TL;DR: Feline constipation occurs when a cat has not had a bowel movement for 48 hours and requires veterinary attention within the next day. Seek emergency care immediately if your cat is also vomiting, lethargic, or straining without results.
What is feline constipation and what are the common causes?
- Feline constipation is a condition where a cat has difficulty evacuating their bowels or does so less frequently than normal.
- After 48 hours without a bowel movement, stool in the colon can become dry, hard, and painful to pass.
- Common causes include dehydration, lack of fiber, or underlying health issues like kidney disease and hairballs.
Is my cat's constipation considered a medical emergency?
- The urgency level for a cat that hasn't pooped in two days is Medium.
- Veterinary attention is required within 24 hours to prevent the condition from worsening into a serious blockage or megacolon.
- Immediate emergency care is necessary if your cat is also vomiting, lethargic, or refusing to eat.
How can sharing a photo or video help my veterinarian with triage?
- Photos of any small or unusual pieces of stool help the vet determine texture, size, and hydration levels.
- A video of your cat straining helps the vet distinguish between simple constipation and a potentially life-threatening urinary blockage.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
For mild cases of feline constipation, ensure adequate hydration and consider dietary adjustments such as incorporating high-fiber diets. Fiber supplementation can be achieved by adding psyllium (1-4 tsp/meal), wheat bran (1-2 tbsp/meal), or pumpkin (1-4 tbsp/meal) to canned food, ensuring the cat is well-hydrated to prevent impaction. Pediatric rectal suppositories like dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, glycerin, or bisacodyl may also be used. In mild to moderate or recurrent cases, enemas with warm tap water (5-10 ml/kg), warm isotonic saline (5-10 ml/kg), dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (5-10 ml/cat), mineral oil (5-10 ml/cat), or lactulose (5-10 ml/cat) may be necessary; administer slowly. Avoid long-term laxative use unless absolutely necessary. If constipation is chronic or recurring, perform a thorough physical examination, abdominal radiographs, and consider advanced imaging such as barium enema, ultrasonography or colonoscopy, as well as bloodwork including a CBC, biochemical profile, serum T4 level, urinalysis, and a detailed neurologic examination.
Chapter: Gastroenterology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 381)