Constipation

I had been having one of my cats on and off poop on the floor in the basement. Sometimes it would be just outside the box and other times it was out in the main part of the basement. This morning I found out who it was. It was faith. I found some yesterday morning but wasn't sure who it was. This morning I caught her in the act. I noticed that when she was pooping, she was making little noises like she was a little constipated (almost like grunts). She had some good sized poop (about 2 that were 1.5 inches or so long), but there were also smaller pieces that were very small. A little bulky too, and I tried to squeeze it between my fingers and it was rather stiff. It didn't squeeze easily. So her pooping outside the litter box was from some constipation. I did switch their food to the light Chicken Soup which does have more fiber, so I'm hoping that will help a little. I've tried to give her pumpkin but she doesn't like it. I struggle to give her anything by mouth because she's overweight. I've tried giving her hairball remedy but she won't take it willing at all. With my back being bad, I can't really struggle with her to put it in her mouth.

Is there anything else I can do? I might try putting some mineral oil in with some baby food. I did try mixing the pumpkin in with Smokie's wet and she wouldn't eat it. I am calling the vet tomorrow to see what he recommends. I know that part of her constipation issue is probably that she's over weight, and doesn't get a lot of excersize. That and she sheds a lot too. I had been busy so I had not been able to comb her for two days. I usually do it daily.

So hopefully through a diet and excersize we can get rid of that issue for her.

You could try giving her some unsalted butter. It may or may not help, but most cats like butter.

Can anyone help you with her? or can you get a hold of her while she's napping?
It's the same method for getting medication into a cat - scruff, lightly lift up the front, use your free hand to open the mouth.
I have one that doesn't like taking hairball paste but needs it. I'll squirt it out onto my pointer finger then use my thumb and middle finger to open his mouth when - then just smear it on his tongue. He hates this but it's quick and over with before he can really fuss.

If you can't get the constipation dealt with soon you'll have to get her in to see the vet.

I know. I'm calling the vet tomorrow. But I have some baby food left from when I was giving smokie medicine so I may put some mineral oil in it and she should eat that then. I can put anything in baby food and she'd eat it. Not sure if I want to try pumpkin and then waste the baby food if she doesn't like it. Hopefully the vet will know how to get the constipation down. Someone mentioned giving her milk. Which I know too much will make the cat have diarrhea, but not sure I like that idea.

A while ago lucky was constipated and she had to go into the doc and get an enema. Since then she's been fine as long as the cat food had enough fiber in it.

Mel

What food are you feeding her? If she likes canned food, you can try mixing the pumpkin in with that, or with the baby food.

I have a 15 year old cat who had problems with constipation a couple of years ago. Someone suggested Miralax. I put an 1/8 tsp. in her canned food everyday. She's a petite cat - only weighs 5 lbs. so this dose works very well for her. You need to experiment with the dose to find what works best. Since I put her on the Miralax she has been a much happier cat. By the way, this stuff is tasteless and odorless. Good luck.

I second the Miralax, works like a charm, REALLY softens the stool up beautifully!! I syringe it to my cat (mixed w/bit of water) but many members on here sprinkle the dose in their kitties food!! I can't speak for your kitteh, because I don't know his/her weight, but my 17lb. David gets approx. 1/4 teaspoon (or a bit more) a day..I have to adjust up or down depending on his poops...good luck, it works great for us

I had a cat that would not eat the laxatone (willingly)......I put a big glob of it on his paw (on top of his paw.) Since cats are so clean, he immediately started cleaning himself off by licking up the Laxatone!!

Originally Posted by beth1954

I had a cat that would not eat the laxatone (willingly)......I put a big glob of it on his paw (on top of his paw.) Since cats are so clean, he immediately started cleaning himself off by licking up the Laxatone!!

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I've never seen that work in cats... maybe I've always had cats that prefer to flick stuff off. When I tried that with Sherman a little while back I ended up with a glob of it on the wall and him actually trying to wipe the remainder on the carpet.