Home Remedies for Cat Consitpation

Constipation in your cat can come from several sources. Lack of exercise, stress, the types of foods he eats, constant hairballs or insufficient water intake are all big contributors to constipation. Initially, the most common way to treat constipation is to change the cat’s diet. However, there are other home remedies for cat constipation that might work as well.

  1. Pumpkin

    • Give your cat a healthy dose of fiber to get things moving along by adding pumpkin to her diet. Use canned pumpkin that does not have any spices added to it. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons to your cat's food on a daily basis.

    Oat Bran

    • Add 1/2 teaspoon of cereal high in fiber, such as oat bran, to your cat's food daily. If your cat eats mostly dry food, you can mix the cereal in with his dry food.

    Petroleum Jelly

    • Petroleum jelly is the main ingredient in most over-the-counter hairball remedies and is safe to give to your cat by mouth. Give no more than 1/2 teaspoon per day. If your cat refuses to take it straight, mix it in with a small amount of canned food. However, be aware that the petroleum jelly can interfere with the absorption of nutrients in food, so giving it to your cat on an empty stomach is best.

    Lactulose

    • Lactulose is a sugary syrup that holds water in the stool, keeping the stool soft and making it easier for your cat to pass. It comes as a mild-tasting powder that a compounding pharmacy can encapsulate, or you can simply add it to canned food.

    Water Fountain

    • Keep your cat hydrated. Cats enjoy drinking free flowing water more than they do drinking water from a bowl. There are many types of pet fountains available at pet stores.

    Regular Grooming

    • Groom your cat, especially if he has long hair, on a regular basis. If hair becomes tangled or matted around the anus of your cat, it can cause constipation.

    A Clean Litter Box

    • If your cat is fussy and prefers a spotless litter box, make sure to clean it on a regular basis. If your cat refuses to use the litter box and holds bowel movements, constipation can occur.