How quickly will MiraLAX work on a cat

Miralax for Cats: Uses, Dosage, & Side Effects

Miralax is a human medication often used for the treatment of constipation in cats. It comes in a tasteless, powder form, which is easy to give to cats and is readily available over the counter.

In this article, learn how Miralax works, the dosage and how to administer this to your cat, along with some common side effects.

Miralax for Cats Overview

Medication Type:

Osmotic laxative

Medication Form:

Powder form

Common Names:

Polyethylene glycol 3350

Effects:

Softens stools and treats constipation

Available Dosages:

Powder available in different sized bottles

Potential Side Effects:

Diarrhea, flatulence, dehydration

Precautions:

Use with caution in cats with dehydration, kidney disease, or sensitive stomaches

Contraindications:

Avoid using in cats that are unwell

About Miralax for Cats

Before we start discussing the use of Miralax in cats, we should know a little bit about Miralax. What is it? Miralax is a common over-the-counter medication used for the short-term treatment of constipation in humans. It contains the active ingredient polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350) and is classed as an osmotic laxative.

Through the process of osmosis, these laxatives draw water into the intestines and retain it there. As a result, the intestines swell with water and this softens the impacted, hard, dry feces stuck in the intestines. In this way, it acts as a stool softener.

Increased water in the intestines also helps to increase hydration and gut motility (prokinetic), which prevents further constipation. These methods of action will help to produce bowel movements in mild-moderate cases of constipation.

As with humans, Miralax is used for the same purpose in cats to treat constipation. Constipation is a common issue in cats, particular in older cats.

Common underlying causes of constipation in cats include diet change, kidney disease, fur ingestion, medications, or pain (e.g., arthritis or joint issues). Your vet will need to investigate the underlying cause of your cats constipation to remove the causing factor if possible and to treat it.

Miralax provides a gentle and easy way to treat your cat if theyre suffering from constipation. The tasteless powder is easy to administer and is readily available in stores. It might relieve constipation and avoid your cat needing more intrusive procedures, such as an enema. Always use Miralax under the advice and recommendation of your veterinarian.

Dose for Cats

Miralax is a human medication. Therefore, there is no official Miralax dosage. I recommend discussing the proper dosage with your veterinarian. They know your cats case and medical history the best and are in a better position to advise on the dosage for them. The dosage of Miralax might change based on your cats age and underlying health conditions, and the severity of their constipation.

However, a general guideline for the dose in cats is to administer one-quarter teaspoon once to twice daily per cat.

This is a rough guideline for the dosage of Miralax, but as Ive mentioned, I strongly recommend discussing this with your veterinarian first. Constipation can be a very serious condition and you need to get your vets advice first before attempting to treat this at home. This medication wont be suitable for every case of constipation.

How To Administer Miralax to Cats

Because Miralax is a tasteless powder, it can easily be mixed into wet cat food.

Luckily for cat owners, Miralax comes in a tasteless powdered form. This makes it easier to administer to cats compared to other medications. Ensure that your cat is well hydrated prior to taking Miralax. Provide plenty of water bowls and water fountains to encourage drinking. To give your cat Miralax, simply mix their dose (based on your vets recommendation) into some of their favorite wet food.

Pick a wet food that they really like and mix the powder well to disguise it. Click herefor some tips on the best food to hide medication in.

Also Read:Best Cat Food For Constipation

Side Effects of Miralax for Cats

Miralax is generally a very safe medication to give to your cat, under the recommendation and advice of your vet. Side effects of this drug are minimal, but there are a few to consider.

As Miralax is an osmotic laxative, it draws water into the intestines. This might cause dehydration in the body, particularly in cats that have underlying conditions, such as kidney disease, or cats that are unwell and already dehydrated.

For this reason, Miralax should only be used if your cat is suffering from mild constipation and if your vet has advised it. Cats that are suffering from severe constipation are/or are very unwell will likely need veterinary treatment, which might include intravenous fluid therapy, x-rays to check for gastrointestinal obstruction, an enema to relieve the obstipation, and medications (e.g., cisapride). Severe constipation might cause an irreversible enlargement of the colon, called megacolon, which needs urgent veterinary care.

Laxatives have the ability to cause diarrhea or flatulence, particularly if too much is given. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian as they might need to prescribe a special diet, fiber, or medication to treat this. Use Miralax with care in cats that tend to have sensitive tummies, and keep a close eye on their litter box if theyre using Miralax.

Overdose and Emergencies

Miralax is a safe, over-the-counter medication and issues with overdoses are rare. In most cases, giving too much Miralax to your cat might cause diarrhea and gas. However, overdoses are possible with any drug and if you have any concern that your cat has overdosed, call your emergency veterinarian right away. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661) for more information.

Potential Drug Interactions With Miralax

Miralax is a human drug and has been shown to be safe to use in the majority of cases, with potentially fewer side effects than other laxatives. According tohuman data, the drugs below are usually avoided with Miralax use in people unless advised otherwise by their doctor:

• Bisacodyl
• Licorice
• Senna
• Sodium picosulfate

In veterinary medicine, potential drug interactions with Miralax arent well known, but it is a relatively safe medication to use. Always discuss Miralax with your veterinarian before giving it to your cat. This is particularly important if your cat has any underlying health conditions or is on medication.

Your vet will assess your cats individual case and see if its appropriate to use this medication. They will check if it interacts with any other medication your cat might already be on (e.g., for diabetes or hyperthyroidism).

How To Store Miralax

Store Miralax in a child-proof container, away from extreme heat, moisture sunlight, or cold. Avoid freezing temperatures and keep it out of reach of children.

Dont use medication that is out of datediscard it.

Final Thoughts

Miralax can be used under the guidance of your veterinarian to relieve constipation in most cats.

Miralax is a human medication that can be used to treat mild to moderate cases of constipation in cats. Its relatively safe with few side effects and is easy to give to cats as it comes in a tasteless powder form.

Cats should pass feces in their litter box within eight to 12 hours after Miralax medication. Be cautious giving it to cats that might be dehydrated or suffering from kidney disease. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian before giving Miralax to your cat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Miralax safe for cats?

Yes, Miralax is a relatively safe and easy-to-administer medication for cats to treat constipation. Its readily available over the counter and comes in a tasteless powder form. Discuss the use of Miralax with your vet before using it for your cat.

What if I miss a dose of Miralax?

Miralax is a safe drug used to treat constipation. It can be given once or twice daily depending on your vets advice. If you miss a dose and your cat still has signs of constipation, call your vet for advice. They might advise you to give a dose of Miralax.

How long can cats take Miralax?

Miralax is used short-term for treatment of constipation. It might be used for anything from a few days duration to a few weeks.

How long does it take for Miralax to work in cats?

Miralax usually works within eight to 12 hours in cats. Feces should be produced within 24 hours.

Should cats take Miralax with food?

Yes, Miralax should be administered to your cat in wet food. Ensure that your cat has plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

How Long Does It Take For Miralax To Work In Cats: A Guide For Novices

When it comes to constipation in cats, Miralax truly works wonders. Check out this article and learn how long does it take for Miralax to work in cats.

Similar to human, the average cats experience digestive difficulty from time to time and constipation is a rather common issue. In most of the case, you don't need to worry about constipation in cats as it's mild and last for a short time. That being said, in the case constipation persists for more than 3 days, some medications might be needed and Miralax is a fairly popular choice nowadays. Many first time owners remain hesitant to give Miralax to their pets though as they know little about the use of such drug in cats. "What kind of dosage should I use here?", "How long does it take for Miralax to work in cats? ", "Are there any notable side effects?',

Your cat is suffering from constipation but you are unable to decide whether you should give it Miralax or not? In that case, you have come to the right place. Through this article, you would be introduced every bit of information that you need to keep in mind regarding the use of Miralax in cats. Overall, treating cat constipation with Miralax carries relatively few threats and anyone could do it. So as long as you got a firm grasp on the basic shown down below, you could relive your cat of his/her tummy problem.

Miralax: The Way It Works

It's highly likely that you already know about Miralax, a powder-type laxative that is quite simple to use. The way that Miralax work is also straightforward: it draws water as well as fluids into the colon which would steadily decrease the bowel stress. The moisture build-up softens the cat stool and that should be sufficient to put a permanent end to constipation. All things considered, whether the patient is cat or human, Miralax is essentially the safest form of laxative to use. Side effects are few and far between so Miralax is widely used to treat constipation.

What Pet Owners Should Remember While Giving Their Cats Miralax

Miralax is mostly used as a short-term treatment for constipation and that means you must not use it for an extended period of time. Cats that are diagnosed with CRS (Chronic Renal Insufficiency) should not receive Miralax or any type of laxative at all. Considering the way that Miralax work, overdoses would cause diarrhea and then hydration which could potentially worsen the ongoing problem. In most of the case, you should stop giving your cat Miralax if his/her seems to defecate normally again. Consult with the professionals if you have questions about weight, size, and age of your cat before giving it Miralax.

The Time Miralax Require To Take Effects In Ordinary Cats

"So I just give my cat the laxative, how long does it take for Miralax to work in cats anyway?". Generally speaking, Miralax needs some time to kick in but you should see the result after a day or two. Keep checking the litter box as your cat take in his/her daily dose of Miralax and make suitable adjustments. However, if the cat health doesn't show signs of improvement after a week, get it to the local vet. At that point, there is a good chance that your cat got a serious health problem and Miralax powders are not going to cut it. Once your cat shows worrisome symptoms like vomiting, blood in stool and so on, visit the veterinary clinic at once.

Using Miralax Laxative For Cats

As mentioned above, you could technically give Miralax to your cat but there are considerable differences between man and cat in term of body function. Overall, you should not use the dosage that is designed for human on your pets. For most of the time, a 1/8 teaspoon of Miralax is more than enough, dissolve the powders in water and let your cat drink the mixture. In the case the pet stubbornly refuse to drink all of the mixtures, you probably have to use a syringe. Load the syringe with the Miralax-water mixture and then proceed to slowly squirt everything straight in your cat mouth. Be careful not to accidentally trigger the cat gag reflex.

Regarding the time, you should give your cat Miralax before meal time, ideally in the afternoon or around that period. That should permit the cat body to absorb the Miralax smoothly and avoid virtually all negative reactions caused by consuming drugs on an empty stomach. In the case you are unable to give you cat Miralax in the afternoon, give the dose before his/her last meal of the day. Increase the dosage to 1/4 teaspoon if your cat is still suffering from constipation after 2 days. You already know how long does it take for Miralax to work in cats so feel free to modify the dose to match the situation.

Check us out for other healthy cats guide!

Treating Constipation In Cats: A Couple Of Tips And Tricks

Once pet owners know Miralax how long does it take for Miralax to work in cats, a lot of them start using the laxative indiscriminately? Of course, Miralax is indeed convenient but that doesn't mean you should think of it as the only way to treat constipation in cats. Here is something you could to get rid of cat constipation in addition to medication usage and avoid its resurgence.

Check The Litter Box Periodically

The sooner you detect a problem in your cat, the easier you could solve it. For most of the time, the best method to conclude that your cat got constipation is to keep a close eye on the litter box. If your cat rarely visits the box or behave strangely while using it (crying, straining and so on), your cat is probably suffering from constipation.

Provide Your Cat With Water

Hydration is one of the main causes of constipation so by giving your cat enough water, his/her would not experience that annoying digestive condition. Consider getting a cat fountain in the case your pet doesn't drink a lot of water from its bowl

Put Together A Balanced Diet

Some first-timer cat owners accidentally give their cats too many dried foods which often lead to the lack of water/fluid in the colon. By alternating between wet and dried foods, you should be able to minimize the frequency of constipation appearance in cats.

Looking for more interesting cat tips and facts? Visit Cattybox!