Just in need of some reassurance or advice really please, my 9 yrs old female neutered house cat had been unwell recently but seems better in herself after some intervention anti sickness,Antibiotic, anti inflammatory and a change of diet recommend by her vet that she seems happy to eat, however today she seems very vocal and at one point yowelled before going for a poo eventually, it seemed ok in that it wasn't any different than normal (always seems dry,5/6 small conker size poos never soft) but I admit I would like it to be a more log shape softer experience for her but if it's normal hey ho, im not sure if the vocalising could also just been her wanting attention+affection? She's asleep after a poo, cuddle, food +a play with her favourite mouse lol..should I worry?
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do i need to worry...
- Thread starter shaz1966
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It seems as if she might be a little dehydrated, which could be a result of her recent illness, the medications, not taking in enough fluids or a combination of the three. The little 'nugget' poops could also be due to too much hair and not enough lubrication.
Do a little observing and then call your vet and ask for a recommendation -
- How often and how much does she eat? (wet or dry food?)
- How much is she drinking? You might want to invest in a water fountain. I purchased one for about $15.00 and my 2 boys love it!
- How often does she poop? Write down times and appearance (size, color, amount, odor, consistency)
- Is she peeing adequately? Is there a noticeable change in odor, amount, color, or frequency?
- Is she showing any signs of lethargy, 'hiding' or distancing herself? Have her sleeping habits changed? Awake more or pacing through the night when she would ordinarily be napping?
- Does she have bad breath? Possible indication of bowel obstruction.
- Is her abdomen hard/firm? Does she show signs of pain when you lightly palpate her belly? (crying out, eyes enlarged, fights or struggled to get away)
- Any change in her grooming habits? Cleaning herself more? (can be a sign of stress or pain. It could also be her means of trying to stimulate a bowel movement).
When you talk with your vet, give him/her as much information as possible (remind him of her recent illness, medications, etc. They see a lot of pets and might not recall all of your cats details).
Make note of anything else that might be different in her 'usual' behavior and habits.
Ask for recommendations.
- Adding a bit of canola oil (1/2 to 1 teaspoons drizzled over her wet food per day) would help with passing the stool.
- Is it possible she needs a change in her medications (if she is still on any)?
- Does she need to be seen?
- Does he need a stool sample?
- Should she be getting something for hairballs? You mentioned she was given a different diet. Is she getting enough fiber with the new diet? Should something be changed or added?
*Note: Neither of my cats will take the 'traditional' hairball remedies by mouth when offered. A little secret is dabbing it on the top of their paw and they will quickly lick it off in an attempt to clean themselves.
I hope some of this has helped. Your vet is your best option - s/he knows your cat and her history and can give you the answers you are seeking.
Do a little observing and then call your vet and ask for a recommendation -
- How often and how much does she eat? (wet or dry food?)
- How much is she drinking? You might want to invest in a water fountain. I purchased one for about $15.00 and my 2 boys love it!
- How often does she poop? Write down times and appearance (size, color, amount, odor, consistency)
- Is she peeing adequately? Is there a noticeable change in odor, amount, color, or frequency?
- Is she showing any signs of lethargy, 'hiding' or distancing herself? Have her sleeping habits changed? Awake more or pacing through the night when she would ordinarily be napping?
- Does she have bad breath? Possible indication of bowel obstruction.
- Is her abdomen hard/firm? Does she show signs of pain when you lightly palpate her belly? (crying out, eyes enlarged, fights or struggled to get away)
- Any change in her grooming habits? Cleaning herself more? (can be a sign of stress or pain. It could also be her means of trying to stimulate a bowel movement).
When you talk with your vet, give him/her as much information as possible (remind him of her recent illness, medications, etc. They see a lot of pets and might not recall all of your cats details).
Make note of anything else that might be different in her 'usual' behavior and habits.
Ask for recommendations.
- Adding a bit of canola oil (1/2 to 1 teaspoons drizzled over her wet food per day) would help with passing the stool.
- Is it possible she needs a change in her medications (if she is still on any)?
- Does she need to be seen?
- Does he need a stool sample?
- Should she be getting something for hairballs? You mentioned she was given a different diet. Is she getting enough fiber with the new diet? Should something be changed or added?
*Note: Neither of my cats will take the 'traditional' hairball remedies by mouth when offered. A little secret is dabbing it on the top of their paw and they will quickly lick it off in an attempt to clean themselves.
I hope some of this has helped. Your vet is your best option - s/he knows your cat and her history and can give you the answers you are seeking.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
Thankyou so much for your reply, many great points that I've noted, she has been given Ryal Canin gastrointestinal moderate calorie dry food so she is drinking plenty of water+seems to be enjoying it, im alittle uncertain not on tthe quantity but wether I'm doing right by giving her it in smaller more frequent meals throughout the day+evening rather than just twice a day, it's how she's always eaten but I've never been confident it's necessarily the best thing? She was given a 1/4 of a tablet every 3 days which I believe was to elevate the stress being ill had caused + stimulate her appetite but that's finished now so no medication, in general she seems well, wanting fuss, playing with toys, eating+drinking I just feel pooping could be easier, she pees around twice a day poops every other day never everyday..thankyou again
The very hard small poo's in combination with the meowing while in the litter box makes me think constipation... I would pose these questions to my vet. You can add some canned pumpkin (not pie filling) to her diet that often helps (about a tbsp). And unless there is a vet recommended reason not to, you can add wet food to her diet which will help with the hydration and it's an easy way to mix the pumpkin in a few times a day. Let us know how she's doing 
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
Actually, since your cat isn't making noise while she is in the litter box, it is more likely that she is just 'excited' before poking. I have observed my 3 cats for some years now and I've noticed that all of them tend to run around wildly right before they poo or pee! I do believe that cats are very much like us, needing their privacy! I think it's normal behaviour! Perhaps change to wet food and slowly wean her off it to solve the dehydration issue!
! Perhaps change to wet food and slowly wean her off it to solve the dehydration issue!- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
Thankyou for your reply, I think it is maybe a case of trying to get her drinking more water, she always had wet food before the vet decided she needed the gastrointestinal moderate calorie dry food recently after a brief Ilillness, she is enjoying the food but as wet food contains alot of water we rarely saw her drinking fresh water, obviously now with the dry food she is drinking fresh water from her bowl but as it's a new thing for her I think she's just getting used to how much she probably needs (may sound silly but I think possibly right), must admit she does seem quite content+as you say I think cats vocalise not only for attention but for praise to, think she likes us to know she's using her litter tray, looks at me to tell her she's a good girl...
