Expert: Jessica - 10/15/2010

Question
Hello.  As the subject line indicates, I have a cat (11 year old mix-breed neutered male) that is in good health (and weight) but has recently seemed to become constipated.  He is an indoor cat and eats dry cat food.  He seems to have periodic constipation.  Any home remedies I can try?  I've tried soft/moist food with a bit of olive oil but it hasn't seemed to help.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Curtis,

Minor constipation can usually be helped by giving the cat a hairball treatment such as Laxatone or Petromalt.  These can be found at most any pet store.  For most cats (about 10 lbs), give 5 cc's (one teaspoon) each day until a bowel movement is produced.  Some cats will develop diarrhea, but this should correct itself within a day or two after the treatment is stopped.  If constipation is chronic, give a half dose or less of the treatment each day to encourage regularity.

But if no bowel movement is produced within a couple of days, the cat should see a vet.  Fecal obstruction can be deadly, and long-standing constipation can result in an irreversable condition called megacolon.  Here, the colon is stretched until it no longer has enough tone to propel feces through it.  When severe enough, the diseased tissue must be surgically removed.

Also, I would encourage a vet visit to see if there seems to be any underlying cause for his constipation.  It may indicate that he's chronically dehydrated, which might only suggest he's not drinking enough.  In this case, you may need to try feeding him only canned food or buy a pet fountain to encourage water intake.  But dehydration might also mean your kitty has become diabetic or developed kidney problems.

Good luck!

Jessica