constipation issues - coconut oil?

[Vyktors Mum]

Are there any particular types of pumpkin to use or avoid? We don't have the canned pumpkin in Oz so I'll be mashing some from scratch (should I mash or just boil and cut into small bits?). I'm assuming I just want to use the flesh and not the skin. How much should I give per day? Should I add a little salt for flavour or leave plain?

Similar questions about squash. Are the little yellow ones ok? I assume they need to be cooked and I was thinking with those maybe the skin does stay on and I just cut into tiny pieces. How much is given per day?

Don't worry I don't plan to try both at once!

 

[Larry and Kitties]

I would cook the pumpkin/squash and then puree it . No skin and no salt or other seasoning. I would start with one tablespoon with each meal (assuming two meals a day).

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

I think most folks use any of the 'winter/autumn' squashes (the types that have dense flesh and can be stored) rather than the perishable 'summer' ones (courgettes, patty pans etc). I like butternut types as they're a nice size.

I'm lazy, so I usually cook squash/pumpkin just by cutting in half/slices/pieces (depending on size of veggie) then baking in the oven either brushed with a little oil or with some foil over it, and scooping the flesh out once cooked. I tried adding just a teaspoon of mushed squash to a meal at first, in case my kitty didn't like it.
Any excess can be frozen (ice cube trays are handy).

If your kitty doesn't like it, don't waste it. It makes great soup (add light stock, coconut cream, chilli, lime juice, seasoning and whizz till smooth...)
.

 

[Vyktors Mum]

I only ever see the little yellow squashes around here, courgette type perishables I would say. I've just been reading up on using 1/4 tsp coconut oil daily. Has anyone tried that?

Definitely going to be trying some of that soup for myself - yummo!

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

I've just been reading up on using 1/4 tsp coconut oil daily. Has anyone tried that?

I think a number of folks here have tried it. Here's a post from Kay:
Kelp powder? Coconut oil?

And have you considered slippery elm bark powder? I've found that it does help my CRF foster kitty (along with a smidge of pumpkin). Here's a thread discussing SEB:
Anybody use Slippery Elm for constipation?

And there is a website dedicated to feline constipation!
The link is here:
http://felineconstipation.org/introduction.html

Really hoping you find something that works....

 

[phlika29]

I personally would be wary of any oils. I've seen a fair few posts on the pancreatitis yahoo group where cats have had flairs following the addition of an oil to their diet.

 

[Elizabeth and Bertie]

I personally would be wary of any oils. I've seen a fair few posts on the pancreatitis yahoo group where cats have had flairs following the addition of an oil to their diet.

Hi Sarah @phlika29 ,

Is this with all oils, including fish and krill oils? (I actually wondered if those might be useful because of their anti-inflammatory properties?)
And has this just happened to cats that are known to have a history of pancreatitis, or has it also triggered a first flair up in a cat that hadn't previously been diagnosed?
.

 

[phlika29]

Hi Elizabeth

Yes all oils. Over the years I have read the message board there have been messages from cat owners where fish oil or other oils (even very small amounts) have been started just before a pancreatitis flair has occurred. What drew my attention to it recently was a comment by Stacey on the pancreatitis board who has posted for years and is very knowledgable. I hope she doesn't mind but I will quote a tiny bit

I'm not saying oils are bad for all cats with pancreatitis but it does seem to be a recurring theme for a fair # of cats over the years

My advice would be to go careful. Remi used to be given fish oil and then had his first full flair after licking a little cold fat that had come out of a sausage.

She also wrote a very good message about prevention being better than waiting until treatment is needed and listed a number of things to help cats stop being constipated. These included playing with your cat every day to make sure it was well exercised, proper hydration, kitty grass (is that okay for diabetic cats?), daily brushing, weight control (using a scale).