When it comes to owning a cat there are about a million different things that owners need to worry about. What food works best, what bedding they like, and what type of allergies they may have. Knowing a bit about felines and common issues like feline constipation can help any cat owner get their act together and really figure out what their cat needs to be healthy and happy.

Feline constipation is a fairly common issue that cat owners may need to deal with on a daily basis. There are a few common causes for feline constipation and the first is most likely food choice. Foods can make a huge difference when it comes to the regularity of your pets bowel movements. Things like food that are too high in certain vitamins and minerals, that are too dry, or that have certain ingredients that your pet may be allergic to can cause your pet to have issue with going to the bathroom. If you are having trouble with your pet using the bathroom, it may be necessary to switch up food choice to see if it helps.

Yet another reason your pet may be having trouble going is of course a change in their surroundings. Cats are creatures of extreme habit. If one thing changes in their day to day routine it is likely to make them act differently. Something as simple as changing the type of litter that you use can make your pet uncomfortable enough that they are unable or unwilling to use the bathroom. If you are experiencing issue with your pet using the bathroom, try determining if there have been any life changes that may be disrupting your pet’s day to day. Still another reason for constipation may be something more serious like a blockage. If this is suspected, it is always best to talk to your vet about treatment options.

The right balance of nutrition is an important part of selecting the best cat food for a pet. Since cats are carnivorous animals, the amount of fiber that they require in their diet is much lower than the amount that humans need. As a result, it is important to identify the appropriate level of fiber before selecting any cat food.

Optimal Fiber for Most Cats

Since fiber is a nutrient that helps move food out of the digestive tract, it is important for a cat food to have some fiber. The key is finding the right balance.

In general, cat food that has 3.5 percent fiber or less is appropriate. It should have at least 1.4 percent for good health, but it should not exceed 3.5 percent for a healthy cat.

Adding Fiber For Certain Conditions

Obese cats and cats with anal gland disease can benefit from a high fiber diet. It is not necessary for a healthy cat, but the fiber can help resolve concerns regarding infection and inflammation from anal gland disease.

The fiber in the cat food can help increase the bulk of excrement, which can help reduce the symptoms of anal gland disease.

In the case of obesity in cats, a high-fiber diet is beneficial by reducing appetite. When a cat eats a large amount of fiber, he or she is less likely to over-eat and will feel full faster. Even though the fiber can help with weight management, it is important to ensure that the amount is not excessive. Too much fiber can cause gas or loose stools.

The balance of nutrients in a cat’s diet plays an important role in the health of a pet. The key to finding the right balance of fiber is limiting the amount based on the cat’s specific needs.

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Cat bliss (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Cats, like all animals, can occasionally become constipated when they eat to much of the same thing or ingest something they shouldn’t, like string they find on the floor or human food that is dropped in the kitchen or fished from the garbage. Hairballs are also another common cause of constipation from their constant grooming, as hair is swallowed and collects in the digestive tract, blocking everything else from going through. Beyond being incredibly uncomfortable for your cat, it can also be dangerous for them to be constipated for an extended period of time, putting strain on their digestive system and keeping them from eating their food. So when this occurs, it is important that you have a way to take care of it as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 

The main sign that your cat may be constipated is when you see them straining to defecate and not being able to force anything out. However, since most cats go in a cat box and seem to like a little bit of privacy when they are going to the bathroom if they go outside, it may not be possible to watch them defecate. Nor do you probably have the time to sneak up on them, waiting and watching. You may want to check the cat box for liquid stools or bloody stools, as this is a sign of constipation as well. Other signs of a cat being constipated is when they aren’t eating regularly, as lethargic or are walking in a hunched, uncomfortable way. When all of these are happening, you should probably try to relieve the cat’s constipation before moving on to other, bigger health problems. 

TYPES OF RELIEF 

While you can always take the cat to the vet to have their constipation relieved, this has a number of different problems. For one, it is expensive. Vets charge a premium, just like doctors, for their services and care. This will take a decent amount of time and require them to give your cat laxatives, which sometimes causes cats to get sick and have accidents everywhere. 

Rather, try natural treatments that work just as well as a vet-prescribed laxative, if not better. These are also cheaper to purchase and take a lot less time out of your day. Add some fiber to your cat’s meal, like bran cereal or canned pumpkin, both of which you can buy at your local grocery store for a couple of bucks. Even consider Metamucil mixed into some delicious wet food, as this will quickly relieve constipation and get everything moving again. 

If these cat constipation remedies do not fix the problem then taking the car to the vet may be the only option. But be sure to tell your vet you have already tried these things, so that they can move onto the next steps. This would usually be giving the cat an enema or checking for a more serious blockage, like a bone or foreign object they never should have eaten, which might ultimately require surgery. 

Just like people, our cats can sometimes suffer from digestive problems that result in constipation. There are a variety of potential causes for this condition, and a solution can be found in several natural remedies that will relieve symptoms and prevent further complications from prolonged constipation.

Cat Hebe (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Identifying the Problem The first step in finding the right solution for your pet is to first recognize there is a problem and then isolate the source of the problem. If you notice that you have to empty your cats litter box with less frequency then constipation may be the culprit. Most cats will have a stool once or twice per day. When this decreases to once every two or three days, it may be necessary to treat your pet.

Some common causes are:

• Hairballs
• Dehydration
• Dirty litter box
• Obesity
• Medical condition such as an enlarged colon or allergies

Signs and symptoms include bloating, lethargy, and decreased appetite. There are several benefits to natural cat constipation treatments.

Treatment The reason for a more natural approach to this problem is that there is less likelihood for side effects or dependency on medications to relieve bowels. For example, if your cat has hairballs, evidenced by visible hair strands in the stool or vomit, the treatment may be as simple as feeding your cat a special food formulated to prevent hairballs. This also works for obesity. There are several weight-loss or maintenance foods on the market to help your pet obtain healthy weight levels.

Dehydration is easily treatable by making sure your pet always has a water source readily available. Since cats drink less water than other animals, this may not correct the problem, so offering your pet wet food as opposed to dry may be helpful since wet food has more moisture and will encourage bowel movements. Keep the litter box clean. Cats don’t like to go in a dirty litter box and will avoid it for as long as possible, and this may encourage constipation. A high fiber diet can be helpful as well. Extra fiber can be found in wheat bran, rice bran, psyllium, or even canned pumpkin and can be included in your pet’s food.

Of course if your cat has a medical condition, medication may be necessary. Your veterinarian can prescribe laxatives or other medications to relieve constipation. A natural cat constipation treatmentis of course best for your pet, and can usually be done through diet changes.