? I think my cat is constipated

[Jackie and Molly]

Molly has been getting a decent amount of freeze dried chicken treats alongside testing, and I definitely think she is becoming constipated.

Her last stool was saturday 2/22. Some of it was on the floor, some of it was in the litterbox. She left some marks on the floor as well.

She has been eating normally but not acting quite like her self.

What can I give her? I dont want to accidentally give her something that will negatively impact her BG.

Thank you!!

 

[Dusty Bones]

A sprinkling of Miralax in her food will do the trick, just adjust the amount if it gets too soft and it's perfectly safe. Dusty would get constipated with those freeze dried treats too!

 

[Kerri & Tigger]

Hi Jackie!

Deb (Deb and Wink) gave me this advice when I had the same question. (Copy-and-pasting her note below):
-----------------------
Constipation. Many canned cat foods do not have enough fiber. Plus, with the excess peeing a diabetic cat does, more water is drawn out of the intestinal system and can make the poop firmer and harder to pass.
Options.
1. Some plain canned pumpkin, no spices. Start slow 1 teaspoon. Adds fiber. See if Tigger will eat it on it's own. If not, mix with a bit of food.
2. Psyllium husk fiber. Start with 1/8 teaspoon mixed well with the wet food and an extra bit of water. You can dose to effect. Cat has to eat their food quickly, <15 minutes, since it turns to a gooey gel consistency. Has a bit of a texture and taste to it.
3. Miralax. Start with 1/8 teaspoon mixed well with the wet food and an extra bit of water. You can dose to effect. Cat can take their time eating, over a few hours if other pets not eating the same food. Has a bit of a gritty texture but no taste to it.
-----------------------

Turns out the pumpkin is doing the trick for my kitty. Just plain 100% pumpkin, be sure it's not pie filling. She seems to enjoy it, especially if I warm it just a bit in microwave first....Licks it right off my finger. I give her about a teaspoon full once a day, and it's gotten her back on her normal daily potty schedule.

Hope that helps!

 

[Jackie and Molly]

Hi Jackie!

Deb (Deb and Wink) gave me this advice when I had the same question. (Copy-and-pasting her note below):
-----------------------
Constipation. Many canned cat foods do not have enough fiber. Plus, with the excess peeing a diabetic cat does, more water is drawn out of the intestinal system and can make the poop firmer and harder to pass.
Options.
1. Some plain canned pumpkin, no spices. Start slow 1 teaspoon. Adds fiber. See if Tigger will eat it on it's own. If not, mix with a bit of food.
2. Psyllium husk fiber. Start with 1/8 teaspoon mixed well with the wet food and an extra bit of water. You can dose to effect. Cat has to eat their food quickly, <15 minutes, since it turns to a gooey gel consistency. Has a bit of a texture and taste to it.
3. Miralax. Start with 1/8 teaspoon mixed well with the wet food and an extra bit of water. You can dose to effect. Cat can take their time eating, over a few hours if other pets not eating the same food. Has a bit of a gritty texture but no taste to it.
-----------------------

Turns out the pumpkin is doing the trick for my kitty. Just plain 100% pumpkin, be sure it's not pie filling. She seems to enjoy it, especially if I warm it just a bit in microwave first....Licks it right off my finger. I give her about a teaspoon full once a day, and it's gotten her back on her normal daily potty schedule.

Hope that helps!

I am going to see if I can find the plain canned pumpkin and I'll pick up some miralax, just in case. Thank you so much! I hope this will make her feel better

 

[Lisa and Witn (GA)]

Make sure you get canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.

Also if you have any ice cube trays, you can freeze the extra and store it in a zip lock bag so you will have it on hand if you need it again.

 

[Deb & Wink]

And maybe find a treat in addition to the freeze dried chicken. Or give smaller pieces of the freeze dried. Too much can be constipating.

Have you ever tried Tiki Cat Shredded Chicken flavor? Puka Puka Luau (Succulent Chicken). Low in carbs, nice pieces of shredded chicken.
Or boil up some chicken yourself and cut it into tiny pieces. Think the size of a corn kernel or the size of a green pea. Freeze excess, and take out what you need. Defrosts fast.