Constipation In Cats

If left untreated, constipation can have serious consequences for cats. Here’s everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of constipation in cats.

While most cat owners are alarmed when their cat has diarrhea, they remain relatively calm when constipation occurs. A constipation, medically a “constipation”, is an equally serious symptom. If left untreated, constipation can lead to serious health problems:

• The feces remaining in the intestine can become so hard that one speaks of stone feces, which can only be removed by surgery.
• The intestine can expand so much that it literally “wears out”. Its ability to move, contract and thus transport the intestinal contents is permanently disturbed and the next constipation is almost inevitable. This pathologically dilated and slack intestine is called a “megacolon”.

Causes Of Constipation In Cats

There are many causes of constipation in cats. The most common are:

• lack of water
• overweight
• Too little movement
• too much hair in the digestive tract
• wrong diet

Usually, several factors play together. Very low-fiber or very high-fiber feed combined with too little water is a cause of constipation, for example. It is often overweight as a result of poor nutrition and lack of exercise. In fact, there is a connection between a cat’s physical activity and bowel function. Inactivity can lead to constipation.
Reluctance to move and difficulty in defecation can also be caused by pain. Back problems or bone diseases are an example of this. Osteodystrophy, a softening of the bones caused by a disrupted calcium metabolism, can lead to a narrowing of the pelvis, for example, and thus make defecation more difficult. In addition, tumors, injuries, psychological problems, and many other factors can lead to difficulties in defecation.

In addition to the treatment of acute constipation, research into the cause is therefore of crucial importance – not only to prevent further constipation but also to detect any serious illnesses at an early stage.

In addition, constipation combined with other symptoms can also be a sign of a life-threatening bowel obstruction.

Emergency Intestinal Obstruction In Cats

Intestinal obstruction is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. Intestinal obstruction can be caused by the following:

• swallowed foreign bodies
• severe worm infestation
• tumors
• intestinal entanglement

Cats with an intestinal obstruction are actually unable to defecate. In rare cases, however, a fecal-like liquid leaks out of the intestines, which can be mistaken for diarrhea. Other symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:

• loss of appetite
• Vomit
• painful stomach
• weakness

These symptoms quickly worsen. Circulation (pale mucous membranes and rapid pulse) and breathing problems (shallow rapid breathing) are added. If an intestinal obstruction is suspected, the vet will x-ray the cat. If the suspicion is confirmed, an operation is usually necessary. Due to the unstable circulatory system, this operation is not without risk, but there are no alternatives to it.

Symptoms Of Constipation In Cats

Owners of loose cats have a very hard time even noticing constipation. They must therefore observe their animals even more carefully than the owners of indoor cats. Signs of problems with the intestines can be:

• seclusion
• unwillingness to play
• lack of appetite
• frequent licking of the anus
• Looking around for the belly
• Abdominal pain: the cat has a tense abdominal wall and does not like to be picked up.

Treatment Of Constipation In Cats

The primary aim of the therapy is to make it easier for the cat to defecate or to make it possible again.

In less severe cases, the vet will use laxatives, which mainly soften the stool. For example, disaccharide-based laxatives that are given to the cat with the food have proven effective. It is often recommended to simply give milk to a cat that is slightly constipated. In fact, the lactose contained in milk has a laxative effect. But this method can be too drastic and lead to severe diarrhea.

Enemas and enemas through the anus are indicated for obstinate constipation. Enemas should only be administered by veterinarians, as they can easily injure the cat’s delicate intestines. Parasympathomimetics can help cats with constipation. They stimulate the autonomic nervous system and intestinal motility. However, they may only be used if there is no mechanical obstacle blocking the intestines, otherwise, serious injuries, even life-threatening tears in the intestinal wall, can occur.

Prevent Constipation In Cats

Once the first illnesses have been ruled out as the cause of recurring constipation in cats, as a cat owner you can take a number of measures to prevent constipation:

• A change in feed or a long-term administration of mild, stool-softening agents can help.
• Careful grooming prevents constipation caused by swallowed hair.
• More liquid, e.g. through a higher proportion of wet food or stimulation of water intake (e.g. through a drinking fountain or several water bowls distributed in the apartment) and more exercise through play or foraging help to make the work of the intestines easier.

It is best to discuss a change in feed with your veterinarian. He knows your cat and its individual problems and can give you very specific advice.