Why Would a Cat Have Small, Hard & Dry Stools?

Small, hard, dry stool in a cat is a sign of constipation. Constipation can be caused by many things. It could be as simple as a dirty litter box, or it could be an infection. One of the more common causes, though, is a cat having an upset stomach for various reasons.

  1. Other Symptoms of Constipation

    • If your cat seems to be straining in the litter box, this could be a sign of constipation. The cat may lose its appetite and may also start vomiting. The cat may lose weight due to its reduced appetite, and this could cause the cat to seem lethargic. The cat may display other symptoms of stomach discomfort, as well.

    Hairball

    • Cats, especially long-haired cats, are susceptible to hairballs. Oftentimes they will throw up these hairballs, but sometimes a hair ball will get lodged in its digestive tract. Another sign of this is that the stool has a lot of hair in it. You can get some hairball medicine wherever pet supplies are sold. It comes in a tube and costs about $5. This will help the cat pass the hairball and prevent this problem in the future.

    Stomach Issues

    • If your cat is having constipation and is vomiting, it may be a stomach issue. It may have eaten something that is obstructing their tract, or there may be a colon problem. The cat may pass whatever is bugging it on its own, but constipation can cause a loss of appetite and weight loss, so it's best to see a veterinarian. A veterinarian can X-ray your cat and see if there's something in its stomach or intestine that's causing issues, or if there's a deeper medical problem.

    Litterbox

    • Cats sometimes become constipated if their litter box is dirty. If you have more than one cat in your household, you may need to get an extra litter box to help keep things clean. You should try to have at least one box per cat, but it is best to have an extra on top of those. Clean the litter box daily. The cat also may not like the litter provided. Cats tend to prefer the finer grained litters, which are a little more expensive than the cheaper, larger litter.

    Food and Water

    • If your cat is not getting enough water, this can cause constipation. Make sure your cat has access to plenty of water, and that its water dish is clean. There are water fountains that circulate and filter water, which some cats seem to like. The cat also could be constipated because it is not getting enough fiber in its diet. You may need to consult a veterinarian on this. This could be as simple to solve as adding some fiber to their food, or you may need to give your cat a high-fiber diet, as prescribed by a veterinarian.

    Other Reasons

    • Certain medicines can cause constipation. There are also a myriad of medical issues that can cause constipation -- infection, a tumor or an enlarged prostate. If there isn't an obvious reason why the cat is constipated, take the cat to a veterinarian. There could be a serious underlying health issue that you can't diagnose, and it's safer to go needlessly to a veterinarian than let the cat get more sick unnecessarily.