What can I give my cat for hard stool

7 Cat Laxatives To Relieve Cat Constipation (and How to Choose the Right One)

When your cat is suffering from constipation, there are several steps you can take to help alleviate their discomfort and address the underlying issue. Well touch on the full gamut shortly, but first, lets zero in on laxatives.

Cat laxatives are substances designed to help cats with constipation by facilitating bowel movements. They work in various ways, such as stimulating intestinal muscles or drawing water into the colon.

4 Types of Cat Laxatives

The choice of laxative depends on the severity of the constipation and the cats overall health. There are four main types of laxatives:

1. Lubricant laxatives: Coats the stool and intestines in a lubricating film, easing the passage of feces.
2. Osmotic laxatives: Draws water into the colon from surrounding tissues. This increased water content helps soften the stool and increases its volume, which, in turn, stimulates bowel movements.
3. Stimulant laxatives: Triggers the intestines to contract and push out the stool.
4. Bulk-forming laxatives: Provides fiber, which increases the bulk of the stool. This can stimulate a cats bowels.

7 Common Cat Laxatives

According to Dr. Ybarra and Dr. Savageau, common cat laxatives include:

• Cat Lax (lubricant)
• Mineral oil (lubricant)
• Polyethylene glycol 3350, aka Miralax (osmotic)
• Lactulose (osmotic)
• Cisapride (stimulant)
• Metoclopramide (stimulant)
• Psyllium husk, aka Metamucil (bulk-forming)

While not technically a laxative, canned, unsweetened pumpkin can also sometimes help relieve constipation. Pumpkins have a high water and fiber content, and can hydrate the intestines and their contents. A couple of pet parent pumpkin favorites are Weruva Pureed Pumpkin and Nummy Tum-Tum Pumpkin. Note that these pumpkin foods should not replace your cats regular food but rather act as a supplement to relieve occasional constipation.

Which Cat Laxative Should You Use?

The right laxative for your cat depends on a variety of factors, including the cause of constipation; your cats overall health and age; and any underlying medical conditions, says Dr. Ybarra.

Its crucial to only give your cat a laxative based on a veterinarians recommendation and with their guidance. This not only ensures the treatments efficacy but also your feline friends safety and well-being. The improper or unsupervised use of laxatives can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances or worsened constipation.

In addition to selecting a suitable laxative, your vet may also discuss other aspects of care that can help manage or prevent constipation.

Cat Laxative vs. Stool Softener

When addressing constipation in cats, its important to understand the difference between a cat laxative and a stool softener for cats, as they serve different purposes in managing the condition.

Cat Laxatives

Laxatives are generally used when theres a need to actively induce a bowel movement.

They produce bowel movements in one of three ways:

1. Stimulating the muscles of the intestines
2. Drawing water into the bowel from surrounding tissues
3. Increasing the weight or bulk of the stool

Stool Softeners

Stool softeners, on the other hand, work by increasing the amount of water absorbed by the stool in the intestines, Dr. Savageau says. This process results in softer stool, which is easier for the cat to pass.

Stool softeners are particularly beneficial for cats who need to avoid straining during defecation, such as those with certain medical conditions or post-surgical cases.

In some cases, both laxatives and stool softeners are used.

12 Natural Home Remedies for Cat Constipation (Vet Approved)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Constipation is a very common problem for cats. Often the symptoms are mild, and there are lots of things you can do at home to help your cat and ease their discomfort. Most cats pass feces every 2436 hours, but if your cat is going less frequently than this or they seem uncomfortable when in their litter tray, they may well be constipated.

When your cat is constipated, feces get stuck in the large intestine for longer than usual, so it becomes dry and hard which exacerbates the issue and makes it even more difficult to pass. There are many different causes of constipation, some are mild and others are the results of serious health issues such as megacolonor kidney disease. These are complicated medical problems and home remedies are not appropriate here.

However, if your cat has mild constipation, you have come to the right place! Keep reading this vet-written guide to find out 12 natural home remedies for cat constipation.

Signs of Constipation

Constipation can vary greatly in severity. Some cats may have mild signs, while others can suffer a lot and be extremely uncomfortable.

The usual signs of constipation include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Straining in litter tray
• Difficulty passing feces
• Pain when passing feces
• Passing feces less frequently
• Producing small, hard, dry feces

Constipation is usually easy to spot, and here is a list of some natural home remedies you can try if you see the early signs of constipation:

The 12 Vet-Approved Natural Home Remedies for Cat Constipation

1.Keep Your Cat Well Hydrated

If your cat is dehydrated, this will exacerbate their constipation. Keeping up fluid intake is the first port of call when managing constipated cats. This can be done in a number of different ways. You can leave water bowls around the house in easily accessible places as this will encourage the consumption of more water. Some cats enjoy using water fountains, or a dripping tap. You can also flavor your cats water with something strong smelling such as tuna juice or bone broth.

If you do this, ensure you leave some plain water out too. This is in case they dont like the flavoring and need an alternative source.

2.Feed Canned Wet Food

Changing your cats food from dry to canned wet food can increase water intake, especially if your cat doesnt drink much. Dry food does have some advantages, for example, it can aid in the mechanical debridement of your cats teeth. However, if your cat has issues with constipation, they should be taking in more fluids as there are other ways to keep their teeth clean.

3.Change Your Cats Diet

If your cat has a sensitive stomach or if they have allergies, this can cause inflammatory changes in the intestines that can lead to constipation. You can start by either changing the main protein source of your cats diet or feeding them a hypoallergenic diet. If your cat is reacting to something in their diet, feeding them something they dont react to will reduce the inflammation. This facilitates normal peristalsis movements which means there is a reduction in the chances of constipation developing.

Increasing fiber in your cats diet will also aid with the movement of food through your cats digestive tractmore on this below. Speak to your vet about diets and supplements before making any dramatic changes.

4.Keep Your Cat at a Healthy Weight

Obesity is another thing that can cause intestinal inflammation, as it can slow the transit time of the digested food. This allows for too much water to be absorbed and causes constipation. If your cat is severely overweight, another factor is the physical weight of the fat around the stomach. It can slow the movement of food through the intestines just by the sheer mass present. If you need help or advice on weight loss for your cat, consult your vet.

5.Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can affect food transit time through your cats intestines.

Cats can become easily stressed by lots of different things. Changes in their environment, a new human or animal in their home, illness, changes in your routine, or strange noises can all cause unwanted stress and anxiety. To attempt to reduce this, you can make everything as consistent as possible.

If changes cant be avoided, try to introduce them gradually. Some cats respond to products such as calming pheromones or anti-anxiety medication.

6.Provide Multiple Litter Trays

Cats are very sensitive about when and where they use their litter box. If they are not happy with something, this can put them off using it altogether, which can cause constipation and urination issues too.

Cats may be put off by other cats using a litter tray. It may be an incorrect size so they dont fit in, they may feel exposed if there is no cover on it, or there may not be enough litter in it. It may also be in a loud and busy location. It can be a case of trial and error finding a tray and location that your cat is happy with, but it is definitely an important factor in healthy bowel movements for your cat.

7.Ensure Your Cat is Getting Enough Exercise

Much the same as humans, cats benefit hugely from exercise. If they lead a sedentary lifestyle, they are less likely to have healthy peristalsis movements. A reductionor loss of these movements can result in constipation. If they are lying in one position for long periods, it will be more difficult for them to digest their food properly.

You can encourage your cat to be more active by using cat toys and playing with them. Enrichment objects are widely available for your home such as cat trees and scratch posts. It is likely if they are more active and have mental stimulation for the duration of their day, that they will be less stressed and anxious and less likely to be overweight.

8.Increase Dietary Fiber

Feeding your cat a higher proportion of roughage can help food pass more easily through their gut. Fiberalso helps retain water in the intestines. There are a few different types of fiber commonly used in cats, and these include psyllium huskand wheat bran. Not all cats with constipation benefit from a high-fiber diet as it does depend on the underlying cause, so always speak to your vet before adding anything to your cats diet.

9.Over the Counter Laxatives

Some over-the-counter products can be used to help your constipated cats at home, however, never use any medication at home without first consulting your vet. Laxatives usually work by drawing more water into the intestines, helping to soften the feces, which aids in the cat passing them. This can be dangerous for cats with other health issues so use with caution only under vet instruction. Some laxatives can affect your cats ability to absorb nutrients from their food if used long-term, so it is always best to check with your vet first.

10.Probiotic Supplements

Some brands of cat food contain probiotics already. If this is not the case, you can buy probiotic supplements specifically for your cat. Probiotics can aid in the relief of constipation, and they also help maintain good digestive health.

11.Brush Your Cat Regularly

Hairballsare a very common cause of constipation in cats. If you brush your cat regularly you are removing excess hairs or hairs that are ready to shed. This means when your cat grooms itself, it wont be accidentally swallowing lots of hairs that will contribute to hairballs. If you know your cat has problems with hairballs, there are also over-the-counter products you can buy to aid in the passing of hairballs.

12.Keep Your Cats Backend Clean

Regularly check the area around your cats backside to see if it is clean and free of clumped hair or dried feces. It sounds like a simple thing, but if there is matted hair and dried feces stuck to this area, it can be very painful and can certainly put your cat off trying to pass feces. This is especially important if your cat has long hair as it is more likely to get knotted and matted. It is good practice to check and clean this area so that your cat is used to you having a quick look to ensure it stays hygienic.

Often, cats struggle to clean this area if they are overweight so this is another reason to keep your cat in trim condition. Cats with arthritis may also struggle to clean this area, so be aware they may need a little help.

Conclusion

Constipation is a very common issue encountered by our cats. If symptoms are mild, there are some useful home remedies owners can carry out to help their cat. A lot of these are beneficial for other reasons too and help to keep our cats in good general condition. If constipation is a repeated chronic issue or symptoms are severe, it is best to get an appointment with your vet to have your cat examined.

There are some underlying health issues that can cause constipation which need veterinary intervention such as prescription medication or surgery.

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