Aloe Vera Juice for Constipation

lvnoah · Feb 24, 2014

In regards to using Aloe Vera juice for constipation, what is the recommended dosage? Also, which brands are considered the best/safest?

I found one post on here after doing a search that said George's Aloe Vera Juice was good and that they used 15 drops twice per day. I'm not sure how big their cat was though. Mine is a hefty 20 lbs. If anyone wants to share their experiences using Aloe Vera juice for constipation, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

miraramsay2012 · Feb 24, 2014

I haven't used Aloe Vera, and hopefully someone else can offer some advice on the dosage. I just wanted to say that when my cats are constipated, I use a tablespoon of pumpkin and 1 mL of vegetable oil for a couple of days.

ckdkitties · Feb 24, 2014

I've heard of aloe vera juice (George's in particular) being used to treat constipation in cats by adding several drops to their wet food/dry diet. Every cat is different in size and dosage amounts, so a good option would be to consult your holistic vet about dosage size before taking the plunge.

There are some concerns with using aloe vera juice/gel for treating constipation because it contains a latex-like compound in the inner layer of the leaf's skin that can cause serious irritation in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract if ingested by some cats. However, on George's Aloe Vera website, I believe they stated that they remove this layer when making the juice.

My (now passed) cat Harpsie suffered from multiple illnesses/issues, one being constipation. Some other (commonly used) options are certain dosages of slippery elm bark (soothes/coats the stomach lining and intestinal walls and reduces irritation, but there are risks), lactulose (effective for preventing constipation on a regular basis - please avoid if your cat is hypercalcaemic, or contains higher calcium levels than normal), Miralax (a human constipation treatment), or Vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin (commonly used to treat severe constipation/megacolon). These all may help if given in certain dosages (advised by your vet).

If you ultimately decide to take the aloe vera juice path (please continue to do your research!), in addition to adding drops of the juice to your cat's diet, you may want to try adding fibre to his/her diet. Some forms of fibre include veggies like baby/tinned peas or pumpkin (can be canned, but watch for additives, and not the pie filling!), as @MiraRamsay2012 suggested.

Hope this helps and good luck with your kitty.

cprcheetah · Feb 24, 2014

I haven't ever tried it, I use Miralax and a low fiber diet for my kitty.

ckdkitties · Feb 24, 2014

cprcheetah said:
I haven't ever tried it, I use Miralax and a low fiber diet for my kitty.

It's interesting - I've heard people using both high-fiber (to bulk up the stool) and low-fiber (for increased water and less carbohydrates) diets to treat cats with constipation, and I've heard vets recommending both as well. I'll look into it further. Harpsie had constipation all throughout his 14 years and seemed fine with his high-fiber diet, but recently I've heard from many that a low-fiber diet is the best option.

ldg · Feb 24, 2014

Actually, it's the latex in aloe vera that functions as a laxative. It is also the latex that is potentially toxic. This is why George's Aloe Vera is recommended when using aloe for cats: they distill out the toxic components, but this also means it doesn't function as a laxative. It's healing and soothing, especially for IBD kitties, but it's not a good choice as a laxative.

ckdkitties · Feb 24, 2014

LDG said:
Actually, it's the latex in aloe vera that functions as a laxative. It is also the latex that is potentially toxic. This is why George's Aloe Vera is recommended when using aloe for cats: they distill out the toxic components, but this also means it doesn't function as a laxative. It's healing and soothing, especially for IBD kitties, but it's not a good choice as a laxative.

That makes sense now. Thank you for clearing that up!

lvnoah · Feb 25, 2014

Thanks so much for all your responses! I actually learned quite a bit by reading your posts.

I'm really bummed that it's the Latex in the aloe vera that has the laxative effect. I was looking for something to increase peristalsis in the colon and thought this would do the trick. I never knew vitamin B12 could help with megacolon. I'll definitely look into that more. I'm still on the fence about whether a low or high fiber diet will help more. I'm trying the low fiber diet first, hopefully it will help.

oneandahalfcats · Feb 25, 2014

LvNoah said:
Thanks so much for all your responses! I actually learned quite a bit by reading your posts.

I'm really bummed that it's the Latex in the aloe vera that has the laxative effect. I was looking for something to increase peristalsis in the colon and thought this would do the trick. I never knew vitamin B12 could help with megacolon. I'll definitely look into that more. I'm still on the fence about whether a low or high fiber diet will help more. I'm trying the low fiber diet first, hopefully it will help.

Hi there ...

I looked at Aloe Vera at one point and think it has some merit in terms of being beneficial to cats on some level, but not enough is known about how much and how well, cats would handle this. Aloe has cleansing properties and for this reason you would need to be very careful about how much you use, and ensure that only juice from the inner leaf is used. As you can't always be sure about the source of aloe vera, its something I decided not to pursue.

If you want to try something that is natural, safe and works quite well to relieve and manage constipation ongoing, you might want to take a look at Slippery Elm Bark. This is a natural herb that comes in powder form that is mixed with water and given as a syrup in your cat's wet food. I have a male cat that has been dealing with constipation on and off for the last two years and SEB has been a godsend.

If you would like to learn more about Slippery Elm for constipation, you can find an article written by a vet (Dr. Hofre) at Little Big Cat website, here : https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=au0MU-StJ4SW8wbI6YHABA#q=little+big+cat+slippery+elm

You can also read about my personal experience with SEB, as well as the experiences of other posters who have contributed by visiting this thread : http://www.thecatsite.com/t/270597/slippery-elm-bark-wet-food-managing-constipation/150#post_3503449

Re. high fiber versus low fibre, if you have ever tried things like psyllium or pumpkin to treat constipation in your cat at home or had your cat on a high fiber but found that these things had very little effect to change the situation, chances are that your cat needs to be on a low fiber diet. The other item to consider is starting your cat on a good probiotic which will introduce benefical bacteria to improve digestion. When digestion is optimal, food is processed more completely which in turn may result in more frequent BMs. Better digestion also translates to better immune function.

goholistic · Feb 25, 2014

I bought George's Aloe Vera to use for my cats, but I've only used it for Boo once or twice. He has chronic constipation.

I decided one day to take a 2 oz. shot of George's (recommended on the label). It gave me horrible cramps and diarrhea (sorry...TMI). Not sure if cats can have the same experience...

oneandahalfcats · Feb 25, 2014

GoHolistic said:
I bought George's Aloe Vera to use for my cats, but I've only used it for Boo once or twice. He has chronic constipation.

I decided one day to take a 2 oz. shot of George's (recommended on the label). It gave me horrible cramps and diarrhea (sorry...TMI). Not sure if cats can have the same experience...

I would think so .. I have had the same kind of experience (cramping) with AV juice .. Ok for humans, but not something I would want my cat to have to experience.

I suppose like anything its something that cats can build up a tolerance to and benefit from.

ldg · Feb 25, 2014

GoHolistic said:
I bought George's Aloe Vera to use for my cats, but I've only used it for Boo once or twice. He has chronic constipation.

I decided one day to take a 2 oz. shot of George's (recommended on the label). It gave me horrible cramps and diarrhea (sorry...TMI). Not sure if cats can have the same experience...

Oh bummer! But I'm sure it can since it happens to people.

goholistic · Feb 25, 2014

LDG said:
Oh bummer! But I'm sure it can since it happens to people.

Well, nonetheless, it certainly worked. I just have to make sure to be home the next time.

I think I only gave Boo 1/8 teaspoon in his wet food, and he didn't seem uncomfortable or anything - certainly not hunched over grasping at his abdomen like I was.

lvnoah · Feb 25, 2014

oneandahalfcats said:
Hi there ...

I looked at Aloe Vera at one point and think it has some merit in terms of being beneficial to cats on some level, but not enough is known about how much and how well, cats would handle this. Aloe has cleansing properties and for this reason you would need to be very careful about how much you use, and ensure that only juice from the inner leaf is used. As you can't always be sure about the source of aloe vera, its something I decided not to pursue.

If you want to try something that is natural, safe and works quite well to relieve and manage constipation ongoing, you might want to take a look at Slippery Elm Bark. This is a natural herb that comes in powder form that is mixed with water and given as a syrup in your cat's wet food. I have a male cat that has been dealing with constipation on and off for the last two years and SEB has been a godsend.

If you would like to learn more about Slippery Elm for constipation, you can find an article written by a vet (Dr. Hofre) at Little Big Cat website, here : https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=au0MU-StJ4SW8wbI6YHABA#q=little+big+cat+slippery+elm

You can also read about my personal experience with SEB, as well as the experiences of other posters who have contributed by visiting this thread : http://www.thecatsite.com/t/270597/slippery-elm-bark-wet-food-managing-constipation/150#post_3503449

Re. high fiber versus low fibre, if you have ever tried things like psyllium or pumpkin to treat constipation in your cat at home or had your cat on a high fiber but found that these things had very little effect to change the situation, chances are that your cat needs to be on a low fiber diet. The other item to consider is starting your cat on a good probiotic which will introduce benefical bacteria to improve digestion. When digestion is optimal, food is processed more completely which in turn may result in more frequent BMs. Better digestion also translates to better immune function.

Thanks so much for your response! Someone mentioned Slilppery Elm to me but they also said it was high in fiber so it scared me off. I will definitely read what people wrote in the thread you posted. Maybe it can still be used with cats who are doing low fiber. I also agree with you about the probiotics. I just need ideas on how to get my cat to eat them - he's so fussy! I bought "NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics" and he hated them. So I ordered some with the brand name "Ark Naturals" which I hope he will like better.

oneandahalfcats · Feb 25, 2014

LvNoah said:
Thanks so much for your response! Someone mentioned Slilppery Elm to me but they also said it was high in fiber so it scared me off. I will definitely read what people wrote in the thread you posted. Maybe it can still be used with cats who are doing low fiber. I also agree with you about the probiotics. I just need ideas on how to get my cat to eat them - he's so fussy! I bought "NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotics" and he hated them. So I ordered some with the brand name "Ark Naturals" which I hope he will like better.

You're welcome! ...

While its true that Slippery Elm is a source of fiber, I wouldn't consider it to be a comparable source to psyllium for instance. When you add water to SEB, it forms a jelly-like substance which works to coat and soothe the intestinal tract. When you add water to psyllium on the other hand, it expands to form bulk. If there is insufficient water intake, psyllium will use what is available, and continue expanding which can make constipation worse.

Max, my male cat is the one with constipation issues, but all of my cats are on the same low fiber diet of which dry food will soon be removed altogether in favor of all canned wet food. Dry food is dehydrating and a wet, canned diet provides needed moisture to keep the colon hydrated. I have been adding SEB to Max's wet food 2x daily, and have not had any issues whatsoever. Only really good results.

lvnoah · Feb 25, 2014

oneandahalfcats said:
You're welcome! ...

While its true that Slippery Elm is a source of fiber, I wouldn't consider it to be a comparable source to psyllium for instance. When you add water to SEB, it forms a jelly-like substance which works to coat and soothe the intestinal tract. When you add water to psyllium on the other hand, it expands to form bulk. If there is insufficient water intake, psyllium will use what is available, and continue expanding which can make constipation worse.

Max, my male cat is the one with constipation issues, but all of my cats are on the same low fiber diet of which dry food will soon be removed altogether in favor of all canned wet food. Dry food is dehydrating and a wet, canned diet provides needed moisture to keep the colon hydrated. I have been adding SEB to Max's wet food 2x daily, and have not had any issues whatsoever. Only really good results.

Thanks! You saved me from searching all over for that information. And finally it sounds like something I can try out on Noah.

catcare · Oct 15, 2014

I have to disagree from personal experience about your statement that it is only the latex that is helpful to relieve constipation. I use George's Aloe Vera FOR MYSELF, and yes they remove the latex, AND I find it quite helpful in relieving constipation.

ann63 · Jul 7, 2016

Georges Aloe Vera Juice is Latex-free

sofiemoon · Feb 25, 2017

Pumpkin organic is best great for either diarrhea or constipation... not sure about aloe vera...

Aloe Vera Juice for Constipation

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

Thread starter

TCS Member

TCS Member

TCS Member