What is the best fiber for cats with constipation
8 Ways to Help Your Constipated Cat
Constipation is common in cats. Usually, its mild, and you can help your cat with simple home treatments.
But sometimes constipation in cats can indicate more serious health issues, and it can become very severe and uncomfortable. So how do you know when its a serious problem that needs vet attention?
Heres what you need to know about cat constipation symptoms and causes, what you can do to help your constipated cat, and when to be concerned.
Symptoms of Constipation in Cats
Constipation is characterized by infrequent stools or stools that are difficult to pass. Most cats will poop about every 1224 hours. If your cat is pooping less frequently and having some difficulty, she may be constipated.
While there is some normal variation, if its been more than 4872 hours without a bowel movement, you should contact your vet.
Normally, cat poop isa rich brown color and should look well-formed. Ahealthy stoolhas enough moisture that litter will stick to it, says Dr. Liz Bales, VMD.Cats with constipation may have very dry, hard stools. A constipated cat may also cry or strain in the litter box, or avoid it altogether.
Symptoms of constipation may include:
Decreased appetite
Lethargy
Abdominal pain
Straining to defecate (hunched posture trying to poop)
Pain or vocalization when defecating
Production of small, hard, dry feces
If youre seeing any of these symptoms, especially if your pet has not defecated recently, discuss them with your cats vet.
Causes of Cat Constipation
Anything that causesdehydrationin a cat may result in constipation, says Dr. Bales. Some issues are mild and treatable at home with dietary and lifestyle modifications, and some can be serious.
Constipation can happen if the intestines arent moving things along normally, keeping the stool soft and moist. This can be caused by underlying issues like stress and anxiety, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, nerve problems, and even some kinds of cancer.
Other causes of constipation in cats include:
Vet Treatment for Constipation in Cats
Constipation must be treated as soon as possible to reduce the risk of permanent damage due to prolonged distension of the colon. Effective treatment involves identifying and correcting the underlying disorder (if possible), removing the impacted feces, and preventing recurrences.
For immediate relief of constipation, your veterinarian can give your cat fluids and/or anenema. Administering an enema to a cat is a veterinary job and should not be attempted at home, says Dr. Bales. Some types of enemas designed for people are actually very toxic to cats.
Vets can also prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter solutions to help you manage the symptoms of your cats constipation.
More importantly, your vet can help identify the underlying issue thats causing the constipation so it can be treated, rather than just trying to manage the symptoms.
Tips and Home Remedies for Constipation in Cats
In addition to the treatments prescribed by your vet, there are some potential lifestyle changes at home that may help your cat combat constipation. But remember: If your cat has not defecated in 4872 hours or if they are acting uncomfortable, contact your vet immediately.
Heres a list of tips to discuss with your vet that may help your cat:
1. Increase Water Consumption
Because dehydration contributes to constipation, drinking more water and staying well-hydrated helps prevent constipation. Cats arent very good at drinking standing water, so the best way to increase their water consumption and keep them well-hydrated is by feeding them wet food. This dramatically increases their water intake and significantly reduces their risk of constipation.
You can also encourage your cat to drink more water by adding setting up more water bowls in different areas of your home, trying pet water fountains orleaving a faucet dripping.
Hydracare is also a product that may help increase your cats total liquid intake and help keep them hydratedplus, its liver-flavored.
2. Try a New Diet
Food allergies can cause intestinal inflammation and constipation in cats. Changing the protein source of your cats food (chicken, lamb, etc.) can reduce inflammation and allow the intestines to move more normally, reducing constipation.
For cats that may be allergic to multiple things, there are also special limited ingredient diets, prescription diets, and hypoallergenic diets available. It does take about eight to 12 weeks for a diet change to work, though, so this is part of long-term management.
Talking to your vet about the best diet for your cat may be a long-term way to help deal with constipation. When changing your cats food, follow the recommended transition period, mixing the old food with the new as stated on the cat food package.
3. Help Your Cat Maintain a Healthy Weight
Obesity causes intestinal inflammation, which causes things to slow down in the intestines. Too much water is then absorbed from the stool, causing constipation. In severe cases, theres so much fat in the belly that it physically impedes movement of stools.
Your vet can help you figure outif your cat needs to lose weightand work with you to create a diet plan.
4. Increase Exercise and Enrichment
Exercise can help promote normal movement of the intestines, which helps treat and prevent constipation. Encourage your cat to be more active withthings like cat toys, cat trees, window seats,and more playtime with you. Exercise will also help provide enrichment and reduce your cats anxiety, and it will help with weight loss.
5. Minimize Stress and Anxiety
Cats can easily become stressed when their routines are disrupted. There could be a more obvious cause, like having a new pet in the house or moving. Or it could be less obvious, like a change in your schedule, construction noise nearby, or a new dog barking in the neighborhood.
Sometimes it just takes time for a cat to adjust to changes. But you can help reduce stress and anxiety by using items like calming pheromones (Feliway), supplements (Zylkene and Solliquin are commonly used), and/or medications.
6. Add More Litter Boxes
Cats can be quite particular about their litter boxes. If they dont like the location of a litter box or even the type of box or litter, they may not use it as much, which can lead to constipation.
You should have at least one more litter box than you have cats, and there should be at least one litter box on every floor of your home. You may need to experiment with different types of litter and litter boxes to find what your cat likes.
7. Try Fiber or Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that help support healthy intestines. Healthy intestines will move stool along normally and keep stools soft, preventing constipation.
Fiber feeds the good bacteria and helps promote normal movement in the intestines. It can also help keep more water in the intestines, which helps treat and prevent constipation.
8. Monitor Your Cat for Constipation
Monitor the frequency of your cats defecation and stool consistency at least twice a week initially, and then weekly or biweekly.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice very hard, dry feces, or if you notice that your cat is straining while defecating.
By: Stacia Friedman
Featured Image: iStock.com/disqis
Psyllium Fiber for Cats: A Natural Remedy for Constipation
As cat parents, we all love our feline family members. But that love doesnt erase the frustration that comes with your cat turning into a furry alarm clock at precisely 3 am every morning. Why are they even up at that hour?In this article, well address exactly thatthe reasons for your cats nighttime activities and the steps you can take to reclaim your sleep once and for all.Lets not waste any timeWhy Does My Cat Wake Me Up Every Night? Having your sleep disturbed by your cat every night can be frustrating. But before you get upset with your furry friend, consider asking yourself why. Why are they waking you up? Why are they unable to settle in? There is a possibility that this could be your cats way of asking for or alerting you to something important. Here are a few of the more common reasons: Pain or Medical Problems This is most common in cats that once used to settle in fine and are now changing their nighttime routine. If your cat is feeling off, whether its due to discomfort or pain, it may be preventing them from relaxing or sleeping at night. To rule this out, you must make an appointment with your veterinarian. Pay careful attention to any other signs of trouble, including: Panting Changes in eating habits Accidents or failure to use their litterbox like usual Excessive vocalization (meowing, howling, hissing)Loss of interest in toys, furniture, or activities they once loved Overgrooming or failure to groom Hiding or reluctance to be handledIrritability or uncharacteristic aggression When you speak with your veterinarian, explain all behavior changes or reasons for concern that you have recorded. If you're unsure, we recommend keeping a journal. This will help you spot patterns and red flags. Feline Dementia Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) in cats is similar to Alzheimers disease in humans. As our cats get older, one of the unfortunate age-related symptoms they suffer is a change in their mental state. They may start to act confused, seem unfamiliar with their surroundings, stare blankly into space, or struggle to follow household rules that were once deeply ingrained. If your cat has CDS, they may vocalize loudly at night because they dont remember where they are or cant find you. This behavior is often a sign of feeling anxious, fearful, or stressed out. Cat parents who know they have a kitty with CDS may need to keep their cat in a contained safe place at night to prevent them from wandering and becoming lost, as it can be incredibly distressing for them. Feeling Hungry Do you have a cat that is highly food-driven? I do! Speaking from experience, an empty food dish can trigger quite a commotion. Our food-driven cat Jinx is quick to let us know when shes hungry and doesnt have access to something tasty. In the same way, it could also be your cats way of letting you know that their water dish or fountain is running low. Lack of Daytime Activity/Stimulation Cats require mental and physical exercise throughout their day to live a happy, healthy life. When they dont have this, they can feel bored and exhibit bad behaviors like scratching furniture, tearing about the toilet paper, overgrooming, or becoming overly vocal. Much like the cats who are trying to communicate that their food or water dishes are empty, these cats are trying to tell you that they are missing something essential in their lives. It is most common in cats living in a smaller space with few opportunities to engage in their natural behaviors, such as climbing, scratching, hunting, and hiding. Feeling Lonely Despite their aloof and sassy personalities, cats are actually social animals. This is why you find stray cats living in colonies. Your cats social needs can be met by you, other people in the house, a second cat (or third or fourth), or even another animal, like a dog. But they need to have someone they can connect with. Are you your cats person? Even if you spend a few hours focused entirely on them before heading to bed, your absence may be difficult for them. Cats can experience separation anxiety, even if the only separation is that you are in a different room, leaving them alone. Differing SchedulesCats are naturally most active at dawn and dusk, which is known as being crepuscular. While some cats will adjust their schedules to match their human family members a little closer, doing so goes against their natural instincts (unless you work a night shift). Other crepuscular pets include hamsters, rats, mice, rabbits, ferrets, and chinchillas. Your cat will likely wake up to get attention or play with you throughout the day, but they will also take many naps. Our cats spend much of their day stretched out in a patch of sunshine, soaking up the warmth and recharging. In general, cats are most energetic first thing in the morning as the sun rises and again just as the average person is getting ready for bed.
