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Expert: - 9/20/2011


Question
Dear Sir: I have a 12 year old female cat who has a constipation problem. I have been giving her a remedy I bought at a cat show that deals with constipation and it is working, however, I would rather put her on something natural or organic. I have read about psylliuim husk powder for cats but would like to know if I buy it in the health food store in a form that is meant for humans, can I give it to my cat? If so, does it come in organic form and what would be the dosage.? She is about 14.6 lbs. Also, is there a chance she could be allergic to it? She has an itching problem, she is on special food that is supposed to cure that. Has been on it for about 4 months but she is still itching. Can she be alleric to what I am giving her for the constipation and is it possible she would be allergic to the php? I know this is alot to ask but no one seems to be able to tell me anything. Vet wants to put her on kitty prozac for the scratching and I wont do that....thank you so much.

Answer
Diana,

At age 12 your cat is considered geriatric. So, her systems may not operate like they used to!

I am not a vet, but I have used can pumpkin (do not get the pie filling!!!!) to help regulate cats' GI tracts. You can also try unflavored yoghurt. I have had vets try Metamucil.

I know nothing about psyllium husk powder, but cats are often allergic to wheat, corn, soy and gluten, so, who knows. I would try to get to the bottom of the allergy and take her off any foods that contain corn, wheat, soy, gluten, or, even, cranberry. Food allergies are often a bear to nail down.

In my opinion, all the Prozac will do is mask the symptoms.  It does sound as if she is at a good weight.

Please let me know what happens.

Best regards... Norm.

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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