Constipation in cats is a digestive problem that more frequently affects adult and senior cats, though it can appear at any age. Unlike dogs, cats are more discreet in showing discomfort, so it is important to know how to recognise the signs before the condition worsens.
Symptoms of a constipated cat
- No bowel movement for more than 48 to 72 hours
- Frequent visits to the litter box without result or with great effort
- Small, very hard and dry stools when defecation is achieved
- Whimpering or vocalising when attempting to defecate
- Rigid or sensitive abdomen to the touch
- Loss of appetite, lethargy, occasional vomiting
Most common causes of constipation in cats
Dehydration
Cats are naturally poor drinkers. When their water intake is insufficient, the large intestine reabsorbs water from the stools, hardening the content and making expulsion difficult. This is one of the most common causes, especially in cats fed exclusively dry food.
Low-fibre diet or food change
A diet with little fibre reduces faecal volume and slows intestinal transit. Sudden food changes can also destabilise the gut microbiome and cause transient constipation.
Ingestion of hair (trichobezoars)
Constant grooming causes cats to ingest large amounts of hair. When this cannot be expelled via regurgitation or stools, it can form hairballs that partially obstruct intestinal transit.
Sedentary lifestyle and indoor living
Cats that live exclusively indoors and have little physical activity are more prone to constipation, as movement stimulates intestinal peristalsis.
Dirty or poorly accessible litter box
Cats are very clean animals. If the litter box is dirty or is located in a busy or noisy spot, the cat may voluntarily hold back defecation, worsening constipation.
Medical causes
Chronic or recurrent constipation may be linked to idiopathic megacolon, chronic kidney disease, hypokalaemia (potassium deficiency), orthopaedic problems (pain makes it difficult to adopt the defecation posture) or tumours.
What to do if your cat is constipated?
- Increase hydration: running water fountains, adding water to dry food or incorporating wet food into the diet
- Increase play and physical activity with 10 to 15-minute daily sessions
- Keep the litter box clean: daily cleaning improves the cat's willingness to use it
- Use malt paste or malt snacks to facilitate the expulsion of ingested hair
Diet for constipated cats
Diet plays a key role in preventing and treating constipation. Adding wet food for cats as a supplement to dry food significantly increases water intake and facilitates intestinal transit. If constipation is recurrent, there are highly digestible diets designed for cats with intestinal problems; check our range of veterinary nutrition for cats with intestinal problems. It may also be useful to increase the fibre content of their diet with specific foods; find options in our collection of high-fibre cat food. If your cat also suffers from alternating diarrhoea, read our article on cat diarrhoea to better understand their digestive health.
When to go to the vet?
If the cat has not defecated for more than 72 hours, shows obvious pain, persistent vomiting or general weakness, a vet visit is essential. Severe constipation can lead to obstruction or megacolon, conditions requiring urgent medical intervention.
