition with an unknown cause. The wall of the distended colon is weak and unable to push faeces out.
Now that we know what might cause cat constipation, lets take a look at how to tell if your cat is constipated.
Cat constipation symptoms
The symptoms will vary, and can mimic other problems, such as straining to wee. The main symptoms of constipation are:
- Straining to poo, often with signs of pain
- Passing stools less often
- Multiple trips to toilet outside, or to the litter tray, without passing anything
- Small, dry nuggets of poo
- Small amounts of liquid stool (which are easy to confuse with diarrhoea, but are actually liquid stool managing to pass around the build-up of faeces).
You may also notice:
- Lethargy (lack of energy)
- Decrease appetite
- Feeling or being sick
Is cat constipation an emergency?
This depends a little on the cause. Cats normally poo every day, so at least once every 24 hours. if youre wondering how long can a cat go without pooping?, the answer is that you shouldnt leave them for more than 48 hours. If your cat hasnt passed stools in the past two days (or more), then its time for an urgent trip to your vet!
If your cat is making frequent trips to the litter tray but not passing anything, its really important to be sure they arent actually trying to wee. If you arent sure if your cat is weeing, then you should call your vet straight away. Straining to pass urine, without actually passing any, can be a sign of a blocked bladder, which is a life-threatening emergency.
How is cat constipation treated?
The treatment will partly depend on the severity and the cause. In severe or chronic cases, a constipated cat will need to have fluid therapy and manual removal of the faeces under a general anaesthetic. For less severe cases there are several medical options, including:
- Enemas
- Laxatives
- Prokinetics (which stimulates the colon to contract, to squeeze the stools out)
In severe cases, surgery is sometimes needed to remove a large portion of the colon. This is usually a last resort.
Your vet may also advise you to continue treating cat constipation at home. This ongoing management may involve medication, alongside:
- Ensuring they drink enough water: using water fountains and feeding wet food, for example
- Regular grooming to help prevent furballs, especially in longhaired cats
- Litter tray attention: for example ensuring the tray is always clean, using the best cat litter box and a litter your cat likes and ensuring you have one litter tray per cat, plus one extra.
Your vet may also advise you to change your cats diet or recommend some home remedies for cat constipation.
What to feed a cat with constipation
Cats with constipation usually need a high fibre diet, although this is not always the case. Due to the amount, and types, of fibre in some of the foods we might eat to naturally increase our fibre intake (such as pumpkin), these foods are not generally recommended for cats. The amount you would need to feed to make a difference is usually unrealistic. (And remember that there are some human foods that are poisonous to cats). Instead, your vet will be able to recommend a high-fibre diet or a fibre food additive. Wet food is also beneficial in constipation, to help your cat stay hydrated.
Conclusion
Cat constipation isnt pleasant for anyone. There are many possible causes, with some being more serious than others. Constipation can also lead to more serious problems if left untreated. This means its important that you take your cat to a vet for diagnosis and a treatment plan, before trying treatment at home.
