Cats Constipation Symptoms & Solutions: Quick Relief Gu

Cat Constipation Symptoms

Cats, as creatures from semiarid regions, are highly efficient at utilizing water within their bodies. They extract every last drop of moisture from their feces before excreting it, which is why their stools are naturally dry and hard, resembling segments. The color of the feces can vary depending on the food's bone content: high bone content leads to gray or beige stools, while a lack of bones or low content results in black stools.

Cat Defecation Frequency

The frequency of a cat's defecation can change based on the type of food they consume and how well it's digested. In other words, if a cat ingests a lot of indigestible food, it will defecate more frequently. Here's a reference for defecation frequency with different types of food:

Kibble: At least 1 time per day

Canned food: At least 1 time every 2 days

Cooked or raw meat with bones: At least 3 times per week

Defecation Behavior

To determine if a cat is constipated, observe its bathroom habits. A constipated cat may visit the bathroom more often but produce little to no feces. The cat may also vocalize in pain or discomfort during the defecation process.

Important Components of Cat Feces

Cats naturally consume their fur during hunting and grooming, which is then digested. Although it has no nutritional value and may occasionally lead to hairballs, fur plays a crucial role in the digestive system. It helps shape the feces, similar to the role of dietary fiber in humans, and is essential.

Some pet owners may feed their cats cat grass or other fiber supplements, but it's important to note that plant fibers are fermented in the intestines, which may not be as effective. Additionally, fermentation can lead to the growth of some gut bacteria, which is why cat feces can be smelly and cats may pass gas after eating pet food.

Licking fur is a cat's natural digestive process. However, domestic cats, due to their lifestyle differences, may have impaired gut motility, causing fur to become trapped in the stomach before digestion, leading to "hairball syndrome."

Preventing Constipation

If a cat is already constipated, showing signs like restlessness, loss of appetite, frequent bathroom visits with no results, and vomiting, it's best to seek veterinary care immediately. Constipation can be caused by more than just diet and may indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

Preventing constipation is key. There are various methods, and their effectiveness may vary depending on the cat's constitution.

Water: While it might seem logical that increasing water intake would help, cats' physiological structure means that most water is excreted as urine, not contributing to preventing constipation. In fact, excessive water intake can reduce food intake, leading to fewer feces and making constipation harder to treat.

Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin puree is commonly recommended and may vary in effectiveness based on the cat's preferences.

Flaxseed Powder: Flaxseed powder has a nutty scent and can be used as a fiber supplement. However, it's crucial to use cooked flaxseed powder and to cook it with boiling water to make it more palatable for cats.

Raw Liver: Raw liver is a natural laxative, but it's essential to address any potential parasitic issues and increase fat content in the diet to enhance gut motility. These methods are the healthiest and most acceptable for cats.

Psyllium Husk Powder: Psyllium husk powder is a wellknown constipation remedy but should not be used longterm as a treatment.

Magnesium: Magnesium can help relax muscles, soothe the intestines and stomach, and increase water content in the large intestine, softening stools. A single large dose of magnesium can be very effective in promoting bowel movements.

There are many ways to address constipation, but it's best to avoid longterm use of methods other than dietary adjustments. In severe cases, it's crucial to seek veterinary care to avoid more serious consequences.