My cat always seems to be straining when he's in the litter box. He's on Iam's weight control plus hairball control catfood(the dry kind) and he get's hairball preventative regularly and has access to water EVERYWHERE in our house. What do you think could be going on with him? Should he be getting wet catfood regularly or do they make an OTC cat laxative? I hate to hear him struggling all the time in there!
2007-10-12 10:57:17 · 5 answers · asked by Heavenly Advocate 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
It's definitely not a urination problem because I can hear him peeing. It's usually him grunting and groaning and followed by a foul smell like someone ripped a good one. I just thought that with all the hairball preventatives that he should be fine, but both he and his sister grunt alot when they go poo.
2007-10-12 11:29:50 · update #1
I hope you mean he is not straining while urinating, since that is a serious issue and require vet intervention.
But there are some cats that have a problem with constipation, and it may be related to anatomical conditions as regards their colon. There are dietary approaches, as such:
Sources of supplementary fiber include bran, psyllium (Metamucil), and canned pumpkin. Some cats will eat these products, others won't. If your cat will eat them, mix the fiber-rich supplement in with quality canned cat food. However, before you implement any dietary changes, consult your veterinarian to make sure the changes you propose meet your cat's dietary and health needs. (Increased dietary fiber doesn't help every cat.)
Another newer approach along with the above has met with some success. This includes use of two prescription medications lactulose, a medications that softens the stool, and propulcid, a motility modifier. Another medication now used is ranitidine, again with some success.
2007-10-12 11:07:57 · answer #1 · answered by cat lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
um, you need to feed your cat wet food a few times a week, or take some vegetable oil and put it on the dry food...as far as hairballs, those come back up...has nothing to do with constipation.
2007-10-12 20:14:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure he is not trying to pee?? Male cats can have trouble urinating and that can be an emergency. You really should see a vet to rule out anything serious.
2007-10-12 18:04:31 · answer #3 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I give my kitty a couple teaspoons og canned pumkin:-) works like a charm. If that doesnt work my vet recomended metamucil
2007-10-12 18:59:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have given one of my cats canned pumpkin..and he loved it, and if they don't, put some in food. i have also bought human laxative, metamucil, plain flavor and have mixed in can foods.
always helped my cat w/o any problems with both.
2007-10-12 18:27:13 · answer #5 · answered by Dee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋