How much olive oil do you give a constipated cat
Olive Oil & 5 Other Home Remedies to Soothe Cat Constipation
If your kitty seems to be having problems with regularity, you can use olive oil as a natural remedy for feline constipation. That's right; the same olive oil you cook with can help move your cat's stool along. Learn how to tell if your cat is constipated and how to use this method, along with several other home remedies to relieve their constipation.
Using Olive Oil as a Cat Constipation Remedy
Olive oil is a safe and effective method for treating felines experiencing constipation. Why? Olive oil works as a lubricant and softens the feces in a cat's body, allowing it to pass more easily.
Treating cats with olive oil is a much simpler and less stressful alternative to your veterinarian administering an enema. Your cat should experience relief within a few hours of consuming olive oil.
Quick Tip
Extra-virgin olive oil is the purest form of olive oil available, so using this kind of oil is the best option for your cat.
Olive Oil Dosage if Your Cat Is Constipated
For a mild bout of constipation, give your cat to 1 tablespoon of olive oil, or five to 10 drops if you use a dropper. For the easiest administration, add the oil to your cat's food.
Need to Know
Never force olive oil into your cat's mouth. Always add it to their food.
When You Shouldn't Use Olive Oil 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 has difficulty processing properly. Only use olive oil in small doses, and bring your cat to the veterinarian immediately if any side effects occur or your cat's constipation persists.
Olive Oil Side Effects
Olive oil should not have any side effects for your cat when administered infrequently in small doses, although excessive amounts may cause diarrhea. Cats in poor health may have trouble digesting oils, so speak with your veterinarian before administering olive oil to a cat in ailing health.
Other Natural Home Remedies for Cat Constipation
In addition to using olive oil, there are several home remedies you can try for your cat's constipation. You likely already have these items in your kitchen, but if not, they are readily available at all grocery stores.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can be beneficial for cats in many scenarios, including constipation. It works in the same way as olive oil to lubricate the stool and help it move through the colon.
- Coconut oil dose for cat constipation: teaspoon per 10 pounds of weight once per day.
Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk powder, more commonly known by the brand name Metamucil, is a bulk-forming laxative that can help constipated cats. It's made from seed husks, so it is entirely natural. Just make sure your kitty drinks a lot of fluids to avoid getting even more constipated from the fiber.
- Psyllium husk dose for cat constipation: to 1 teaspoon once per day mixed in your cat's food.
Pumpkin
This fiber-rich squash could help provide your cat some relief. Pumpkin is loaded with fiber and also has a high water content. Use only plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) or boiled pumpkin prepared at home. Just know not all cats like the taste or texture of pumpkin.
- Pumpkin dose for cat constipation: to 1 teaspoon one to two times per day.
Aloe Vera Juice
Some holistic clinicians recommend aloe vera juice as a solution for constipation in both humans and pets. Aloe can have negative effects on the kidneys, so check with your vet before giving this to your cat. Avoid any products that contain aloe latex or that have additives.
- Aloe vera juice dose for cat constipation: to 1 teaspoon once per day.
Canned Cat Food
Increasing your cat's water intake is an important part of clearing up their constipation, and wet food can help with this. This is particularly key if your cat eats solely kibble or dry food. Offer them wet food with some warm water added to get some fluids in them. This should help get things moving.
Recognizing When Your Cat Is Constipated
There are many factors that contribute to constipation in cats, including diet, dehydration, tumors, kidney function, obesity, or a dirty litter box. Cats are easily stressed, and any kind of stress they experience may also contribute to constipation.
The easiest way to tell if your cat is suffering from constipation is by checking the litter box. Most cats defecate at least once per day. If your cat has gone two days without pooping or has dry, hard, thin, or small stool, they may be constipated. If you have multiple cats, it is easiest to tell if one of them is constipated if you see one of your cats:
- Straining or yowling while attempting to use the litter box
- Not eating
- Occasionally vomiting
- Has a swollen anus
When to See a Veterinarian About Your Cat's Constipation
If your cat does not have a bowel movement within a few hours of consuming olive oil or another home remedy, it is best to contact your veterinarian to see if they can recommend another treatment. Other signs you should seek your vet's guidance include:
- If your cat begins vomiting, loses their appetite, or appears lethargic after consuming olive oil, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Symptoms of a urinary blockage or bowel obstruction in cats are similar to cat constipation; however, these blockages can be fatal. If you see your cat straining or they have blood in their urine or feces, take your cat to the veterinarian right away.
- If your cat experiences frequent constipation, there may be a problem with their diet. Olive oil and home remedies are a temporary solution, so examin the cause of your cat's constipation and speak to your veterinarian.
Preventing Feline Constipation
Fortunately, there are safety measures you can take to prevent your cat from becoming constipated in the first place.
- Groom your cat regularly to minimize the amount of fur they lick up and swallow.
- Keep your cat's stress to a minimum.
- Scoop and clean the litterbox(es) regularly.
- Encourage your cat to drink fluids to keep them hydrated.
- Help your cat maintain a healthy weight through exercise and diet.
- Keep your cat active, as exercise is important for digestive movement.
Relieving Your Cat's Constipation With Home Remedies
Constipation is an uncomfortable ailment for cats to experience, so the quicker you can address the issue, the better. Olive oil is a safe and non-invasive method of encouraging your cat's bowel movements quickly and easily. Other home remedies may work, as well, but keep an eye on your cat and take them in if you don't see improvement.
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How to Treat Cat Constipation with Olive Oil
Cat constipation can occur due to an inadequate diet, hairballs, stress or due to different health issues that affect the stomach and the digestive tract. Among the numerous remedies, olive oil is one that can be applied at home and will not cause any side effects.
Constipation in Felines
A cat is constipated when he hasnt defecated in over 2 days. Cats normally defecate 1 to 2 times per day if they have a regular wet or drydiet and once in 2 days if the cat is on a low residue diet.
Occasional constipation is normal and will typically be due to a change in the diet or hairballs. However, if the constipation is chronic, this may mean that the cats diet lacks the necessary fibers orthat the cat is sick.
Olive Oil for Cat Constipation
Olive oil can be an effective remedy for constipation; however, this remedy should only be applied if your cat has occasional constipation.
The olive oil acts as a bowel movement stimulant and will also make the feces more liquid. The constipation occurs when the feces are too dry and the intestines will continually absorb the wetness from the feces, making them more difficult to pass.
The olive oil should be administered together with the cats food; give your cat no more than half or a full tbsp of olive oil or 5 to 10 drops of oil. Administer oil once or twice per day. If you give your catto much olive oil, this may cause diarrhea. Administer olive oil until you notice that the cat passes the feces; typically, this should happen on the first day of treatment.
The advantages of olive oil is that there will be no side effects (except for diarrhea if the oil is administered in excess) and this is aremedy that can be applied at home. The olive oil can be replaced with regular vegetable oil.
However, in some cases, the constipation is a symptom of an underlying condition, so the olive oil treatment may bring temporary relief, but the cat will need additional treatment as well.
Other Home Remedies for Constipation
There are also other home remedies for constipated cats. These remedies include canned pumpkin, which should relieve constipation, as it is a rich source of fibers. Make sure the canned pumpkin doesnt contain sugar.
Other fruits and vegetables that are rich in fibers (i.e. apples, carrots) may also relieve feline constipation.
Medication for Feline Constipation
If home remedies dont work, a vet should be consulted. The cat may have a health problem.
The vet may prescribe some cat laxatives. Dont give your cat human laxatives. If the cat has metabolism issues, the vet will recommend cisapride, which is a metabolism regulator.
Enema injections are administered in the cats rectum if the constipation is severe, and the cat hasnt passed feces for over 4 days.
Treating the underlying condition will prevent the recurrence of constipation.
Cat Constipation: Causes, Treatment, & Remedies
Constipation in cats is not something to take lightlyit can be a serious health concern.
Constipation occurs when cats pass hard, dry stool or have difficulty evacuating their stool. Obstipation is a severe form of constipation in which no stool passes for a period of days, resulting in a large buildup of feces in the colon.
Although many cats will occasionally become constipated, prolonged constipation requires veterinary intervention.
Constipation is very common in older cats and senior cats, but cats of any age can experience constipation.
Quick Overview: Cat Constipation
Common Symptoms: Little to no fecal production, straining to defecate, frequent litter box visits, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, lethargy.
Diagnosis: Hard stool can sometimes be found during physical exam. Physical exam is also needed to rule out a urinary bladder obstruction, which is much more serious and can mimic constipation symptoms. X-rays can help support the presence of firm stool present, bloodwork to evaluate underlying diseases that can predispose to constipation.
Requires Ongoing Medication: Sometimes
Vaccine Available: No
Treatment Options: In mild cases of constipation, an oral laxative like lactulose or miralax may be used. Advanced cases of constipation may require enemas to be performed at the vet's office. Obstipation, where a fecal blockage is present often require sedation or anesthesia for manual removal of feces or hospitalization. Other underlying causes of constipation may need to be treated. Prescription diets, fiber supplementation, or oral laxatives may need to be continued.
Home Remedies: Miralax, an over the counter powdered osmotic laxative may be used for mild cases of constipation, starting at 1/8 teaspoon once a day and increased in in 1/8 tsp increments up to twice a day. A vet visit is needed if no stool is seen after 24-48 hours or if other signs of concern develop.Is Your Cat Constipated? A Vet Explains How To Help
What Causes Constipation in Cats?
Cat constipation signs can sometimes be difficult to notice. There are many possible causes of constipation in cats.
Some of the most common causes of constipation in cats are:
- Anal gland infection
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Change in diet or inappropriate diet
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
- Foreign body ingestion
- Hairballs
- Hyperthyroidism
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal tumors
- Kidney disease
- Medication
- Megacolon
- Metabolic abnormalities
- Neurologic disease
- Obesity
- Prior pelvic fractures
Constipation can also result if a cat begins holding her poop because of behavioral or environmental reasons.
For instance, the cat may be avoiding the litter box because she is being ambushed by another household cat when she enters or exits. Maybe the litter box itself is not cleaned frequently enough and the cat doesnt want to use it.
Megacolon may also play a part in feline constipation.
A condition called megacolon can either be the primary cause of constipation or can develop as a secondary condition because of severe constipation. With megacolon, the muscles of the colon become stretched out and weak and are unable to move fecal matter through the colon and out of the body.
Megacolon is a very serious condition that can result in severe illness and even death if left untreated. Therefore, it is vital to seek veterinary attention if your cat experiences constipation that does not resolve quickly.
Signs & Symptoms of Cat Constipation
Some of the most obvious signs of constipation are less frequent defecation (finding less poop in the litterbox), finding small or dry poops, or in severe cases, finding no poop at all. In general, cats defecate one to three times a day. Constipation should be suspected in any cat that has not pooped in a couple of days.
Other Signs Of Constipation Include:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Decreased appetite
- Dry, hard stool
- Defecating outside the litterbox
- Hiding
- Small amounts of diarrhea
- Straining when using the litter box
- Vocalizing (crying) when using the litter box
- Vomiting
How To Help a Constipated Cat?
If your cat is severely constipated (passing very little stool, has not pooped in several days), she requires veterinary care.
Colonic obstruction (where the colon becomes impacted with stool) can be mild (termed constipation) or it can be very serious (called obstipation). When feces remains in the cats body for too long, the cat will eventually become extremely sick. Left untreated, cats can even die from constipation.
When You Visit the Clinic, Your Veterinarian Will Perform a Physical Examination
The veterinarian will do a complete physical exam, including palpating the abdomen to feel for hard stool in the colon and checking for signs of dehydration (one of the most common causes of constipation). Some cats will even tolerate a rectal examination, though some cats will not think this is acceptable!
Additional Tests May Be Necessary
Depending on the severity of the constipation and whether it is something that has happened before, the veterinarian might wish to run additional tests, including blood work, urinalysis, and X-rays or ultrasound.
Fluid Therapy Is a Cornerstone of Constipation Treatment
The main treatment for your cats constipation is therapeutic rehydration with fluid therapy. Your veterinarian may choose to rehydrate your cat with subcutaneous fluids (administered under the skin) or intravenous fluids (given via an intravenous catheter).
Enemas and Laxatives May Be Administered
After hydration, laxatives may be prescribed to help the cat begin to pass the stool. Enemas can be used to directly hydrate and lubricate the stool that is stuck in the colon.
Over-the-counter enemas available in pharmacies should not be used in cats, since many contain ingredients that are toxic to cats. Many cats will tolerate enemas with minimal sedation, but a full disimpaction (manual extraction of feces) will require general anesthesia and is pursued only when other methods have failed.
Some cats with severe megacolon may require a surgery called a subtotal colectomy to remove the affected area of the colon to prevent painful recurrences. This is a major procedure that is reserved for only the most severe cases.
Once the constipation is addressed, your veterinarian will discuss measures you can take at home to prevent your cat from becoming constipated again, including encouraging more water intake, dietary changes, supplements, and possibly medications like stool softeners, laxatives or motility drugs (always use such medications under the guidance of a veterinarian).
Constipated Cat Remedies / Natural Remedies
Prolonged constipation may result in severe fecal impaction as shown in this X-ray.
Making some changes to your cats lifestyle can greatly reduce her chances of becoming constipated again. To keep things moving, you will want to keep your cat well-hydrated, make sure shes eating enough fiber, prevent hairballs, keep your cat at a good weight, and encourage exercise.
1. Increase Hydration
Hydration is the biggest component of resolving and preventing constipation in cats. To resolve mild constipation or to prevent constipation from recurring, encourage your cat to drink more water.
Cats are notoriously bad about drinking water, but there are some tricks you can try to get your cat to drink more.
Many cats like drinking from pet fountains because the water is always movingkeeping it interesting, cool, and fresh tasting. Many cats prefer cool water, so you can also try putting a few ice cubes in your cats water dish or purchase a cooling pet bowl designed to keep the water cold.
Another good way to entice your cat to drink more is to flavor her water by pouring a teaspoon of low-sodium chicken broth or juice from a can of tuna into her water dish.
Also Read: Best Cat Water Fountains
If your cat eats primarily dry food, gradually switching your cats food to canned food can increase her daily water consumption. Read more about the best cat food for constipation below.
2. Try Natural Remedies
Certain home remedies, including fiber supplements like psyllium (Metamucil) or canned pumpkin, can help keep things moving in your cats intestinal tract. These natural remedies for cat constipation are safe and easy to give your cat.
Not all cats need fiber, though, and in some cases excess fiber can cause more harm than good. Ask your veterinarian if your cat would benefit from psyllium or pumpkin and for advice on how much to give. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend a gentle laxative like Miralax.
Although some people think its a good idea to give a cat with constipation olive oil, coconut oil or even butter to relieve cat constipation, this is generally not recommended. The high fat content of oils and butter can
3. Prevent Hairballs
If your cat is prone to hairballs, consider using a hairball remedy. Hairball remedies come in a tasty gel formulation that cats find palatable. There are also special hairball treats designed to help move hair through the digestive tract. Brushing your cat more frequently can also cut down on the amount of hair she ingests during self-grooming.
4. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Overweight cats are more prone to constipation. If your cat is overweight, speak to your veterinarian about steps you can take to help her safely lose weight so she is leaner.
5. Increase Exercise
The more your cat moves, the better her bowels will function. Encourage her to get more exercise by adding more play sessions with toys like feather wands and laser lights (careful not to shine them into her eyes).
Cat Food for Constipation
Certain cat foods are designed to help promote colon health to keep things moving. A high-fiber diet or low-residue diet can help cats that experience chronic (recurring) constipation. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a specific brand of cat food for constipation.
Also Read: Best Cat Food For Constipation
Help for Cat Constipation
For some cats, constipation can be a recurring issue. If your cat experiences constipation, stay on top of her hydration and implement any other changes your veterinarian recommends to try to stave off future episodes.
