What is Constipation?
Along with being unable to defecate normally, constipated cats may also strain while trying to use their litter boxes or show other outward signs to indicate that they are unable to move their bowels normally. If you notice that your cat's litter box is unused for several days or if you observe harder than normal stools or stools with blood in them, you should have your cat examined by your veterinarian immediately.
Many cases of constipation in cats are treatable and minor. However, other cases of feline constipation may belie more serious health conditions like megacolon, anal gland disease or cancer. Your vet can conduct a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause of your cat's constipation.
Constipation in cats is a common illness from which cats routinely suffer. Cats typically defecate one to three times per day. When they are unable to move their bowels normally, they become constipated and may require special care to help them resume normal bowel function.
Constipation Average Cost
From 387 quotes ranging from $400 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Constipation in Cats
Constipation in cats can be either mild with few noticeable symptoms to chronic, which typically comes with symptoms that are more severe. Acute constipation in cats has symptoms that include:
- Harder than normal feces
- Small, pellet-like feces
- Repeated unproductive visits to the litter box
- Temporary loss of appetite
- Straining while trying to defecate
Alternatively, cats who are chronically constipated may show more outward signs of distress with symptoms that include:
- Bloody or mucus-covered feces
- Loud meowing or crying in pain
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Disinterest in grooming
Cats that are constipated also may have hardened, distended bellies and be unwilling to lie down on their stomachs. They may also refuse to eat or drink even when offered their favorite treats. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, you should have your cat examined and treated as necessary for constipation by your veterinarian.
Causes of Constipation in Cats
A variety of factors can contribute to constipation in cats. Some of the more common causes for this feline condition include:
- Dehydration
- Low-fiber diets
- Hairballs or excessive grooming
- Obesity
- Low metabolism
- Medication side effect
However, constipation in cats can sometimes be caused by factors that are more serious and require specialized veterinary care. These contributors include:
- Ingestion of a foreign object
- Anal gland disease
- Intestinal or stomach infection
- Neurological disorder
- Enlarged or abscessed anal sacs
- Intestinal or stomach tumors
Cats that are mildly constipated can often recover quickly by drinking more water or by eating food that is high in fiber. They also recover by losing weight or increasing their activity levels.
Cats with underlying diseases like megacolon or anal gland impaction, however, may require more intensive veterinary care before they experience relief from their constipation. A thorough veterinary examination can determine the best treatment plan for your cat.
Diagnosis of Constipation in Cats
Your veterinarian may diagnose the cause of your cat's constipation by conducting a variety of tests. Along with collecting a stool sample if possible from your cat, the vet may also palpate your cat's stomach to determine if there could be a foreign object in the stomach or intestines. He or she may also use an x-ray or ultrasound to determine if the blockage is caused by a tumor or a viral or bacterial infection.
Additionally, the vet may also take your cat's temperature to discover if it suffers from a fever, which could indicate an underlying infection. The veterinarian also will check your cat's mouth and eyes for signs of dehydration. If your cat is severely dehydrated, it may require intravenous hydration, which could relieve its constipation.
Treatment of Constipation in Cats
Once your veterinarian has determined the underlying cause of your cat's constipation, he or she can determine the best course of treatment. For minor or acute cases of feline constipation, your vet may recommend treatments like:
- Increased hydration: You may increase your cat's hydration by providing more water at home. Your vet may also use intravenous hydration to treat your cat's constipation.
- Stool softeners: Stool softeners may be given orally to help your cat defecate normally.
- Laxatives: Laxatives help your cat defecate normally and more often.
- Increased fiber intake: Your vet may recommend switching your cat to a high-fiber cat food. You also can add high-fiber foods like canned pumpkin to your cat's diet.
- Enemas: Severe cases of feline constipation or cases caused by underlying diseases like cancer or tumors typically require surgical intervention. Surgery may be needed to manually evacuate the bowels or to remove obstructions in the intestines and stomach.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Constipation in Cats
With proper treatment, most cats afflicted with minor cases of feline constipation recover quickly. They do not need prolonged veterinarian care to resume normal movement of their bowels.
You can help your cat's bowel health by making sure it has plenty of fresh water to drink and by adding fiber to its diet. You should also ensure your cat remains a healthy weight and gets enough exercise each day.
If your cat's constipation is caused by cancer, bowel obstruction, or another illness, it may need regular veterinary care to keep the underlying illness in check. Your vet may wish to x-ray or examine your cat every few months to ensure its proper bowel function.
You can also safeguard your cat's bowel health by keeping foreign objects like string, bottle caps, and other small items out of your cat's reach. This precaution ensures that your cat cannot swallow foreign objects that can cause constipation.
Constipation in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of getting constipated, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Constipation Average Cost
From 387 quotes ranging from $400 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
Top
Constipation Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
DSH
Three Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
No Stool
Cat has been on Clavamox and Onsior for 2 days for treatment of drained abscess. He is eating, drinking, urinating fine. Doesn't seem like hes in pain, Acting normal. Hasn't defecated in 2 days
July 31, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. If he did not eat for a day or two, it may be a little bit before he starts to have regular bowel movements. That may also occur if he had diarrhea. If he is not straining to defecate, and seems comfortable and is eating and drinking normally otherwise, you may be fine to continue to monitor him and give him his medication. I hope that all goes well for him.
July 31, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Domestic cat
14 years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hard Stool With Mucus, Stool Full Of Hair, Straining And Crying In The Litter Box, Unproductive Litter Box Visits, Loud Crying, Vomiting
My cat was acting normal last night, but this morning he woke me up with loud crying (he has never made this noise except when under extreme stress or pain) and he behaved like he was hurt. Soon after, I saw him straining in the litter box, also in pain and unable to pass anything. He stopped crying at this point. The other droppings in the box were hard stools, some with mucus and some that looked filled with fur. He is also elderly & has an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma which is being treated palliatively. Should I take him to the vet even if he improves while I am at work?
July 30, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello,
So sorry to hear ao ut your cat. Male cats can have a urinary blockage that can be very painful. If he cannot urinate, he needs to go to the vet ASAP. You can try to use cat hairball medication to help him poop easier but he would need to see a vet if he cannot urinate as this can be a life-threatening emergency.
July 30, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Siamese/Himalayan mix
Fifteen Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargic
July 13 my cat seemed to be constipated so I called the vet and they said to feed him more lax'aire for suspected hairballs. He still defecated but seemed to strain a bit. July 21 and July 23 he had diarrhea and vomited white foam. I called the vet back and they are able to get us in July 31 at 2:15. He has been on Science Diet C/D formula for 7 years. Not because he has issue but his sibling does so we just switched them both. He won't eat that food anymore since this started so I started feeding him wet canned food, Fancy Feast Elegant Medley and Blue Buffalo hairball food. He's lethargic rightnow
July 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
I am glad that you are having him seen in a few days, that is the right thing to do.
If he becomes more lethargic between now and then, you may want to either call your veterinarian and let them know it is more urgent, or have him seen at an ER. You can try feeding him a bland diet of boiled white chicken and boiled white rice between now and then and see if it helps, as well.
I hope that all goes well for him and he feels better soon.
July 27, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cat
Three Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Losing Lots Of Weight And Can’T Go To The Bathroom But Constantly Is Trying To Use The Litter Box
She’s been looking skinny and lost a lot of weight and she always is in the litter box but never can go to the bathroom
July 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
Cats can be affected by parasites or infections. If she is trying to go to the bathroom and can't, she needs to be seen by a veterinarian. They can see her, see what might be going on with her, and get her treatment so that she feels better again.
I hope that she is okay.
July 24, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dsh
Toki
12 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Constipation
Trouble Walking
Back
My cat went in for a dental under anesthesia on Tuesday. When she came home she was very drunk. Within an hour she was walking with her rear end down, crouched. It seemed very odd and I was immediately worried, but I also know anesthesia can have unusual effects. As the night went on the hunched walking became more pronounced. We called after hours care and they said to keep an eye on it, but it should wear off as time passes. I slept with her through the night. I’m the morning it had only seemed she got more uncomfortable. I took her back in. They feel it’s not neurological, but either a back injury or constipation. They gave her subq fluids and a shot of onsior and sent her home saying they think everything will be ok. She still has not had a bowel movement, but I know that can be expected after going under. She woke up today I’m more pain, it looked like. Would constipation be an issue that soon after surgery? Do you have any ideas? I gave her 1/4 teaspoon of miralax an hour ago per the doctor. And an onsior 5mg per the doctor. She ate a little wet food earlier. Not drinking too much water, so I’m adding it to her food.
Aug. 2, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
That is a very unusual thing to have happen after anesthesia, and it would surprise me if constipation would come on that quickly. It may be a good idea to have some x-rays taken to make sure that your veterinarian knows what they are treating, as they will be able to see whether she is constipated or if more is going on. I hope that Toki is okay.
Aug. 2, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
dsh
Jase
6 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Constipation
My 6yo makes cat is acting "normal" in every way, other than he's been making frequent trips to the litterbox with no signs of a bowel movement, then immediately starts licking his genital area and anus. Is he simply constipated? If so, what should I do? He's had a UTI before, so he's already on Royal Canin RX food.
Constipation Average Cost
From 387 quotes ranging from $400 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
