Fiber in diet not resolving cat's constipation problem

by Lydia
(NY)

My cat has a constipation problem. The vet put him on a fiber diet.


The doo was soft and the cat now didn't want to wait until finished. The rest ends up on the floor.

The vet said to add in regular food. That worked for a while. I went back to the vet and he gave us some medicine and said to get two litter boxes.

The problem is now chronic with doo outside the box. I had to pull doo from anus.

I just went to the vet again, and the stand-in vet suggested psyllium fiber powder mixed with food. The cat is having a fit because he knows there is something in the food. Any other suggestions?

My thoughts: I'm sorry to hear your cat is having so much trouble, Lydia.

For a natural remedy for constipation, some holistic/integrative vets recommend adding un-spiced, canned pumpkin to your cat's food. Those I've talked to who've used it said that it worked, and that their cats didn't mind it being in the food.

Amazon sells Nummy Tum Tum organic pumpkin for pets.

For a less natural but effective remedy for constipation, Teddie used to get Lactulose. That always seems to do the trick.

You should be able to get it from your vet, but I'm not sure if that's the medicine that you refer to?

It comes in a tube, and you just wipe this gooey stuff on their lips, cheek, nose or paw a couple of times a day, and they lick it off.

It sounds like your cat may have too much hair in the intestinal tract, so if possible, I would up the grooming schedule and brush him twice a day for a while.

Many cats do not drink enough water, which leads to constipation, so anything you can do to get your cat to drink water would be helpful. Cats often prefer moving water over still, so sometimes a water fountain leads to more drinking.

Once the bowel problems are solved, he may get right back to good litter box habits. If not, isolation retraining is the way to get him there.

If you have questions at that time, let me know. I hope that helps and please keep us updated on his progress.
-Kurt

Comments for Fiber in diet not resolving cat's constipation problem

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Mar 26, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Probiotics + enzymes for cats
by: Elena

My 9 y.o. rescue kitty with digestive issues is doing well on probiotics (with FOS)+ digestive enzymes. You can get those supplements for cats on Amazon, etc.
Mar 26, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Fiber in diet
by: Deb

We had a cat with this problem. He detested wet cat food and would only eat dry food. It became so terrible that our vet recommended baby suppositories - joy.

Eventually I broke down and fed him baby food; chicken or ham, once a day which led to success. It was difficult feeding him separate from the others.

As time progressed we found a few types of canned cat food that he would eat, but there again, we had to feed him separately from the others. Good luck to you.
Mar 26, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Constipation
by: Rocio

Your cat could have megacolon, where the intestines lose their motility. I lost two cats last year (siblings) to this disease. Cisapride helped for a while only. Good luck to you.
Mar 26, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Constipation
by: Anonymous

My cat has the same problem and my vet said to give her Miralax, 1/8-1/4 teaspoon daily. I put it in lactose free milk because cats are lactose intolerant and can't digest regular milk.

I give it to her every morning along with her food. It will take a few days to get working but don't stop it.

My kitty has been on it now for a year and is not having any problems. You may want to give the 1/4 teas. first and then adjust as needed. Mine takes the 1/8 daily. Good Luck!!!!!
Mar 26, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Still Constipated
by: Anonymous

I have a cat with this problem and not much helps. She gets pumpkin in her canned grain-free cat food as well as a custom herbal formula from a holistic vet.

I can tell when she gets constipated because she poops on the hard floor instead of in the litter box. When it gets bad, I also give her liquid Lactulose but my vet doesn't recommend that on a regular basis.

I've also started giving her less canned food and more raw unfrozen pellets that she loves so we'll see if that helps. It's always something!
Mar 26, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Possible Solution
by: Anonymous

All the cats I've owned have always had to have canned pet food to eat along with the dry cat food. When I tried to keep them on a dry cat food diet, they became constipated.
Mar 26, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		More water
by: Yvonne

It may be too that your cat needs more water. That helps for humans why not cats? My cats love the fountain, but even putting a bucket in the tub or sink and leaving it on a slow drip may encourage your cat to drink more water which should help with the constipation.
Mar 26, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Look into nutrition, and order X-rays.
by: Marge

Contact a cat nutritionist. Maybe there's too much corn in your cat everyday diet.

Cats are meat eaters. Commercial cat food contains way too much plant material, and the main culprit is corn, and corn gluten.

Also, if I were you, I'd have the cat x-rayed (the intestinal tract, with the use of barium for contrast) to see what is going on in there. It is hard to give advice if one does not know all the available details.

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