Stewie constipated, is pumpkin not a good idea?

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Anita and Stewie

Anita and Stewie

Member Since 2017
Stewie has been switched to just canned food from a wet and dry food combination, ever since I found out he was diabetic June 2nd. Now he is constipated. He is behaving normally, but I see him strain in the litter box and he only puts out two little balls of poo, whereas he used to have big poos. The vet said to add water to his canned food, which I have been doing, and to try pumpkin. But pumpkin is carbs and I am trying to limit his carbs. Any advice, anyone had this before? Will this sort itself out in time? How long can a cat go without pooing how much he should be pooing? Thanks.
 
I use the generic MiraLAX® which is polyethylene glycol 3350. It is dosed to effect with starting dose 1/8-1/4 tsp twice daily with food.
 
It's okay to give pumpkin, as long as it's plain, pureed pumpkin, not the pie filling, which has spices added. All my cats used to get 1 tsp twice a day with their main meals.
 
Just don't give more thinking it will help, pumpkin is also a natural laxative so if Stewie eats more than, *if memory is working* 1 tablespoon in one day you will have the opposite of constipation ;).
 
Thanks so much, everyone! I will keep with his small amount, about 1/2 a teaspoon twice a day, and lessen it if he's "overstimulated", as he's a big boy. He loves it and so does my other cat, Sammy. Freezing in ice cube trays is a great idea, the cans are large. Yes, it is the pure pumpkin puree! :D
 
Someone around here has a video that explains how a cat's poop changes when they get onto low carb wet food instead of kibble. I've tried to find it, but I'm not having much luck. It's possible that it isn't constipation, but just the diet change. Also totally possible that it is constipation, but hopefully someone knows where to locate the video so you can check.
 
These videos were great, thanks! I'm not grossed out, I can eat lunch while watching. hahaha!
I think Stewie had poos like in the video, the ones when he was on a dry/canned diet...extremely smelly and just like those. Now his are less frequent, compact and small and not nearly as smelly. I will try to transition him to a raw diet soon, but I don't want to rush things.
 
Hi Anita ! I use the product Jayla suggested above and Elmo has gone easily every day since starting it !!! It has been wonderful. I usually only have to give him 1/8 capsule once a day and sometimes 1/4 if gets a little backed up which hardly ever happens. Elmo is a pick so I have to dissolve in syringe of water and give that way...he won't eat it on food :(
 
Thank you Beth! Ok, I will order it. He seems to be going, but very tiny poos, just two or so. He's behaving normally and doesn't seem in any distress. I am giving pumpkin, but not so sure it's working and he might need a bit more. The video shows that his poo will be different on a wet diet. He goes outside every day too, so it could be that he's pooing outdoors. But today is rainy, so he won't go out and I'll be able to tell better.
 
I wanted to update all of the places I post...in Prozinc group and here...Stewie is officially in remission, according to my vet who just called! I will monitor him still, but she said she thinks we caught it early and to just keep notice of his drinking and peeing. Woot Woot! I'm so grateful to everyone on this forum, for being here with support and advice!:bighug::bighug:
 
Anita and Stewie said:
I wanted to update all of the places I post...in Prozinc group and here...Stewie is officially in remission, according to my vet who just called! I will monitor him still, but she said she thinks we caught it early and to just keep notice of his drinking and peeing. Woot Woot! I'm so grateful to everyone on this forum, for being here with support and advice!:bighug::bighug:
Click to expand...
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Hey ladies,
I'm having a similar issue and had a couple of q's. My cat Thurman has been in remission for 9 months from a wet food only diet (friskies pate) but last night was found straining in the liter pan repeatedly. Now all of my cats went all wet when Thurman did and everyone has dry hard little poops since transitioning and I never see any of them drinking water. I haven't been doing anything fiber wise, foolishly I now realize.
Anyhow, this morning he is clearly deeply uncomfortable and I have no idea how quickly constipation escalates? Should I mess about with fiber, or go straight to the vet? I am currently out of strips, but he shows no other signs of relapse.
 
I use Miralax, just a sprinkle on their wet food (mix it in) when needed. No pills, no taste, very easy to give. Just watch on amount. I started with an 1/8 of a teaspoon once a day and see what happens. It works fairly quickly. Won't interact with any meds.. Since every kitty is different you can adjust amount/frequency from there.
 
RhiannonR said:
Hey ladies,
I'm having a similar issue and had a couple of q's. My cat Thurman has been in remission for 9 months from a wet food only diet (friskies pate) but last night was found straining in the liter pan repeatedly. Now all of my cats went all wet when Thurman did and everyone has dry hard little poops since transitioning and I never see any of them drinking water. I haven't been doing anything fiber wise, foolishly I now realize.
Anyhow, this morning he is clearly deeply uncomfortable and I have no idea how quickly constipation escalates? Should I mess about with fiber, or go straight to the vet? I am currently out of strips, but he shows no other signs of relapse.
Click to expand...

How long has it been since he's had a bowel movement? Might be hard to tell if you have multiple cats. Do you have Miralax? You can get it at any grocery or drug store. It is a tasteless powder. The starting dose is 1/8tsp twice a day. If ineffective you can increase it to 1/4 tsp twice per day, even up to 1/2 tsp (per my vet) if needed but I have never done that much. You put it with the wet food and add water. I add water to all my cats feedings. The added fiber won't help constipation that already exists, but once you get past this you can try it.
Of course at anytime if you are concerned a vet visit couldn't hurt. If he's really full of stool he might need an enema or manual removal of the stool.
 
Thanks folks, turns out he had a blocked bladder. We lost him later that day. This forum has always been a great resource, thanks for all the support.
 
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