Kristopher’s Pet Blog

It’s pretty common for cats to become constipated. If you’ve ever suffered from constipation, you’ll know exactly what your cat is going through. He will experience trouble having a bowel movement. This condition is very common in older cats. However, you should know that this condition can affect felines of any age. You may be wondering what causes constipation in felines.

Causes

Constipation in cats can occur for numerous reasons. Sometimes, your cat develops this condition for no apparent reason. Dehydration is one of the leading reasons your cat can have trouble having a bowel movement. The lack of water will result in hardened stool which will be more difficult to pass.

Cats that are fed an improper diet also have a higher risk of becoming constipated. Eating hair, bones, fatty or salty foods can cause problems. Cats can also become constipated if they lack exercise or have various diseases or an anal infection.

Symptoms

If your cat is constipated, you will notice him spend more time in his litter box than usual. He will be having a hard time getting stool to pass. Sometimes, the stool may have a little blood in it. An upset stomach is usually a problem when cats are suffering from this condition. Therefore, they will stop eating as much as they usually do. It’s also common for cats to become more lethargic.

Diagnosis

Urine and blood tests are usually performed before the vet makes a definitive diagnosis of constipation. This will tell if other diseases or infections are to blame. Sometimes, cats will have a foreign object blocking their colon that prevents them from having a bowel movement. An x-ray will help the vet see if this is the issue with your cat. The colon should be checked anyway as a bout of constipation can cause damage to it.

Treatment

Felines with constipation usually receive intravenous fluids initially. The condition should get better as fluids and electrolytes are returned to balance. Laxatives or enemas are also suitable treatment options. The vet may have to physically remove hardened stool from the colon if it can’t be passed naturally.

Prevention

As an owner, you should be aware of things you can do to prevent your cat from becoming constipated. Ingesting dead hair can lead to a blocked colon. So, you should groom your cat regularly to limit the amount of hair he swallows. It’s also a good idea to make sure the litter box is cleaned regularly. Cats are very clean animals and may not use their litter boxes if it’s too dirty for them.

There are many more conditions that can affect your cat besides constipation. All owners should learn as much as possible about common feline illnesses in case their pet gets sick one day. Come to cat-illnesses.com right now to start reading about many different conditions that can affect your feline.

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