How to stimulate a cat to poop

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:

1. Run a soft towel or washcloth under warm water until its damp
2. Place your cat in its litter box and rub the cloth on its anus
3. 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.

Constipation Massage For Cats- Full Guide

Massaging cats to relieve them of constipation is a debatable topic.

Some owners believe that giving their constipated cats a massage or acupuncture helps, while others think there are better ways to deal with constipation.

Both sides agree that constipation can be stressful for these cats.

In worst-case scenarios, feline constipation may be a symptom of a severe underlying medical condition.

Learning what to do when your cat is constipated may mean the difference between life and death. So this condition is something pet owners shouldnt ignore.

Read more to find out different massage techniques for constipating cats.

Do Kittens Constipate?

Yes! Unlike adult cats, cases of constipation in kittens do not occur often.

The most common reason for constipation in kittens is dehydration.

The lack of water and other fluids in a kittens body could lead to severe constipation.

Unfortunately, due to the tiny kittens bodies, a constipation massage cannot work unless done by a professional vet.

Causes of Constipation In Cats

According to Great Pet Care, cats have no known cause of constipation.

Despite this, several factors are the significant causes of constipation in cats.

They are:

Age

Older cats are more prone to constipation because, as they age, they become more susceptible to chronic diseases like kidney disorders.

Kidney diseases are the primary cause of constipation in cats.

Therefore if your cat is old, consider adding more laxatives to the diet to prevent the chances of constipation as well as kidney failure.

Obesity

Obesity in cats is very harmful.

Apart from causing constipation, obesity can cause heart diseases and organ failures in cats leading to death.

Even though, as a cat owner, you are compelled to treat your adorable kitty with different snacks and goodies, it is vital to consider the well-being of that cat.

For obese cats with constipation, try adding more water for dehydration and fiber foods to the cats diet.

Poor Nutrition

Just like human beings, cats need a balanced diet.

Digestion of food in cats can be difficult if a cats diet is not balanced, leading to constipation.

A cats balanced diet consists of:

• Lots of proteins
• Moderate fats
• Little portions of carbohydrates
• Water

Can Massage cure Constipation In Cats?

Massage and acupuncture are ancient Asian healing practices used for humans and pets in Asia.

Some owners give their cats acupuncture or massages to manage chronic constipation.

According to the Veterinary Practice News, Swedish Massage has been in the U.S. and Europe since the 19th century.

The report states that if you perform this Massage to your cats belly:

• It reduces the pain or discomforts your pet is feeling due to constipation.
• It decreases the time food substances take to move through the cats intestines.
• It encourages peristalsis, the involuntary relaxation/constriction of intestinal muscles.
• It increases the frequency of bowel movements.

However, massaging cats to ease their constipation can be tricky or even dangerous if done wrong.

If youre planning to go this route, Id recommend you successfully learn how to perform a cat massage from a professional vet.

Cats have unique and flexible bodies. Their intestines and colon may feel like the kidneys to the untrained.

Learning the cat anatomy (hopefully from a vet) removes the possibility of damaging organs with high-pressure massages.

Massaging your cats lower belly also helps them relax.

You can combine this healing technique if youre trying to give her meds or distract her while the vet checks her up.

Cat Constipation: How to Help Your Cat Poop With Massage

For younger, smaller, and more sensitive cats, the triangle massage method is the best to stimulate normal intestinal peristalsis and cure constipation.

The following instructions are for kittens and smaller cats:

Prepare a white or light-colored washcloth

Preferably get a piece of cloth that you wont use anywhere else since the kitten will pee or poop if your Massage is successful.

It would help if you made the washcloth of your choice damp with warm water.

Mom cats usually give their babies a tongue bath with their warm tongues. Precisely, the washcloth will try to replicate the mama kittys warm tongue.

* If you dont have a cloth, use gauze or cotton balls moistened with warm water instead.

Go to a warm area (not hot!)

Before starting the cat massaging process, find a warm area, especially if youre handling days-old kittens who might get severely sick or die from the intense cold.

The warm area also helps the cat to relax and loosen the belly muscles making it easy to massage them successfully.

Hold your kitten belly-down

Prepare your kitten by making it lay down on its belly.

When massaging, grip gently but firmly to prevent your cat from escaping.

Massage your kitten

With kittens, hold them with one hand, and use your other hand to move the washcloth up and down the cats anal region.

Your thumb should carry most of the pressure when doing so.

Now and then, check the washcloth to see if the cat has already peed or pooped.

In most cases, the stimulation successfully makes kittens poop within 60 seconds.

Clean your kitten

To prevent infection or skin problems, clean your cats bottom with water.

Dry it off with a clean, used cloth. If you see blood, or pain in your cats eyes and body language, go straight to the vet.

Constipation time isnt the best time to try massaging a cat with constipation or see how feeding her fatty tuna would help.

Your cat might be suffering from a more serious medical condition beyond your control.

Such as a prostate abscess or foreign objects inside your cats body. So a veterinarian would be of great help.

How to Prevent Constipation In Cats: 5 Easy Strategies

Although constipation isnt a common condition in cats, it does happen once in a while.

Older cats with changing diets and activities are more prone to constipation than younger kittens.

Here are five strategies to prevent constipation in cats;

Provide drinking water at all times to avoid dehydration

Try to change the cats diet with more fiber and nutrient-rich foods known to keep the gut healthy.

If your cat eats dry cat food, try switching to canned cat food containing 80% more water than pellets.

We have a short buying guide to help you find the best cat food for constipation.

Give your cat some pumpkin. Pumpkin is one of the most effective natural laxatives ideals for cats.

As a cat owner, add cereal, oatmeal, and other fiber-rich food to your cats meals to improve gut health. Fiber supplements are another option you can take.

Dont forget to play with them, even if theyre senior cats. Physical activity is essential, no matter what age your cat is.

Hairballs may cause constipation, so prevent hairballs from developing by brushing your cat regularly.

If your constipated cat is new to your household, consider that it may not use in another cats litter box. Try to give the new cat an original litter box.

If none of these works, a veterinarian could help diagnose your cats constipation.

The vet can also try other treatment options, such as supplementation, medication, a change in diet, manual evacuation of bowels, enema, or surgery.

While youre at the veterinarian, discuss if your cat needs daily laxatives to prevent constipation from reoccurring.

Purrfect n Pawesome is the brainchild of Amanda, who has been into researching and writing about pets to help other pet parents in nurturing their adorable pets. Currently, she runs Purrfect n Pawesome along with her team of experienced and dedicated pet experts. Along with being an awesome writer and entrepreneur, Amanda is a cat mom to two innocently spoiled cats, Balanca and Scruffy. She has been writing about pet care and nurturing and wants to share her readers experiences, learnings, and knowledge. Over the years, she had the opportunity to work with various pet owners having multiple breeds, and that exposure gave her experience and the lessons of a lifetime. Her family, her entire universe revolves around her two cats, who give her endless support and inspiration to move ahead with her objectives in life. Amanda is a live example of a balanced approach to all parenthood questions we all face in life.