The Daily Cat

My cat sometimes suffers from constipation. What can I do about it?

It is important to have an understanding of your feline's usual schedule in this regard. It’s normal for some cats to have only one bowel movement a day, while another cat may have three or more movements per day as a normal routine. But if you notice straining, this could be a sign of constipation. Feeding a combination of canned and dry foods is a good diet, but because of the intake of long hair when your cat is grooming itself, there may be a tendency for your pet to strain a bit more when having a bowel movement. Brushing your cat daily will help reduce the amount of hair it ingests when grooming. With your veterinarian's approval, a stool softener or other cat laxative, which you can add to your pet's diet, might help. Your veterinarian can advise you on the best laxative and the amount to give, based on your cat's health. But it is important to first determine whether your cat is truly constipated or if it just has infrequent bowel movements.