Constipation in a cat: what to do at home and in what cases consult a doctor urgently

Irregular bowel movements
Constipation
Treatment and prevention
Preparations for normalizing stool and treating constipation
Benefits of Duphalac®

The intestines play an important role in the well-being of every person.
If going to the toilet is irregular, accompanied by difficulty and does not bring relief, the usual rhythm of life may be disrupted. The mood deteriorates, internal discomfort and a feeling of heaviness cause unpleasant sensations. Many people begin to take action on their own to get rid of the problem, resorting to remedies such as herbal tea, enema, etc. For some, these remedies allow them to completely cope with the problem, for some they bring only temporary relief, and for others they do not help at all . And then it is necessary to look for another solution. However, before looking for a solution to the problem, it is necessary to distinguish between two fairly similar concepts - irregular bowel movements and constipation.

Why is constipation dangerous?

Defecation is a natural process through which the intestines are freed from processed substances. If feces are retained and not released for several days, this leads to severe intoxication of the body.

When a cat is constipated, bacteria that live in the large intestine release toxins, and waste bile contains breakdown products of hemoglobin.

If a cat cannot go to the toilet for a long time, and this happens often, this is bad. This means the pet needs help. After all, systematic constipation can lead to intestinal obstruction and internal bleeding.

Doesn't walk small

So, if a cat goes to the toilet “little by little” less than 2 times a day, the process is accompanied by pain, screaming or bleeding, then something is clearly wrong with the cat’s body. Let's take a closer look at this pathology.

Reasons for violating the regime

There are several reasons why the process of emptying the bladder may be disrupted:

Dehydration. Insufficient fluid intake or increased loss of moisture from the body can lead to hypovolemia. Hypovolemia may be caused by blood loss. In this case, less blood is filtered by the kidneys and less urine is produced.
Obstruction of the urinary tract (urolithiasis). In this condition, urine is formed normally, but due to obstruction it cannot be released.
Inflammatory kidney diseases, renal failure. Damage to the glomeruli can also lead to oliguria and even anuria (complete absence of urine).
Poor nutrition. Excessive consumption of salty foods can also lead to fluid retention in the body.

Something else interesting: Myocarditis in cats - symptoms, causes, treatment

Signs of difficulty

It is not difficult for an attentive owner to identify pathology. The pet rarely goes to the toilet, and even if it does, very little urine is released. While emptying its bladder, your cat may scream or moan, which is a sign that urination is painful. In addition, sometimes blood can be detected in the tray. Often the condition is accompanied by intoxication syndrome, as toxic substances accumulate that are normally excreted by the kidneys.

Help your pet

In order to help your pet, you need to determine the cause of the illness. Most often, this cannot be done at home. Therefore, if you notice signs of urinary retention, you should contact your veterinarian. He will prescribe an additional examination (general and biochemical blood tests, ultrasound), which will help determine the diagnosis. After this, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

If you understand that the cause is most likely dehydration, then you need to restore your hydration. To do this, give your cat liquid often, but in small portions.

In other cases, specific treatment is necessary. For inflammatory diseases, antibiotics are prescribed, and sometimes it is necessary to use infusion therapy and diuretics. In case of obstruction, catheterization of the bladder is performed, since an overfilled bladder can rupture.

Causes of constipation in cats

If your cat cannot go to the toilet in a big way, it is important to find out the cause of the problem. Constipation is not a disease, but only a symptom that indicates some kind of disorder in the body.

The main causes of constipation in cats:

The pet drinks little. Due to lack of moisture, stool hardens and moves poorly through the intestines. This often happens when a cat is suddenly switched to dry food.
Errors in nutrition. Feeding a cat food from the human table can lead to a lack of vitamins and microelements. Because of this, the functioning of various body systems, including the digestive system, is disrupted.
Stress. A cat may experience constipation after experiencing a fright, a change of owner or place of residence, and a kitten may experience constipation after separation from its mother.
Worms. Infection with parasites leads to disruption of intestinal function - stool becomes irregular, constipation alternates with diarrhea. In advanced cases, when there are a lot of helminths inside, they interfere with the movement of feces through the intestines.
Taking diuretics or iron supplements.
Low mobility. Elderly, pregnant cats, as well as cats with joint diseases have problems with bowel movements because they move little.
Hairballs. Constipation often occurs due to obstruction of the intestines, as hair clumps accumulate in the intestines.
Foreign body. If a cat swallows an object, this can also cause constipation.
Scars in the rectum or anus.
Distension of the intestines as a result of prolonged constipation.
Diseases of the paraanal glands in cats.
After childbirth and abdominal surgery, there are also stool disorders.

Attention! Older cats are more likely to be constipated. It is associated with weakened intestinal motility. In small kittens, this problem occurs due to imperfections in the digestive system.

Chronic diseases that can cause constipation in a cat

Often, constipation is accompanied by diseases that are associated with disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system:

diabetes;
tumors in the rectum or anus;
kidney pathologies;
congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract.

Spinal injuries, which damage the nerve roots of the spinal cord, lead to loss of sensation, and the cat cannot poop.

Why is this happening

There may be several reasons for the development of this condition:

Acute intestinal obstruction. May develop as a result of obstruction by a foreign body (hairball, swallowed bag or cord), intussusception.
Tumor in the large intestine. The tumor can compress the intestinal lumen and prevent the passage of feces.
Inflammatory bowel diseases.
Pathology of the anus. Mechanical damage to the sphincter, such as scar deformity, can make bowel movements difficult.
Dietary disorder. Insufficient fiber and water intake, and dry food can lead to excessive dryness of stool, which makes it difficult to pass.

Something else interesting: Dislocations in cats

How to recognize difficulties

In order to recognize the pathology, it is enough to carefully monitor your pet:

The cat goes to the toilet less than once every 2 days.
During the act of defecation she experiences pain.
An admixture of blood, pus or mucus is detected in the feces.

Animal treatment

You can help your pet only after discovering the cause. If the cause is scar deformity, tumor or intussusception, surgical intervention is necessary. If the condition is caused by poor nutrition, you need to reconsider your diet and add more fluid. For inflammatory diseases, antibiotics are prescribed. Symptomatic treatment is the prescription of laxatives, but these drugs can only be used after consulting a veterinarian.

Associated symptoms

Constipation does not necessarily mean a complete absence of bowel movements. Some cats have regular bowel movements, but very little feces come out. For this reason, the animal owner may not even be aware of the problem. It is important to find out in time that the cat has stool retention, before his condition worsens.

To understand that your pet needs help, you need to study the symptoms of constipation in a cat:

the cat does not walk much for 48 hours;
on palpation, the abdomen is enlarged and painful;
the cat becomes restless and loses its appetite;
the pet spends a lot of time in the tray, unsuccessfully trying to poop;
the cat strains and meows pitifully;
if the pet still manages to pass a large stool, then very little feces are excreted, it is dry and covered with cracks;
there is blood in the cat's feces;
the anus is hyperemic.

Attention! If a cat doesn't poop for more than 4-5 days, it's very bad. With prolonged constipation, signs of intoxication appear - lethargy, vomiting, and sometimes the temperature rises.

What to Expect at a Veterinary Visit

By gently palpating your cat's abdomen, your veterinarian may be able to identify an enlarged, hard, and often painful bladder from which urine cannot be emptied manually. Once a urine blockage is identified, emergency assistance and stabilization of the animal’s condition is required.

Blood and urine tests are usually recommended to help identify any underlying causes as well as complications associated with urethral blockage. Radiographs (x-rays) or ultrasound may be recommended to identify stones in the urinary tract or other underlying problems.

The most important thing is that the blockage of the urethra must be removed in a sick cat, usually under strong sedation or general anesthesia (anesthesia). A urinary catheter or thin tube is inserted into the urethra to help clear the obstruction and restore the flow of urine.

. The urinary catheter may be left in place for one to several days, depending on the severity of the obstruction and associated complications. During this time, many supportive treatments may be given, including intravenous fluids, pain relievers, antispasmodics, and antibiotics or other medications to help relax the urethra to encourage the flow of urine.

What to do at home if your cat is constipated

In most cases, it is possible to improve bowel movements with the help of nutritional correction, increased physical activity, massage and laxatives. If fecal retention in a cat is caused by intestinal pathologies or tumor processes, then only surgery will help.

In cases where prolonged constipation is accompanied by vomiting, the cat is given IV drips to prevent dehydration.

Normalization of diet

To help your cat with constipation, you need to change his diet. In the first days after symptoms are detected, it is advisable to switch your pet to liquid food. Food from the human table is completely excluded from the menu - semi-finished products, sweets, foods with added salt and spices, bones.

To loosen stools, you can give a little beef liver daily.

What to include in the diet of a cat with constipation:

vegetables – pumpkin, spinach, carrots;
fermented milk products - classic yogurt without additives, kefir, yogurt;
vegetable oil – no more than 1 teaspoon per day.

It is very important to increase the amount of fluid consumed. The cat should be given purified raw water.

Veterinarians recommend placing several bowls of water in different places in the apartment.

Special feed

Cats that are accustomed to dry industrial formulas are given special food with fiber, vitamins and minerals. They contain plant components, fish oil, and cereals. List of medicinal foods for cats for constipation:

Royal Canin Fiber Response. Recommended for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Duration of use for acute constipation is 1 month, for chronic constipation – up to six months.
Hills Prescription Diet Feline w/d. Recommended for cats with diabetes, colitis and constipation. Contains a large amount of coarse fibers, which help enhance intestinal motility.
Eukanuba Renal. Dietary cat food for constipation due to kidney dysfunction. Its difference from others is its low protein and phosphorus content.

Attention! It is very important to feed your cat as recommended by the manufacturer. Do not increase the dosage indicated on the package and do not pour food more than twice a day.

Massage and Vaseline oil

If constipation occurs, you can massage your cat's abdomen and give him Vaseline oil. It is not absorbed in the intestines, but moves along it all the way to the rectum, lubricating its walls and softening the stool.

Vaseline oil helps quite quickly: after 3-4 hours the cat goes to the toilet. The method of application is simple - you need to let the cat drink 1-2 ml from a syringe without a needle. It is advisable to do this in the morning on an empty stomach, then the oil will easily enter the rectum.

Massage helps strengthen intestinal motility. It is done 2-3 times a day for 5 minutes. The cat should not eat an hour before the procedure and 2 hours after it.

Massage technique:

place the cat on its back on your lap;
massage the abdominal area clockwise with your fingers.

You can help a kitten in the same way. Although it is usually the mother who massages the babies. She licks their bellies several times a day. This helps kittens go to the toilet regularly.

Laxatives

An easy way to treat constipation in a kitten is to start giving a laxative. It is worth giving preference to safe drugs. The following medications are suitable for cats:

Duphalac Lactusan. A laxative based on lactulose, which not only softens stool well and promotes its movement, but also improves bowel function. Even a kitten can be given this medicine for constipation; it is absolutely safe.
Microlax. This is a mini-enema with a solution for rectal administration. The composition contains substances that displace bound water from feces. The drug acts quickly - the urge to have a bowel movement occurs from the first minutes after administration of the solution.
Normaze. Lactulose-based syrup. Effectively softens stool and promotes easy bowel movements.

Attention! Laxatives can only be given to a cat on the recommendation of a veterinarian. In some cases, their use can harm your pet.

How to treat a cat in such a situation?

The owner will not be able to cure the cat on his own: before treating problems with the genitourinary system, a thorough diagnosis is necessary, including an examination by a specialist, blood and urine tests, as well as an ultrasound.
Based on the results, the veterinarian will select the optimal treatment regimen for the pet: first, the outflow of urine is restored, and then rinsing, antibiotic treatment and preventive care for the animal are carried out. The outflow of urine is restored in two ways. If the cat's urethra is not blocked and functions normally, you should provide it with plenty of fluids, remove food from the diet and supplement it with herbal decoctions with a mild diuretic effect: you can use lingonberry leaves, bearberry leaves and horsetail. If there are problems with the urethra, catheterization of the bladder is necessary: the catheter is installed for 5-7 days, after which treatment is carried out.

When the cat's urine flow is restored, it is necessary to rinse the bladder and urethra. For this purpose, antiseptic solutions such as potassium permanganate, furatsilin, chlorhexidine, boric acid or regular saline are used. Rinsing cleanses the bladder of mucus, pus, blood clots, sand and other unwanted elements, and also disinfects it.

After washing, the cat continues to be treated with conservative methods: antibacterial and sulfonamide drugs are actively used, the negative effects of which are compensated for by probiotics and enterosorbents. Do not neglect disinfectant decoctions of various herbs and special urological preparations.

In case of severe pain, antispasmodic and sedative drugs are prescribed: they calm the cat and help her calmly endure the treatment.

Prolonged constipation - megacolon

If the cat does not go to poop on either the third or fourth day and at the same time behaves very restlessly, perhaps he has not just constipation, but megacolon. This is a dangerous condition that can only be diagnosed in a clinic. With prolonged constipation, dry and hard stool accumulates in the intestines.

They cannot move towards the exit and completely block the intestinal lumen.

With prolonged constipation, the cat refuses to eat, looks lethargic, and begins to vomit. If such symptoms are detected, treatment should be started immediately, but first the veterinarian must make sure that it is megacolon. You will have to do an abdominal x-ray or ultrasound.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, surgical intervention will be required, since drug treatment is ineffective.

Diet for cats

If your cat often suffers from constipation, you should put her on a diet that will greatly facilitate this process. So, the cat should eat the following foods:

If the animal eats dry food, then it should be soaked, and also periodically given soups and cereals.
Cats rarely agree to voluntarily eat vegetables, but they must be added to their food at least in small quantities. Zucchini, pumpkin and beets are especially effective for constipation.
You can’t do without fermented milk products.
You should not include raw fish and liver in your menu too often.

If a cat suffers from constipation, then rice, chicken meat and broths based on it, as well as chicken eggs should be excluded from its diet. If your cat often has problems with bowel movements, you should consult a veterinarian who will help you choose special food for your animal.

Preventive actions

Constipation can occur in cats of any age and breed. The animal owner should try to minimize the risk. You just need to follow these recommendations:

Brush your cat regularly, especially during intense shedding, to prevent him from swallowing his fur;
ensure that there is always clean water in the drinking bowl;
Deworm the animal 3-4 times a year;
play with the cat, because physical activity helps the intestines work better;
do not give your pet bones;
remove small objects from the floor so that the cat does not swallow them;
Provide your cat with adequate nutrition - it is best to feed it with high-quality industrial formulas.

At the first symptoms of stool retention, it is better to seek veterinary help. There is no need to waste time, because the effectiveness of treatment directly depends on whether it is started on time.