What to do if your cat is constipated

Updated 24/04/2024

Curious about cat constipation? 

Today we’re talking about the less glamorous side of pet parenthood – what to do with your constipated cat. We’re here to get to the bottom of why your cat is constipated, the tell-tail signs (other than dirty looks from the litter box), and how to get their gut to go with the flow once more.

Be prepared for a little TMI… and don’t say we didn’t warn you!

How to tell if a cat is constipated

Here’s the scoop: if your cat’s not pooping as regularly as they usually do, chances are, they’re constipated. Cats tend to poop every 12-24 hours, and if they’re having difficulty going to the toilet or they’ve given up on it altogether, they may need a little help getting things moving again. 

Symptoms of constipation in cats include:

• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Stomach pain
• Straining to poop (often in a hunched position)
• Crying out while pooping 
• Poop is small, hard, and dry
• Red Blood in poop
• Reduced appetite 
• Vomiting

Just so you know, healthy cat poop is chocolate brown and solid. It should be soft and hold its form if picked up, and litter should stick to the poop (if your kitty uses a litter box). 

Let’s go into a little more detail on why your cat can’t poop…

Why is my cat constipated?

Constipation occurs when an abnormal amount of poop accumulates in the colon, causing your furry feline to have trouble going to the toilet. As things aren’t moving along as they should, cats with constipation poop less frequently or not at all. 

Cat constipation can be caused by several things, including:

• Poor diet
• Obesity and/or lack of exercise
• Stress and anxiety 
• Allergies
• Pain
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Nerve problems
• Tumors
• Chronic illnesses (kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism)
• Hairballs, especially in longhaired cats
• Ingestion of foreign bodies
• Drug side effects 
• Megacolon (a dilated, weak colon)
  

While a constipated cat is usually not something to worry about, it’s important to determine if an underlying illness or condition is to blame in order to seek the correct medical treatment.

What to do if a cat is constipated

Cat constipation isn’t normally cause for concern, especially if things are on the move again in a couple of days. However, if your furry feline (or one you’re looking after) has been constipated for more than 48-72 hours, consult your vet. Extended periods of constipation can lead to serious, long-lasting health issues. 

Your vet will likely suggest bringing your purr pal in for some tests so they can figure out the correct course of treatment. They may also put your kitty on an IV drip to increase their fluids, or even perform an enema – it’s extremely important not to attempt to do either of these at home.  

The vet may prescribe stool softeners or a cat constipation remedy to help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms, but they will also recommend treating the underlying cause. They may advise the following treatments for cat constipation:

1. Increase water intake

Keeping your kitty cat well-hydrated is key to preventing constipation, but since our furry friends aren’t the biggest of drinkers, you may need to think outside the box. 

Swapping dry kibble for wet food is a good way of getting more moisture into their diet, and make sure your feline friend has access to plenty of water bowls throughout the home. You may also wish to get some pet water fountains to encourage them to drink, and if your furry friend has a penchant for sipping from your water glass, why not set them up with their own? 

2. Change their diet

We’ve discussed swapping dry food for wet to increase your kitty’s water intake, but did you know allergies might also be the culprit?

Take a closer look at your furry feline’s diet, and you may find they’re reacting to certain proteins or other ingredients, which can lead to gut inflammation and constipation. Your vet might suggest boosting their diet with soluble or insoluble fiber to help things move along more smoothly. Some diets have been specifically formulated by nutritionists to treat furballs in longhaired cats who are prone to problems and increase fiber in those who struggle with constipation. Ask your vet about prescription diets. 

3. Help your cat maintain a healthy weight

Packing on the pounds can lead to tummy troubles for your furry feline, and that extra weight can also cause the large intestine to become inflamed. Your vet might recommend a change in diet and increasing your kitty’s exercise, which not only helps shed the extra weight but also keeps things moving as they should. 

4. Keep stress and anxiety to a minimum

It might come as a surprise, but cats get stressed and anxious too! A recent move, a change in routine, a new family member… all of these things can make their world feel upside down. To keep stress and anxiety at bay, make sure the home is a calm, safe space for them.  

5. Check their litter boxes

If your furry feline’s avoiding their litter box because they don’t like the location, it’s dirty, or they’re not keen on sharing it with their fluffy sibling, this can lead to constipation. Make sure they have access to a clean litter box that they approve of at all times. 

Constipation in cats is typically easy to treat once the cause is diagnosed. In very severe cases in which the colon is unable to function (megacolon), the vet may have to surgically remove part of the colon.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lily

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lily qualified from Liverpool University in 2011 and spent 5 years as a veterinarian working in mixed animal practice. As Lily’s passion for exotics and exploring more complicated small animal medical cases developed, she stepped into small animal-only practice. By 2018 Lily was leading a busy branch of a large hospital practice with a fantastic team, enjoying working on both surgical and medical cases. Since falling poorly in 2021 Lily has found a new passion in medical writing. Sharing medical knowledge and writing for the public is a particular passion.