By Sandra Murphey with intro by Michael.
There is a page on PoC written years ago about home treatments for cat constipation. Sandra has added to the page in a useful comment, which I believe should seen by more visitors than are likely to read her comment. Hence this article. Sandra tackled her cat’s constipation by focusing on thinning out her coat together with some judicious trimming.
Sandra writes:
I have a 5-year-old long haired cat that I took to the vet for constipation. She got an enema, and was put on Royal Canin Hi Response DRY (hi fiber), Hill’s WD and Lactulose. After much research, I discovered that these “prescription” foods are not healthy. She was still only having movements every other day.
I transitioned her completely off DRY food, and started to discover the “difficult” truths of how pet food is made. I began to really read labels! I’ve tried some high quality foods, adding water. Also supplement with raw ground chicken/turkey combined with a “pre-mix” for more nutrients.
Another thing I did was give a “little” goat milk and plain goat yogurt. She loves them, and they are good for the belly. Also, she’s developed a taste for coconut oil, and eats 1-2 teaspoons a day.
I’ve also added these things to food: oat bran, ground chia seeds, and various other hi-fiber. She still only poops every other day. I’ve been using Laxatone, but it’s for hairballs, which she doesn’t have.
The Hair Factor in Constipation
I did something I never read about anyone doing. I broke open her stools, to find “long hair”. This is the “root cause” of her constipation! This led me on a search for a tool to get rid of the excess hair. I tried the Furminator, but it didn’t work for her. So, I got the ShedMonster at Walmart, and that really gets the fur out. It’s about a 4th of the price of Furminator, and works better for her.
This is only the 2nd day of using it. I wipe her down with a damp towel afterwards to get rid of excess. I’m also going to clip some of the long hair on her sides and butt area.
I just wanted to share this because I haven’t seen any posts that mention getting rid of excess fur with a de-shedding tool. I always combed and brushed her daily, but it wasn’t enough.
I hope this information helps other long haired cat guardians.
Associated: recycling cat hair.
Dee,
I’m curious about your statement that “wet food causes soft stools” because that’s not my experience. My cat is indoors only, and after much extensive research on how pet food is made, I’ve decided to read labels very carefully!
Not all wet food is created equal, and I’ve tried various brands. I’m curious what you feed your cat. My long hair cat ingests a lot of fur, which creates constipation. My main focus is to find the best solution to helping her move her food out with normal stools. Too soft or too hard are both problematic, as they would be with humans. It mostly has to do with what’s ingested, unless there’s a more serious underlying problem, which only a vet can diagnose.
I’m curious, do all your cats have soft stools? Have you talked to a vet about this?
Dee’s right. The only wet food ours can tolerate is Sheba. And that goes for the expensive brands as well. Sealy and our elderly cats share a few cans a day but other than that eat Dad’s Gourmet blend in the yellow bag. Its dry and none have had problems after 5 years on it.
An interesting article. It makes sense that excess hair swallowed through grooming could cause constipation. Hope the de-shedding comb helps provide a long term solution for Sandra’s cat.
Dee, perhaps it’s the brand of wet food you’re using? Maybe it’s a little too rich for them? My cats eat wet food and they always have firm stools.
Nope. Wet cat food always causes soft stools. It may not be obvious for caretakers of outside cats, but it’s a norm for indoor ones. It’s maddening.
You have a diarrhea or soft stool problem Dee? I have a page on treating cat diarrhea but I doubt whether the sort of stuff you want to try.
OMG!
To only have hard, or even formed, stools here would be a dream.
I’ve never had to deal with constipation at all, but your article is very informative.
Wet cat food really only delivers very soft stools, even diarrhea.
My boxes overfloweth!