Will massaging my cat s stomach help constipation

Cat Constipation Massages: Palpation At Home

No one likes feeling constipated, including our cats. You might notice that your cats are having some difficulty when trying to use the litter box. Maybe they are struggling to get any stool to exit their body, and when they do, the pieces are abnormal and quite small, like little pebbles. It might not be a glamorous duty looking after your cats feces, but its a job that needs to be done!

Most cases of cat constipation arent all too serious and may be resolved at home with some massaging and a change of diet. Others might need a more official evaluation to determine the cause and best treatment mode.

You might already do this for yourself and not even realize youre doing it when your stomach aches, but massaging around the bowels can help stimulate movement. This goes for cats too!

Keep reading to learn more about cat constipation and how palpations can help.

What Is Constipation in Cats Like?

If your cat is constipated, they might be having irregular bowel movements where little to nothing actually comes out. On average, a cat will defecate one to three times a day, so if you notice after two days that you arent picking up anything in the litter box, your cat might have constipation.

Constipation happens when feces get stuck in the large intestine and absorb too much water, becoming very dry and hard. It no longer moves easily through their intestine to be emptied.

One common reason for constipation is a lack of fiber in a cats diet. Lets elaborate on the causes below:

Causes of Cat Constipation

Cat constipation is idiopathic, meaning there is no identifiable cause, but many factors can influence constipation. There are four common things that can lead to constipation that can be avoided with a watchful eye. Of course, it can happen to any cat, and you shouldnt blame yourself.

Some frequent causes of constipation include:

• Improper diet: Like said above, if your cat is not getting a proper diet with enough fiber, constipation could occur. If your cat is dehydrated and not drinking enough water, constipation is more likely. Feeding your cat a diet high in fiber and protein can help regulate your cats bowel movements.
• Ingesting a foreign object: Your cat could consume something they arent supposed to, making it more difficult to pass through their intestines. Sometimes string from toys can get caught up in your feces, making it harder to pass. Hairballs can also assist in this obstruction.Pelvic
• injuries: If your cats pelvis is injured, the pelvic canal might become too narrow for objects to pass through easily, creating a build-up.
• Obesity: Studies have found that older, overweight cats with kidney disease were more likely to become constipated.

Symptoms of Cat Constipation

If your cat struggles with constipation, there are a few signs and symptoms you can look out for. Your cat relies on you to make medical decisions for them, so being mindful of your cats bowel movements means an easier time making a diagnosis. Trust us; no vet is going to think youre weird for keeping track of your cats feces.Some symptoms of cat constipation are:

• Vocalizing and crying in their litter box
• Several days of an empty litter box
• Straining to defecate
• Hard and dry fecal matter
• Blood in the stool
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Small amounts of diarrhea
• Lethargy

If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, you can reach out to AskVet to see what they think. If it seems to be an emergency and it has been going on for several days, reach out to your local veterinarian immediately.

How Do You Diagnose Constipation in Cats?

To better understand whats happening with your cat, you should take them to your veterinarians office. There, your cats doc can provide x-rays, a physical exam, a rectal exam, blood work, ultrasounds, and might even massage your cats stomach to feel for any obvious blockage.

If these behaviors are new to you, going to the vet is your best option so you can learn about ways to help your cat. If you have a cat that is more prone to constipation, there are ways for you to help at home when it happens again. This is where a cat constipation massage comes in, also known as palpation.

What Is a Cat Constipation Massage?

During your cats physical exam, the veterinarian will likely palpate your cats stomach to feel for fecal matter built up in the colon or even for a full bladder of urine. To pass built-up fecal matter through the intestines, it needs to be soft. This can be helped with an abdomen massage, referred to lovingly as a cat constipation massage. But how does it work?

Before you try this at home, ask your vet about the specific methods they might suggest for your specific cat. By massaging your cats belly, you can help to stimulate movement and work to soften the obstruction. If at any point your cat seems to be distressed, you should look into other options to help soften their stool, as you may be causing more stress for them.

Treatment for Cat Constipation

While cat constipation massages can get things going, there are other treatment methods that you can use at the same time to help your little pal feel better. Your vet might recommend prescription wet food or potentially pumpkin puree. Pumpkin puree is loaded with fiber and moves nicely through your cats digestive system.

Ensuring that your cat is drinking enough water. Sometimes, a fountain-type bowl will look more enticing to our picky feline friends. Encouraging regular exercise can also help to regulate bowel movements sounds like a good excuse to play with our cats!

Get Help at Home: AskVet

At the end of the day, we all want whats best for our furry friends. If your cat is in pain, its no fun for anyone involved. Palpating on your cats stomach to determine if there is an issue might help you figure out underlying issues that your cat might be having.

If you are wondering about your cats health, you can hop on the AskVet app and please reach out to one of our Pet Coaches for help. Join AskVetto find the answers and support you need.

Sources:

Constipation | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Practice Tips | NCBI

Retrospective Evaluation Of Risk Factors And Treatment Outcome Predictors In Cats Presenting To The Emergency Room For Constipation | SAGE Journals

How do we define the term idiopathic? | NCBI

Does Massage Help Constipation in Cats? Vet-Verified Facts & Treatments

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

Learn more

Constipation in cats is not that uncommon, but that doesnt mean it should be treated lightly. Severe cases of constipation can progress to megacolon and obstipation, i.e., permanent loss of function of the affected colon. In these cases, surgery may be necessary to avoid endangering the cats life. Fortunately, there are several solutions available before surgery to ease your feline friends discomfort. Among the remedies to consider is massage therapy, the effectiveness of which has been evaluated in numerous clinical studiesin humans.¹ But does it truly help with constipation in cats?

It may be beneficial, but without the supervision of a qualified veterinarian, you should not attempt to massage your cat to alleviate constipation. There are various alternative methods that you can try at home to help your feline companion.

Read on as we examine the facts, treatments, and expert advice from veterinarians to solve this common problem among our four-legged friends.

What Is Constipation in Cats?

Constipation in cats happens when they have trouble passing stool regularly. This can make your cat uncomfortable, leading to signs like straining in the litter box, loss of appetite, tiredness, and sometimes even vomiting. Several factors can cause constipation in cats, such as not drinking enough water, dietary issues, lack of exercise, hairballs, and certain medical conditions.

If your cat is pooping less often than usual and seems to struggle when doing so, they may be constipated. While sometimes its a minor issue that goes away on its own, it can also become serious if not treated. However, before trying any home remedies, take your cat to the vet to rule out any health problems or underlying issues.

Can Massage Help Cats With Constipation?

Massage therapy is often touted as a potential solution for various health issues in both humans and animals, including constipation. The idea behind massaging a cat with constipation is to stimulate bowel movements and relieve discomfort through gentle manipulation of the abdominal area. Indeed, abdominal massage appears to encourage peristalsis, decrease colonic transit time, increase the frequency of bowel movements in constipated patients, and reduce the discomfort and pain of chronic constipation.

While some pet owners swear by the effectiveness of massage in relieving their cats constipation, scientific evidence supporting this claim is limited. However, massage can still offer benefits by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving circulation, which may indirectly help alleviate constipation in certain cases.

Massage affects the nervous system in a similar way to acupuncture. Both techniques are considered non-invasive ways to adjust nervous system activity, which may be beneficial for treating chronic constipation. Some experts even suggest trying these methods before considering surgery in severe cases of cat constipation.

However, although massaging the abdomen can help remove stools accumulated in the intestines, your veterinarian must first provide a complete diagnosis and recommend treatments tailored to your pets needs.

Therefore, if you would like to learn more about massage techniques to relieve your cats constipation, it is strongly recommended that you discuss them first with your vet.

Treatments for Constipation in Cats

Here are common and non-invasive approaches often recommended by veterinarians:

• Change your cats diet. Make sure your cats meals include enough fiber to promote regular bowel movements. But before making any dietary changes, consult your vet, who can recommend high-fiber foods or supplements tailored to your pets needs.
• Make sure your cat drinks enough water. Hydration is essential to facilitate the transit of your feline friends poop. But since cats are generally more attracted to running water than standing water, you may consider purchasing a cat fountain to encourage them to drink more water.
• Talk to your vet about laxatives or stool softeners. In some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe laxatives to make bowel movements easier, but you should use them only under their direction to avoid possible side effects or complications.
• Minimize stress in your household. Cats can easily become stressed when their routines are disrupted.
• Keep their litter boxes spotless. If you have several cats, make sure you have at least one litter box per animal, plus an extra and clean them regularly.
• Get them moving. Make sure your cat has plenty of opportunities to exercise by playing, chasing, and jumping as they please. Inactive and overweight cats may be at higher risk of developing constipation.

Other Tips to Improve Your Cats Digestion

Aside from addressing constipation directly, promoting overall digestive health is essential for your cats well-being. Here are six tips to help improve digestion:

• Feed them small but frequent meals. Instead of serving large meals, divide your cats daily food intake into smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can help prevent overeating and promote better digestion.
• Incorporate slow feeding. Consider using puzzle feeders or slow feeder bowls to encourage your cat to eat more slowly. This prevents gulping, which can lead to digestive upset, and provides mental stimulation.
• Monitor portion sizes. Avoid overfeeding your cat, as obesity can contribute to digestive (as well as other) Follow the feeding guidelines provided by your veterinarian, and adjust portion sizes based on your cats age, weight, and activity level.
• Work on hairball prevention. Regular grooming can help prevent the formation of hairballs, which can cause digestive discomfort. Brush your cat regularly to remove loose fur and reduce the risk of hairball-related issues.
• Add probiotics to their diet. Consider adding probiotic supplements to your cats diet to promote a healthy gut microbiome. Probiotics can help maintain digestive balance and support overall gastrointestinal health. Speak to your veterinarian to get their recommendations.

Wrapping Up

Although massage may offer some relief to cats with chronic constipation, you should not attempt massage techniques without the supervision of a qualified veterinarian. Indeed, constipation in cats can arise from various underlying factors, and treatments will vary accordingly.

Featured Image Credit: Ekaterina Kuzovkova, Shutterstock