Constipation is common in cats, just like it’s common in humans, so basically it’s not a serious issue.
But we all know how uncomfortable things can get, how irritating and frustrating it feels! Any healthy cat will poop once in 24 hours.
If your cat is constipated/passing hard and dry stools, or no stool at all, you need to seriously dive into the symptoms, precautions, and treatments.
We have 11 ways, how to make constipated cat poop.
What Is Constipation in Cats?
Difficult or infrequent bowel movements are known as constipation in cats. Each and every cat should have at least one bowel movement per day. So, if your cat’s litter box remains empty for more than 24 hours, you can take it as a red flag. Your cat might be suffering from constipation.
Sings of Constipation in Cats
If you have noticed dry and hard feces or no stools at all for more than 24 hours in your cat’s litter box, one thing is for sure your cats suffer from a constipated stomach.
Which is so painful and uncomfortable for our poor kitty! She might cry, strain, or prefer to avoid going near the litter box.
One of the reasons why you are desperately looking for how to make constipated cat poop. While it’s common in some cats, sometimes cats with more serious issues can have constipation with other symptoms, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Feeling thirsty very often
- Feeling no thirst at all
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Muscle loss
- Walking stiffly
- Hiding
11 Ways to Prevent Constipation in Cats
Here are 11 proven ways how to make constipated cat poop!
1. Make Sure Your Cats Drinking Plenty of Water
The main reason behind cat constipation is dehydration, for your cat to drink plenty of water all the time you need to make sure that fresh water should be in her sight 24 into 7. Bring a big bowl of water if you don’t have it.
Secondly, the type of water bowl also matters, basically the size, shape, and material! For example, cats have very sensitive whiskers, and they hate drinking water from a bowl in which their whiskers and bending or touch the water, so here the size matters.
The best and preferable water bowl is made up of either metal or ceramic, you can even go for cat water fountains as some cats just love runny water.
Be extra careful about where you place the water bowl for your cat, it should not be near the litter box, the chances of your cat’s water bowl getting dirty from the litter tracking is very high.
2. High Fiber Diet
Is a high-fiber diet beneficial to constipated cats?
Fiber is often included in cat food to aid digestion and improve the stool quality of cats who could otherwise have digestive issues. Constipation, diarrhea, diabetes, and even obesity may benefit from high-fiber meals.
3. Your Cat Needs Wet Food
Wet food is probably the best cat food option for your cat, especially if she’s suffering from constipation, also the best solution for your cats’ tummy problem, is how to make constipated cat poop.
Wet food, increase the water intake in your cat, as some cats are not that much into drinking water, well that’s not their fault. But by switching to wet cat food, you’re probably making the healthiest decision for your cat.
And the best part is, most of the cats will act as good kids when they are made to eat wet food.
Do you know why? Wet cat food smells too good and tastes even ten times better than dry cat food. However, you should wait until your cat fully accepts this new diet to avoid underlying health problems, some cats can be super picky.
For cats who are already on a wet food diet, all you can do is increase their water intake in other ways or choose a wet food containing more moisture.
4. Exercise
House cats are more prone to such issues than cats in the wild!
Why is that so? A major reason is that house cats are provided with safe shelter, food to eat, and a cozy space to sleep. That’s why house cats are more inclined towards getting overweight.
On the other hand, cats in the wild are independent. They hunt, kill and eat, and that is why wild cats are healthier.
For house cats, you need to make sure that they do the proper exercise in order to maintain a healthy weight. Because an overweight cat can easily develop health issues such as constipation.
Unlike our dogs, you can’t take the cat on daily walks, but instead, you can buy cat interactive toys, cat climbing trees, scratching posts, etc.
5. Try a New Diet, Say Bye to the Old One
Diet plays a major role in your cat’s health or to state the fact it plays a major role in for every creature on this planet. However, you need to choose the most suitable cat food for your cat, as every cat is different, and they have different needs.
So if your cats get an allergic reaction or upset stomach after having a particular food, it is time to switch and try a new diet for your cat. It will surely give you a solution on how to make constipated cat poop, but before that, make you go through the following things:
How to choose the right cat food diet:
- Have a look at the ingredient list, make sure they are cat friendly.
- Avoid cat food with filler food and artificial flavor or preservatives.
- Make sure to focus mostly on the protein content.
6. Increase the Number of Litter Box
The right litter box, its location, and size, all of these are so important for your cat’s health. If any one of them is not right then the chances are your cats might not use such a litter box, this will either make your home dirty. They are very particular about the litter box.
You need to add more than one litter box in your home or to each floor of your home, just in case, to give her more options.
7. Reduce Anxiety and Stress in Your Cat
Before looking desperately for ways of how to make constipated cat poop, check for other signs too. Many times, when a healthy cat is suffering from constipation, it’s not necessary that she’s having health-related issues.
Just like we humans, cats also get stress and anxiety, which can affect their overall health.
In fact, cats get stressed out very easily if there’s even the slightest change in their daily routine. For example, bringing a new pet in, changing the place of her litter box, shifting to a new place, etc.
You can use cat calming sprays, catnip, or catnip infused cat toys for cats to help them in dealing with stress and anxiety.
8. Laxatives : Work in Different Way
One of the ways how to make constipated cat poop is also by using laxatives for cats, these are over-the-counter products to relieve constipation.
Note: These are to be used only if it’s recommended by your vet, as there are several types of laxatives, so only your vet could suggest which one is suitable for your cat after examining her.
Most of the laxatives work by pulling water in the intestine, which helps the stool to get softer, and a soft stool is much easier to pass out. The possible side effect your cat can face is that of dehydration, as it pulls out all the water.
Oil- or grease-based laxatives: Laxatone, needs veterinarian recommendation, and you should not use it as a regular option as they can affect your cat’s ability to absorb nutrition from their food.
Miralax (PEG 3350) is most commonly used to treat constipation in cats.
9. Try Adding Pumpkin to Her Diet
Well, don’t be skeptical about giving this vegetable-based pumpkin diet to your cat! We know that not all vegetables are safe for cats to eat, but pumpkin does not come in that category! In fact, many cat food already has it as one of the ingredients.
What’s great about pumpkins and their contribution in how to make constipated cat poop! Well, it’s full of fibers and provides some nutritional benefit with relief in digestive issues or an upset stomach.
Dr. Angelo Maggiolo, medical director of the County Animal Clinic in Yonkers, New York, often recommends pumpkin as an easy fix for mild cases of constipation in cats. “It will get the colon moving a little better in cats predisposed to constipation,” he says.
10. Comb Her Regularly
This way of how to make constipated cat poop might sound funny, but it can help your cat in many ways! Especially for long-haired breeds or cats prone to hairballs, brushing regularly can help keep excess hair from the digestive tract.
11. Right Time to See the Vet
Being constipated for a long time is not a good sign for anyone! We understand that giving a try to home remedies is a must. But what to do even if they fail to work? We know you hate to hear this from us, but we want the best for your feline buddy!
You need to treat conditions like this as soon as possible before they get worse, after all, it’s better to be safe than sorry! Cats can get constipated if she is stressed, so if you think that this is the reason behind it, you can take your time until it gets better.
Conclusion
Hopefully, we were able to serve you the appropriate content regarding how to make your constipated cat poop.
Constipation is quite common in cats, but for an extended period of time is not a good indicator for anyone! We recognize the importance of attempting home treatments. But what happens if they don’t work? You should take your cat to the vet before the condition gets worse.
It’s best to be safer than sorry! Your vet might recommend Laxatives for cats, which are over-the-counter medications to ease constipation, it is one of the most effective ways to make constipated cats poop.
References:
- Constipation in cats — VCA Hospitals
- Unclogging the constipated cats — DVM360
- Impact of fecal impactions — Cornell University