Is Your Cat Full of Sh*t?

Seriously, though – here’s how to deal with cat constipation

9 January 2024

Litter box issues can be the bane of kitty existence. As you know, your cat is very... particular. The litter box can be too dirty, too dusty, too inconvenient, or maybe shared with their mortal enemy. There’s a lot that can go wrong in there, which is why it’s a red flag when your cat’s litter box habits change. Worry not – here’s how to help a constipated cat.

Symptoms of cat constipation

A constipated cat has difficulty pooing, hardly ever poos, or stops pooing completely. Common symptoms include posturing and straining inside or outside of the litter box while only producing little or no stool. Vocalisation, vomiting, poor appetite, or abdominal pain can also be seen in constipated cats.

Navigating life with a new pet? Head to littleKin!

littleKin™ is Kinship’s home just for puppy and kitten parents. Bop over to check out expert advice, new pet tools, and special deals—all curated for your newest family member.

cat eating sensitive stomach food for cats

Do Cat Foods For Sensitive Stomachs Really Help?

Dr Bruce Kornreich explains why going this route isn’t always the answer

A side note about straining in the litter box – cats can strain in the litter box when they are having difficulty defecating or urinating. If your cat is straining to defecate, they require treatment but can often wait until you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian in the very near future. But if your cat is unable to urinate, they need medical attention urgently. Check the litter box closely to ensure that your cat has urinated recently. If no urine is coming out (especially in male cats), get them to the vet ASAP.

Causes of constipation in cats

Dehydration

Dehydration commonly develops when a cat is not drinking enough water or loses fluid from vomiting. Underlying health issues, such as diabetes mellitus or kidney disease can increase urine production and contribute to fluid loss. When the body doesn’t have enough water, it will try to pull extra water from the colon, leading to dry, hard stool that is difficult to pass.

Person with short hair putting water bowl on floor for cat

8 Ways to Get a Cat to Drink Water

Their desert-dwelling roots might resist hydration, but these tricks can help

Orthopaedic pain

Just like dogs and people, cats can develop arthritis as they age. Older cats or cats with a history of a traumatic injury can have hip or lower back pain that makes posturing to defecate uncomfortable. For some cats, simply getting into the litter box presents a challenge. Making an older kitty jump into a high-sided litter box is kind of like asking a little old lady to jump over an Olympic-style hurdle to go to the bathroom.

Litter box anxiety

Cats often steer clear of litter boxes that are dirty, difficult to access, or near people or pets who cause them anxiety. Some cats need peace and quiet during their bathroom trips, so a litter box next to a running washer or dryer may stress them out. Holding on to stool for too long increases the risk of constipation.

Other causes

Tumours or foreign material can cause physical obstructions that hinder the passage of stool. Certain medications or recent anaesthesia can slow GI motility, leading to constipation. Tailless cat breeds, such as Manx cats, are at increased risk for congenital problems with the nerves of the colon. These cats often develop chronic issues with constipation or faecal incontinence.

5 Litter Box Enclosures That Aren’t Total Eyesores

Keep your cat’s litter box out of sight – but easy to clean

Treatment for constipated cats

The treatment for constipation depends on the severity. Restoring hydration is an essential first step in treating constipation. Strategies may include feeding canned food to increase water intake, subcutaneous fluid therapy, or hospitalisation for IV fluid therapy.

The next step is getting some of the poop out of your cat. This typically involves an enema or two (or 10) and time to allow your cat to have a bowel movement on their own. While using an over-the-counter enema at home may seem like a good idea, these should be avoided since many are toxic to cats. If enemas don’t work, your veterinarian will manually remove the hard, dry stool to help get things moving. This procedure is called deobstipation. No cat appreciates this process, so it commonly requires sedation or anaesthesia. Don’t try this at home, not that you’d even want to. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a laxative or recommend a psyllium-rich diet to help with colonic motility – anything to keep things moving.

6 Common Health Concerns in Senior Cats

How to spot and how to treat them

Long-term effects of constipation in cats

A cat who has had an episode of constipation is at increased risk for developing future episodes. A colon that is repeatedly stretched to its max can lose its ability to contract normally. Kitties who experience recurrent bouts of constipation or have their constipation go untreated can become obstipated, which occurs when constipation is so severe that a cat is completely unable to pass stool. Stool continues to accumulate and harden, which leads to megacolon (yes, this is a medical term). Megacolon is irreversible and requires aggressive treatment and sometimes even surgical intervention.

Prevention of cat constipation

Encourage your cat to drink by providing easily accessible fresh water. Kitty drinking fountains can increase water intake in cats who prefer flowing water. Minimise the stress associated with litter box visits by providing clean, easily accessible litter boxes that are comfortable for your cat to use. Ideally, have at least one litter box per cat in the household, located in an area with some privacy.

Encourage your cat to be active, as sedentary cats are more likely to become constipated. Keep longhaired cats well-groomed to prevent constipation from hairballs or matted fur under the tail. Discuss with your vet about switching to a fibre-rich diet or adding a fibre supplement before starting. For some cats with obstipation, extra fibre is not the answer. Discuss chronic pain management with your veterinarian if your cat has arthritis or chronic pain from a previous injury.

Dr. Alycia Washington, DVM, MS

Alycia Washington, DVM, is a small animal emergency veterinarian based in North Carolina. She works as a relief veterinarian and provides services to numerous emergency and specialty hospitals. Dr. Washington is also a children’s book author and freelance writer with a focus on veterinary medicine. She has a special fondness for turtles, honey bees, and penguins — none of which she treats. In her free time, Dr. Washington enjoys travel, good food, and good enough coffee.

Is Your Cat Full of Sh*t?

Share Article

Symptoms of cat constipation

Do Cat Foods For Sensitive Stomachs Really Help?