Effective Solutions for Cat Constipation: Tips & Remedi

Today, let's discuss what to do if a kitten is constipated?

What are the symptoms of feline constipation?

① Normally, cats defecate 12 times a day. For cats on a raw meat diet, this might be every 3 days, but if a dry foodfed cat goes longer than 3 days without a bowel movement, and a raw meatfed cat goes longer than 4 days, it's likely constipated.

② Straining to defecate, showing intense effort, and taking over a minute to pass stool.

③ Small, hard, and dry feces.

④ Hard feces with visible mucus or blood on them.

⑤ Frequent attempts to defecate without success, accompanied by painful cries.

⑥ Decreased appetite and weight loss, with an increased abdominal circumference. Palpation of the intestinal contents feels firm like a sausage.

⑦ May be accompanied by vomiting, fluctuating appetite, and depression.

Cats with these symptoms are likely suffering from constipation.

What causes constipation in cats?

1. Insufficient water intake or dehydration, leading to dry feces.

2. Mechanical blockages: such as hairballs (hair blocking the intestines), foreign objects, tumors, etc.

3. Injuries: pelvic fractures, pelvic deformities, spinal injuries, etc.

4. Inflammation: anal gland inflammation, rectal inflammation, perianal injury, etc.

5. Neurological or muscular diseases that make it difficult or impossible to defecate.

6. Metabolic and endocrine disorders: hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, etc.

7. Megacolon.

8. Obesity and lack of exercise.

9. Environmental issues: moving to a new environment or an unsanitary, poorly placed litter box, etc., causing the cat to refuse to use the toilet.

10. Stress factors: cats under extreme stress may refuse to defecate.

How to treat feline constipation?

Treatment Methods:

① Medication: Use stool softeners and drugs to restore normal intestinal smooth muscle peristalsis, such as cisapride, lactulose, and flaxseed.

② IV Fluids: To relieve dehydration.

③ Enema: Under anesthesia, clear the colon, suitable for mild and simple constipation. Use 4080 milliliters of warm soap water with an enema syringe, and gently press on the fecal mass inside the abdomen. This usually works well.

④ Laxative Therapy: Take a small amount of oral laxative. For example, 530 grams of magnesium sulfate or 550 milliliters of liquid paraffin oil.

⑤ Oil Enema: Give the kitten a spoonful of salad oil to lubricate the intestines. Once 10 milliliters, feed 23 times at intervals, which should be helpful.

⑥ Probiotic Therapy: Suitable for mild constipation, helping to maintain healthy "good bacteria" in the intestines. A healthy gut can defecate normally and keep stool soft.

⑦ Surgical Therapy: For severe intestinal constipation that does not respond to the above methods, surgery can be performed to remove the fecal mass in the intestinal cavity.

⑧ Suppositories: Just a little is needed, but they should not be relied upon. Suppositories stimulate the intestinal wall to induce a defecation reflex, but frequent use can reduce the sensitivity of the intestinal wall, leading to dependence and habitual constipation. This can worsen constipation. Therefore, it is not recommended to use suppositories arbitrarily. If a cat has constipation, it is important to find the cause.

How to prevent feline constipation?

1. Diet Prevention:

① Food allergies can cause intestinal inflammation and constipation in cats. Changing the protein source of your cat's food (such as chicken, lamb, etc.) can reduce inflammation, allow the intestines to move normally, and reduce constipation.

② Increase the fat content of the food slightly, and feed highfat foods like liver, mackerel, and sardines in small amounts, which can help cats defecate more smoothly, similar to the principle of oil enemas.

③ Use plant fibers appropriately, such as adding a spoonful of pumpkin to the food. The fiber in pumpkin can promote intestinal peristalsis and has a certain laxative effect.

④ Increase water intake: Increasing a cat's water intake is very helpful.

2. Weight Management: Control your cat's weight. Obese cats are more prone to constipation. Control food intake, play more with your cat, and increase exercise.

3. Maintain a Happy Mood: Reduce stress and anxiety: Cats under stress and pressure may not eat or drink. Cats are prone to accumulate stress, and any environmental change or excessive attention from the owner can make the cat nervous. Give it some time to adapt to the environment, and you can use pheromone products appropriately to help it relax.

4. Grooming: Groom your cat more often to remove dead hair and prevent it from swallowing too much, which can lead to hairball blockages in the intestines. For longhaired cats, trim the hair around the anus to prevent hair tangles. This can keep the anal area clean and help prevent constipation. If feces stick to the hair, it may obstruct defecation, leading to constipation.

5. Litter and Litter Box Management: Eliminate constipation caused by factors such as a dirty or too small litter box, a location that is easily disturbed, or litter that does not suit the cat's preferences.