You’ve watched your cat stroll out and in of the litter field a number of instances, which is in contrast to him.
When he was within the field, he was straining, and he even cried out just a few instances. However whenever you checked, he hadn’t pooped in any respect.
You believe you studied your cat is constipated. Is that this one thing you ought to be frightened about, or will constipation resolve itself, prefer it usually does in people?[1]
The quick reply is that constipation in cats can grow to be severe surprisingly rapidly. The issue is that being constipated for too lengthy (which isn’t very lengthy in any respect), may cause everlasting harm to a cat’s colon.
Preserve studying to know what occurs to cats once they get constipated.
In a wholesome cat, it takes about 20 hours (kind of) for meals to maneuver from her mouth to her litter field as poop.[2]
But when issues don’t go easily, the poop can get caught partway by means of the journey.
The intestines are speculated to be shifting issues alongside, holding all the pieces mushy and moist and versatile. However generally, poop stops on the colon and by no means makes its approach to the rectum and out by means of the anus, the way in which it’s speculated to.
It’s an issue that form of feeds on itself: the extra poop that accumulates within the colon, the more durable and drier and tougher it turns into for the cat to go any of it.
Constipation in cats refers to a decreased frequency of pooping or the whole absence of poop.
In case your cat is constipated, you’re most likely going to note that his poop, if he is ready to produce one, appears to be like totally different. So, it’s essential to first know what a wholesome cat’s poop appears to be like like.
A wholesome cat poop is wealthy brown in colour. It’s about 4 to 6 inches in size, and formed like a sausage.[3] (I’m sorry. That’s most likely the final time you’re ever going to eat sausage.)
A standard cat poop has sufficient moisture in order that litter sticks to it, however not sufficient moisture to actually go away a mark on a tough floor, if that’s the place you’re selecting it up from.
A wholesome poop ought to be agency and maintain its form, however not so agency that you would be able to’t squeeze it. I’m assuming you’re sporting gloves when you’re squeezing cat poop.
The opposite factor you must know, earlier than coming to the conclusion that your cat could be constipated, is how usually a wholesome, non-constipated cat poops.
Most cats poop each 12-24 hours.[4]
If it’s been greater than 48-72 hours with no poop, you’ll want to contact your vet.[5]
Except for an absence of poop within the litter field, or not sufficient poop within the litter field, there are telltale indicators {that a} cat could be affected by constipation:
- Your cat seems to be straining within the litter field.
- Your cat is holding herself in hunched place.
- She is steadily coming into and exiting the litter field.
- She could be avoiding the litter field.
- She is hiding.
- Your cat might have issue leaping up.
- She could be strolling stiffly.
- She may appear to be peeing greater than regular.
- Poop within the litter field, if there’s any, is difficult, dry, and pebble-shaped.
- Your cat might seem to have belly ache.
- Your cat might go small quantities of what appears to be like like diarrhea.[6],[7]
Notice that this final bullet level doesn’t check with precise diarrhea. Cats who’re constipated might go a small quantity of liquid feces and even blood, as a consequence of all that straining. The liquid is simply in a position to scootch across the mound of arduous, dry feces within the colon.
(Learn all about cats and diarrhea on this submit.)
Just a little liquid feces doesn’t imply that your cat’s constipation is resolved.
There are a lot of potential causes of constipation in cats:
Dehydration
Cats are notoriously fussy about ingesting water. Cat guardians want ensure that they’re doing all the pieces attainable to make sure that their cats are ingesting sufficient to remain hydrated.
I’ve written a weblog submit about this matter (Why gained’t my cat drink out of her bowl?), with suggestions for encouraging a cat to drink extra.
Dehydration contributes to constipation as a result of it’s the job of the colon to soak up moisture from poop if the remainder of the cat’s physique wants it.
So, if a cat isn’t ingesting sufficient water, the colon will “save” the water within the poop and go it again to the cat’s physique cells, the place it’s wanted much more.
This turns moist poop that might in any other case glide effortlessly by means of the digestive tract, into arduous and dry lump that will get caught within the colon as an alternative.[8]
Notice that continual kidney illness (CKD), which causes cats to pee extra and thus, doubtlessly, grow to be dehydrated, also can trigger constipation.[9]
Litter-box points
The truth that cats use a litter field is nothing in need of a miracle. Although we are inclined to take the litter field as a right, cats weren’t designed to pee and poop in a tiny field with faux sand in it. It’s your job, as cat guardian, to know this miracle, and to deal with it just like the marvel that it’s.
Your cat won’t use the field if it’s not clear sufficient. He won’t use the field if he appears like there’s an excessive amount of competitors for the litter field from his kitty housemates. He won’t use the litter field if he doesn’t just like the litter you picked out. He won’t use the litter field if he doesn’t like the placement of the litter field.
And in case your cat is “holding it” as a result of he simply doesn’t just like the litter-box state of affairs in your home, it’s possible you’ll find yourself with a constipated cat. And a constipated cat is a a lot greater drawback than simply cleansing the litter field, shifting the litter field, or placing out further litter bins.
Right here is a few studying on these matters:
Must you bathroom prepare your cat?
What number of litter bins do I would like?
Find out how to hold litter field odor beneath management
Ache
Something that causes ache, particularly ache that could be triggered by trying to poop, may cause a cat to keep away from pooping, and thus grow to be constipated.
Osteoarthritis could make getting out and in of the litter field too painful, for instance. Alternatively, in case your cat has eaten one thing she shouldn’t have, like a bone, it may harm the liner of the colon because it strikes by means of, and discourage a cat from pooping.
Abscesses, or irritation of the pores and skin across the anus, or impacted anal glands may additionally trigger a cat to cease pooping to keep away from ache.[10]
Obstructions
Something that stops poop from zooming alongside by means of the bowels may cause constipation.
If a cat has a pelvic damage that ends in a narrowing of the pelvic canal, that might trigger poop to again up.[11]
Tumors[12], international our bodies, even actually dangerous hairballs can grow to be roadblocks that might stop poop from exiting the physique prefer it’s speculated to.
Illness
Some metabolic ailments, like hypothyroidism or diabetes, or ailments that have an effect on blood ranges of potassium or calcium,[13] can intervene with the colon’s means to contract usually and transfer poop on by means of.
Constipation will also be a facet impact of sure medicine used to deal with illness, too.
Any cat, at any age, can undergo from constipation.
However it’s principally middle-aged cats who are inclined to undergo from it.[14]
Megacolon is a situation that both causes constipation in cats, or is attributable to constipation in cats. It’s a chicken-or-the-egg form of drawback.
Megacolon describes a flabby, weak colon that may’t squeeze arduous sufficient to push poop out.
Typically megacolon is a “main” situation, that means {that a} cat already has megacolon, and megacolon is the issue inflicting the constipation. In different phrases, the colon is so saggy and free that poop collects in it, and the muscular tissues lining the colon aren’t sturdy sufficient to ship that poop on its manner.
Typically megacolon is a “secondary” situation, that means {that a} cat will get constipated, and it’s the constipation that causes the megacolon. In different phrases, an excessive amount of poop collects within the colon, and that quantity of poop stretches out the colon and impacts its means to contract correctly.[15]
In case your cat hasn’t pooped in 48-72 hours, or, in case your cat seems uncomfortable, you need to deliver him to the vet.
The thought is to deal with the constipation earlier than the colon turns into too stretched out.[16]
Your vet will assist you:
- Establish the reason for the constipation.
- Right the reason for the constipation.
- Take away the caught poop.
- Forestall a reoccurrence of the constipation.
Vets trying to diagnose constipation or megacolon in a cat are going to look for a similar signs that you simply’re on the lookout for (see above).
However they’ll additionally usually really feel the poop amassing within the colon, simply from the surface of the cat’s physique.[17]
However there are different checks your vet might conduct, too (see beneath).
If that is the primary time your cat is constipated, your vet might counsel a easy, therapeutic process to rehydrate her with subcutaneous (beneath the pores and skin) or intravenous (IV) fluids.[18]
Typically, the poop is so caught that your cat would require an enema. A vet will inject water by means of the cat’s anus to her colon. It will add water to the dry poop and also will stimulate the colon to contract.
By the way in which, don’t try to provide your cat an enema at residence. Enemas designed for people will be very poisonous to cats.[19]
Your vet may additionally manually take away the poop out of your cat’s colon. Your cat will probably must be sedated for this process.
If there isn’t a transparent, easy clarification for the constipation, or, if constipation is a continual drawback to your cat, your vet might wish to discover the issue additional.
X-rays
Your vet might counsel taking just a few X-rays of your cat to search for pelvic accidents, tumors, or strictures (narrowing) of the exit from the colon, or something that could be holding the poop contained in the cat.
X-rays also can present arthritis, or different orthopedic issues that could be making it troublesome to your cat to get in or out of the litter field, or squat comfortably to poop.
Blood and urine checks
Blood checks can reply questions on whether or not your cat is affected by a metabolic illness that could be inflicting continual constipation.
Urine checks can inform your vet how dehydrated your cat actually is.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound will also be helpful in assessing a cat’s mobility, and can assist information a biopsy of any suspicious lesions in a cat’s digestive tract.
Neurological examination
In case your vet suspects {that a} neurological drawback – a dysfunction within the mind, spinal twine, or nerves – is behind your cat’s continual constipation, she or he might advocate a full neurological examination.
Sure cat breeds, corresponding to the Manx cat, are liable to issues of the spinal twine.
Your vet has an arsenal of medicines to assist a cat who’s chronically constipated.
There are stool softeners that enhance the quantity of water the poop absorbs within the intestine.
There are lubricating laxatives that work by growing the water content material within the poop and making the poop extra slippery in order that it’s simpler to go.
There are prescription high-fiber diets that add weight and bulk to the poop to make it simpler to go.
There are intestinal motility modifiers that enhance the pressure of contractions within the colon.[20]
Surgical procedure is just not usually mandatory for many cats affected by constipation.
Within the unlikely occasion that there’s a everlasting lack of operate of a part of the colon (referred to as obstipation), or extreme megacolon, your vet might advocate surgical procedure to save lots of your cat’s life.[21]
It is a important process and never one that the majority vets would undertake evenly. Normally, a cat can be struggling with megacolon for at the least six months, and wouldn’t be responding to medical administration of the issue earlier than surgical procedure would ever be thought of.
(*Notice: as an Amazon Affiliate, I could earn from qualifying purchases.)
Encourage your cat to drink extra
Many cats grow to be dehydrated as a result of they’re merely not ingesting sufficient water. Learn this submit to know why cats don’t are inclined to drink very a lot and what you are able to do about it, together with:
In case you feed your cat dry meals, contemplate switching to moist meals. You’ll be able to learn all in regards to the variations between moist meals and dry on this submit.
You can even do this uncommon product made by Purina, referred to as Hydra Care, which can assist a cat devour extra liquid and soak up extra water into their cells.
Preserve your cat at a wholesome weight
You’ll be able to assist stop constipation in cats by ensuring your cat is a wholesome weight. Weight problems in cats may cause irritation within the intestines, which may actually gradual issues down. In actually chubby cats, further fats can truly intervene with the motion of poop by means of the intestine.[22]
Learn this submit about serving to your cat drop some pounds.
Be certain that your cat loves his litter field
Make your cat’s litter field as interesting as attainable:
- Be certain that your cat has sufficient litter bins to select from. The magic quantity is 1 + the variety of cats in your house.
- Ensure you have a litter field on each ground of your home.
- Be certain that your litter field is as much as your cat’s private normal of cleanliness.
- Be certain that the litter bins are in quiet, non-public areas, however not in a decent nook or on the finish of a hallway, the place your cat may really feel trapped.
Give your cat a motive to maneuver
A sedentary life is just not good for anybody, and it’s particularly unhealthy to your cat’s intestine.
Exercise can promote regular, wholesome motion of your cat’s intestines. Give your cat a wide range of toys, timber, and window seats to encourage him to rise up and transfer round.
However most significantly, play together with your cat! There may be nothing extra fascinating than you in your cat’s world. And no higher prescription for good kitty well being.
Love Pinterest? This is a Pinterest-friendly pin to your boards!
Daybreak LaFontaine is a lifelong animal lover who all the time appears to have a bit of pet hair in her keyboard. Her weblog, Kitty Contemplations, helps cat guardians higher perceive and take care of the particular beings they share their lives and houses with. Her cat-products enterprise, Cat within the Field, sells stunning, well-made, and award-winning merchandise that she designed to satisfy the organic wants of cats.
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FOOTNOTES
[1] Jenkins, Sarah. “Find out how to Relieve Constipation.” Nationwide Affiliation For Continence, 31 Jan. 2023, nafc.org/bhealth-blog/how-to-relieve-constipation/.
[2] “Animal Digestive Methods.” Gastrointestinal Society, 14 Feb. 2022, badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/animal-digestive-systems/.
[3] Corbin, Dr. Jennifer. “Find out how to Perceive Your Cat’s Stool [Cat Poop Chart].” Dutch, Dutch, 21 Dec. 2021, www.dutch.com/blogs/cats/cat-poop-chart.
[4] “8 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” PetMD, www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/cat-constipation-how-to-help. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
[5] ibid.
[6] Weir, Malcolm, and Ernest Ward. “Constipation in Cats: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/constipation-in-cats. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.
[7] “AnimERge.” New Jersey Emergency Vet | Emergency Veterinary Companies, www.animergevets.com/website/weblog/2021/01/15/constipation-dogs-causes-symptoms-treatment. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
[8] “All Bunged up: Unclogging the Constipated Cat.” DVM 360, www.dvm360.com/view/all-bunged-unclogging-constipated-cat. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
[9] “8 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” PetMD.
[10] “AnimERge.” New Jersey Emergency Vet | Emergency Veterinary Companies.
[11] Betancourt, Dr. Fernando. “6 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” Veterinary Emergency Group, 1 Could 2023, veterinaryemergencygroup.com/weblog/6-ways-to-help-your-constipated-cat/.
[12] “8 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” PetMD.
[13] Betancourt, Dr. Fernando. “6 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.”.
[14] Weir, Malcolm, and Ernest Ward. “Constipation in Cats: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals.”
[15] ibid.
[16] “8 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” PetMD.
[17] Weir, Malcolm, and Ernest Ward. “Constipation in Cats: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals.”.
[18] “All Bunged up: Unclogging the Constipated Cat.” DVM 360.
[19] “8 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” PetMD.
[20] “Constipation.” Cornell College Faculty of Veterinary Medication, 17 June 2021, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/constipation.
[21] ibid.
[22] “8 Methods to Assist Your Constipated Cat.” PetMD.
This submit supplies extra data on tips on how to assist cats keep hydrated.
