Cat possibly constipated?

I have not seen my 1 yr old cat use the litter box in about 2 days. We have two cats and I noticed yesterday (Monday) when I went to clean it that it was pretty empty which is odd. I know it's not the youngest one because she jumps in right after I clean it to use it so I know it's our other cat Loki that's not going. Anyways I've been watching him for the last 24 hours or so and the closest he got was he got in the box, squatted then turned around and squatted again but didn't actually go. I changed their litter last week to a different scent so I went back to the store and got the one I used previously and changed it out but still nothing. He's still eating, drinking and playing like normal thus far. The only change besides the litter scent was I noticed here in the last week he has not been wanting to eat dry food anymore he only wants the wet food we usually mix with the dry. Not exactly sure if a visit to the vet is needed right away or to just wait and see what happens.

Sounds like he may well be constipated to me, and the longer you leave it the harder it will be to sort out. I'd be getting him to the vet asap if he were mine. Always better safe than sorry [article="33674"][/article]

In my experience, two days without going can happen, three days is not normal and can lead to pain and vomiting, and also going off food.
A hairball could be one of easiest reasons, but if today nothing happens then a visit could be a good idea. The vet can understand if some feaces are blocked alongway in the bowel even without any expensive scan. Then, depending on the nature of the problem, he'll give you the right advice or med.
Don't wait too long.

Antonio65 said:

In my experience, two days without going can happen,

Click to expand...

Very true, but 2 days of not going combined with straining unsuccessfully is a definite warning sign to me. If it were just the not going on its own I might be prepared to give it another day

Having said that, it can sometimes seem like a cat is constipated when they're actually having bladder issues. These are far more serious and can escalate fast.

I'm going to give him another day and see if he goes. He's a very stubborn cat sometimes so he could just be mad about the litter change and hasn't realized it's back to the old stuff yet. Once he didn't eat for about 4 days except for this seafood broth so I scheduled a vet appt for the next day and he started eating normal again that night. Another concern is a possible blockage from a hair tie as he has recently become obsessed with them. I keep the bathroom door shut but he is very sneaky and fast with getting into the drawer where I keep them so he may have snagged one without me knowing.

I would not wait either. In the case of constipation, waiting for it to get worse is not only more trouble for you and the cat, but is also more expensive in vet bills with xrays and enemas. Even if his constipation is "psychological" as you suspect, it still can cause physical problems as stool builds up in his colon. And if it's not constipation, if could be something worse and more urgent. Much better to be safe than sorry.

Definitely do not wait!

I thought my cat was constipated - turned out it was a urinary blockage which can be fatal. Cats are very good at masking pain. It's best to be safe rather than sorry.

I'm going to try giving him some milk and see if that will move things along, if nothing by tomorrow morning I'll try to get him to the vet tomorrow afternoon.

Don't use milk.  An upset stomach and stomach pain won't help here.  It sounds to me like he needs to go to the vet as well.

Milk is not the solution.

The solution is having a vet check his bowel. No X-rays might be necessary, some vets can feel something in the abdomen by just gently squeezing it.

If an x-ray is necessary, well be it. And some solid stools are visible in the image then the vet will know haw many and were they are.

One year ago my cat was constipated and the x-ray and an enema were what partly solved the problem. Then we followed other treatment at home, but the solution of the block is the first step.

Do not use home tricks to help your cat, ask the vet.

Didn't give him milk, at the vet now and they said it doesn't feel like he's blocked but may have a uti so they're giving him an antibiotic shot, pain med shot and a fluids shot to make him go so it doesn't lead to a blockage. If he doesn't go by tomorrow this time I have to bring him back in

:cross: that the shots and fluids will do the trick

Got pee but no poop yet! [emoji]128077[/emoji][emoji]127995[/emoji]

I'm glad you took him to the vet - and so glad it isn't a blockage. I'm still in the middle of dealing with my cat's blockage and it isn't something I would want anyone to go through.

Hope the shots work! Keep us posted!

Seems he needs something to have his bowels move or make those stools softer.

Any X-ray done?

No X-rays done, the vet just felt around on his stomach. So far he's only peed, still eating, drinking and playing. They're going to call me today to check and see how he's doing. If no poop they will probably have me bring him back in tomorrow morning or Monday.

Annnnnd we finally have poop! Never thought I'd be so happy about a bowel movement lol Thanks for everyone's input!

That's fantastic news :high5: Really hope that everything's back to normal now, and that it stays that way :cross:

Welcome poop!

Difficult to think someone's happy about it, but we are! I know what that can mean to you.