A Practical Home Guide to Constipation in Cats
Cat poop is a long-standing topic. In addition to soft stools, constipation is also one of the key points, and constipation is different from soft stools. The longer you wait, the worse it will be. This time we will talk directly: constipation, what cat parents can do when they encounter it.
Is your cat constipated?
Everyone knows what constipation means, but there are many small details that need to be considered in the specific criteria for judging cats. Let me talk about a rough judgment first: if there is no normal bowel movement for more than 3 days, it can be regarded as abnormal. Some cats poop in the corner without being noticed, and the cat parents really think it is constipation and has not pooped. Or the cat has just changed its food, and the feces are smaller and less than before (especially after eating cat food instead of meat), and the defecation slows down, which is also regarded as constipation, and the result is naturally a false alarm.
But in general, no shit for more than 3 days = there may be some problems, but there is nothing wrong with it. In addition, there are the following symptoms of constipation worth noting!
Going into the toilet and screaming:
It’s hard not to have a bowel movement, but sometimes the weird noises are due to urinary tract diseases, so pay attention to distinguishing them
Light diarrhea but not shit serious
Constipation in cats can be manifested as loose stools—because the stools are stuck and cannot come out, they can only have some loose stools. At this time, don't think it is gastroenteritis, it may be constipation. Need to see a doctor for palpation + filming.
Can’t poop + Vomiting · Severe
If you don’t defecate all the time and then vomit, or you vomit as soon as you defecate hard, it is the severe discomfort/pain that stimulates the vomiting center. Need to see a doctor for palpation + filming.
No shit + frequent strange screams, severe
It looked okay when I was lying on my stomach, but suddenly there was a groan, which sounded weird, it was a stomachache caused by stool. Need to see a doctor for palpation + filming.
Not energetic, keep squatting hen
There are good and bad cat hen squatting. You don’t have to be suspicious when you see cat hen squatting. You have to refer to it in conjunction with the cat’s mental state and appetite. If the cat is not very energetic and does not like to play, "maybe" it is suffering from illness and discomfort.
Stomach touching reaction is very strong and serious
Most cats hate being touched on their bellies, but severely constipated cats react much more violently. If it opens its mouth to fight back and screams strangely when it is touched lightly, there may be something wrong in its stomach. It is best to seek medical examination.
Home Treatments for Constipated Cats
Ordinary constipation is fine, but severe constipation cannot be treated at home, but in reality, most people’s first reaction is to solve it at home, so just try it properly, and don’t delay it for a long time! If you are sure that the cat at home has not defecated for more than 3 days, and there is still no reaction after using lactulose for 1-2 days, then you should go to the hospital.
For more severe constipation, commonly used drugs are as follows (these drugs are also used for megacolon):
Medical paraffin oil:
A lubricating oil that does not react with the intestines. It is colorless and odorless and hardly affects the taste of food. It is very easy to feed when mixed into cans. A single dose of 3-4g is sufficient. It can help the feces to slide out better, and it is helpful for cats with bowel surgery and habitual constipation. However, long-term use will affect the intestinal flora and vitamin absorption.
Kaiserou:
If possible, I really don't recommend doing it at home, it's troublesome, and it's easy to get chicken feathers all over the place. Unless you really have no other way, and at the same time make sure that your cat is not seriously dehydrated (touch the gums for stickiness, sticky, not moist, it means dehydration), then consider giving it a try. Kaisailu has 1. glycerin version and 2. mannitol + magnesium sulfate. Personally, it is recommended to use the glycerin version, which has a high fault tolerance rate, and excessive use of the latter is potentially dangerous.
When using, fix the cat; take some vegetable oil/Vaseline to lubricate the tip, push it to the deepest part of the cat's chrysanthemum, and then squeeze about 1/4 into it. At this time, the key point is, don't let the cat run away. Hold the cat, no matter what the posture is, keep the chrysanthemum lifted, so that the kaiselu can flow into the intestine better. About 3 minutes or so should be enough - if you are unlucky, the cat may start spraying feces sooner.
Eventually, overuse of Kesailu will gradually lose its effectiveness, which is a common problem with all constipation medicines.
Lactulose:
Easy to use, easy to feed, safe and reliable, and easy to buy. You can buy it on Ele.me (Dumic). The dosage ranges from 0.5ml/kg to 1ml/kg, once or twice a day depending on the condition, whether it is mild occasional constipation, severe constipation or even megacolon, it is an essential key drug. The disadvantage is that it takes 1-2 days to see results, not so fast. Also, it will fail over time.
Macrogol 4000 powder:
Strong drug, not recommended unless lactulose fails. The dose is roughly 0.5g, rarely up to 1g. It is highly effective and must be used under the guidance of a doctor, and the hydration status of the cat must be determined, as the intestinal tract will not be able to pull out water if it lacks water.
Mild constipation and daily prevention:
Psyllium Husk Powder
hair removal cream/hair removal film
Pumpkin Butter Puree
The classic microwave pumpkin puree + butter has very low side effects, and can be used occasionally every day to relieve mild constipation. As for the flakes/powder, its main ingredient is cellulose, mostly psyllium husk powder, which is certainly not cost-effective but good to eat. It can also improve difficulty in defecation. It is still important to pay attention, if the cat is short of water, more fiber supplements will not only improve the constipation but also aggravate it. Constipated cats should pay attention to replenishing water~
Is your cat constipated?
Everyone knows what constipation means, but there are many small details that need to be considered in the specific criteria for judging cats. Let me talk about a rough judgment first: if there is no normal bowel movement for more than 3 days, it can be regarded as abnormal. Some cats poop in the corner without being noticed, and the cat parents really think it is constipation and has not pooped. Or the cat has just changed its food, and the feces are smaller and less than before (especially after eating cat food instead of meat), and the defecation slows down, which is also regarded as constipation, and the result is naturally a false alarm.
But in general, no shit for more than 3 days = there may be some problems, but there is nothing wrong with it. In addition, there are the following symptoms of constipation worth noting!
Going into the toilet and screaming:
It’s hard not to have a bowel movement, but sometimes the weird noises are due to urinary tract diseases, so pay attention to distinguishing them
Light diarrhea but not shit serious
Constipation in cats can be manifested as loose stools—because the stools are stuck and cannot come out, they can only have some loose stools. At this time, don't think it is gastroenteritis, it may be constipation. Need to see a doctor for palpation + filming.
Can’t poop + Vomiting · Severe
If you don’t defecate all the time and then vomit, or you vomit as soon as you defecate hard, it is the severe discomfort/pain that stimulates the vomiting center. Need to see a doctor for palpation + filming.
No shit + frequent strange screams, severe
It looked okay when I was lying on my stomach, but suddenly there was a groan, which sounded weird, it was a stomachache caused by stool. Need to see a doctor for palpation + filming.
Not energetic, keep squatting hen
There are good and bad cat hen squatting. You don’t have to be suspicious when you see cat hen squatting. You have to refer to it in conjunction with the cat’s mental state and appetite. If the cat is not very energetic and does not like to play, "maybe" it is suffering from illness and discomfort.
Stomach touching reaction is very strong and serious
Most cats hate being touched on their bellies, but severely constipated cats react much more violently. If it opens its mouth to fight back and screams strangely when it is touched lightly, there may be something wrong in its stomach. It is best to seek medical examination.
Home Treatments for Constipated Cats
Ordinary constipation is fine, but severe constipation cannot be treated at home, but in reality, most people’s first reaction is to solve it at home, so just try it properly, and don’t delay it for a long time! If you are sure that the cat at home has not defecated for more than 3 days, and there is still no reaction after using lactulose for 1-2 days, then you should go to the hospital.
For more severe constipation, commonly used drugs are as follows (these drugs are also used for megacolon):
Medical paraffin oil:
A lubricating oil that does not react with the intestines. It is colorless and odorless and hardly affects the taste of food. It is very easy to feed when mixed into cans. A single dose of 3-4g is sufficient. It can help the feces to slide out better, and it is helpful for cats with bowel surgery and habitual constipation. However, long-term use will affect the intestinal flora and vitamin absorption.
Kaiserou:
If possible, I really don't recommend doing it at home, it's troublesome, and it's easy to get chicken feathers all over the place. Unless you really have no other way, and at the same time make sure that your cat is not seriously dehydrated (touch the gums for stickiness, sticky, not moist, it means dehydration), then consider giving it a try. Kaisailu has 1. glycerin version and 2. mannitol + magnesium sulfate. Personally, it is recommended to use the glycerin version, which has a high fault tolerance rate, and excessive use of the latter is potentially dangerous.
When using, fix the cat; take some vegetable oil/Vaseline to lubricate the tip, push it to the deepest part of the cat's chrysanthemum, and then squeeze about 1/4 into it. At this time, the key point is, don't let the cat run away. Hold the cat, no matter what the posture is, keep the chrysanthemum lifted, so that the kaiselu can flow into the intestine better. About 3 minutes or so should be enough - if you are unlucky, the cat may start spraying feces sooner.
Eventually, overuse of Kesailu will gradually lose its effectiveness, which is a common problem with all constipation medicines.
Lactulose:
Easy to use, easy to feed, safe and reliable, and easy to buy. You can buy it on Ele.me (Dumic). The dosage ranges from 0.5ml/kg to 1ml/kg, once or twice a day depending on the condition, whether it is mild occasional constipation, severe constipation or even megacolon, it is an essential key drug. The disadvantage is that it takes 1-2 days to see results, not so fast. Also, it will fail over time.
Macrogol 4000 powder:
Strong drug, not recommended unless lactulose fails. The dose is roughly 0.5g, rarely up to 1g. It is highly effective and must be used under the guidance of a doctor, and the hydration status of the cat must be determined, as the intestinal tract will not be able to pull out water if it lacks water.
Mild constipation and daily prevention:
Psyllium Husk Powder
hair removal cream/hair removal film
Pumpkin Butter Puree
The classic microwave pumpkin puree + butter has very low side effects, and can be used occasionally every day to relieve mild constipation. As for the flakes/powder, its main ingredient is cellulose, mostly psyllium husk powder, which is certainly not cost-effective but good to eat. It can also improve difficulty in defecation. It is still important to pay attention, if the cat is short of water, more fiber supplements will not only improve the constipation but also aggravate it. Constipated cats should pay attention to replenishing water~