Relieving Your Constipated Cat: 6 Vet-Approved Ways to Get Them Pooping Again

Oh no, your poor kitty hasn’t pooped in days! As a cat owner, you know that constipation in cats is no joke. Your furry friend is miserable, straining in the litter box to no avail. We’ve all been there – desperate to help our constipated cats get some relief. Well friend, you’ve come to the right place.

As a cat health writer, I totally understand the struggle and want to help you and your backed-up kitty out. In this post, I’ll share the most effective constipation remedies to get your cat’s bowels moving freely again. From adding more fiber to their diet, encouraging exercise, and gentle belly massages, to over-the-counter laxatives and veterinarian-administered enemas, we’ll go through the best ways to get that poop out on track.

Your cat’s relief is my top priority. By the end, you’ll have several proven constipation solutions ready to try at home. Just make sure to check with your vet too, especially if kitty hasn’t pooped for over 3 days or has ongoing tummy troubles. Together, we’ll have your constipated cat feeling back to their regular, pooping selves in no time. Let’s do this!

How’s that for an engaging intro that relates to the reader’s problem with their constipated cat? Let me know if you would like me to modify or expand the introduction further. I’m happy to keep refining it until it draws the reader in perfectly.

Signs Your Cat is Constipated

Constipation is defined as difficulty or inability to pass feces, often resulting in hard pellet-like poop. Signs your cat may be backed up include:

Straining to poop without producing anything
Crying out when trying to poop
Lack of appetite
Vomiting
Small, hard poops
No poop for 3+ days

If you notice these signs, it’s time to take action to get their digestive system moving again.

Causes of Constipation in Cats

Understanding the potential causes of constipation can help you address the root issue:

Dehydration – Not getting enough water
Diet – Low fiber kibble, table scraps
Lack of exercise
Hairballs
Diseases like diabetes or thyroid disorder
Injury or arthritis hurting mobility
Side effects of medication
Stress or environmental changes

Home Constipation Remedies for Cats

Before turning to laxatives, try these natural home remedies to get your constipated cat to poop:

Increase Fiber

Adding more fiber to your cat’s diet can help bulk up stool and stimulate bowel movements. You can:

Sprinkle a teaspoon of pumpkin puree on their food
Mix in coconut fiber supplement
Switch to a high-fiber prescription cat food

Gradually transition to the new high-fiber food over 5-7 days.

Encourage More Water Intake

Dehydration directly leads to constipation, so ensuring your cat is getting enough water is key. Try:

Adding more water to their wet food
Getting a pet water fountain
Placing bowls in multiple locations
Dripping a faucet they can drink from

Cats tend to drink more when water is flowing.

Exercise and Belly Massages

Lack of activity slows down the digestive tract. Help stimulate bowels through:

Daily play sessions with interactive cat toys
Cat trees and scratching posts to climb
Gentle belly rubs and massage
Carefully working abdomen to stimulate poop

Hairball Remedies

Hairballs are a common cause of constipation. Use hairball-relief gels and foods to help cats pass hairballs and accompanying poop.

Increase Litter Box Attractiveness

Sometimes constipation is behavioral. Make sure the litter box is clean, private, and contains attractants to encourage use.

Over-the-Counter Laxatives

For more severe constipation, these laxatives may help get things moving:

Stool softeners – Laxatone, lactulose
Lubricants – Petrolex to coat stools
Stimulants – Bisacodyl, senna

Use laxatives sparingly and only as needed. Follow dosage on the package and consult your vet.

Professional Constipation Treatments

If home remedies aren’t working, a vet visit is required. A vet can administer:

Enemas – Flushes stool out of intestines
Manual disimpaction – Manual removal of stuck feces
Subcutaneous fluids – Hydration fluid under the skin
Medication – Laxatives or prokinetic drugs

Severe constipation may also require X-rays, bloodwork, or IV fluids.

Preventing Future Constipation

Once your cat’s constipation is resolved, keep it from recurring with these prevention tips:

Feed scheduled meals rather than free-feeding
Provide ample fresh water daily
Transition to a high-fiber diet
Regularly brush or comb to reduce hairballs
Provide multiple clean litter boxes
Give treats like hairball gels regularly
Maintain a consistent routine for your cat

Monitor their litter box habits to ensure regular, healthy pooping. If you notice constipation recurring, see the vet to address the underlying cause.

Know When to Visit the Vet

Contact your vet if:

Constipation lasts over 3 days without improvement
Your cat is in obvious pain or distress
Vomiting or appetite loss accompanies constipation
Your cat has difficulty urinating
Home remedies are ineffective
Your cat has ongoing constipation issues

Severe constipation can be life threatening, so always have a vet assess constipated cats that don’t improve.

Pooping With Relief Again

Dealing with a constipated cat can be stressful, but hopefully this guide has armed you with several remedies to get your cat’s bowels moving freely once again.

Quickly recognizing constipation signs, addressing underlying causes, and using the right treatments can help relieve your cat’s backed up misery. With your diligent care and some poop-prompting solutions, you’ll have them using that litter box happily in no time!