Is it safe to give a cat Miralax every day

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

How I Easily Give My Cat MiraLAX Every Day

My cat Charlotte will need a small dose of MiraLAX daily for the rest of her life.

After a couple of years of dealing with constipation, Charlotte had a complete blockage. You can read more about when she was my cat that couldnt poop here.

The short version of her story is that she has a healed broken pelvic bone. Unfortunately, the fractured bone healed in the wrong position, making it more difficult for stool to pass through.

So, the solution is to give her MiraLAX every day to help make her poo a little softer and easier to get through.

Since I am not a vet, I will not be sharing the dosage he recommends, as your cat may need a different amount. And weve had to adjust the amount to make sure she is getting enough but not too much.

However, there is some general information about MiraLAX for cats here. I will share how I am giving Charlotte the prescribed amount.

IF YOUR CAT IS constipated, please consult a veterinarian for treatment options. Do not self-diagnose your cat. Charlottes condition was terrible and required enemas and an overnight stay. She may have died if I had not taken her to the vet.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. I will receive a commission if you click a link and then make a purchase.

Giving MiraLax to My Cat

The instructions from the vet were to mix the MiraLAX with a small amount of water and then force Charlotte to swallow it using a plastic syringe to get it into her mouth.

We did this method for only one day. Forcing the mixture into her mouth every day was going to be too stressful for her and me to

So, to make it easy, Ive been mixing the MiraLAX with a small amount of water and then mixing it with a meat tube treat.

The key for Charlotte is not having too much water mixed in. If its too watery, Charlotte will not eat it.

Charlotte enjoys the daily treat, and she gets the MiraLAX that reduces her chance of constipation.

What arent you mixing the MiraLAX with her wet food?

We have six other indoor cats who get wet food every morning. So, mixing the MiraLAX into her wet food would be an option too.

However, sometimes the cats switch bowls after giving them their wet food dish. So, I wanted a way to make sure the right cat was consuming the MiraLAX.

How do you give the MiraLAX treat mixture to only one cat?

Ive had to be sneaky about the timing of giving Charlotte her treat. At first, it was easy as I gave her the mixture when the other cats were sleeping.

But as time passed, the other cats learned what was happening, or they could smell the meat tube treat. So there have been a few times where Ive split a second meat tube treat amongst the other cats that suddenly appeared when getting the mixture ready for Charlotte.

And Violet seems to recognize the sound of the MiraLAX container being opened. So, to not attract her attention, sometimes I open the container while making other noises in the kitchen (cooking, cleaning, loading the dishwasher, etc.).

MiraLAX for Cats Money Saving Tips

#1 Order treats in bulk.

If you decide to use a wet treat mixture, you may be able to find the cats preferred treat in a larger quantity online.

Charlotte likes the Delectables Squeeze Up chicken flavor (she doesnt like seafood flavors). Amazon and Chewy sell the 32 meat tube packs, which are much less expensive than buying the 5 pack at the local store.

#2 Mix with your cats current food.

If you dont want to do the treat mixture, you can try mixing the MiraLAX with your cats wet food. After mixing the MiraLAX with a bit of water, add it to the wet food.

Then, you will not have an extra expense of buying more treats if you are trying to keep your monthly cost of providing for cats low.

#3 Get a larger size of Miralax

We discovered that Costco sells a double pack of the large size of Miralax. And Costco offers a double pack in their Kirkland brand, which costs even less.

Amazon also sells the larger MiraLAX value size.

The larger size will last a long time (since cats get only a tiny amount), and you may want to get a smaller size until you are certain your cat will need Miralax long-term.

Summary

Mixing MiraLAX with a bit of water and a meat tube treat has proven to be a very easy way to give my cat her daily dose of MiraLAX.

Please work with a veterinarian if your cat has constipation issues. My cats problems are due to an out-of-place pelvic bone. Your vet will need to diagnose your cats specific issue.

Heidi Bender is the writer and founder of the Joy of Cats. She enjoys sharing cat information and providing helpful cat tips. She considers herself a

cat lady

and currently cares for

eight cats

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.