Furry friends » Blog Archive » Constipated Cats

Constipated Cats

Constipated Cats

Constipation means having a problem defecating and it normally comes about when an abnormal accumulation of the feces occurs. Unfortunately there are several common ways that this can occur in cats. Sometimes a serious complication cats suffer from obstipation when the colon is completely blocked by fecal matter. Not surprising this condition is painful and it can and does cause behavioral problems, the cats associates the litter tray with pain, and even the most fastidious of cats will try and avoid it and try to use another area to go to the toilet. Another condition is megacolon when the nerves or the muscles of the colon have suffered damage.

Anatomically a cats colon is in the same position as it is in humans it forms part of the gastrointestinal tract leading upwards from the rectum.

The tract itself contains bacteria, which finish the digestion of protein acids, in doing so they produce what is termed as short chain fatty acids. These fatty acids should lubricate the colon by secreting a mucous which is intended to allow the smooth and pain free passage of the stool.

Normally a constipated cat will not defecate every day it may be once every three to four days or even less. When it does defecate the matter that is expelled is very hard and dry and without any obvious lubrication. However sometimes diarrhea is a sign of constipation, though this sounds impossible it happens when the blockage prevents any solid matter from coming out but the liquid can get through.

In general the drier the diet that the cat eats the harder the resultant stool will be, some cases will develop constipation when they are fed a wet diet but it is rarer. Some cats need more fiber in their diets as it is fiber that controls how mobile the food the stool is going to be as it works it way through the colon. It can either slow things down or accelerate the process. A change of diet usually cures constipation but sometimes when a cat needs more fiber pumpkins and squash can be a healthy additive to the diet. Water is another essential part of the digestion process nothing can be digested without water. Exercise aids digestion for cats the more they move the less likely they are to suffer from digestive problems.

Be on the lookout for signs of constipation in cats because whatever is causing it is best treated sooner rather than later.

This entry was submitted by Abigayle Turner, she’s also a author on Spot mail and Smuge. Abigayle is fast becoming an authority on DiamondTome london.