pumpkin for constipation?

My oldest cat has had trouble with hairballs & constipation for years now. The hairball control diets seem to help a little, but not much. I've been giving them a spoonfull of canned fish-flavored food every day & that's helped, but with the things I've heard about fish lately I'm wondering if I should stop.

I've heard about using pumpkin for this, and I know she likes it b/c she begs from me when I carve one up at Halloween. How much do you give, and how often? She weighs 6.5 pounds (she's always been a petite thing). How long does it stay good in the refrigerator?

Thanks for any help

I've heard of using plain canned pumpkin for constipation. I think 1/2 tsp would be fine, but I'm not sure if it can be used for extended periods of time. It would be best to consult a vet for specific instructions.

Here's a webpage that talks about the subject:

Constipation in Cats

Thanks for the link.

Peaches loves pumpkin! I give it to her a couple times a week. If she gets the runs I give it to her daily. Works either way!

JC loves pumpkin, and I usually give him about two ounces when I have a fresh one, though I'm sure he could eat more. I've kept pumpkin in a pyrex dish with a lid in the fridge for a day or two, though I zap it in the microwave before eating it again or feeding it to the cat.