Constipation is a tricky problem in any pet, since most solutions cause problems of their own. But since diabetic cats are forced to be careful with their diet, they (or the cats who eat with them) may easily react to the new diet with constipation.
Constipation remedies are classified as hydrating, bulk-forming, lubricant, emollient, osmotic, or stimulant.
The remedy used should take into account the cause of the constipation! If you don't know the cause, please consult a vet, since using the wrong remedy can make things worse. For example, constipation from an intestinal blockage or obstipation is a medical emergency, and is not always obvious. Constipation remedies containing lots of fiber can make a blockage worse very quickly, leading to intestinal damage or death. That said, all the remedies to follow can make things worse in some cases -- there's no best or worst cure for everyone, and a vet should be in the loop.
Symptoms of constipation in cats include irritability, painful abdomen, lethargy, and poor appetite or even loss of appetite, painful defecation, complaints from the litterbox or unwillingness to enter it, pooping outside the litterbox, small hard stool, or simply no litterbox activity for more than a day.
Please read as much as possible about constipation and consult your vet before trying to treat it. Good links include:
- Pet Care Tips
- Little Big Cat
- Marvistavet
- Merck Vet Manual
- fabcats on constipation
- Vetinfo4cats: questions and answers on constipation
- Columbia Animal Hospital
Suggested remedies and their mechanisms and cautions include:
| Remedy | Mechanism | Cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Extra water in food | Hydration, lubrication | |
| Subcutaneous fluids | Hydration, lubrication | Can overhydrate with bad effects, vet only. |
| Enema (water, K-Y, mineral oil, soapy water) | Flushing, lubrication | Don't try this at home. |
| Canned pumpkin | Fiber and bulk | Don't use if possibility of intestinal blockage |
| Soaked flax seed | Fiber and bulk | Don't use if possibility of intestinal blockage |
| Psyllium husks | Fiber and bulk | Don't use if possibility of intestinal blockage |
| Slippery Elm | Fiber and emollient | Don't use if possibility of intestinal blockage |
| Vaseline/petroleum jelly | Lubrication | retards or blocks food absorption |
| Children's glycerin suppositories | Lubrication | administered anally |
| Lactulose | Stool softener, Lubrication | Does not appear to raise BG in most cases. |
| Docusate sodium/DSS | Osmotic stool softener, Lubrication | Pulls water into the intestines osmotically -- can dehydrate -- give extra water with this, don't use long term. |
| Exercise | Prokinetic: increases intestinal contractions | |
| Aloe Vera juice[1] | Stimulant, astringent, purgative | Controversial: may be poisonous to cats[2][3] |
| Cisaprid/Propulsid | Prokinetic: increases intestinal contractions | Works best with stool softeners. Addictive. Causes cardiac arrythmia in some humans. |
| Sodium Picosulfate/Dulcolax | Prokinetic: increases intestinal contractions | Addictive, can cause bowel irritation. |
| Acidophilus yogurt | Probiotic: rebalances intestinal flora | May be irritating to lactose-intolerant pets. |
Some cat caregivers also recommend:
- Tuna in vegetable oil (mechanism unknown) Not a regular diet.