When he does poop he is straining and it is very dry. Is there some food I can try to help alieviate this issue? He has been eating the same food for 7 years with no issue. The food is IAMS healthy weight dry food. He is an indoor cat a little on the heavy side but very healthy.
2006-08-26 07:25:55 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
go to vet NOW. mine did that, and the dry stool was from peeing too much because he was overweight and had developed diabetes. he's ok now but i give him an insulin shot once a day..he doesn't even notice the shot in the skin of his neck in back so it's not gross. i hope it nothing more than becoming finicky about the box, but better to get the blood tests and rule out something that is potentially deadly. good luck>
2006-08-26 07:30:17 · answer #1 · answered by foxfirevigil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is probably so dehydrated from all that dry food that no moisture it getting into the intestine.
So, IMO he needs more wet food in his diet.
The straining is a serious issue and I do think you should consult with a vet on this one.
See if the cat might like a few teaspoons of olive oil daily over his dry food. Salmon oil capsules would be the best choice. Human grade from a health foods store only. That would be difficult to manage with just one cat however as a whole capsule would be too much and it is hard to split a capsule and save some for later. Don't use bottled salmon oil as that would spoil before you had used it all.
2006-08-26 07:54:02 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes cats poop outside the litterbox because they are having a problem, and they are trying to communicate that to you.
First - make sure he gets enough water. Run a little in the bathroom sink & see if he likes that. Drinkwell also encourages cats to drink - it's a fountain & my cats love it.
Next - give him some wet food. This contains more moisture & is closer to what they have in nature. You can try mixing it, or feed it separately.
Add a bit of oil to his dry food too - just a bit. This will also help him deficate.
Also a bigger box in addition to the one he has might help keep the poop inside the box.
If this doesn't clear up soon with these suggestions, please take him to your vet!
2006-08-26 08:17:06 · answer #3 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would really recommend a vet check, but the straining and dry stool could be why he's going outside the box (he associates the box with pain). Try giving him canned food or laxatone (kitty laxative). That will help with constipation and dry stool. You could also try adding a little water to his dry food...just to make it moist. If you call your vet, they may have more suggestions, and they won't charge you for the tips.
2006-08-26 07:47:21 · answer #4 · answered by talented mrs v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you change your brand of litter? Also, sometimes when cats have a urinary tract infection, they will do both outside of the box. I think the suggestion of giving him a little olive oil would help, if you say he is straining. I wish you the best of luck solving this problem.
2006-08-26 07:34:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get an enclosed litterbox, like a little house. But this is NOT an argument NOT to see a vet. You should probably do that, too.
2006-08-26 07:33:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start giving him a few tablespoons of wet food with his dry stuff. He could just need more water in his diet.
2006-08-26 07:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by tsopolly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try giving him some wet food, if that doesnt help take him to the vet.
2006-08-26 08:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by imreallymesedup 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Might be a problem, go get it checked out at the vets.
Also.. make sure the litter tray is clean and has no urine/poop in.
2006-08-26 07:28:59 · answer #9 · answered by Phillip M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give him half a tspoon of codliver oil and put down more water dont give him milk its not good for theur digestive system
if problems persist Vet
2006-08-26 07:28:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋