The cat is constipated
Symptoms and help
There are moments in the life of a cat owner when you find yourself staring more anxiously at the litter tray than at the thrilling finale of a TV series. We’ve all experienced that queasy feeling in the stomach when our beloved furry friend keeps heading back to the litter tray, straining hard, but in the end nothing ends up in the litter.
When cat constipation strikes, it’s far more than just a ‘bit of bad luck doing their business’. It’s a sign that something inside has gone out of sync. But don’t worry: even if your cat is constipated, it doesn’t necessarily mean the worst. Often, with the right knowledge and a few simple steps, you can quickly turn things around.
Constipation in cats: Why the right litter tray makes all the difference
Who among us hasn’t found themselves digging through the litter with a scoop, almost like an ‘archaeological dig’, just to check whether our furry friend has finally had a successful visit today? With traditional clumping litter, it’s often a real guessing game. But especially when a cat is constipated, this monitoring is the most important clue for you.
This is where the CatGenie comes in. This self-cleaning cat litter tray isn’t just a huge convenience for us humans, but a real health tool for your cat.
No more guesswork
As the CatGenie cleans itself after every use, you can get a better idea of how often your cat has actually tried to use it. If the scoop returns ‘empty’ even though your cat was active just five minutes ago, you’ll know it was a failed attempt. With the CatGenie A.I., you can even keep track of this in the app
Clinical Hygiene
Constipation in cats can irritate the intestines and make them more susceptible to bacteria. The CatGenie washes and disinfects itself after every use. This prevents germs from getting on their paws and being picked up again the next time they groom themselves
Off with the stress, on with digestion
Many cats are so clean that they will put off using the litter tray for as long as possible if it is dirty. This ‘disgust-induced delay’ can significantly worsen an existing cat’s constipation. A litter tray that is always fresh and odourless completely removes this stress factor from the equation.
CatGenie: For your cat’s hygiene and health
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Cats & Constipation: What to Do? First Aid at Home
If you notice that your furry friend is struggling, there’s no need to just sit back and watch. There are a few real secret weapons we can use to gently ‘give their digestion a nudge’ in most cases. Here are the best tips if your cat is constipated
The ‘water cure’
Cats are naturally reluctant to drink. However, when they are constipated, too much moisture is drawn from the faeces in the intestines, causing them to become hard and dry.
- The trick: Mix one or two tablespoons of warm water into each portion of wet food. This makes the food softer and helps to hydrate them from the inside.
Fibre as a ‘gut cleanser’
- Psyllium husks: Soak them in plenty of water before adding them to their food! Otherwise, they will draw even more water from the intestines.
- Pumpkin purée: A spoonful of plain pumpkin purée (no seasoning!) often works wonders and is eagerly eaten.
Exercise keeps you going
A sluggish body often means a sluggish bowel too.
- Playtime: When your cat runs and jumps, it stimulates peristalsis (the natural movement of the bowel). This helps to clear out any “blockages” and can also relieve a loss of appetite.
The comfort toilet
Do many cats deliberately hold off going to the loo until it hurts, simply because they don’t think the litter tray is clean enough? This ‘disgust-induced hold-off’ is a common cause of constipation in cats. With the CatGenie, your cat will always find a clinically clean environment. There’s no longer any reason to ‘hold it in’.
Symptom check: How can I tell if my cat is constipated?
Cats are masters at hiding their pain. That’s why it’s often not easy to tell the difference between the early signs of constipation in cats and normal behaviour. But if you keep an eye out for these details, you’ll soon become an expert on your cat’s wellbeing.
Symptom
Beschreibung
Frequent wasted visits
Your cat goes to the litter tray unusually often, scratches a lot, and visibly strains with its back arched, but leaves the tray without having done its business.
The ‘concert’ in the loo
If your cat meows pitifully or whines when you press on it, that’s a clear sign of pain.
Hard tummy
If you gently feel your cat’s tummy and it feels hard or tense (or if she won’t let you touch her there at all), there is something ‘stuck’ there.
Small ‘chunks’
If anything does come along, it’s often extremely hard, dry and small, almost like pebbles.
Loss of appetite & fatigue
Because of the blockage in their intestines, cats often feel generally unwell, eat less or withdraw completely.
When does constipation become dangerous in cats?
It’s perfectly normal for your mind to start racing with worry the moment you notice the litter tray is empty. But when is it just harmless laziness, and when does your cat’s constipation become a real cause for concern? Here’s your guide to making the right decision.
The golden 48-hour rule:
In the feline world, there’s an important rule of thumb: if your cat hasn’t passed any stools for 48 hours, alarm bells should be ringing.
- Why 2 days, of all things? After this time, the large intestine draws so much water from the impacted faeces that they become rock-hard. They essentially ‘bake’ themselves into the intestine.
- The risk: The longer the faeces remain there, the greater the risk of permanent over-stretching of the bowel (megacolon). This is not only painful, but often also a long-term medical problem
Frequently asked questions about constipation in cats
Here you’ll find quick answers to the most important questions about constipation in cats.
What are the warning signs that mean you need to see a vet straight away?
There are times when you shouldn’t wait the full 48 hours. If any of these signs appear, your cat’s constipation is dangerous and requires professional help:
- Spending ages on the litter tray: Your cat goes every few minutes, straining desperately with its back arched, but absolutely nothing comes out.
- Vomiting: This is a serious warning sign of a blockage that is already putting strain on the entire digestive tract.
- Lethargy & hiding: Your furry friend seems listless, has stopped eating or reacts aggressively when you try to touch their tummy.
- Blood on the bottom: If you spot traces of blood, this indicates severe irritation or injury to the intestinal lining.
What are the most common causes of constipation in cats?
Digestive problems in our cats are often the result of a combination of various factors. In most cases, one of the following reasons is to blame:
- Dehydration: Cats naturally drink very little. If the body is dehydrated, it draws too much moisture from the faeces in the large intestine.
- Lack of fibre: Particularly with a diet consisting solely of meat, there is often a lack of bulk to stimulate bowel movement.
- Hairballs: Hair swallowed during grooming can clump together in the intestines and act like a blockage.
- Lack of exercise: Indoor cats in particular tend to be inactive, which can also cause the bowels to become sluggish
Can I give my cat home remedies such as oil or milk?
Caution is advised here. Whilst a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of lactose-free milk can provide short-term relief for mild constipation, cooking oil is often counterproductive.
- The problem: Oil is usually digested in the small intestine and doesn’t reach where it’s supposed to go, namely the large intestine. Furthermore, if used incorrectly, it can end up in the lungs.
- A better alternative: It’s better to use soaked psyllium husks or a special malt paste to gently aid transit
When does constipation become life-threatening?
Mild constipation can quickly become a serious problem. It becomes dangerous if a so-called faecal impaction forms or the cat shows signs of intestinal obstruction.
- Megacolon: If the bowel is severely distended for days on end, the muscle walls can suffer permanent damage. This leads to chronic problems that can often only be resolved through surgery.
- Risk of poisoning: If faeces remain in the body for too long, toxins can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream (reabsorption).
Why is monitoring so valuable with the CatGenie in the event of a blockage?
As a cat owner, you don’t really want to spend time examining your cat’s poo. But that’s exactly what saves lives.
- Accurate monitoring: With CatGenie, you can see straight away whether the machine has ‘caught’ anything or whether the cleaning cycle came up empty.
- Early detection: If you notice via the app (on the A.I. model) that the intervals between visits are increasing but no cleaning cycle is triggered, you’ll know something’s wrong before your cat shows any signs of pain. This saves valuable time when it comes to visiting the vet.
How can you relieve constipation in cats?
Depending on how ‘stuck’ things are, there are various ways to get the bowels moving again:
- Fluid boost: Mix warm water into the wet food to make the stools softer from the inside.
- Fibre: Soaked psyllium husks (important: leave to soak for at least 30 minutes!) or a spoonful of plain pumpkin purée often act like a “bowel broom”.
- Exercise: An energetic play session stimulates the bowel’s natural movement (peristalsis).
- Medical help: In stubborn cases, the vet can relieve the constipation using a controlled enema or hydrating infusions.
- Long-term support: For chronic problems, special ‘gastrointestinal’ food or (after consulting the vet) gentle laxatives such as lactulose often help
How can you tell if a cat has an intestinal obstruction?
An intestinal obstruction is a ‘code red’ and an absolute emergency. You can usually recognise it by a combination of severe symptoms:
- Frequent vomiting: As nothing can pass through to the other end, a dangerous build-up occurs.
- Abnormal abdomen: The abdomen is often extremely hard, distended, and the cat is sensitive to touch.
- Fruitless straining: Your cat keeps going to the litter tray and straining desperately, but absolutely no faeces are passed.
- Refusal: The cat refuses all food and often even water.
- Change in behaviour: Your cat appears apathetic, withdraws completely or shows clear signs of weakness.
CatGenie cleanliness for your cat
A litter tray that’s always clean
Track your health with an app
Less stress in everyday life
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