It is not uncommon in cats to suffer occasional constipation. You may notice small dry hard stools in the cat litter or there may simply be an absence of any stools.
Other signs are pooping outside of the cat litter box could suggest constipation.
Vomiting, hunching in discomfort, lethargy, weight loss and lack of appetite can all point towards constipation as the reason.
Cats that suffer hairballs are prone to constipation.
More things to watch for
Sometimes an owner misdiagnoses cat constipation as what the owner sees appears to be like diarrhea. This can be overflow where as the cat is constipated but watery stools work their ways round the obstruction giving the owner the mistaken conception that the cat has diarrhea when in fact the opposite is true.
Flutd is a serious illness in a cat in which a cat has problems urinating but to the eye of the owner it may appear that he is straining through constipation.
For such reasons don’t take too long observing if you are not sure what is going on with your cat. Take him to the vet.
Causes
Sometimes it’s a simple case of dehydration. Cats are not one of nature’s big drinkers relying more on taking water in their food.
Keep water at hand at all times for your cat even though they rarely seem to bother with it. They would likely drink if feeling the first stages of dehydration.
Another possibility is that the cat may be deciding for themselves to not pass stools as the cat litter may be dirty.
Cats are very clean animals and hate a dirty litter box. So much so they may not use it. This could cause confusion and stress in the cat and end up with constipation.
What can it be?
Other reasons could be obstruction of the colon which may be due to hairballs or even tumors, polyps and birth defects such as in certain breeds, i.e. tailless breeds such as Manx.
It could be that your cat is not on a good diet as lack of fiber can cause constipation. Antihistamines, antibiotics and diuretics may be a problem in some cats. If your cat is on any of those medications consider it as a possible cause.
If your cat has an old injury of the pelvis, this may be a cause. Kidney failure, thyroid problems and low potassium are also pointers.
Take action
If constipation is still occurring in your cat after these measures then take her to the vet as constipation is not usually a serious problem but if some other cause is undiagnosed then it can be fateful and indeed painful for your cat.
Your vet will simply examine the cat, check the colon to see if hard or soft. Further investigation could involve x-rays of the lumbar spine and pelvis as well as reveal the size of the colon.
How to treat constipation
For mild constipation, your vet will prescribe laxatives and make recommendations with your cat’s diet. He may prescribe lubricants and medications to soften the stools. If the constipation is serious enough he may perform an enema.
As always with any condition that does not resolve itself within 24 to 48 hours, take your cat straight to the vet.
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