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What Causes a Cat to Be Constipated?
by Kimberley Jace
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What Causes a Cat to Be Constipated?
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Dietary Causes
A change in diet can cause constipation in a cat. The new food, especially a dry food, might be higher in protein, which doesn't provide enough bulk for the cat. Conversely, a new dry food that is higher in fiber might cause constipation if the cat doesn't drink enough water and become dehydrated. Canned food is less likely to cause constipation. Remedies for dietary-caused constipation include: switching back to the former food; switching temporarily to canned food; or encouraging the cat to drink more water. Some cats like to drink running water and will drink more if a bathroom faucet is left trickling for them several hours a day or if a pet fountain is provided. A constipated cat may instinctively try to eat grass as a laxative, but grass can make the problem worse.
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Lifestyle Causes
Anything that keeps the cat from regular access to its litter box can cause constipation; if the cat ignores the urge to eliminate, fecal matter may become dry and compacted, making elimination painful. Constipation can result if a cat has been accidentally locked out of the area where its litter box is located; if another animal has intimidated it, making it fearful to approach its litter box; or if another cat has used the box, making it distasteful for the constipated cat. Another pet also might be frightening the cat away from its food dish. Remedies include confining the constipated cat in its own area, away from other pets, with its own food source and litter box, until the constipation is resolved. Old age and inactivity also can lead to constipation.
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Medical Causes
Constipation can be a symptom of a variety of more serious medical problems. Hairballs, caused by the cat swallowing fur during grooming, are a common problem that can become a medical emergency. Many cats will vomit up hairballs, but any that move farther into the digestive tract can trigger constipation. Regularly brushing your cats, especially long-haired cats, can help eliminate this problem. A cat that has recently been injured in a fall or hit by a car might have spinal or pelvic problems that make elimination difficult. A cat recovering from an injury or surgery also might find it painful to squat in the litter box.
Diseases of the colon or rectum can cause constipation, as can systemic diseases such as feline leukemia.
A veterinarian will be able to quickly rule out serious injury or disease and can prescribe a tune-flavored cat-safe laxative to get the animal back on track. If a constipated cat shows any other symptoms of illness, including pain, lethargy or vomiting, consult a vet at once.
