Constipated Cats: When the Going Gets Tough
By Kathryn Gaster Allen

It can happen to anyone with a digestive system – sometimes things just get a little "off tract.” Our feline friends are no exception; in fact, constipation is fairly common, with middle-aged (eight years) and older cats being most susceptible. Although there is no absolute rule, most healthy adult cats have one or two bowel movements each day. Constipation, while not a disease in itself, is a sign that something is not quite right within the cat's gastrointestinal tract. And if not given prompt attention, constipation can become a debilitating and serious condition. When should you call the vet? If you note any of the signs described below and home care has not resolved the problem in a day or two, your vet needs to be informed.

Factors in kitty constipation can be anything from neurological problems to pelvic injury to obstruction by hair, bones or foreign objects, to inflammatory bowel disease. A common cause may be a dirty litter box, which will cause a cat to avoid the box and become constipated by “holding it” too long. Nutritional factors include im-pactions due to undigested bones, especially true among cats fed a raw diet. Some cats need more fiber than what is contained in many commercial diets. Overfeeding also con-tributes, and obese cats are commonly constipated. Stress, lack of exercise and medications given for other conditions also are common factors.

Besides the obvious sign of a constipated cat – no telltale litter box “deposits” – how can you tell if there is a problem? Constipated cats may attempt to defecate outside the litter box, since they associate pain or discomfort with the box itself. A cat may become irritable, lethargic, look un-groomed, have a poor appetite or lose it entirely, crouch and hunch up because of abdominal discomfort and even vomit.

What can you do? If your vet has ruled out any serious condition, initial treatment usually involves a change in diet. More fiber, such as bran, psyllium or canned pumpkin, may be added. Use ½ teaspoon per meal, mixing the fiber supplement in with quality canned or home-prepared food. While you want to increase the amount of fiber in your cat's diet, do not overdo it. Introduce any dietary change gradually, over five to seven days. Switching too quickly to a high-fiber diet may cause your feline companion the discomfort of gas pains.

Adding ½ teaspoon olive oil to your cat's food stimulates the flow of liver bile and the contraction of intestinal muscles and acts as a lubricant. One caution: Do not use mineral oil as it is relatively flavorless and odorless and may not trigger the swallowing reflex, thus going down the trachea rather than the esophagus, causing severe pneumonia. One natural solution is slippery elm, which can help sooth the digestive tract. Dilute 20 drops of an alcohol-free tincture in an ounce of spring water and give a dropper full 3 or 4 times a day. Regular exercise – a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes twice per day for a healthy adult cat – will also help keep things moving internally. Water is crucial for constipated kitties. “Cats are notorious for not drinking much water,” says H. Ellen Whiteley, DVM. Use bottled or filtered water. Invest in a pet fountain, as many cats prefer drinking from moving water sources. Also, make sure your cat is groomed daily. For long haired cats, you may want to consider a summer cut – leaving a “mane” and tuft of fur on the tail and clipping the rest of the coat short.

The best cure for kitty's constipation, of course, is prevention. A well-balanced homemade or high quality commercial diet, along with exercise, good grooming, plenty of water and keeping kitty's stress level low will keep its gastrointestinal system right on tract.

Kathryn “Kat” Gaster Allen is the owner of Gasterville Natural, a Cleveland-based pet-care and consulting business, and she publishes a monthly e-newsletter “The Hound's Herald.” Kat is pursing her veterinary technology degree as well as her canine massage therapy certification. She may be reached via www.gasterville.com or at (216) 276-2229.