Cats, just like people, can suffer from constipation to the point of being unable to defecate. If you notice your cat spends a lot of time in the litter box, it could be a sign of constipation. You can try giving him some home remedies to help him with his problem; in addition, the vet will be able to give you good advice and medications to help your cat empty the intestines easily.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Determining if the Cat is Constipated
Step 1. See if you urinate normally
A healthy cat will usually urinate 2-3 times a day. If you strain due to an infection or bladder stones or a blockage, you are faced with serious problems that are very different from constipation. Check the litter box to see how much he urinates each day.
Step 2. Check how well you can defecate
If you see him spending a lot of time in the litter box, he may be constipated, but on the contrary, he may also have diarrhea. In this case, the time spent in the litter box is really a lot. It may also only make a small amount of stool, which you may misinterpret as constipation.
- A healthy cat discharges on average once a day. Your stool should be firm and hold its shape.
- Many times, you may interpret some signs as typical of constipation, when the animal may be suffering from other health problems that exhibit similar symptoms. You will need to observe the cat carefully to make sure it is not some other pathology.
Step 3. Look for symptoms of constipation
See if your cat has at least one of the following symptoms; if so, check with your vet to make sure it is actually constipation.
- Strains when trying to defecate;
- Stools are small, hard or dry;
- Stool is covered with mucus or blood;
- The cat loses its appetite;
- Loses weight;
- Suffering from lethargy;
- Vomits
- You experience abdominal pain.
Step 4. Make an appointment with your vet
If you have the impression that the cat spends a lot of time in the litter box or if you fear that he is constipated, have him visit the doctor as soon as possible: he will be able to understand if the animal needs medication or a change in diet, such as a integration of foods particularly rich in fiber.
If he is constipated, do not wait too long before having him examined; it could also be a symptom of a much more serious problem than a simple fit of constipation. A cat can develop many conditions due to retained stool and the effort to eliminate it, including intestinal obstruction and megacolon (enlarged colon)
Part 2 of 3: Treating Constipation
Step 1. Check with your vet if your cat needs medical attention
If the problem is quite severe, it may be necessary to have an enema or to sedate the cat to manually remove the feces. The longer the cat is constipated, the harder the feces and the more difficult it becomes for him to evacuate. The enema is a simple method of inserting a lubricating substance into the rectum of the cat in order to soften them and to facilitate the cat to free itself.
- It may be helpful to use a simple enema, which is inserted in a manner similar to how you take the animal's temperature;
- For more serious problems, it may be necessary to sedate him or a general anesthesia to perform some sort of gastric lavage to remove the blockage;
- In rare cases, there may be a very serious underlying problem, such as a tumor, that requires surgery. If the cat develops megacolon due to prolonged constipation, which involves the inability of the muscles to push stool out of the body, the colon must be surgically removed.
Step 2. Give him the medications prescribed by the vet
If your doctor has prescribed medication to treat constipation, you need to get a dropper or syringe to give them the medications as directed.
- Prepare the right amount of medication before giving it to him. Make sure you also have some small treats on hand.
- Give him a treat before giving him the medicine.
- Place the cat on a waist-high surface, such as a bed or kitchen counter, with its back side towards you. Give him a lot of reassuring caresses and cuddles and rub his face.
- Reach over his head and, with your thumb and forefinger, hold his upper jaw just in front of the temporomandibular joint and press so that he opens his mouth; the cat is likely to react by trying to resist your paw attempts. It is a good idea to have someone who can help you keep the cat still.
- Hold the syringe or dropper in your dominant hand. Gently push the dropper behind your teeth (or to the side), so it's at the back of your mouth. Squeeze the drug.
- Immediately give him another treat so that he immediately forgets what just happened. If the cat squirms and you can't handle it, wrap it tightly in a large towel.
- When giving your cat liquid medicine, be sure to rinse the dropper or syringe in hot water and use the tool only for this purpose. After the drug therapy is finished, throw it away.
Step 3. Add a squash cream or butternut squash to your cat's food
If he is not completely constipated and is still able to behave and eat normally, try adding pumpkin or pumpkin puree to his diet to provide him with the right amount of dietary fiber. Alternatively, you can also get canned pumpkin.
Add a couple of teaspoons of this vegetable to your food. Canned food is more suitable for this purpose, because it allows you to hide this vegetable better than kibble. Some cats may like the taste, but others need to hide the pumpkin by mixing it thoroughly with something tastier
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Constipation
Step 1. Feed your kitty a complete diet
Make sure you give it all the nutrients for a balanced diet specifically for cats. If you are unsure of his dietary needs, consult with your vet to find a diet plan.
The cat may need a special high-fiber diet to manage chronic constipation. The vet is able to assess whether this is necessary
Step 2. Start feeding canned food only
Feeding the cat only with this type of food can help him fight constipation. In fact, canned cat food typically contains 75% or more moisture and aids in digestion and elimination of digestive waste.
Step 3. Feed him the fish in moderation
While a fish-only diet does not provide all the nutrients your cat needs, tuna can help stimulate their appetite. Oily fish, such as mackerel and sardines, can help him if he has problems with constipation.
Step 4. Always make sure she has fresh water available to drink when she wants it
Dehydration eases constipation. Also, if the cat eats only kibble, he must drink more water than those who eat canned food.
- Put a bowl with fresh water in a place where the cat has easy access, preferably next to the food;
- Some cats prefer to drink running water from a dripping tap or cat drinking fountain.
Step 5. Keep your weight under control
Constipation is more common in obese cats than in normal weight cats. Search the internet to determine the correct weight for a healthy cat and to determine if yours is too fat.
If you have any doubts or cannot find satisfactory answers online, consult your veterinarian
Step 6. Add some olive oil to her canned food
Its texture can act as an intestinal lubricant, and helps to flow food in the digestive system of the animal. Add ¼ or ½ teaspoon of olive oil to each bite-sized meal.
Step 7. Try psyllium husks
These are derived from the plantago plant and are often used to aid digestion and improve the functioning of the intestinal tract (a popular brand for human consumption is Metamucil). Those for animal consumption are available in stores that specialize in pet products.
Add a quarter to half a teaspoon of psyllium husks to his canned food to enrich the diet with dietary fiber and thus aid in the digestive process
Step 8. Trim your cat's coat if it is a long-haired breed
Cut it especially around the back area to prevent knots from forming. This way the area stays clean and can even help, in part, prevent constipation. In fact, when the feces become tangled with the hair, they could remain inside the anus and cause constipation.
Step 9. Brush him regularly if he has long hair
Long-haired cats tend to ingest large amounts when taking care of their personal hygiene. For this reason it is important to brush it constantly.
For some cats, shaving the coat 1-2 times a year may help to manage the fur
Step 10. Make sure you regularly provide hairball remedies if your cat is longhaired
It is important to give him specific treatments a couple of times a week, to prevent the hair from accumulating inside the digestive tract.
Generally, these products are available in tubes. You can give them as treats or mix them into food for easy ingestion
Step 11. Keep the litter box clean
The cat likes his "bathroom" to be clean, and hygiene will encourage him to use it regularly. Collect feces at least every other day if you have a single cat, or every day if you have more than one.
Some cats prefer a fragrance-free litter box, so make sure you don't add fragrances if your kitty doesn't like them
Advice
Although petroleum jelly has been used very often to treat constipation and hairball problems, it shouldn't be used regularly over the long term; since it is a petroleum derivative, it blocks the absorption of nutrients from food
Warnings
- If your cat is still having problems despite the advice in this article, see a veterinarian promptly.
- Many cats, when they become constipated, have to follow a special diet and take supplements for life. If the cat is obese, it is imperative that he lose weight. Many cats may need lifelong medications to soften their stools and / or to promote intestinal motility.
