My Cat Isn’t Pooping

How Do You Treat My Cats Constipation

1. Changing your cats food

Changing to a high fiber diet in the form of canned food is important for the long-term management of constipation in cats. Ideally, this new food should be high in soluble fiber, which is important for increasing water into the stool, and is highly digestible/fermentable. With cat constipation, I prefer canned food however, not all cats will eat that! If your cat only eats dry food, please know that there are high fiber, prescription dry cat foods too. Remember, when it comes to cats, diet changes should occur very slowly to allow them plenty of time to acclimate. Psyllium products can also be sprinkled onto food, but keep in mind that some cats wont eat readily.

2. Fluid therapy

Whether given under the skin or in the vein directly , this is an important way of helping hydrate your cat and restore some moisture into the feces. This is also why its so important that your cats water intake is enhanced by providing clean, fresh water at all times!

3. Stool softeners

There are several types of stool softeners used in cats. These can be over-the-counter or prescription . When in doubt, always check with a veterinarian first prior to using these as they can cause secondary side effects .

4. Enemas

5. Prokinetics

These are drugs that help the gastrointestinal tract contract more. These are prescription medications from your veterinarian such as cisapride , metoclopramide, and ranitidine. Cisapride is thought to be the most effective.

7. Surgery

Best Way To Help A Constipated Cat Poop Again

Take him to your vet. There! Easy! The Cornell Feline Health Center indicates a vet will evaluate your cat’s hydration levels, assess overall health, and eliminate other possible clinical causes.

Another reason why a professional exam is the best remedy for cat constipation is if the condition is more serious, the vet team takes immediate action. “Constipated cats may need an enema at the vet clinic to help them defecate. This is a liquid that softens and lubricates the passage of feces,” Anthony says. “Some cats can get so ‘blocked up’ that they are unable to move the stool. This is called obstipation and requires fecal extraction by a doctor under sedation/anesthesia.”

There are home remedies for cat constipation that you’ll probably find online, and your vet will likely recommend the safest and most effective options. “Often, adding fiber such as pumpkin or psyllium and/or stool softeners can help, as will increasing dietary moisture with canned food or low-sodium broths,” Anthony says. “No changes should be made prior to visiting a veterinarian, however, as dietary recommendations should be made with the whole cat in mind.”

When To Be Concerned When A Cat Poops Outside Their Litter Box

If your cat has pooped outside the litter box once or twice and then returned to using the litter box normally, this is likely not cause for concern. Your cat may have been blocked from reaching the litter box or may not have been able to get to the litter box quickly enough.

Its always a good idea to periodically review your litter box management, so this is a great time to double check that you are following all of the recommendations above to give your cat a clean and welcoming litter box. If your cat does not poop outside the litter box again, then theres likely no cause for concern.

If your cat continues to poop outside the litter box, then its best to see your veterinarian for an examination and diagnostic testing. Your cat may have an underlying medical issue contributing to the inappropriate defecation. Once an underlying cause for the inappropriate defecation is diagnosed, your veterinarian can prescribe appropriate treatment to help get your cat back on track.

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How To Help Your Constipated Cat

If your cat is straining to go to the toilet, you should ensure that they have passed urine recently. A blocked bladder can cause straining, which often looks pretty similar to constipation. If youre not sure whether they can pass urine, you should take them to see a member of our veterinary team without delay.

If your cat is constipated but is otherwise well, you can try increasing their water intake for a few days. You can do this by adding water to their food, leaving more water bowls around the house, and encouraging them to drink from running taps or cat water fountains. The extra fluid should help stop them from becoming dehydrated and help to soften the stools in the colon.

If your cat is constipated and may have eaten something foreign, or is acting unwell, vomiting, or bleeding from their bottom, you should contact the veterinary clinic right away.

Common Medications For Cat Constipation

Medications that veterinarians rely on when treating cat constipation include lactulose, a non-digestible synthetic sugar that acts as a stool softener. Lactulose works by pulling water into the intestines, which makes it easier for things to move, Wallace explains.

Another is Miralax, an over-the-counter laxative and stool softener. Miralax is available in a powder, which Wallace says works much like lactulose. Though pet parents may be able to get Miralax over the counter, Wallace asserts that they should not administer it before consulting with a veterinarian.

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Eating Or Drinking Less Than Normal

If your cats appetite or thirst suddenly decreases, it could be a sign of a range of problems, too. Among the possible causes for these signs are pain , digestive upset or obstruction, advanced kidney disease, an infection, and a host of other possible medical issues. If your cat isnt eating, dont wait to contact your veterinarian. If this isnt addressed quickly, it can lead to a type of liver disease that is often fatal.

Cats Not Using The Litter Box As A Sign Of Illness

Going outside the litter box can also be a sign that your cat is sick. In particular, frequent urination, especially outside of the litter box, can signal a urinary tract infection or feline interstitial cystitis . If your cat continues to go outside the litter box, especially if you see them urinating frequently, its time for a visit to the veterinarian.

To prevent urinary tract troubles, make sure your cat has plenty of water to drink at all times. Also, consider giving them wet food once a day. In the wild, cats get almost all of their needed moisture out of their prey, but todays kibbled dry food doesnt provide the same amount.

The good news is that litter box troubles are usually temporary. Once you discover the underlying issue, you will be able to get your cat back on track. Whether its changing to a new type of litter or litter box, moving the box to a new location, keeping it more clean for fastidious felines, or treating a urinary tract infection, youll soon be back to a routine with your kitty.

Your cat is telling you that something is wrong when they go outside the box. Once that trouble is addressed, itll be back to pets, purrs, and playtime, without worry about poop time.

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What Is Cat Constipation

Constipation is defined as infrequent or difficult defecation. This may mean hard stool large, uncomfortable pellets or no production of poop at all.

Cat constipation is a short-term problem. If your cat continues to be constipated, it can become obstipation or even megacolon, which is the advanced stage of chronic cat constipation that is often nonresponsive to medical management.

Always take your cat to the vet if they are straining in the litter box. The underlying cause could possibly be serious or deadly if untreated.

The 1 Big Reason Your Cat Hasnt Pooped In 5 Days

Editors Note: NaturalPetsHQ.com is supported by readers and may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Recommendations are based on personal experience and the criteria outlined in the article.

Cats have an amazing system for conserving water. Their kidneys are able to keep the moisture needed by the body even when drinking water is scarce. Thats why cats have a low thirst level compared with some other animals.

Constipation in cats is caused directly or indirectly by dehydration. The first order of business to get things moving is to rehydrate your cat. In mild cases, feeding her canned cat food with a side of chicken broth may be enough to resolve the problem.

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How Can I Get My Cat To Stop Pooping On The Floor

The best way to stop your cat from pooping on the floor is by adding another litterbox for your cat.

Blocking off the locations hes utilizing as an alternate box, depending on where hes peeing and pooping, is a decent short-term option. Closing him in a tiny space with his litterbox can also help him develop good litterbox habits.

If your cat has a terrible relationship with the old box, you might want to try a new one. Try a shallow box in another section of the basement if your present boxes are deep and covered.

Go around your house and discover all of your cats previous accidents, then clean them up. If your cat detects the odor of past urine or excrement in a basement corner, he may decide to urinate there again. So use a cleaner specifically designed for pet urine to thoroughly clean it!

This may include playing music at work, offering him daily play periods with a decent wand toy , giving him daily goodies via a puzzle toy, or simply spending extra time with him.

All of these will make him feel less stressed. Remember that stress is a common cause of litterbox problems!

Many cats refuse to use a litter box. Even if your cat has always been a trooper when it comes to getting his paws filthy, he may be becoming fussier as he gets older. Scoop the box at least once a day, if not twice a day.

Some diffusers and other devices can assist, but they are unlikely to address the problem on their own.

Also, check out home remedies to stop cats from pooping on carpet

My Cat’s Pooing Blood But Has No Other Symptoms What Does This Mean

Remember that cats are very good at hiding signs of illness so just because you cant see any other obvious signs it doesnt mean you should ignore the blood in their poo. Dont wait for other signs to appear, the blood itself is enough to warrant a call to the vet. While the cause might be mild and not a massive cause for concern, its always better to be safe than sorry.

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How To Change Out Your Cats Litter

If you do have to change out your cats litter for a better brand, do so gradually. That means first mix 4:1 , then mix , then mix 1:4 until youve transitioned them entirely over to the new over the course of several weeks. This is sure to fix the problem. Consider some of the best all-natural cat litter brands.

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Symptoms Of Constipation In Cats

Constipation is characterized by infrequent stools or stools that are difficult to pass. Most cats will poop about every 24-36 hours. If your cat is pooping less frequently and having some difficulty, she may be constipated.

While there is some normal variation, if its been more than 48-72 hours without a bowel movement, you should contact your vet.

The main signs of constipation in cats are:

• Dry, hard stools

Normally, the poop is a rich brown color and should look well-formed. A healthy stool has enough moisture that litter will stick to it, says Dr. Liz Bales, VMD. Cats with constipation may have very dry, hard stools. You may find these stools outside the litter box, because the discomfort of trying to pass stool can cause cats to leave the litter box before theyre actually finished.

• Crying or straining in the litter box, or avoiding it altogether

Other signs of discomfort can be vocalizing or straining when using the litter box or going in and out multiple times before using it. Your cat may strain but not be able to poop at all. Showing discomfort in the litter box can also be a sign of serious urinary tract issues, so you should contact a vet if you see these signs.

Constipation is really a symptom of other issues, so you may also see signs of the underlying cause. These may include:

• Walking stiffly

If youre seeing any of these symptoms, with or without constipation, you should discuss them with your cats vet.

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Why Do Some Cats Eliminate Outside The Litter Box

Litter-Box Management Problems

If your cat isnt comfortable with her litter box or cant easily access it, she probably wont use it. The following common litter-box problems might cause her to eliminate outside of her box:

• You havent cleaned your cats litter box often or thoroughly enough.
• You havent provided enough litter boxes for your household. Be sure to have a litter box for each of your cats, as well as one extra.
• Your cats litter box is too small for her.
• Your cat cant easily get to her litter box at all times.
• Your cats litter box has a hood or liner that makes her uncomfortable.
• The litter in your cats box is too deep. Cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter.

Surface Preference

Some cats develop preferences for eliminating on certain surfaces or textures like carpet, potting soil or bedding.

Litter Preference or Aversion

As predators who hunt at night, cats have sensitive senses of smell and touch to help them navigate through their environment. These sensitivities can also influence a cats reaction to her litter. Cats who have grown accustomed to a certain litter might decide that they dislike the smell or feel of a different litter.

Location Preference or Aversion

Like people and dogs, cats develop preferences for where they like to eliminate and may avoid locations they dont like. This means they might avoid their litter box if its in a location they dislike.

Inability to Use the Litter Box

Negative Litter-Box Association

Household Stress

Diseases That Can Lead To Constipation

Now that weve established cat constipation is a secondary problem caused by dehydration, lets talk about primary diseases that can lead to low body water and trouble pooping.

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Help My Cat Or Kitten Isnt Pooping Why Isnt It And How To Help It

Just like human beings, cats have biological needs. And when they have to go, they just have to. But what about when your cat or kitten isnt pooping properly?

Now, its a fairly common problem for pet parents when cats pee outside the box or when they have diarrhea.

But when young cats or kittens dont go poop at all, its much more rare.

I mean, most kittens tend to poop everywhere except for the litter box, right? So youll know when somethings up.

Others use the litter box only occasionally. If youre having this type of problem, check out our article on how to remove pee and poop stains from carpets and other areas in your home.

However, for those young kittens which dont poop at all, heres what you need to know.

Why Does My Cat Pee But Not Poop In The Litterbox

Cats need two separate litterboxes for peeing and pooping. Many senior cats poop on the floor instead of litterboxes due to medical issues.

If she has constipation, she may link the box with her discomfort and try to relieve herself someplace else. If your cat is elderly and has arthritis, perching on the litter substrate to expel solids may be challenging for her.

If you have a covered litter box, she can feel claustrophobic while perching to defecate.

Defecating beyond the box is prevalent in cats with a variety of digestive issues . She may have cramps, which prompts her to try to relieve herself wherever she is at the moment. She may possibly grow so agitated that she is unable to reach the box.

It is recommended to take her to your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues, and if that isnt the case, your veterinarian can talk to you about behavioral approaches to get her to defecate in her box. Take a sample of her excrement to the veterinarian to be examined.

Begin by obtaining a second box to be placed adjacent to the first. Make sure the litter boxes are clean as well. If this doesnt work, speak with your veterinarian.

Also, bear in mind that things may be a lot worse. The cat might be pooping in the litter box and peeing outside of it, or even worse, doing both.

Your cat is most likely attempting to communicate that it does not want to share the same little space for two separate purposes.

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How Vets Diagnose Cat Constipation

First, your veterinarian will get a history of the problem. Youll describe the symptoms, when they started, and other factors that may be related to your cats constipation.

Providing a full history is very important because straining in the litter box can also be a symptom of lower urinary issues and diarrhea.

After getting your cats history, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam. In constipated cats, a vet can often feel the hard stool, but not always.

Next, your veterinarian will recommend X-rays to evaluate the extent of constipation to determine the best initial treatment for your cat. Bloodwork is often required to assess underlying diseases that may predispose your cat to constipation.