What Can a Kitten Eat That Won't Constipate Him?

If Tabby's been out of sorts and her litter box hasn't seen much action lately, she may be a bit backed up. Or perhaps she's recovering from a spell of constipation and you don't want any repeat episodes. Generally, a diet of good kitten food will keep things moving for Tabby.

  1. Healthy Kitten Nutrition

    • If Tabby's a healthy girl with no problems, feeding her a diet of canned or dry commercial kitten food should be fine for her digestive health. There's a vast selection of kitten food available to choose from, and your personal preferences will dictate your decision. If you're tempted to feed Tabby adult food, resist the temptation until she's one year old. Kittens have different protein needs than adult cats, and adult cat food won't meet her basic nutritional requirements. Regardless of the brand, Tabby should have access to fresh water at all times.

    Constipation

    • Kittens and cats typically have at least one bowel movement every day. If you've noticed Tabby straining or crying in her litter box, she may be suffering from constipation. Other signs to look for include loss of appetite or weight, lethargy and vomiting. If her trips to the litter box appear unproductive, or if the poop you see is small, dry and hard, perhaps covered in mucous or blood, she's probably constipated.

    Cat Food for Constipation

    • If Tabby's constipated, try to loosen things up a bit to get them moving. A stool softener or laxative may help her out, but call the vet before you administer any medication to make sure she gets the proper dose. Feeding canned food will increase her water intake and lower her carbohydrates, which may prompt some action. Try adding a teaspoon of powdered psyllium, canned plain pumpkin or Metamucil to her food. Water intake is important for constipated cats to help keep them hydrated. If she's not improving in a day or two, contact your vet.

    Daily Diet

    • A high fiber diet is beneficial for good day-to-day colonic health. If Tabby's prone to backing up, a variety of canned kitten food will be a tasty, digestible diet that produces less waste than a dry diet. A quarter of a teaspoon of Vaseline every couple of days can keep things smooth, or you can try 1/8 teaspoon of Miralax mixed into her food. If Tabby's open to eating veggies, add 1/4 teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin to her daily meal. She may also enjoy noshing on a teaspoon of cooked green beans or peas.