How to make a cat poop when constipated
How To Make an Elderly Cat Poop When Constipated
A senior cat should empty its bowels no less than once a day. Any less than that regularity suggests that your elderly cat is constipated.
Keep your cat regular with an age-specific diet and exercise. Provide stool softeners or mild laxatives to relieve constipation. You can also encourage cats to eliminate manually. Rubbing a damp washcloth on a cats anus mimics the sensation of a mother cat licking a kitten.
You can usually treat feline constipation at home, but dont allow the problem to go unresolved for longer than 24 hours. With dietary and lifestyle changes, your older cat should start to go to the toilet regularly.
How to Tell if A Cat Is Constipated
As stated, a cat should empty its bowels daily. If your older cat goes 24 hours with pooping, its likely to be constipated. Signs of a constipated senior cat include:
Ensure that your cat is unable to defecate. It may be able to go to the toilet but is unwilling to do so. This may be because your cat has developed a fear of its litter box, so it chooses to eliminate elsewhere or holds in its waste.
Why Is My Older Cat Not Using Its Litter Box Anymore?
A cat can develop a fear of its litter box that is medical or psychological in nature. The most common explanations for this include:
- It hurts to defecate
- The litter box hasnt been cleaned
- The litter within has changed scent or texture
- There is too much litter in the box
- The litter box is in a noisy area
- The litter box has been moved
- The cat has outgrown its litter box
- Another cat is using the litter box
Cats are fussy about their litter box, so it must meet these criteria:
- Cleaned no less than once a day
- Located in a quiet area, away from noise or footfall
- Unique to the cat. Multiple cats require multiple litter boxes
- No more than two inches of a familiar, unscented litter
- Large enough for the cat to fit into comfortably
If you are confident that your litter box is not the problem, the issue could be a urinary tract infection. UTIs make elimination painful. Your cat may think that its the litter tray thats hurting it and avoid it. Consequently, it will hold in its waste and become constipated.
As the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery explains, feline UTIs frequently reoccur. This means that antibiotics may only provide temporary relief from the problem.
A cat without a UTI may still avoid its litter box due to discomfort. Constipation is painful as the stool is so hard and difficult to pass.
Old Cat Not Going To Toilet
A senior cat faces a higher risk of constipation for the following reasons:
- Prone to joint and leg stiffness due to arthritis
- Exercise less frequently, leading to obesity
- Weaker immunity and more likely to get intestinal problems
If your cat cannot make it into the litter box, it will hold onto its feces for longer. This leads to harder waste and constipation in senior cats.
What Causes Constipation in Elderly Cats?
Constipation has several causes that vary in severity. The most common explanations include:
- Obstruction to the colon, perhaps due to hairballs
- Inability to digest food
- Excessive protein in the diet
- Dehydration
- Insufficient exercise
- The side effects of medication or anesthesia
- Stress and trauma
If your cat is dehydrated, it may have kidney disease. One in three geriatric cats (aged 10+) experience some degree of renal failure.
According to the Journal of Small Animal Practice, kidney problems are also often linked to hyperthyroidism. This is another medical problem that can lead to feline constipation.
Older cats have more brittle bones, and a fractured pelvis is a common injury. As Vet Compendium explains, a fractured pelvis leads to a narrowed colon. This makes defecation difficult, or even impossible, in some cases.
As per the BMJ, your cat may have megacolon. Megacolon is the dilation or restricted movement of the digestive tract.
How to Get an Older Cat To Poop
Here are some ways to relieve a senior cats constipation:
Regular Exercise
Exercise is key to keeping a cat regular. Older cats can become increasingly lethargic and sleep for longer, which can lead to constipation. A lack of movement means that the digestive tract is also not getting a workout.
If your cat still enjoys playtime, encourage this behavior. Use toys that will spark your cats hunting instincts. Laser pointers, clockwork mice, and feathers on a string can all get a cat moving and jumping.
Your older cat may have lost interest in play. Provide physical stimulation throughout the house, such as cat trees. If your cat is food-focused, make it work harder to be rewarded with a food-based treat.
Manual Relief
Mother cats lick the anus of their young to stimulate elimination. Obviously, this wont be the case for a senior cat. However, you can replicate the experience by doing the following:
- Run a soft towel or washcloth under warm water until its damp
- Place your cat in its litter box and rub the cloth on its anus
- Complete a steady, circular motion that lasts for up to one minute
You will know if this is working as the cat will start to spasm. It means that the cats colon is being stimulated, leading to your cat going to the toilet.
Dietary Changes
Older cats need a specialist diet. Ensure that your cats diet provides a healthy balance of protein and fiber. Do not sacrifice fiber for protein, as fiber is what keeps a senior cats bowels moving frequently.
Older cats will find wet food easier to digest than kibble. If your cat sustains itself purely on kibble, consider introducing wet food to its diet. A little kibble is fine, but it will be harder for the cat to pass.
Even if your cat is constipated, you should still change its food gradually as an immediate switch can lead to a stomach upset. While diarrhea will encourage elimination, it can leave your cat dehydrated, leading to constipation in the future.
Water Consumption
Encourage your cat to drink more water if it is eliminating irregularly. Cats often fail to consume enough liquids. Oftentimes, this is because cats are fussy. Too much or too little water in a bowl can discourage fluid consumption. Also, many cats are distrustful of static water.
Consider getting your feline a water fountain. Cats enjoy lapping from a constant, fresh water supply. Alternatively, regularly refill your cats bowl. Do not leave your cats water too close to food, either. The smell of food contaminates water from a cats perspective.
Natural Stool Softeners
Constipation is often caused by a cats stool hardening inside the body, making it hard for the cat to eliminate. It will be painful, and waste will be released in small quantities. There are various natural remedies:
- Olive oil: Two teaspoons mixed with cat food will act as a mild laxative.
- Tinned pumpkin: Tinned pumpkin is also a natural laxative, and can be offered straight from the tin. Ensure the pumpkin is pure and not spiced.
- Leafy greens: Leafy greens are high in fiber and will stimulate your cats digestionmix vegetables with your cats food.
- Cows milk: Most cats are lactose intolerant. The cats body will reject the milk and eject it as waste. This could lead to diarrhea, though.
Medical Intervention
Vets can prescribe medical-grade laxatives. You will be given strict instructions surrounding the dosage, which must not be exceeded.
A vet may give your cat an enema to avoid invasive surgery. This will clear the cats digestive tract. This shouldnt be attempted at home.
Surgery is a last resort for a senior cat due to the risks involved. Besides, constipation is a common side effect of anesthetics. Surgery will only be considered if your cat has a foreign object blocking its colon.
How to Keep a Senior Cat Regular
To make sure a senior cat stays regular, take the following steps:
- Keep your cat active
- Avoid stress triggers for your cat
- Provide an appropriate diet, including plenty of water
- Check for any injuries
- Manage your cats weight and mobility issues
- You should groom your cat to minimize hairballs
- Regular health check-ups
There are a variety of reasons why older cats get constipated. These range from physical limitations to digestive issues due to age. If several days have elapsed without your cat going to the toilet, it should be examined by a vet.
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...
