The term “constipation in cats” includes the absence/hard emptying of the bowels, which leads to an accumulation and hardening of feces. Normally, a cat should defecate 1-2 times a day, so the absence of stools is very easy to notice. Constipation usually affects cats with diseases of the liver, kidneys, anus, and individuals with orthopedic and neurological disorders. A factor such as the age of the pet also plays a certain role in the development of constipation - older animals are more likely to have it.
The main causes of stool problems in cats are the following:
- abnormalities of the paraanal glands;
- Improper feeding;
- perineal hernia;
- hyperplasia;
- Tumors in the rectum or anus area;
- impaired innervation of the large intestine;
- hair accumulation;
- stress;
- megacolon;
- orthopedic problems;
- presence of a foreign body in the intestine;
- scarring of the anus.
How do I recognize constipation in cats?
Delayed stools are considered an alarming precursor to constipation. In addition to pain from unsuccessful attempts to empty, the cat will experience lethargy, bloated abdomen, lack of appetite due to nausea, and vomiting.
If the pathology is not treated in time, it will lead to the accumulation of large volumes of feces, and they in turn will cause the formation of harmful substances that poison the body of the pet. Negative consequences of this process will be:
- disruption of liver function;
- increased strain on the heart;
- dysfunctional kidneys;
- problems with hair.
Advanced conditions can be fatal for cats.
First aid for constipation in cats
To solve the problem at home as it appears, you can use petroleum jelly oil. Not able to be absorbed into the body of the animal, it is absolutely harmless. After lubricating the intestinal walls with it, the stool masses soften on their own. Castor and vegetable oils are not used for such manipulation, because they are quickly absorbed by the body and do not perform their purpose, but in large doses they harm the liver.
Vaseline oil is administered orally to cats, that is, through the oral cavity no more than 3 times a day with an interval of 3-4 hours. The first dosage is 5 ml of the remedy, the subsequent times - 4 ml each. It is very convenient to give the oil to the animal using a syringe without a needle.
To eliminate occasional constipation, the pet is given means - normalizers of intestinal microflora and preparations to soften hard feces. Most often Dufalak is prescribed for this purpose. If you cannot cope with the problem on your own, you should go to the veterinarian for an enema.
Prevention of constipation in cats
Preventive measures include:
- A balanced diet with micronutrients and plant fiber;
- regular brushing of the hair;
- application of pastes for hair removal;
- an active lifestyle.
Chronic constipation requires special dietary foods that improve the passage of intestinal contents and promote the formation of feces of normal consistency.