How to Help Senior Cats With Constipation

One of the most common conditions that occurs in senior cats is constipation. A healthy cat should have two bowl movements per day. If you have noticed a change to your cat̵7;s bowl movements, if he is lethargic, or if he makes frequent trips to his litter box but is unable to defecate, your senior cat may be constipated. There are a few at-home remedies you can try in order to relieve his condition, though you may want to first seek the advice of your cat̵7;s veterinarian to determine the severity of the constipation.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Wet food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Monitor your cat̵7;s behavior. A constipated cat will often act lethargic, lose his appetite and make frequent trips to his litter box in an attempt to defecate. Noting changes in his behavior, especially if his lethargy and isolation get worse, is the best way to determine whether you should take him to a vet for additional treatment.

    • 2

      Encourage your cat to drink fresh, clean water. You may want to bring the bowl of water to your cat and gently encourage him to drink by stroking his fur. One of the complications with a constipated cat is that the cat may want to be isolated if he is feeling unwell. If you are unable to get your cat to drink additional water, he will probably need to go to the vet for intravenous hydration.

    • 3

      Feed your cat a wet food. Dry food may only cause further constipation. Make sure that the food is still high quality and appropriate for a senior cat, as you don̵7;t want to cause any further gastrointestinal problems in a cat that is already sick.