Treating Constipation in Cats
Constipation in cats occurs due to unsuitable diet, impacted feces, foreign objects, injury or disease. Cats have a bowel movement at least once a day. If she does not have a bowel movement every day, or the feces is hard and the cat strains, the cat may be constipated.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean the cat’s litter box and make certain she has privacy. Some cats don’t like to use the litter box in busy or noisy areas, and no cat likes to use a dirty box. A clean cat box will also make it easier for you to tell later if she has had a bowel movement.
-
2
Measure the correct dosage of hairball gel onto a small plate. The dosage is usually figured according to a cat’s weight. Dosage instructions are usually on the back of the package.
-
-
3
Place the cat in front of the plate and coax her to eat the hairball gel/laxative. If the cat will not eat it directly, you will need to mix the gel with a small amount of her favorite wet food.
-
4
Encourage the cat to get plenty of fluids throughout the rest of the day. You can do this by adding water to her favorite wet food.
-
5
Check the litter box the following day. Often it will take a few doses before the cat has a bowel movement; however, if 24 hours have passed and there has been no improvement, or if the cat seems worse at any time, you may need to consult with your vet.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Cats prone to hairballs may also be prone to constipation from undigested fur.
If the cat refuses to eat the gel even after you mix it with food, you can administer it with an oral syringe (you can find these at pharmacies and pet supply stores). If you do this, be careful that she does not accidentally inhale any gel.
Never use laxatives for cats that may have a bowel obstruction. If a cat is not able to defecate at all, she may have a complete obstruction. This requires immediate veterinary care.
Don't rely on straining as the only symptom of constipation. A cat will strain if she has a disease such as colitis or urinary tract blockage or infection—both conditions require immediate veterinary care. Urinary tract blockage is an emergency.
Do not give human laxatives to cats
If these steps do not relieve constipation, or if it vomiting, lethargy or fever accompanies constipation, you should take the cat to a veterinarian.
If constipation returns often, consult a veterinarian. The cat might have hypothyroidism, or a bowel problem such as megacolon.
