Remedies to Relieve Your Kitten's Constipation

Constipation is a common problem in felines, but especially in kittens due to their inability to stimulate defecation frequently. Other causes of constipation in cats include diet, dehydration and underlying health problems such as infections or intestinal tumors. Treatment is necessary as soon as you notice a kitten has hardened feces or is straining during elimination. If left untreated, constipation in kittens can lead to more serious conditions that require hospitalization, including an impacted bowel and megacolon.

  1. Water and Diet

    • The first step in relieving your kitten's constitipation, if it appears to be mild, is to change what she is consuming. Dehydration makes stool hard, a prime cause of constipation and blocked bowels, so make sure your kitten is drinking plenty of clean water. Consult your veterinarian about adding a mild, natural laxative such as mineral oil to formula or a source of fiber such as pureed pumpkin to the kitten's diet if she's weaned.

    Enema

    • If diet and water do not ease the constipation within 24 hours, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your kitten will need an exam to determine if the constipation is a symptom of something more severe. If not, a gentle enema will likely be performed by the vet, using warm water to break up the impacted stool and restore the kitten's natural elimination. Keep in mind, this is a task that should only be performed by a veterinarian. An incorrectly administered enema can be deadly to a kitten.

    Medications

    • Besides enemas, your kitten's veterinarian may prescribe laxatives or other liquid medications to help relieve or prevent constipation. Hold your kitten's head gently and using a dropper insert only a small amount of medication at a time into the side of his mouth. Follow the vet's instructions closely regarding dosage amounts and times.

    Hospitalization

    • In extreme cases, your kitten's bowels may be impacted to the point where laxatives and enemas are not effective. This is usually the result of constipation that has been left untreated. Your kitten will need to be hospitalized and undergo a procedure to manually remove the fecal matter from the colon.