Constipation in Cats:

Constipation refers to an infrequent, difficult, or irregular evacuation of the bowels.



It may be a symptom of diverticulitis or an intestinal obstruction. Just like other pets and animals, cats also need to keep their digestive system in order. In order to avert constipation, they need exercise, water, oils, fiber, and digestive enzymes to assist them in their digestion of whatever they are fed.

Symptoms of Cat Constipation:

There are lots of symptoms to recognize and acknowledge that your cat is undergoing constipation.



It can include infrequent bowel movements or bowel movements. They can be seen heading towards the litter box quite often. Some even reach a stage when they can be heard crying. There is an obvious loss of appetite observed in them.



It is also very likely that your cat has become lethargic. If they are hunching their backs much more than usual and scrunching themselves into a ball like shape, then this also suggests that the cat is constipated. They also start vomiting frequently. You may also find that your cat, which loves to groom itself and is conscious about its looks, is found to be in a rather unkempt state.

Causes of Cat Constipation:

The colon is a part of the large intestine. It is located between the rectum and the cecum. Its main function is to extract moisture from residual food before it is excreted. This is the place where most of the bacteria of the intestines reside. These bacteria kill the digestion of the proteins. Normally a cat defecates just once or twice a day, while a constipated cat may defecate once in 2 to 4 days. Cats love to preen themselves and they end up consuming lots of hair while licking their own fur. This assimilation of hair is also obstructive to their having regular bowel movements.

Constipation in cats can be due to a number of causes. It is only a veterinarian who can ascertain the exact cause. So it is advisable to take your cat to a vet once you come across any one or many of the symptoms of constipation.
One of the first few steps of the treatment is to bring about a change in the diet. However, this is also a very temporary treatment for cat constipation. The medication and treatment depends largely on the cause and type of constipation that your cat is having.