Cat Struggling to Use Litter Box: Possible Causes
When a cat struggles to use the litter box, it could be indicative of several health issues:
1. Straining to Urinate: This may be a sign of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Cats with FLUTD may spend extended periods in the litter box, producing only small clumps of urine. This is often due to pain or a blockage in the urinary tract.
2. Straining to Defecate: Difficulty in defecation could be caused by constipation, megacolon, enteritis, parasites, or diarrhea. Some cats may develop a functional obstruction due to inability to pass stool, leading to a decline in appetite and energy levels.
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
The causes of FLUTD are multifaceted, often involving a combination of factors that lead to one or more clinical symptoms. Stress responses, along with irritants such as bladder and urethral stones, crystals, and obstructions, can trigger inflammation of the bladder and urethral mucosa. FLUTD is most common in cats aged 1 to 6 years, affecting both male and female cats, with neutered male cats and longhaired cats, particularly Persians, being at the highest risk.
Common symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty urinating, pain during urination, hematuria, and abnormal urination behaviors. Male cats often suffer from urethral obstruction, while female cats may develop cystitis and urethritis. If you notice your cat taking longer to urinate and producing more concentrated urine, it's important to consider FLUTD as a potential cause.
Cat Constipation
Cat constipation occurs when the contents of the intestinal tract and fecal masses become trapped and gradually harden in a section of the intestine, leading to expansion and potential complete blockage. If constipation persists for too long, the abnormal fermentation of proteins in the intestinal contents and their byproducts can be absorbed, leading to selfpoisoning and systemic changes.
This condition is more common in older cats. Affected cats may show a lack of appetite or anorexia, vomiting, or regurgitation of feces. They may have a rigid tail and a tense gait, with a rapid heartbeat and blue discoloration of the mucous membranes. In mild cases, cats may strain repeatedly but only produce small, hard stools. In severe cases, they may pass small amounts of liquid mixed with blood or mucus. The anus may appear red and swollen, and there may be tenderness in the upper abdomen upon palpation. The rectal examination may reveal hard fecal masses.
