Cat And Kitten Constipation
Cats should produce a stool around once a day. If your cat hasnt been to the toilet for 48 to 72 hours they may be constipated. One of the most common causes of constipation in cats and kittens is dehydration. But constipation is also often a side effect of several conditions including diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and ruptured or impacted anal sacs. Constipation can affect any cat at any age, but its more commonly seen in middle-aged and older male cats. Obese cats are also at greater risk. If constipation is left untreated it can lead to more serious issues.
Why Does Cat Poop On The Floor
There are a few reasons cats might poop on the floor, a few of which may show a medical or behavioral condition. However sometimes this issue occurs when a feline discovers that something about their litter box is not up to their requirements. If you desire to keep your cat utilizing the litter box frequently, taking care of your cats litter box correctly is essential. Here are five common errors that cat owners make with their cats litter box.
What Can Happen If Constipation Goes Untreated
If your cat’s constipation is not alleviated, obstipation-the inability to empty her colon on her own-can occur. In this state, the colon is packed with an uncomfortably large amount of feces, causing unproductive straining, lethargy, appetite loss and possibly even vomiting. This can result in the swelling of your cat’s colon and loss of the colon’s motility.
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How Are Constipation And Megacolon Diagnosed
In most cases, a diagnosis of constipation can be made on the basis of the cat’s clinical signs and medical history. Affected cats usually strain unsuccessfully to defecate, and may cry in pain. Any feces passed are hard and dry. The cat may also show signs of lethargy, reluctance to eat, abdominal pain and distension, and vomiting.
Unless your cat is obese or tense, your veterinarian can often palpate or feel the accumulated fecal material in the colon. Further tests may be needed in order to diagnose the cause of the constipation. These may include abdominal and pelvic radiographs to look for pelvic injuries, colonic strictures , or tumors, as well as bloodwork and urine testing to look for underlying disease conditions that can contribute to constipation. Radiographs are also the primary test for the diagnosis of this condition.
Fading Kitten Syndrome: Treatment
If your kitten cant walk or stand, is very cold or showing any other sign of these above mentioned symptoms: take it to the veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. In addition, make sure the kitten is warm, has enough water and is offered an adequate high quality diet.
For more, we recommend taking a look at our article where we discuss how to care for kittens.
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Injuries To The Pelvis Bone
Considering the fact that most people keep cats as indoor pets nowadays, felines rarely get into bone-breaking accidents. Still, if your cat injures its pelvis bone, its daily activities shall change significantly due to the pain. That is why if your kitten cries when pooping, it’s a good idea to check the pet for bruises. In light cases, people could help the felines recover by restricting the mobility of the pets for a few weeks. On the other hand, outside intervention may be necessary in the case the extent of the damage is substantial.
Five Common Cat Digestive Problems
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Digestive problems in cats are relatively common and many pet parents think they are normal. But if your cat vomits regularly or has loose stool, then there is something going on under the hood. It might be time to change their food or environment, and it’s definitely time to talk to your veterinarian. Here are some tips for solving the most common cat digestive problems.
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How Can Constipation And Megacolon Be Treated
Treatment varies depending on the cause of constipation. If an obstruction such as a colonic tumor is present, surgery may be required.
Initial treatment of a cat with constipation may involve administration of enemas and manual extraction of feces by a veterinarian. Removal of feces from the colon often requires an anesthetic or sedative. Intravenous fluid therapy is usually required to correct fluid imbalances and dehydration that worsen the constipation. If the constipation recurs or becomes a long-term problem, dietary management or medications may be needed to prevent recurrence. A number of treatments are available to soften the feces and promote regular bowel movements. In mildly affected cats, high fiber diets, lubricating laxatives, or stool softeners may prevent recurrence.
Those more severely affected may need drugs that stimulate contraction of the colon. The dose of these drugs is adjusted as needed to produce the desired effect. Ideally, cats should defecate at least once every other day. Over time, resistance to the treatment and medications may develop, necessitating an increase in the drug dosage or a change in therapy. You should not make changes to your cat’s treatment protocol without consulting your veterinarian.
“You should not make changes to your cat’s treatment protocol without consulting your veterinarian.”
My Cat Cant Walk Straight
There are numerous causes which can explain your cat having trouble walking or standing. In older cats, you may notice that they stop climbing heights.This is often a a sign of pain, often caused by a degenerative process such as osteoarthritis in cats. If you believe your cat may be suffering a degenerative disease or is in pain, take a look at our article where we answer, How can I tell if my cat is in pain?
Cats that have previously or are currently recovering from diseases such as feline panleukopenia , can also suffer from neurological sequelae that affect their walking. These such cats will struggle to walk straight and lift their legs properly. Does your cat lose its balance easily? Does your cat lack coordination? This may be the reason why. These such damages can be irreversible, but they do not prevent your cat from leading a normal life.
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What Does Healthy Cat Poop Look Like
If you are going to identify abnormal poop in your feline friend, you must first know what healthy cat poop looks like.
Cat droppings can come in many forms, but there is a general description of what you should expect in a healthy cat. Healthy cat poop should be classified by normal color, consistency, and frequency.
Healthy cat poop should be formed and brown in color. Cats should also have at least one bowel movement a day, or at least follow a normal schedule in terms of their litter box habits.
Not only should their poop be brown in color, but the color should not change if their diet remains the same. If their stool texture or color ever has a sudden change in appearance, its best to contact your veterinarian for further advice.
How Is Constipation Treated In Cats
Though some constipation issues are mild and can be treated with changes to diet and lifestyle, along with at-home remedies, some may be severe and need the attention of your vet. Serious issues may become emergencies.
Constipation must be treated as soon as possible to decrease the risk of permanent damage as a result of prolonged distension of the colon.
To treat constipation in cats, the underlying disorder must be identified and if possible, corrected.
Impacted feces should be removed and recurrences prevented. The inability to pass urine or feces, or pain when passing urine or feces, is considered a veterinary emergency. Your veterinarian may first run any applicable diagnostic tests, then provide fluids or an enema for immediate relief, and prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter meds.
A qualified veterinary professional can safely and effectively perform an enema for your cat – NEVER attempt to do this yourself – some types of enemas designed for humans are toxic to cats.
If your cats constipation is long-term or if your kitty is suffering from obstipation , they may have megacolon, which is an enlarged intestine due to a defect in the colons muscle strength.
Cats with chronic constipation or megacolon that do not respond to medical treatment may need to have the section of the large intestine thats affected removed.
How to treat constipation in cats: At-Home Remedies
These at-home remedies may help to relieve your feline friends constipation:
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Treatment Of Difficult Defecation In Cats
Treatment recommendations will depend on the severity of the constipation and the underlying cause.
Home Care
It a cat is straining to defecate but is still producing feces daily, home care may be sufficient. As long as the cat remains hydrated, changes in diet may correct the problem. Feeding the cat canned food and adding a small amount of laxative to meals is often helpful. Feeding plain canned pumpkin may help to regulate the affected cat.
For willing owners with compliant cats, short-term use of suppository laxatives may aid in relief. It is best to consult with your veterinarian prior to administering any over-the-counter medication. Owners should be aware that human enema solution should never be used as it contains a high amount of potassium that can be fatal to cats. If the cat fails to defecate after 48 hours, a trip to the veterinarians office is highly recommended.
Veterinary Care
If the affected cat is dehydrated or bleeding internally, the veterinarian will treat this immediately. Fluids are likely to be administered either under the skin, intravenously, or both. The vet may perform one or more warm-water enemas and is likely to prescribe laxatives, antibiotics, and/or anti-inflammatory drugs. Balloon dilation, a treatment that slowly widens the intestinal canal to allow feces to be expelled, may be performed.
What Can I Do To Prevent My Cat From Becoming Constipated
- Add moisture to the diet in the form of cat fountains, canned food or water added to food
- Add fibre to the diet
- Add exercise this encourages the smooth muscle to push stool towards the rectum
- Add pain management for arthritis
- Add a mild laxative for hairball control
- Any medications should only be given under the guidance of a veterinarian.
In addition to keeping litter box odour away, daily litter box cleaning is a good way of keeping tabs on your cats urinating and defecating habits, so that you can quickly recognize changes.
If you have any questions or concerns about your cats bowel movements talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services.
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Old Cat Not Going To Toilet
A senior cat faces a higher risk of constipation for the following reasons:
- Prone to joint and leg stiffness due to arthritis
- Exercise less frequently, leading to obesity
- Weaker immunity and more likely to get intestinal problems
If your cat cannot make it into the litter box, it will hold onto its feces for longer. This leads to harder waste and constipation in senior cats.
Why Is My Cat Pooping Outside Of The Box
Pooping outside of the box can be your cats way of telling you something like I dont like it when you leave me home alone all day, or Im upset that theres a new pet in the house. Your cat could also be making a statement about the litter box itself, such as:
Going outside of the box can also point to a health issue, so be sure to talk to your vet if the situation continues.
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Sausage Shaped & Slightly Firm
Sausage shaped stool that has the consistency of soft playdough is a sign of a healthy digestive system.
This often means that your cat is responding well to their daily diet, and are likely free of any intestinal parasites that cause diarrhea.
This stool should be brown in color, and remain consistent in texture and color as long as their diet remains the same. Litter will also stick to this form of cat poop, as each passing will contain some moisture.
What Causes Constipation In Cats
Constipation can occur if things arent moving normally through the intestines. Factors contributing to your cats constipation may include:
- Pain or other issues in the spine
- Anxiety or stress
- Dry food diets
- Not enough fiber in her diet
- An obstruction such as bones or string blocking the colon
- Kidney issues
- Excessive grooming
- Feline megacolon
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Narrow places, tumors or other problems inside the colon
- Cancer
- Chronic diseases such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes or kidney disease
- Ruptured or impacted anal sacs
- Perianal disease
Though elderly cats experience constipation more often than kittens, the condition can develop in cats of any breed or age who eat a low-fiber diet or dont drink enough water.
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How To Make An Elderly Cat Poop When Constipated
A senior cat should empty its bowels no less than once a day. Any less than that regularity suggests that your elderly cat is constipated.
Keep your cat regular with an age-specific diet and exercise. Provide stool softeners or mild laxatives to relieve constipation. You can also encourage cats to eliminate manually. Rubbing a damp washcloth on a cats anus mimics the sensation of a mother cat licking a kitten.
You can usually treat feline constipation at home, but dont allow the problem to go unresolved for longer than 24 hours. With dietary and lifestyle changes, your older cat should start to go to the toilet regularly.
always Ask For Help
This is just one reason why you should certainly bring your cat to see a veterinarian before you attempt to solve the problem by yourself. A vet would be able to figure out if there is validity to your concern about your cat not defecating.
âI have seen cases where clients have started giving laxatives to cats that they thought were constipated, but actually the cat had diarrhea and was defecating outside . The owner only saw the signs of straining and assumed the issue was constipation,â he says.
Improperly prescribed laxatives such as Miralax will only worsen diarrhea, so itâs important to get a professional opinion before you begin any sort of at-home treatment. Your vet can easily feel your catâs abdomen and understand if your catâs discomfort is due to constipation, bladder issues, or something else. And, in the case that the cause is something else, a vet will be able to help your pet in an expedient manner.
If youâre sure your cat is constipated and you received explicit permission from a trusted veterinarian that you can begin to treat their condition, you can start to give your cat laxative supplement treatments at home.
âLaxatives are usually prescribed to treat mild/moderate constipation,â says Dr. Garside. âIf it is severe, then an enema under anesthetic may be required.â
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Cat Poop Chart Is Your Cats Poop Normal
A cats digestive habits can offer a peak into their overall health. While it may seem a bit gross to examine your cats poop, its an easy way to ensure that you are offering a diet that works for them.
Not only can your cats stool give you the okay on their food intake, but changes in their poop can point to developing illness as well. So how do you know if your cats poop is normal?
In this article we will discuss the many forms of cat poop that you may see in the litter box, and help you understand what healthy stool should look like in our feline friends!
How Is Constipation In Cats Treated
Though some constipation issues are mild and can be treated with changes to diet and lifestyle, along with at-home remedies, some may be severe and need the attention of your vet. Serious issues may become emergencies.
Constipation must be treated as soon as possible to decrease the risk of permanent damage as a result of prolonged distension of the colon.
To treat constipation in cats, the underlying disorder must be identified and if possible, corrected. Impacted feces should be removed and recurrences prevented. The inability to pass urine or feces, or pain when passing urine or feces, is considered a veterinary emergency. Your veterinarian may first run any applicable diagnostic tests, then provide fluids or an enema for immediate relief, and prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter meds.
Lets stress that veterinary expertise is needed to safely and effectively perform the enema – these should not be done at home as some types of enemas designed for humans are toxic to cats.
If your cats constipation is long-term or shes suffering from obstipation , she may have megacolon, an enlarged intestine due to a defect in the colons muscle strength.
Cats with chronic constipation or megacolon that does not respond to medical treatment may need to have the section of the large intestine thats affected removed.
How to treat constipation in cats: At-Home Remedies
These at-home remedies may help to relive your cats constipation:
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What If There Is Blood In Cat Poop
Dont panic if you notice blood in your cats stool. It might just be that your cat had a bit of constipation and strained too hard while trying to go. If the problem continues and theres a lot of blood, the blood is bright red, or other concerning symptoms come up, take your cat to the veterinarian. Your cat may have an issue that requires medical treatment, like infection, parasites, food allergy, polyps, cancer, or bowel obstruction.