What Is It?
Constipation in cats is when a cat has difficulty passing stool. Constipation is common, especially for older cats. Constipation lasting more than 72 hours can be lethal in newborn kittens as they are too small to keep toxic fecal matter inside of their bodies. But a good mother cat stimulates a kitten to defecate by licking the anus and genitals and will not stop until the kitten excretes.
What Causes It?
In adult cats, constipation is often caused by hairballs because they can partly block up the intestines. Prescription medications can also cause constipation in cats, especially if they make the cat lethargic. Older cats tend to lose muscle tone all over their bodies, including the muscles inside of the intestines and colon which help push feces along. Excess fat presses down on the digestive organs, narrowing them. The usual feline constipation patient is an obese indoor pet over seven years old.
Orphaned newborn kittens less than four weeks old cannot defecate by themselves without stimulation. The feces soon block up the intestines.
What Are the Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of constipation include straining in a squat without being able to produce stool. The cat may cry out in pain. Any stool produced is smaller than usual, nearly black in color and hard. The abdomen may be distended and the cat may not like being touched or petted in that area. Cats and older kittens often lick their anus more than usual because it feels sore. Symptoms vary from cat to cat.
How Is It Diagnosed?
If the cat or kitten has never been diagnosed with constipation before, a veterinarian will need to palpate the abdomen in order to feel for filled intestines. A vet will also need a stool sample – if that’s possible. If the cat is bleeding from the anus, the vet will check for tumors, bits of bone or any other object that could be blocking stool from leaving the body. If a tumor is expected, then the cat will need X-rays.
Conventional Treatments
Treatment for constipation in cats depends on the cause. If the cause is a swallowed object, like yarn or a small cat toy, then the cat will need surgery to remove it. But this is rare. If the cause is from impacted feces, then the vet will give the cat an enema.
Most cats are given a mild laxative containing fiber and oil. These are available from the vet or, if the vet approves, can be purchased over the counter at pet stores.
Many cats enjoy canned pumpkin. Feed one teaspoon per day. Some cats will eat it straight off of the spoon, but others prefer it mixed with their regular dry, canned or pouched food.
Newborn kittens can be fed kitten formula with a few drops of vegetable oil added. To prevent constipation in orphaned kittens under one month old, wipe the genitals softly with a damp cloth to simulate the mother cat’s tongue. Keep doing this until the kitten urinates and defecates. This is best done after feeding.
Additional References
Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook. Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, et al. Howell Book House; 1995.
ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats. James R. Richards, DVM. Chronicle Books; 1999.
Pets Canada. “Diarrhea and Constipation in Cats.” http://www.pets.ca/cats/articles/cat-diarrhea-constipation-intestinal-disorders/
Personal experience, especially with elderly cats
