Constipation in Cats

Not that long ago Lola had a bout of constipation so I decided to write a post about it to help you recognize the signs and symptoms and to help prevent it.  If you think your cat is constipated, please seek veterinary advice for a definitive diagnosis and treatment options.

 What is constipation?

Constipation is absent, infrequent or difficult bowel movements, and is one of the most common health problems associated with a cat’s digestive system.  It is also characterized as the passage of dry or hard feces.  Cats usually have one healthy bowel movement a day, but if your cats are not, or are showing any of the symptoms below, they need to be examined by your veterinarian. 

What are the causes of constipation?

According to Dr. Karen Becker, many cats are fed dry food, but they are obligate carnivores.  When a cat owner replaces a cat’s natural diet with one that contains only 10 to 12% moisture, dehydration and constipation are common symptoms.  Obesity and lack of exercise can exacerbate dehydration and constipation.  Physical activity can stimulate muscle contractions (known as peristalsis) which helps move feces through the colon.  Other causes of constipation can be (but are not limited to):

• Low fiber diet (eating dry food instead of wet food)
• Hairballs/excessive grooming
• Foreign objects (strings, clothing, etc.)
• Side effects of medication
• Tumors or blockages
• Intercat aggression (cat fears another cat and is afraid to use the litterbox)
• Inability to walk to or access the litterbox

Lola’s main problem is dehydration and low fiber diet and I’ve posted before about her dislike of wet food.  I have tried more brands of wet food than I can keep track of, and she does not eat them.  I can get her to eat maybe 2 to 3 teaspoons of wet food a day (providing it’s Fancy Feast grilled variety – no fish flavors, or Purina Pro Plan), but that’s it.  At one point I bought a fountain to encourage her to drink more water, but she was afraid of it.

How can I tell if my cat is constipated?
Your cat should have a bowel movement daily, and the stools should be formed and soft enough so litter sticks to them.  If the stools are dry and hard, litter doesn’t stick to them, or your cat doesn’t have a bowel movement daily, she could be suffering from constipation.  This is Lola.  She has been going daily, but her stools are still hard. (I know this because I’ve been on poop patrol since her diagnosis.) Other signs may be:

• Straining to defecate and possible crying out in pain when defecating
• Going into the litter box and coming out without going
• Colon filled with a large amount of hard, fecal matter
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Lack of grooming
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Swelling around the anus 

How can I help my constipated cat?

After you have a diagnosis from your veterinarian, there are different treatment options they may give you.  These include:

• Increasing fluid consumption.  This can be done by eliminating dry food and transitioning to a wet food diet, or encouraging her to drink more water by purchasing a fountain. 
• Using a laxative. 
• Increasing fiber in their diet. 
• Enemas and/or manual removal of the feces. 
• Increased exercise.

I’m very lucky, because I have an excellent vet, Dr. Arnold Plotnick (Mr. Cat Man Do himself.)  In his blog he writes: “To treat the constipation, I would make sure to feed canned food only; avoid dry food.  Stool softeners should be prescribed, so that the feces are more easily passed.  Lactulose is a very effective stool softener, but many cats hate the taste of it.  You may want to consider a different stool softener, such as Miralax.  This is a powder that you can buy over the counter at most pharmacies.  A good starting dose is ¼ teaspoon mixed into every wet food meal.  If the stool is still too firm, increase to ½ tsp.  If the stool is too runny, decrease to 1/8.  Eventually you’ll find the dose that gives the proper consistency stool.”

That’s exactly how I treat Lola’s constipation (with the exception of no dry food.  Dr. P and I have had conversations about Lola's aversion to wet food, but I continue to encourage her to eat it.)  On days where she won’t eat the food with the Miralax mixed in I give her Lactulose. I make sure her water is fresh, and in the very near future I will try a fountain again. I also give her pumpkin from time to time. 

Do you have a constipated cat? What works for them?

Dawn

References: 

Huffington Post Healthy Living

Pet MD

Web MD

Dr. Arnold Plotnick, DVM

Photos Credits: 

pippy & timmy - Flickr

Lemonade at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

HappyCatHome - Flickr