A surprising number of cats have problems with constipation (abnormal accumulation of feces and difficulty defecating), and similar but more serious conditions such as obstipation (complete obstruction of the colon by feces) and megacolon (damaged nerves and muscles in the colon causing an inability to defecate). Constipation is uncomfortable, even painful. Constipated cats may defecate (or try to) outside the litterbox, because they associate pain or discomfort with the box itself. Other signs of constipation include irritability, painful abdomen,cat colon lethargy, and poor appetite or even loss of appetite. 
The colon, the last part of the intestinal tract, is a large muscular structure ending at the rectum. It contains most of the intestinal bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These bacteria finish up the digestion of protein. By-products of this process include short-chain fatty acids that nourish the cells lining the colon. Some of these lining cells absorb water, while others secrete mucus to lubricate the stool and keep it moving along.
Figure 1. A normal stool is Type 4; anything below that is moving toward constipation. |
Most cats defecate about once a day. A constipated cat may only defecate every 2 to 4 days, or even less. Usually the stools are hard and dry, because their long stay in the colon allows for absorption of most of their water content. However, occasionally a constipated cat can appear to have diarrhea, because liquid stool is the only thing that can get around the stuck mass of feces.
Causes for pooping problems include neurologic problems, pelvic injury, obstruction (by hair, bones, etc.), pain (especially in the low back), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). (See this article for more info on IBD.) A dirty litter box may cause a cat to avoid the box and become constipated by holding the stool too long. Hooded litterboxes are a particular problem because they hold odor in, potentially making the box environment extremely unpleasant for the cat.
Figure 1. A normal stool is Type 4; anything below that is moving toward constipation.
In more than 18 years of experience as a feline veterinarian, I have not personally seen constipation problems in cats who do not eat dry food. It’s logical, therefore, to think that diet plays a significant role in development of the problem. (Since writing this article, I have heard from 2 readers whose cats developed constipation problems even on all-wet-food diets; so, it’s not impossible, but happily it is fairly rare.) Some cats may need more fiber than is present in very low fiber diets such as most canned, raw and homemade diets. You can always add a pinch of fiber (ground flaxseeds and ground chia seeds, aka Salba, are reasonably palatable and work very well).
Indeed, the initial treatment for constipation is usually a change in diet. Historically, these cats have been put on high-fiber dry foods. Fiber modulates intestinal mobility. Depending on the type of fiber and the circumstances, fiber can either speed up or slow down digestion. It’s therefore used for both constipation and diarrhea. Light, senior, and hairball foods all contain increased fiber, and there are also several medical high-fiber diets.
Usually, any diet change helps, at least initially. However, high-fiber foods often seem to lose their effectiveness over time. More fiber, such as canned pumpkin, may be added. Again, sometimes this produces a temporary improvement. Yet most of these cats continue to have problems.
Since fiber encourages water absorption and increases the amount of stool produced (because it is indigestible), many experts have swung the other way and are recommending “low-residue” diets to minimize stool volume. “Low-residue” means that the food is highly digestible and produces minimal waste. Cats digest protein and fat best, but there is controversy about carbohydrates; it is clear that many cats are carb-intolerant. By this theory, the best food would be high fat, high protein, and low fiber, as well as high moisture. One would think that such a food would also be low fiber, but that is not necessarily true. For instance, Eukanuba Low Residue dry food contains 4% fiber, which is fairly high. However, most canned foods fit the bill, as do most homemade diets. However, Eukanuba Low Residue manages to incorporate a large amount of carbohydrate, even in its canned food. Reading the label is an important skill to develop (learn more about it in this article).
Water balance is crucial in constipated kitties. Most vets will give constipated cats subcutaneous (or even intravenous) fluids to boost their hydration.
Treatment for constipation depends on the severity of the problem. For mild cases, occasional enemas may be all they need. For severe blockages, the cat must be anesthetized for manual extraction of the feces (a process my favorite tech graphically but accurately refers to as a “dig-out”).
Once the cat is “cleaned out” by whatever means, it’s wise to take steps to prevent the problem from recurring. Several options are available; an individual cat may need only one of these, while others need several or all of them.
- Canned or homemade diet. High-moisture diets keep the cat hydrated, and these diets are far more digestible and produce far less waste than dry food. Because canned and homemade diets tend to be extremely low in fiber, addition of a small amount of powdered psyllium (available in bulk at most health food stores) may be helpful.
- Water Fountain. Many cats will drink much more running water than they will ever take from a bowl. There are several types of pet fountains, from “cascades” to “waterfalls” to models that could be from Rome! I first noticed that my cats loved to drink from an inexpensive “feng shui” rock fountain from Bed, Bath & Beyond; but it was too hard to take apart and clean as often as was needed. Worse still, it was made of plastic (as most pet fountains are), which can leach chemicals into the water. We recommend the Glacier Point Fountain for Cats.
- Miralax. Start with 1/8 tsp twice a day in food, and increase as needed up to 1/4 tsp twice a day. Active ingredient polyethylene glycol; not the same as poisonous ethylene glycol; very safe for cats long-term, and more palatable than other products.
- Lactulose. This is a sugary syrup that holds water in the stool and keeps the stool soft; therefore it’s easier for the cat to pass. Cats are usually not fond of the taste. Fortunately, lactulose now comes in a mild-tasting powder (Kristalose) that can be encapsulated by a compounding pharmacy, or simply added to canned food.
- Other stool softeners, such as DSS (docusate sodium). Your veterinarian can prescribe these.
- Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly). The primary ingredient in most over-the-counter hairball remedies (Laxatone, Kat-a-lax, Petromalt), petroleum jelly (or its close relative, mineral oil) can be given to the cat by mouth. Most cats tolerate it, many cats come to like it, and a few even enjoy it. The Vaseline brand is, according to my cats, the tastiest; but other cats prefer one of the flavored hairball types. Give 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon per day. It can also be mixed with a small amount of canned food. However, it can interfere with nutrient absorption so giving it on an empty tummy is best. Note that petroleum jelly is a large molecule that is completely inert in the body. It’s the ideal lubricant and “escort” for intestinal contents, because it reaches the colon unchanged. Vegetable or other digestible oils are broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, and cannot lubricate the colon where it’s most needed.
- Cisapride (Propulsid). This drug was withdrawn from the market for humans because of dangerous side effects, but it is considered safe for cats. Your vet can order it from a compounding pharmacy. It seems to work best in combination with stool softeners.
- Pediatric glycerin suppositories. Although they may not appreciate having a suppository pushed into their rectums, most cats tolerate it. Your vet can advise you on technique and frequency.
- Enemas. Many cat guardians have gotten good at giving enemas at home. Mineral oil, K-Y jelly, soapy water, and plain warm water are all fine; you may have to experiment to see which one works best for your particular cat.
- Slippery Elm Bark. This powdered herb can be added to canned food (add extra cool water) or made into a syrup. Its mild taste is well tolerated by most cats. See this article for more information. There are many herbal formulas available for people, but many herbs, such as Cascara sagrada, are too harsh for a cat.
- Resolve pain issues. Sometimes constipation occurs because of low back pain, which makes it uncomfortable for the cat to defecate. Chiropractic and/or acupuncture can be very helpful. See the directory at www.holisticvetlist.com for a practitioner in your area.
- Exercise. Staying active helps stimulate the intestines and keep things moving. If your constipated cat is also a couch potato, try Play Therapy.
- Stress Management. There is always an energetic or emotional component of any chronic disease, and stress plays a significant role in many gastrointestinal conditions. The essence remedy “Happy Tummy” was designed by SpiritEssence to help address the energetic underpinnings of constipation and other GI diseases.
- Fluid Therapy. Some cats do very well with occasional (daily to weekly) infusions of subcutaneous fluids. Your veterinarian or vet tech can show you how to do this at home. Give fluids whenever you notice your cat’s behavior indicate oncoming constipation.
- Surgery. If there is damage to the nerves and muscles of the colon, a “sub-total colectomy” is the last resort. This surgery removes the colon, and joins the small intestine to the rectum. Unless and until the small intestine develops more colon-like functioning, the result is chronic diarrhea. However, the cat will be much more comfortable. The overall success rate of this surgery is over 90%.
If your cat is chronically constipated, the most important thing for you to do is be observant. Look for early signs of constipation; straining, abdominal discomfort, decreasing appetite, etc. Be aware of how often the cat is defecating. If he does not produce adequate stool for more than 2-3 days, call your vet, or begin home treatments if you have established this routine. Kitty constipation is far easier to treat when it’s caught early. If you wait, treatment will be far more expensive, and there is a greater chance of irreversible colon damage.
Sorry if this is a repeated post – tried once, and it didn’t seem to work.
I am alittle surprised that there is no mention (I didn’t see one, anyway) of the relationship between constipation and kidney disease. If your kitty is constipated, I would definately have them tested for kidney function – no matter how young they are. This way, if the lab results show that there is kidney dysfunction in early stages – you can slow the progress down early. I am learning now that 90% of cats develop kidney disease … it’s just an individual matter of time. Some develop it very young – most in their middle ages – and it’s a bummer. :-(
Kidney disease causes dehydration, which of course is a big factor in constipation. Oddly though, in practice I almost never saw the two problems together at the same time.
Most cats do develop kidney disease–but it is very preventable by avoiding the two main cauess: don’t over-vaccinate (especially for panleukopenia), and don’t feed dry food!
I have an chronically obstipated manx with no tail who has several severe problems such as a major trauma before we got him which broke his pelvis and head as well he was severely burned across his back so what we’ve found over a 5 year period is that bulk such as fiber causes a more severe obstipation needing a ‘dig-out’ because cats are true carnivores and do not respond the same way as human intestines do to bulk so this was very dangerous for us but adding polyethylene glycol in powdered form keeps the stool pliable, lots of organic different colour veggies from above and below ground (no tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, onions, mushrooms or carbs of any kind) and feeding organic raw red meats and never ever add bones in any form to the diet nor calcium supplements which exacerbate the situation. they may get their calcium requirements from the green leafy veggies but the most important thing is to look after what will likely end the cats life now and not in the future. obstipation can be life-threatening so just give a combined MSM, chondroitin and glucosamine supplement to the food to aid tendons which support bone. my cat has never drank a drop of water since we got him and that is a good sign that he is well hydrated because he gets his moisture from his food which is the natural way for a cat and infact, if your cat drinks it means it is not properly hydrated. we are now using slippery elm bark and marshmallow root in powder form as well as blue-green algae and barley grass greens which is super good for their digestion. we add flax seed oil and not fish based because we also feed him raw organic liver once a day which he devours and helps with his condition so we don’t want to OD on vitamin A. I just tried a squirt of microlax and that moved him quite quickly so that was extremely helpful. but I could go on for hours about this subject….hope this helps even a little. trust is also very important :)
I was talking to a friend who explained her 16 yr old cat screamed when it went to the litter box. The cat was anti-social, hid under the bed, and didn’t want to be picked up or to be pet. The cat didn’t even groom itself very well. I suggested to her to get the cat off of the dry food and go to a quality wet. The next time I saw her she said the cat for the 1st time in its life was having regular bowel movements. The cat after a week of the different diet now greets her at the door and is running around and playing like a kitten. Her vet says the cat is deaf and is no longer afraid of noises as an explanation for the the complete turnaround, and low thyroid levels caused the constipation. My friend has your wonderful articles to thank for giving her cat a new life. I just wish the cat could have a do-over for the last 16 years of pain.
Thank you for this site
Thank you for this story! It feels wonderful to know our work is making a difference!!! Please give that kitty a kiss for me!! :)
Hi! I have a healthy 16 years old female brown tabby cat and having a constipated problem. I noticed many cat food and dog food) is lacking one thing, natural fat. I bought an Organic Valley pasture butter in green box and mixed in Wellness wet canned cat food. Voila! My cat loved it! Her stool came out beautiful! Like a charm!
I am not a vet or anything like that. Most pets, their livers function, do not produce enough oil without fat. Without fat, the liver will stop making oil and can cause organs to slow-down. Pets will have difficult times in going to the bathroom as their stools became hard and dry. Organic butter will give pets energy and makes stool softer!
The Organic Valley butters is available in some supermarkets and natural health food stores. The website is http://www.organicvalley.coop/products/butter/pasture/.
I hope this information will help many pets to get better again!
Thanks!
I LOVE this information and am laughing so hard! I will try it with my kitty as it’s something I always keep in the fridge. GREAT TIP!
Thank you so much for this!! I actually feed my kitties Wellness and I will def try the butter!!! What is the approximate ratio your mixing of butter to wet food?
thanks a million!~
Terra
I just paid over $1200 ’cause my Iggy’s been constipated. Vet said they cleaned him out. Well, since last Monday, no bowel movement. Went to Target’s for a baby enema kit – none!!!! Lo and behold, the pharmacist said to use baby suppositories. She gave me a box of Fleet Pedia-Lax. It’s 4 ml (perfect) of glycerin, with about a 1-inch nipple on it (perfect). Well, I bought ‘em, came home, went on line, and found a site about using them. Needless to say, I gave him one this morning, and less than 15 minutes my Iggy’s been in the litter box twice! Yiipppppeeeee!!!!!! For less than $2, and no BIG vet bill.
That’s great! Big caution though, to other readers: Some of Fleet’s enemas contain a large amount of phosphorus and are highly toxic to cats. Please consult your veterinarian before trying this treatment!
Addendum to my post earlier this evening. It also occurred to me that I gave kitty some hairball treatment earlier this week (2x). It is the non-petroleum kind. Is there any data showing that this stuff can cause constipation or gastritis?
Not that I know of.
I just got back from the vet, where I spent $775, only to confirm what I already knew… that my cat is constipated. Her last BM was 3 days ago, which I would rate as 1-2 on the Bristol chart. I wasn’t too worried the first day without BM, but then noticed by day two she was not eating. Today, the vet said at first, she didn’t feel stool when she palpated, but when the xray came back it confirmed my suspicion. Not sure why the vet wouldn’t listen to me. I’ve had my kitty for 13 yrs, and when she suddenly goes from 2 bm’s a day to zero, it’s obvious. Seems like so many vets want to rule out everything else before focusing on the obvious. Less is more in my book. Yet even after confirmation by xray, they didn’t do an enema, or a suppository, or even disimpact her. They said her colon is pretty full of stool, but think she has been unable to move her bowels because she is dehydrated(yet all her blood work, including her hematocrit was normal). I explained to them 3x that she has been drinking water, yet they wanted to hospitalize her to give her fluids by IV. They agreed to do the fluids subQ when I pushed them on it. I even asked them if I could do the fluids at home (after all I am an RN), but they said they wouldn’t recommend it. Sometimes feels like I’m just being gouged for more money. I took her to this vet because it was the only one I could get into on such short notice. Yet, I am nearly $800 poorer and my cat is still full of pooh! She was given a dose of pepcin and antibiotic while there, as vet thinks there is possibly some gastro-enteritis going on too. We came away with a bottle of lactulose and a jar of baby food. Vet said to start lactulose tomorrow after I get some food in her. She wants me to bring kitty back for more fluids tomorrow if she is not eating or pooping yet. I think I need a different vet, but I can’t afford to go through this all over again with someone else.
As you have expressed in this post, I believe dry food started this problem. But my cat’s situation is complicated by her severe food allergies. I’ve had to get her cortisone shots, and have used generic chlortrimeton at times with short term results. Over the last 3yrs or so, I’ve tried every food in town to no avail. As a last resort, I tried Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein. With the HP, her allergies were brought under control. The vet said to give her no other food. She has been on the HP for about 30+ days, and now consequently, completely stopped up. Even with drinking plenty of water. Unfortunately, the HP is not available in cans. But with the consequence of the HP being the constipation and/or enteritis, I am prepared to accept and live with the dermatitis, as it’s not a life threatening condition. I hope the lactulose helps. I don’t know what else to do. I don’t have money for another trip to the vet.
I agree, you need a second opinion, preferably from a feline veterinarian who really understands cats. You should be able to transfer all records to a new veterinarian and not have to go through a whole new round of tests.
I want to thank you so much for this website and your discussion on constipated cats. We had been having a serious problem with Felix for a couple years and were getting increasingly worried. She (yes, Felix is a female) no longer drank much water and we were feeding her dry food. I tried a stainless steel water fountain and she looked on it with disdain. She walked away from pumpkin that I tried to introduce in her diet.
Last year we spent $700 at the vet with x-rays, 3 enemas, etc, etc. We could tell she was in pain and she pooped outside her box, and only pooped hard pellets every 5-7 days. I tried giving her enemas myself, but that wasn’t easy and it was no long-term solution. So I read your discussion and we switched her to canned food. A vet on another web site suggested mixing equal amounts of water with the wet food, and Felix loved it.
Then we introduced miralax. We tried 1/8 tsp twice a day mixed with her soupy canned food. She couldn’t taste the miralax and lapped it up. In 3 days she had a hard poop, and we increased the miralax to 1/4 tsp twice a day. What a miracle! She poops every other day, and she propably passes 6-8 inches of poop that is smooth and soft – Type 4 on your scale. (Felt through a plastic bag, of course.) She has not thrown up at all recently,and she is pooping in her litter box. I had read that cats poop outside the box when they are constipated and associate the box with pain, and I’m sure that was the case with Felix.
Felix is happy and so are we. My sister who is a regular doc says she prescribes miralax for children who are constipated, and many are on it for years with absolutely no problems. In Felix’s case, I believe we will always keep her on the regimen of canned food, added water, and miralax. She is an older cat and needs the extra help this gives her. Thanks so much for all the info on your website! We are so grateful, and so is Felix.
My 17 yr old oriental shorthair has been constipated for several days now. I have given her a small (1drop) of lactulose. I don’t know how much to give her as she only weighs about 4 lbs and I don’t want to overdose her on it.
Can you give me a dosage that would work and not hurt?
Sorry, I cannot give you a dose for your cat. Please consult your veterinarian.
my kitty is on 1ml of Lactulose 1 to 3 times a day. hope that helps.
How do I convince a very picky kitty to switch to canned food? My other cats like it just fine, but this guy absolutely refuses to have anything to do with it. I’ve tried weaning him off the dry food, mixing some in with the dry, even cold turkey. It only results in a very unhappy, hungry cat who follows me around all day crying. Not surprisingly, I had to take him in to the vet last Saturday and it turned out he was constipated. Just now he started growling again like he does when he’s in pain. I looked at his bum and he has a little bit of fluid leaking out, meaning possible obstruction. I’m worried and, quite honestly, going broke, and I still have to get my dog to the vet for a different problem. I’ve been giving him the Vaseline treatment for cats, but apparently it’s not enough…
http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/switching-foods/
PLease explain how to use/score the Bristol Stool Chart
Just match the look of the cat’s stool to the pictures!
lots of useful information here, now i just need to pick a route to take. My 4yr old male cat, Bubba, started w/ the constipation thing about 6 months ago. he weighs……okay get ready……29lbs !! He is not really fat but is a huge cat. when i noticed he was not acting himself i brought him to a vet, not my regular which i regret. regardless to say i have not brought him back there after close to 800.00 on x-rays, tests, etc. they said he was constipated & gave him an enema, told me to add benefiber to his wetfood to keep the pipes flowing. i haven’t been able to bring him to his regular vet yet. i add the benefiber around 5x per week, not sure if it’s safe to give everyday. i can give him an enema if i know what to get, but would rather not have to clean up the outcome. i’m thinking more along the lines of Mirilax. how much should i add to wetfood for a 29lb cat that’s full of S*#% ??!!……….V.
At 29 lbs, Bubba is obese, unless he is secretly a Canadian lynx! Sorry but as they say, acknowledging the problem is the first step in solving it. Srsly, getting his weight down would help immensely! Beyond the many possibilities mentioned in the article, I cannot give doses or any other veterinary advice for any individual case.
is there a place i can send a picture? yes i know he needs to lose some weight, i got him a harness & leash, want to try & train him on that. i adopted him @ 1 yr old because of his size, i could tell by the size of his paws he would be a big boy. also, he is twice as long and twice as tall as my 7lb, 12 yr old normal size cat. he uses the toilet as a water bowl with his back feet on the floor–most cats have to jump up on the seat. i’m telling you he is huge, not just somewhat overweight. so as to the constipation– do you think the mirilax, or any other solution mentioned, would be better than the benefiber?……..V.
No we don’t have a way to accept pictures at this time….but working on it! :) Sorry I cannot give you specific advice for your cat, please discuss options with your vet.
Thank you for the great article!
My 18 1/2 year old male cat has had CRF for the past 18 months or so. He eats wet and dry K/D food, and gets subQ fluids every week or so. He suffers dehydration and chronic constipation because of the CRF.
Would any of the remedies listed above be contraindicated for a cat with CRF?
Thank you!
Sorry, I cannot give veterinary advice for any individual case; please work with your veterinarian to find a program that works for your kitty
Hi,
Thanks for the reply, I know you can’t give advice on individual cats. Perhaps I should have phrased my question differently….
Are any of the suggestions listed in the article contraindicated for cats with CRF?
Does that help matters any?
Thanks!
Nick
Every CRF cat is different and, every cat needs individualized “custom” treatment; you’ll need to discuss the use of any supplements with your veterinarian.
My 14 year old cat Snickers has had CRF for 2 years now. As she has aged and the fact that she has CRF has worsened. I now give her fluid treatment at home at least three times or more a week. Because she gets constipated more frequently and my vet bills have gone up I have started to treat her at home when she is constipated. When I took her to the vet they always gave her fluids, lac tu lose, and an enema. I could never bring my self to giving her an enema but when I see signs of constipation, I giver her fluid treatment everyday, lac tu lose more often, and laxire more often. She doesn’t mind the fluid treatment at all ( I have to give her an IV) as a matter of fact she purrs during it. My cat seems a little bit more worst off than yours. Because her Kidneys are failing it has triggered other health problems as well. But I can tell when she is happy and feeling better and when she is miserable. I have had her for a long time. I hope I helped you
I would say definitely do not mix the wet and dry food together as they have different absorption times and may cause fermentation in the intestines which exacerbate the problem. Try to switch to (home-made) all wet food.
If your cat is constipated, it is essential to get rid of all dry food! It is the main contributor to the dehydration underlying the condition!
I have hemp seed on a regular basis… but when my cat got into it, it gave her the squirts… so I on occasion sprinkle a tiny amount on her wet food… she loves hemp seed mixed in her food but only a tiny amount and she is fine… just don’t let them eat a lot or they will be leaving brown squirt trails around the house… dogs also benefit from hemp.. but keep it sparingly applied to cat food or you will need to hire a carpet cleaner
Hemp seed is primarily a source of fiber, which explains its action in both directions! ;-)
I’ve just come across your website and it is full of great advice, so thanks for that.
Couple of quick questions if I may. I only feed my older (18 year old) female cat on wet food, as I discovered the ills of dry food feeding a few years back (before then I fed her on mostly wet, with a little dry occasionally for variety), but last few months she has had some toiletry issues. The vet has tested for megacolon, as well as other major issues, but thankfully none were present. But she still struggles a bit to defecate, and suffers a bit of discomfort in this area, even though she does seem to defecate once every day or day and a bit. She is also on a joint formula (Osteosupport), but largely as a preventative given her age, as she still seems to get around and jump well enough.
Anyway I know you can’t give specific advice, but I do have a couple of general questions in regard to this area:
How dry is ‘too dry’ when it comes to a cats defecation? Is a regular sized piece of feces that is dry on the outside and even partway through cause for concern, or is it more when a cat is ‘spitting pebbles’ (small, hard balls of feces) as my vet calls it, that is the primary indicator that something is wrong?
Also, I have been giving my cat a pinch (maybe an eighth of a teaspoon or so) of psyllium husk powder mixed in with wet food (with a couple of teaspoons of added water as well mixed in) every one to two days (daily if she is clearly having issues), and that does seem to help her a bit, but I was wondering if there are any known long term dangers or negative health consequences from the use of psyllium husk powder with cats, or using it that often?
Thanks for reminding me…I’ve added the Bristol Stool Chart to the constipation article to provide a visual reference. I’d start getting worried at a score of 2 or less.
Psyllium is non-toxic, but too much of it can irritate the bowel. How much a cat can tolerate is a very individual thing; you’ll just have to experiment.
I’d be cautious with supplements, especially since calcium can cause constipation.
Older kitties often do very well with periodic subcutaneous fluids; your vet can show you how to do this at home.
Thank you for the additional information.
try hills percription diet wd (wet) with 2 tablespoons warm pumpkin puree….he’ll love it! and hopefully, he’ll start going every day like my cat did. No more constipation! good luck
Hills diets are not really food. Have you looked at the ingredient label? First 4 ingredients are: “Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, chicken by-product meal, powdered cellulose.” Quick point: powdered cellulose is basically sawdust and the other ingredients are by-products of other production processes rather than included due to their nutritional value. They’re cheap and useless. If you want to find out what these ingredients really are, Dr. Hofve probably has some of this info on this site although it’s been a while since I have accessed the nutrition info here. I recommend the book “Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts about Pet Food” by Ann N. Martin. For some quick facts regarding the above ingredients, see
http://www.homevet.com/petcare/foodbook.html.
I work for a health food store for dogs and cats and we are constantly working to educate ourselves on what products are healthy for our pets. Real species-appropriate food is best and not by-products.
Ooops! I misread and gave ingredients off the dry food. The canned still contains “sawdust” and corn starch and pork by-products. It appears to have more meat than the dry, but would have to do a dry mass calculation to know for sure. And I don’t know if Hills sources there meat from US/Canadian/New Zealand sources rather than the more questionable ones. Additionally, I would recommend consulting with a vet who specializes or is knowledgeable in precise nutritional requirements for kitties re: the amount of pumpkin you are adding. My holistic vet, who has studied nutrition extensively, has advised much less than that. It is my understanding that too much plant product added to a balanced diet can potentially throw off a cat’s pH and lead to issues such as urinary crystal formation. I believe that cats’ systems, in general, are more sensitive to this balance that dogs.
My cat loves pumpkin and canned tuna with mineral oil.That’s one blend following the vet enema to get him back to normal. His normal food is L/D to which i add 1 tsp mineral oil to 3tsp wet food.
How much canned W/D do you add the 2 tbl spoons of warm canned pumpkin to. Hopefully the pumpkin/l/d mix will end up enough. Still too early in our home care to tell.
I’m surprised that a lot of commenters are still feeding dry food to their constipated cats. In a word: DON’T! All dry food is dehydrating to the cat, and all will worsen the problem.
I see that a lot of commenters are also using Hill’s products, usually at the recommendation of their veterinarian. Veterinarians get little or no education on nutrition in vet school, and their continuing education comes from the Hill’s rep. Hill’s foods are expensive because of the money they spend on marketing; but they make up for it by using cheap, unhealthy ingredients. I do not recommend Hill’s products.
Ingredients of Hill’s l/d canned: Brewers Rice, Chicken by-Product Meal, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Soybean Meal, Pasta Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Soy Fiber, Dried Egg Product, Fish Meal, Lactic Acid, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil…NO meat, LOTS of carbs (~40%!), and three genetically modified soy products.
Ingredients of Hill’s w/d canned: Water, Pork Liver, Pork By-Products, Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Corn Starch, Oat Fiber, Guar Gum…Some actual chicken meat, but 3 kinds of fiber (including powdered cellulose, which is–literally–sawdust), and corn starch. The excessive fiber will probably help at first, but ultimately it can cause more irritation than benefit, and your cat’s digestive tract will be all the more damaged by then.
Some cats simply will not eat wet food, mine included. So I think the above comment, and others like it, isn’t fair, and could induce guilt. I’ve tried every kind of wet food over 17 years with my cat, including the top end. He’ll lick gravy, but not eat the food. I’ve been at my wits end trying, because I know it’s better for him.
But in my view, eating high-end dry food with no grain is better than a cat starving, or eating trash wet food. I do give my cat A/D as both a rescue food when he’s inappetant and have used it longer term as well. It works. And again, better that he live, than waste away. I also give him fluids every three days. I will try pumpkin. Please recognize that there are many of us who have tried to feed wet food. We are still loving cat owners.
I disagree; IMO the worst canned food is better than the best dry food. The moisture is that critical, and the processing is that harmful.
I know people who have taken months or even years to get their cats to eat something–anything–besides dry food. I’ve been through it with my own cats. It may require extreme patience and extraordinary persistence, not to mention downright sneakiness! It was three years before my cat Spirit took her first bite of raw food, at the tender age of 18. Oh, yeah, she was a stubborn and highly opinionated old girl, as anyone who knew her will tell you! But…she had raw food *available* the whole time. And those little tiny steps of diet change that I started when she was 15 (which was when I “got it” about cat nutrition…and BTW the first thing she ate–besides dry food–was lasagna!), gave her more healthy years than I could have imagined; she made it to 20-1/2, and was active until the end.
I have no doubt that every single person who reads this or any other article on this site is a loving cat guardian. They wouldn’t even be looking at this site in the first place if they didn’t care deeply about their kitties. Being philosophical for a moment, though, I believe that we each *choose* how we react to any particular thing, and feeling “guilty” is one of those choices (as is feeling angry, or happy, for that matter!). I just tell the truth as I know it, from 18 years of research and practical veterinary experience. My personal mission is to advocate for the cats, not to worry whether someone might be offended. There are plenty of folks who are more “politically correct,” and say more popular things, and who have more popular websites, that will support darn near any opinion. On *this* website, as my childhood hero, Popeye, would say, “I yam what I yam and that’s all what I yam!” (And yes, I still eats my spinach!)
Once again, for those who want to switch their cats to a wet diet, here is the article on how to do it! (Or copy and paste: http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/switching-foods/)
I should clarify that when I feed A/D, it is by mixing it with warm water and through a syringe. He won’t eat it by himself, just like other wet foods. And per your instructions on shifting food, I have left wet out for 12 hours. He just won’t eat it. Lick it, yes (morsels, not pâté) but not eat.
I have a 5 year old male cat and a 4 year old male that are both neutered. The 5 year old has been having problems with constipation for the past year off and on. (when he is constipated, he will never go in the liter box…it’s always through out the house) He is very active and otherwise a healthy cat. They both get annual check-ups by our local vet. I’ve mentioned the constipation to the vet and she suggested switching food. I would like to try a few of the suggestions on this website.My other male cat is perfectly fine and has no issues with our dry food/canned food diet. How do I give the other male cat this stuff without the other cat eating it as well??? And it’s so hard to tell what cat is defecating. I really would hate to seperate them…this may stress him out and make problem worse. Any ideas?
I don’t recommend ANY dry food for ANY cat. What you see as “health” on the outside of your other cat is, guaranteed, a growing disaster on the inside. Dr. Deb Greco calls dry food “diabetes in a bag.” I think of it as an “income generator” for veterinarians. Cats eating dry food will pay for it with their health, and so will you–in huge vet bills from completely preventable, nutrition-related problems.
I have a 9 year old indoor cat that has been on dry food her whole life until about 4 months ago. Our other cat had teeth removed and we have switched them to canned food, which they both love. About 6 weeks ago, I noticed Lucy was not herself, not eating and struggling in the litter box. Took her to the vet and her intestines were full,she was put under for an enema and spent 2 nights at the vet. She has been back 2 more times for enemas and spent the night. We went on vacation and she spent 13 days at the vet, medical boarding, and they said she appeared to be going every other day. We have been home a week and she cannot go. What to do next? She is on lactulose 2x a day. I am giving her vaseline and Slippery elm. The vet has assured me she does not have megacolon from x-rays that were taken, she thinks it is neurological. Can’t afford to keep taking her to the vet every 2 weeks….
Any suggestions would be appreciated…new vet, maybe??
Sorry but I cannot legally give veterinary advice on an individual case. As you see from the article, however, there are many options besides the ones that have been tried. If you are not satisfied with the treatment she is receiving, then definitely a second opinion would be in order.
hope this is not too late! I adopted an 11 year old cat and had him for only 3 months – already spent $1500.00! Extractions, enemas, emergency rooms, etc. He was finally put on wet and dry wd (he prefers the dry) 5 days ago and he is a completely different cat! Mineral oil, lactulose and vaseline did not help. I do add pumpkin puree to the wet/dry wd food – but even when he doesn’t get the puree, he’s still pooping…yah! good luck!
Cats who tend toward constipation should not get any dry food, which is often the root of the problem because it causes dehydration. While foods like w/d seem to work very well in the beginning, in the long run, many cats do not do well on it. If you read the ingredients on w/d (dry and canned), you’ll see why I don’t recommend it. Pumpkin masks the problem, and adds even more carbohydrates to an already-carb-overloaded food…this combo can cause weight gain, diabetes, yada yada! When you start letting the cat dictate what food he likes, rather than what you know is good for him, you’re starting down a very slippery slope! ;-)
I had a cat for 9 years. Feed him with dry food only. All time we had no problem with it. Never went to the vet he was absolutely healthy. But suddenly he got constipated. Vet told us its from dry food we have been given him all those years. Enema and other treatments didnt help. We had to put him to sleep after all.
I’ve bookmarked this website and referred to it often for great information in taking care of my “boys”. I wanted to pass on to you that using slippery elm bark powder in their food is a great help. I know you advocate it elsewhere on your site. It helped my 15 year old with irritable bowel- he was able to go off his meds thanks to slippery elm. Also, my then 18 year old Scottish Fold had failing kidneys. He became constipated and would vomit from trying to force his stool. I started adding the slippery elm to his food and it fixed the problem. He had no more poo problems and I feel the slippery elm also helped the stomach conditions that accompany kidney failure. He passed away at the ripe old age of 21.
I sprinkled the powder on dry food for the IB kitty since at that time it was all I fed. My Fold was on Wellness canned chicken and I added 1/8 to 1/4 tsp to half a can every day. It got to where he would not eat the food unless it had the slippery elm mixed in it!
It’s safe and it worked for my boys!
Dr. Hofve,
Can we give oats to constipated cats? Oats works well on constipated human. Thanks.
I just switched my 8 year old cat from dry to wet canned food. The transition was relatively easy and a week later she is excited about her feeding times. The main reason for the switch is her weight (12.5 lbs) and the more I researched how to safely help her reduce, the more I realized the mistake to feed her dry food all these years. She is healthy however I have noticed a decrease in her bowel movements since the switch. This is the second day that she has not had a bowel movement. Should I be concerned and intervene or should I wait and see. I would have expected that a change from dry food to wet would help her bowels not reduce them.
Glad you asked! Since canned food is so much more digestible, and contains much less fiber and wasted carbs than dry food, there will naturally be a significant decrease in stool quantity. As long as she is not straining or looking uncomfortable, and when she does have a stool it isn’t too dry, this is a normal change. It’s a big switch and may take her a little time to re-regulate her bowels to the new regimen.
Hi Dr Hofve,
Thank you for all your good advice. It really helped our cat a lot!
I have a question regrading constipated cat: Is there any way we can prevent my cat from vomiting after we give him enema? Thanks.
Gosh, haven’t heard that one before! I can’t give veterinary advice on individual cases, so maybe give your vet a call and discuss if there might be an issue between timing of meals vs. timing of enema, or whether there is a different type of enema solution you could use. Slippery elm might be helpful.
cats will vomit when an enema is given too quickly or too voluminously. go slowly, a little at a time, over at least five minutes or more if your cat is accepting
My cat baby had the same problem, due to a pelvic fracture that I didn’t know about when I took her in. She was a stray. I had her for years and noticed one day, she wasn’t passing stool as normal and I took her in and they took x rays and was surprised at what’ they found, a bullet a few inches from her spine and a bad pelvis fracture. They said, they were old injuries and her constipation was a result of the fracture. She’s had like 3-4 surgeries so far and it go to the point where, her medicine her doctor gave her was not working, the Lactulose!!! She still was getting constipated. I finally started thinking it was time to let her go, because I felt bad that’s she’s suffered this long and didn’t want her going through it anymore. I did one last thing out of desperation.. Went to the store and bought some Mineral Oil – I gave her three syringe full of 3ml as you’d do like an enema. And the next morning checked her rear and Oh my!! IT WAS GONE!!! Looked in the litter box and there it was! She had finally passed it, and normally the first sign I saw when my cat was constipated, she stopped eating. How I always knew she was constipated. Mineral Oil does work. It lubricates their rectum so it’s easier to pass.
DO NOT GIVE MINERAL OIL BY MOUTH THOUGH. IT CAUSES HEALTH PROBLEMS AND IF THEY ASPIRATE IT, IT COULD CAUSE LUNG PROBLEMS AND IT IS JUST BAD TO GIVE IT TO THEM BY MOUTH, DON’T DO IT!!! IF SHE LICKS HIS/HER REAR AFTER THAT’S OKAY, AS LONG AS IT’S NOT A BIG DOSE. MY CAT HAS BEEN ON IT FOR A FEW MONTHS AND NO PROBLEMS. JUST WANTED TO SHARE.. BUT BY ALL MEAN’S TRY IT. MINERAL OIL COSTS LIKE A DOLLAR AND CHANGE, NOT AT ALL EXPENSIVE. I WAS SPENDING A COUPLE HUNDRED A MONTH JUST IN SURGERIES TO REMOVE THE STOOL FROM MY CAT.
Vaseline is a safe alternative to mineral oil; it’s basically made of the same stuff. Mineral oil is a good laxative but as you say, a little risky to administer.
Please explain why you mentioned mineral oil in your main article, but didn’t mention any risks associated with it’s use, and then explain why it’s “a litle risky to administer” (at least more than “it causes health problems”). Thanks
Because mineral oil is liquid, there is a small risk of it “going down the wrong pipe” into trachea instead of esophagus; it would be a serious problem if it gets into lungs.
Hi,
My 4 yr old female cat had a traffic accident 2 yrs ago, which left her pelvis broken on either side. She has miraculously recovered 99% after surgery. About a year ago, she had really bad constipation and had to be sedated twice to have her poop manually evacuated. I was spooked by that incident and kept her regular by feeding her Cat Lover’s laxative and hairball remover, which seem to make her go like clock work every morning. But 2 weeks ago, he’ll came back and she was constipated again. For some reason, the laxative has stopped working its magic…has she grown immune to it? So I got some lactulose from the vet and manage to clear her out. I took her off her dry nibbles but found that leaving her on a wet canned food only diet doesn’t have enough bulk to make her poop daily….the result was a half yard of black sticky snake. I have switched her to a higher fibre Meowmix hairball control kibble, but that seems to bung her up. I have been giving her lactulose again for the past 4 days, 2 ml 3 times a day, and lots of water. But that doesn’t seem to help. She pooped out this hard date 3 days ago, and then a marble the next day. Yesterday, I got tired of waiting and praying, I gave her a warm water enema, 3 ml , and she pooped out this date again. Weird , flat, big and hard. I thought her troubles are over…. And this morning I got nothing. So I administered another warm water enema, as recommended by my vet, 5 ml this time…..and got nothing. She is not straining or scratching desperately in her commode like before when she was really bunged up…..could it be that there is no poop to eject? Or could it be that whatever is in there is so big and hard, even the enema has no effect on it? If she isnt constipated, why are her turds like hard dates and marbles? All this guessing is driving me crazy! To make matters worse, my vet has confirmed that she has a bladder infection and she is now on 10 days of clavamox. Other than that, she seems normal, eating, sometimes playing with the other cat. If she doesn’t poop by tomorrow, I am seriously contemplating administering the microlax given to me by my vet.
Sorry, I can’t give specific veterinary advice to individuals. I would recommend a second opinion from another vet.
Hi Dr. Hofve,
Regarding the sub-total colectomy surgery, is it something safe to do to a 17-year-old cat? My cat has got the problem of constipation for years and some of the methods we used are no longer effective. We keep using new methods on him. The situation is still under control but we are afraid eventually everything will become not effective. Our belief is that a surgery may be too harsh for a 17-year-old cat. Please tell us how you think. Thanks.
Most of the cats needing the surgery *are* older. As they said in vet school, “Age is not a disease.” :) You might want to have a heart-to-heart with your vet, or with the surgeon they refer to, about risks vs. benefits. You want a surgeon with a lot of experience with this particular procedure, as well as excellent surgical monitoring and pain management protocols. Remember that by the time the need for surgery is urgent, he will be even older, and maybe too frail at that point to handle an emergency. Then the choice is between a riskier surgery and euthanasia. Lots of things to consider, I don’t envy you the decision! Good luck!
My 21 yr. old cat is constipated for the first time in her life. She lost her sight 3 days ago, but still wants to drink out of the faucets-likes to play w/ the water, drinks alot of water–alot! I’ve mixed 1 tsp. mineral oil and physillium into her food, she pooped @ an inch. B/c she’s stilling purring, not acting as if she’s in pain, I want to try evrthing b/f the misery of the box, vet and final goodbye. Any suggestions? I’ve given her all her favorites-blueberry yogurt, laughing cow cheese, tuna juice, her wet food & chickn broth.
Sorry, the law prohibits giving specific veterinary advice to individuals. However, I would say that sudden blindness can be a sign of life-threatening hypertension (high blood pressure). Additionally, cats are masters at hiding pain until it becomes unbearable, and may purr to themselves for comfort, not because they are happy. If you haven’t taken her to your vet, please do so immediately!
Hello: My 6 year old Male cat had his first episode of constipation in Dec 2010. The vet gave him laclotose and an enema. Just within the last 2 months he has been constipated and back to the vets for enemas each time. He is currently at the vets receiving enemas for another occurence. He is on Cisapride, Laclotose, canned food and hard food. I have tried olive oil, wet food, laxatone, vaseline, w/d from Hills. I read that hairballs can also cause the constipation. He cleans our other 4 cats constantly. He has never produced a furball. Could this be the problem and needs hairball formula food? The doctor told me to euthanize him or see a specialist for surgery. I’m not sure where to go at this point. Thank you.
Sorry, we cannot give individual veterinary advice. However please recognize, as the article states, that high fiber foods and dry foods such as w/d can be counter-productive. Since your veterinarian appears to be out of ideas, I’d strongly recommend getting a second opinion.
First, if my vet so easily recommended euthanasia I would immediately change doctors.
Anyway, I have a cat the same age and have been dealing with the same problem. I did a lot of research which led me to changing his diet. He is now on “wellness” grain free and then I add water to the food to make a thick gravy. I also have been giving him petroleum jelly. Since these changes he has not had ANY problems at all.
Also, prior to these changes I discovered that I could give him enemas myself. I used the pediatric enemas and they worked just fine.
Here is a link that really helped me: catinfo.org this is written by a DVM and is very straight forward.
Good Luck
My cat Howie is also on cisapride an laxtalose and he was going in constantly to the vet also for an enema. The vet said he would not be able to take many more enemas so maybe we should think about putting him to sleep. I could never get him to eat pumpkin so I decided to give it to him the same way I give him his medicine (orally) and I put fibe in his wet food. He has been doing fine and only had to go to the vet maybe once a year for an enema. Try the pumpkin orally.
My 13 yrs young female kitty is on cisapride and laxalose and laxatone. STILL NO POOP… My biggest problem is she will only eat DRY FOOD. any suggestions??
The vet gave me a/d hills can and I feed her that off of my finger, but now she of course will not come near me.
Help
Sorry, I can’t give individual veterinary advice. You need to work with your vet to find a program that works for *your* cat.
I cannot believe all of the posts where the vet says to euthanize the cat. I would get second opions or even thrid if my vet told me that.
For cats who have been having problems for a long time, this is unfortunately a common recommendation. Surgery is a viable alternative, and has a very high success rate. However, many vets don’t feel comfortable doing that particular surgery, and may suggest euthanasia at the point where major action is required. As always, if you are not satisfied with your vet’s opinions or the options you’re being given, it is wise to get a second (or indeed, a third!) opinion!
If a vet suggest euthanesia simply because they are out of ideas or uncomfortable, not due to a gross amount of pain to the animal, simply assume they are lazy and/or incompetent. Most vets are great, but a handful give the profession a bad name… A human doctor is not allowed to make assumptions to a patients life, neither should a vet be able….. some are simply jaded. Unfortunately, others are heartless, money-grubbing fools. A good vet will never suggest euthanesia to a pet owner for a problem that is treatable, curable or not chronically painful. /for instance, i have had a vet tell me to “put down” an indoor only cat simply because an eye infection had left her blind! no pain, she was fully treated for the infection, and she was happy! does a blind person get a death sentance for being a pain to care for? NO! (and i literally socked him in the jaw after i declined and he insisted i kill her)Also, My good friend had a little corgi dog develop a twitch, turned out he had had a stroke (old, like 14). A 24 hr emergency vet told him to euthanize.the dog was fine other than his left leg was paralyzed, (he was and still is a happy dog) he gets around fine. a competent vet he saw as a second opinion opted to amputated his leg. He gets called “tripod mutt” but is healthy, pain-free and nearing 20 years old! Most vets are great and pet lovers themselves but be wary and always get a second opinion!!!! It could save your friend!
Should I give my cat baby food? Turkey, Chicken, etc? When she won’t eat most everything else? She has bouts of constipation and “kling-on’s” sometimes.
Meat baby foods are handy when a cat isn’t eating well. However, they are not balanced, and not suitable for long-term use without supplementing with vitamins and minerals, just like you’d do with any plain meat. See: http://www.littlebigcat.com/nutrition/easy-homemade-diets-for-cats-and-dogs/ for more information.
I have a three year old male domestic short hair who is an indoor/outdoor cat. I’ve had him for only a few months (and he is my first experience with a cat) as he was abandoned on my doorstep by someone. He is neutered and very friendly. My problem is that he does not use a litter box for urinating or defecating and prefers to do it outdoors (usually in a neighbors yard!). I’ve tried to get him to go in the box. Even put a sand box in my own yard, but he still manages to get out of the garden. How do I tell that he is constipated. I have gotten a little scared reading all these posts here. He eats a combination of wet and dry food.
Is he acting sick? Constipated cats feel sick, and usually won’t eat. If you are concerned, your veterinarian can palpate his abdomen to make sure. I’d definitely recommend getting him off the dry food, which is the main cause of constipation in cats.
He is not acting sick and his apetite is good. But since he does not use a litter box I have no way to tell if he is actually pooping and peeing normally. Come to think of it, I haven’t even seen him coughing a hairball yet….
Another reason I recommend not letting cats run loose outdoors–if they have a problem, you may not know until it’s too late. I have known people to find their outdoor cat dead of a urinary blockage (a lingering and excruciatingly painful way to die!), but they never saw the signs. If you have any doubts, please take him to the vet for a checkup.
I have 2 cats 13 years old/female (sisters). I have always fed them just dry food. About 6 months ago, Ruby started having constipation problems – vet prescribed Lactulose and suggested putting her on wet food. She seemed to be better for awhile, however the problem is getting her to eat wet food. She was eating a small amount 2-3 times a week until recently. Went on Lactulose again, but can’t get her to eat the wet food. Any suggestions? I’ve tried all the wet food brands.
Here is an extensive article about how to get her to eat a better diet. There are also more than a dozen other suggestions in the constipation article beyond what you’ve tried. Please work with your vet to find the combination that works for your cat!
My male cat had his first bout with obstipation 16 months ago. There were 11 months between that and his second episode, then the 3rd came 4 months later. Since the 1st bout, he has been on Miralax daily. Here is my concern….the 4th episode came only 2 week later from the last. By the way, with all 4 bouts, he has gone to the vet for an enema. The vet told me this last time that if the bouts continue and close together they typically euthanize. He is now on miralax, lactulose and zantac…all put in wet food which sometimes takes him all day to eat. Well, just a week later after his last enema, and with all these meds, I came home to find tell-tale poop puddles and vomit. Very little stool in the litter box which most likely is from my other cat. I don’t want to give up this soon. I am on pins and needles with fear of how it will play out. I am a Christian but am having trouble letting this go….God brought me through an awful experience losing my Mother…and I partly feel like I’m reliving that…the unknown and all. Thanks for listening. Elizabeth
My 4 year old female Siberian cat just suffered her first weekend of constipation and yesterday she had an enema at her vet. In her case I think the problem was blockage by hair balls. I just purchased the best brush I have ever seen, called the Furminator, and it is quite exceptional at removing unnecessary cat fur. Siberians are long haired with a thick undercoat to keep them warm in Siberia. The amount of excess fur that I have removed since last night is unbelievable and I will brush her some more tonight. She eats only the best foods from our local holistic pet shop so that’s how I came to the conclusion that she was blocked by fur, which she cleans all the time. I hope this helps you if this might be an issue with your cat. Even short haired cats need to be brushed.
Come to think of it, I have never seen constipation caused by a hairball (that anyone could tell). Vomiting, yes, poop problems, not so much! In my experience, it is much more a dietary issue, and of course, dry food of any kind is the usual suspect. My cats do love their Furminator, though!
Elizabeth – Discontinue adding lactulose to his food and increase the amount of miralax. My 5.5 lb (previously) super-chronically constipated cat responds well to 1/8 teaspoon miralax mixed with about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil mixed into her wet food twice a day. She refused the lactulose, and after tasting it myself, I understood why. Your guy is taking all day to eat his food because he doesn’t like it either.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom.
I pay extra for the lactulose and cisapride to be flavored. It goes down much better. One is flavored fish and the other chicken. Try that.
I also have two male cats, brothers, and both suffer from constipation that started as occasional, but has become more frequent as they’ve aged (now 11). Barney’s constipation is occasional, Fred suffers frequently. They are on wet food and take 2.5 ccs of Enulose with every meal, every day. Barney does great on this regimen; Fred will do great for several days and then have problems. He tries the litter box, gets scared when he can’t go, or if it hurts, and races all over the house, dropping feces everywhere. The vet mentioned at last checkup that Miralax might help, but I am afraid to switch over in case it doesn’t, and we wind up back at the emergency clinic for an enema. Any suggestions for starting with Miralax? SHould I switch over completely, or gradually introduce it. I really am at a loss and feeling like I’m not doing a very good job of managing what has become a chronic condition. Thanks very much.
Sorry, I can’t give individual veterinary advice. If you are not satisfied with your current vet’s recommendations, then get a second opinion. If you are interested in holistic healing, you can find a local vet at http://www.holisticvetlist.com. Acupuncture, homeopathy, homotoxicology, herbs, and other modalities can be very helpful..
Thank you very much. I checked the list, and found some vets in my area that might be able to give me some advice.
Connie, just do it. I have given my cat miralax for several years now. I did gradually introduce it although I do not feel it was necessary to do so. On rare occasion she also has raced out of the litter box with a “Kling-on” attached, but I have felt that this was most likley due to her being unable to “pinch it off” rather than pain.
My 5.5 lb cat uses 1/8 teaspoon miralax in about 2 Tablespoons of wet food which has been blended (with a stick blender) with some water. I add some olive oil because she likes it.
My 18yr old CRF friend often (every other day) vomits right after bowel movement. She normally has bm once or twice daily & the feces aren’t really hard. Any clues for the vomiting?
There are hundreds of possible causes, many of them serious, especially in a cat this age. Please take her to the vet as soon as possible.
Did you put filtered water in the fountain? my cats love it, I have a filer on my faucet and then pour through the brita as well,
that being said, I have been dealing with my baby 17yrs old siamese with megacolon since 07, things work then they don’t,
I am going to try slippery elm again, didn’t give it a fair chance before I think, and make homemade food.
and put a little plain gelatin in it.
Lactulose works really well if you can give the dose about 1/2 hr after every time he eats, that way he gets the nutrition from his food and every meal gets lactulose.
this worked for a Long time with my cat, sometimes when things stop, you can go back and they will work again, sour cream is good, and you might ask your vet if you can give a little oil and water rectally every once in a while. NO MINERAL oil.
hugs and prayers, keep us too! I have circumvented surgery about as long as I think , unless we get a good turn around.
Just a quick comment re my 13 y/o kitty who has had a dx of megacolon for quite a few years now. We tried a number of alternative approaches, all with marginal success, and have been doing the cisapride/lactulose regimen for the past couple of years, with occasional enemas as warranted. However, while individual responses may vary, it is worth noting that acupuncture has been an extremely helpful adjunct therapy for us; makes him very comfortable and relaxed.
SHIRLEY!
Please tell me more about the acupunture!! My 17 yr old siamese baby has mega colon since 07 and nothing works forever, ,
thank you !!
20yr old cat with meningioma (?sp)on phenobarb and pred(2 years), also hyperthyroid. Eating Wellness and Instinct. Butter in food, with psyllym and slippery elm. Would like to try Aloe (George’s). He has a bowel movement, then vomits, then has another BM,vomits, then softer BM. Hydrated at vets.Drinks a lot of water and chicken broth. Any suggestions.
I’d recommend learning to give fluids at home, to reduce the stress of going to the vet; and so you can give it more often (up to twice a day), which will help.
Aloe contains latex, and some cats react badly to it; it may be worth a try, but make sure your brand does not contain sodium benzoate (a common preservative but toxic to cats), and watch carefully for signs of reaction.
ask your vet about something for nausea, I think they can compound gel to rub in the ear.
hugs and prayers, be careful with the aloe, I read the gel is safe but the outer leaf very toxic to cats, and not to give cats cos how can you be sure that some leaf didn’t get in?
Aloe contains latex, which can be irritating to the mouth and tummy. It’s not a serious toxicity problem, but if it makes the cat uncomfortable in any way, it’s best avoided.
Hello: I have two cats, natural brothers, both just under 6 years old. One (the heavier one) has not had any health problems. The other, Mac, has FLUTD and suffers from constipatio as you’ve described above. Since Mac was diagnosed with FLUTD about 3-4 years ago, they have been on a purely wet diet. They eat Wellness canned food. Thankfully Mac has not suffered another flare-up of the FLUTD but he suffers from constipation often. He is now on Cisapride and Lactulose. We were giving him pure pumpkin in his food but we when the problem did not go away, we thought that too much fibre could be adding to the problem. Anyway, just wanted you to know that another cat, on a wet only diet suffers from this. On another note, since they went on wet food, they drink very little, if at all. I mix water into their food sometime just to get more liquid into them. I tried the fountain and that didn’t work either.
Thanks for the info. He’s now on lactulose daily and we’re hoping that will make a difference.