Constipation problem : Psyllium husk ?

[kimouette]

Hi eveyone!

My cat has been OTF for over a year now, but she now has CKD (stage 2) which is currently causing her to have dry stool. She is not completely constipated, but sometimes I'll find separated hard lumps with one normal stool in her litter box. She definitely has a tendency of becoming constipated but until now I treated it with slippery elm bark to help both her constipation and vomiting problem.

Since slippery elm bark doesn't seem to be enough, I was searching for a natural remedy that I could give to her on a daily basis, and found that psyllium husk was used by some people to treat constipation.

The thing is that I also found contradictory information saying that psyllium husk "retains water" so that it was used to treat diarrhea.

Anyone has serious information about that product? Would it be safe to mix 1/8th of a tea spoon of psyllium husk into my cat's wet food on a daily basis to treat her constipation?

Any advise?
Oh and by the way, the psyllium husk I can easily get my hand on (here in Switzerland) is a 100% natural for of powdered psyllium husk called "plantago ovata"... Is that the right product?

Thanks for your help!
Kim

 

[Larry and Kitties]

This medication is used to treat constipation. It increases the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass.

Above from:
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-56088-P ... ugid=56088

 

[Angela & Blackie & 3 Others]

I've also used psyllium husk in the past to help with both my diabetics', and civvies' stool when I've transitioned them to a different food.

 

[BJM]

Feline Constipation will tell you more than you ever thought you'd need to know about the feline digestive tract and options which can help when it stops moving well.

 

[kimouette]

Guys thank you so much for the information!

Larry and Kitties : This website you shared clearly explains how it works and why it should not have the opposite effect (like I was afraid it would)!

BJM : That is a great website! I'm so glad someone took the time to share all these precious information! It also comforted me with the idea of letting my cat eat grass, which I didnt know was mainly fibers!

I guess I'll keep giving my cat slippery elm bark + psyllium husk + access to grass
Like I said she is not completely constipated so these natural and gentle treatments are the best I can offer her for now. I am still in the process of increasing the dosage of psyllium husk (started with a pinch, going to increase until 1/8th of a teaspoon), mix it with 40ml of water and let it dilute for atleast 2 hours before mixing it with her canned food like the manufacturer is suggesting.

Since she is eating a high protein low carb diet, the fibers are pretty low in her daily food (no vegetables added), so these little supplements might just do the job!

Thanks all!
:YMHUG:

 

[katiesmom]

I use psyillium husk with both my girls. I make their food so I add it to their food and sometimes give them a little extra if they seem constipated. I don't think you need to let it sit for 2 hours though, I never heard of that. I just add a little to their food, and some extra water.
I really dont know about what you have there -what I have always used it called Yerba Prima Psyllium Husks Powder http://www.yerba.com/storefront/item.asp?id=57
The ingredients just say "Psyllium seed husks"

 

[Deb & Wink]

I just sprinkle the psyllium husk on top of the food but make sure to add some extra water because it soaks up the liquid fast.