How to Tell if Your Cat Is Constipated
Cats normally defecate around once every day. A cat suffering from constipation may not defecate for two to four days or more, so if your cat does not seem to be defecating every day, it may be a sign of constipation. Constipated cats will frequently try to defecate, but little or no feces will be discharged each time. Some constipated cats will make small whimpering noises when they try to defecate. This noise is an expression of pain.
Causes of Cat Constipation
Cats usually become constipated as a result of an imbalance of the three basic elements that are required for the excretory system in any mammal to work: food, water and exercise. If a cat eats too much unhealthy food, with not enough fiber in it, it could become constipated. Fiber is what makes muscles work, so it is needed to keep the muscles in the large intestine working the way they should. Without enough fiber, the muscles lining the large intestine degrade and become too weak to function properly. If a cat does not drink enough water over an extended period of time, its intestines could become too dry, which would cause constipation. Exercise is an important part of preventing constipation. Without regular exercise to strengthen the muscular system, bowel muscles will grow too weak to defecate.
Canned Pumpkin
Mixing canned pumpkin in with a cat's food is said to be a good remedy for cat constipation. It is very high in fiber, so a cat that eats pumpkin will replenish the fiber in its large intestine, which will strengthen the muscles that line the wall of the large intestine.
Water Stations
Place water bowls in multiple places around the house that are frequented by the cat. The cat will then see drinking water more often, prompting it to drink more times during the day. If your cat's constipation is caused by dehydration, anything you can do to increase the amount of water the cat regularly takes in will help to relieve the constipation. Good spots to strategically place water bowls where a cat will see them most frequently are near windows, on the floor near the front door, or near a cat door.
Milk
Most cats are lactose intolerant, which means that their intestines cannot break down lactose, a sugar in cow milk. Because of their inability to break down the sugars in milk, cats can get diarrhea from drinking it, so milk can be used as a laxative for cats.
Pet housecats are likely to develop constipation at some point in their lives, and when they do, it is the owner's responsibility to do something to help. There are many ways that you can use materials from around your house to treat your cat's constipation. If you have a constipated cat, it is likely that you have the means to cure your pet's constipation at hand, and you can avoid having to pay the veterinarian to solve the problem.