5 Best Cat Food For Constipation in 2021

Constipation is a common problem in cats, though its symptoms, causes, and issues vary from one cat to another. Whenever a cat owner noticed that its pet is suffering from constipation, the first curiosity is finding out what caused constipation and how to treat it.

As one of the most common health problems associated with pets’ digestive systems, constipation has causes, symptoms, and ways of treatment. Once you notice that your cat is having difficulties passing out or excreting a dry hard stool, then the cat is probably suffering from constipation, as a healthy cat will excrete at least once a day. If you notice your cat is frequently visiting its litter box, or it’s not going there at all, hurriedly check as it might be constipation. Though it usually doesn’t mean much, constipation might indicate an underlying health problem which is why it’s good to act fast.

This article shall discuss the causes of constipation in cats, its symptoms, and treatments. We will also look at the best food to feed your cat with when it’s suffering from constipation, we will conclude with a frequently asked question about construction in cats. Grab a cup of tea as you go through the guide.

Causes of Constipation in Cats

The causes of constipation vary from one cat to another. While for some, it’s just normal constipation, it is caused by underlying health conditions for some cats. Let’s look at some of the common causes of constipation in cats.

Lifestyle or behavior

Some cats can be reluctant to empty their bowels if a change occurs in their life. These changes are many; some include a dirty litter box; if your cat is used to excreting on a clean litter box, then it suddenly notices you aren’t taking care of the litter box again, it might be reluctant to use the dirty box. Another thing might be, if you bring in a new cat, your old cat might not like sharing a litter box with the new cat, so it will be holding itself from bowel movements. Other causes of constipation related to lifestyle and behavior include; if a cat dislikes the type of litter box, maybe it has a bad experience with it before. Also, a cat might constipate if its litter box is placed in a noisy and rowdy place.

Not Drinking Enough Water

If your cat is not taking enough water, it will be dehydrated as water is absorbed from faces in the large intestine. So if the body doesn’t have enough water, it will try to reabsorb more water leading to a dry hard stool that will be hard to come out. Older cats sometimes suffer from kidney diseases which caused frequent urination and dehydration, which can lead to constipation.

Obstruction of the Colon

Another reason why your pet might be constipating is because of an obstructed colon. This usually happens after the cat has gotten a fracture in the pelvis or the development of a tumor. As it is healing, the pelvic canal will narrow and compressed with the colon leading to feces being accumulated behind the constriction. This can cause severe constipation in cats.

Pain associated with other diseases

This is mostly experienced by older cats. These cats might suffer from pain and discomforts associated with diseases like arthritis. In situations like this, the cat may find it hard to go to the litter tray or keep a good position to defecate. As such, it will be reluctant to empty its bowels.

At times, the pain may be from the colon or rectum of the cat due to some health abnormalities or because of the food the cat ate. Other pains that cause reluctance to defecate in cats include; Pain on the skin, pain around the anus area or tail. When you notice that your cat is constipating because of pain, quickly take it to a veterinarian for a checkup as it might be caused by an underlying health condition.

Metabolic Disorders

This is one of the most common causes of constipation in cats. A low level of calcium or potassium in the blood can reduce the ability of the colon to carry out its activities; this, in turn, will lead to constipation. Another rare metabolic disorder in cats that causes constipation is Hypothyroidism, which is caused by a lack of thyroid hormones.

Neurological Problems

Neurological problems are sometimes the cause of constipation in cats. For example, if the nerve controlling the construction of the rectum got damage due to trauma, this might lead to constipation. In order cases, these neurological traumas lead to uncontrolled defecation and urination.

The above mentioned are some of the common causes of constipation in cats; other causes of constipation in cats include idiopathic megacolon, change of environment, hair injection, hernia, and side effects of medications. Next, let’s look at the symptoms of constipation

Symptoms of Constipation in Cats

The most common symptom of constipation is infrequent defecation; a healthy cat is expected to empty its bowels at least once in 24 hours. As some cats have the habit of defecating outdoors, a cat owner might not be able to notice the infrequency of its bowel movement. But there are other symptoms shown by cats suffering from constipation. They include:

• Passing out of dry hard small stools: This is usually the first symptom of constipation in cats. The cat will be finding it hard to defecate, to push out the feces, these hard, dry small stools will end up coming out.
• Lack of appetite: Most cats usually suffer from a lack of appetite when they are constipating. Though lack of appetite can be a symptom of other conditions, constipation generally caused it.
• A Hunched and uncomfortable posture: If you notice your cat is lying down in a hunched and uncomfortable posture, it is probably suffering from constipation.
• Constant Straining; If you notice your pet is constantly straining, quickly check as it might be constipating. Though urination can also cause staining.
• Frequent visits to the litter box; If the little creature keeps making trips to its litter box, then it’s probably having constipation. It will feel like defecating and when it reaches the litter box, it won’t be able to do.
• Fecal fluids that look like diarrhea; Sometimes, hard stools don’t come out during constipation, rather some faecal fluids resembling diarrhoea will be ejected when your pet tries to excrete
• Vomiting: In some cases, cats end up vomiting if they are constipating. However, it’s not all vomiting in cats that’s caused by constipation, other medical conditions may be the cause Of vomiting in pets.
• Crying out in pain when trying to empty its bowels; When you notice that the little created keeps letting out small cries whenever it visits its litter box, quickly check as it might be having difficulties emptying its bowels
• Abdominal discomforts; Cats usually suffer from abdominal discomfort during constipation. If you notice such discomfort in your cat, check it’s there are hard stools, then it’s probably suffering from constipation.
• Loss of weight; When constipation lasts for a long time, it usually causes drastic loss of weight in cats.)
• Lack of Grooming: Some cats don’t feel comfortable enough to groom when they are constipating. If you notice your cat isn’t grooming anymore, take it to the veterinarian, it might be suffering from constipation.

These are the most common symptoms of constipation in cats. In some cases, the cat might be passing out the hard, dry stool with mucous or blood, usually, cats squeak when passing out this kind of stool as it is very painful. Once you notice any of these symptoms, quickly contact your veterinarian for a proper checkup.

How to treat Cats constipation

Treatment of constipation in cats depends on the cause, severity, and longevity of the condition. Though a cat’s constipation can be treated simply at home, it’s, however, advisable to take the pet to a veterinarian if the condition persists, as it might be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Below are some general ways used in testing constipation in cats:

Keeping its litter box clean:

Make sure the litter box of your kitten is kept clean and tidy every time. Constantly review the place it is kept, how comfortable your kitten feels defecating there and if the size is okay.

Make sure your cat is well hydrated

A regular and healthy fluid intake will keep the little pet hydrated thereby reducing the severity of constipation. When your cat is suffering from constipation, encourage it to drink as much water as it can. Also, switch to feeding it with wet foods rather than dry ones.

Enema

This is a good way of treating constipation, however, most costs don’t like this procedure. And some enemas contain substances that are poisonous to cats. If you feel like going for an enema, please seek the aid of a veterinarian, don’t do it at home.

Dietary management

Checking into the diet of your kitten and making some little amendments can save it from constipation. A high moisture diet with a high amount of fibre will help in making the feces softer and easier to pass in cases of mild constipation. When the cat is undergoing severe constipation, you can try a residue diet alongside laxatives. See your veterinarian for the best diet that suits your kitten.

Use of Laxatives

There are many kinds of laxatives available. Though they might not be licensed for use on cats, most of these laxatives have proved to be effective with few side effects. Types of laxatives include the lubricant laxatives that lubricate the colon and the rectum, making passage of phases easier. We also have laxatives that promote the resilience of water in faces which we call Emollient laxatives. Other types of laxatives include; stimulant laxatives and osmotic laxatives.

Use of Prokinetic Drugs

These are drugs that treat constipation by aiding the neuromuscular contraction of the colon, a good example of a prokinetic drug is cisapride. A combination of prokinetic drugs with a low residue diet is a good way of treating constipation in cats.

Subtotal colectomy Surgery

If the change of diet, use of laxatives, and regular exercises doesn’t help in treating constipation. The last option is to go for surgery to remove most of the colon which is known as Subtotal Colectomy surgery. Usually, cats will experience frequent diarrhea after this surgery, but after then the chances of your cat suffering from constipation again are very rare.

The above discussed are some of the common ways of treating constipation. It is advisable to quickly take your cat to a professional when you notice the symptoms of constipation persist. It is also not encouraging the be administering drugs to the kitten, take it to a veterinarian for a proper checkup and diagnosis.

You might be worried about what to feed your cat with when it’s having a hard time passing stool. Yeah, you have to be extra careful of what you feed your cat with during that time, as you don’t know what has caused the pain. In general, it’s quite good to avoid dry hard foods and go for wet soft foods during that time. There are many cat foods available in the markets, choosing the right one for your little friend might be overwhelming. To save you from stress and to keep you on the safer side, we have decided to review some of the best cat foods for better bowel movement. These foods were made by experts who have good knowledge of how to approach a cat’s difficulty in passing stool. They are easily digestible and highly nutritious to your kitten.

Note that these foods are reviewed in no order.