How to Relieve Cat Constipation
📝 Summary
Constipation in cats comes from obesity, low water and fiber, painful anal wounds, some drugs, a dirty litter box, illness, or stress — and left long it can become megacolon. Start with lactulose, probiotics, a little paraffin, and warm water; move to enemas or, in chronic senior cases, an X-ray for megacolon that may need surgery.
1 Causes
Obesity or old age slows digestion and movement.
Too little water — desert ancestry plus a meat diet means low fiber and easy constipation.
An anal injury from fighting makes defecation painful, so stool hardens in the gut;
Some drugs relax smooth muscle and slow the gut;
A dirty, smelly litter box the cat refuses to use;
Illness — low potassium, endocrine disorder, parasites, kidney failure;
Stress — a new environment or low mood cuts activity and gut movement.
2 What to Do
For a recent case, try lactulose (not for diabetic cats), live probiotics, food-grade liquid paraffin, and hairball paste to lubricate and move the gut, plus extra warm water, and see if it eases.
If that helps little, the clinic can give an enema; for a weak cat, dilute the solution first to avoid diarrhea.
An older cat with long-standing constipation should be X-rayed for megacolon, which usually needs surgery or it can threaten life.
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