Constipation in Cats

Janet · April 30, 2009, 07:31:34 AM

My 17 yr. old kitty Bennie has been having a bad bout of constipation these past several days. I searched Itchmo, Tanya's site, the CRF support group as well as Google for remedies. I have all these notes next to my computer...psyllium husk powder, Lactulose, Laxatone, pumpkin, Petromalt...even Miralax.
I asked my vet for a recommendation and their first choice was to try using canned pumpkin...not the pie filling just plain canned pumpkin. I know that several members here at Itchmo have also recommended this remedy.
I thought, yeah right, my kitty is gonna eat this!
Well, last night she was so miserable I decided to try mixing a little of the canned pumpkin with her chicken baby food treat that she enjoys. I then let her lick it off my finger.
To my grand surprise she LOVED the pumpkin! And this morning we found a great surprise in her litter box!
I brought down a helping of her regular food this morning and she just looked up at me as if to say, "Hey, where's my pumpkin?".
Rather than hiding under the desk (as she often does when she doesn't feel well) she came out this morning for a grand petting session (after I brought her another helping of canned pumpkin).
Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know how well that remedy worked for us.
I have noticed that many of us have problems with kitty constipation and I thought this might be a good thread to start...one central place for info on the subject...what has worked for you, what your vet has recommended.
Thanks to all that suggested the canned pumpkin...a little miracle here at my house!

kittylyda · April 30, 2009, 08:24:21 AM

That is indeed the miracle of canned pumpkin--most cats actually like the taste! And it is a relatively cheap and a natural remedy. We use it daily at my house for my elderly constipated kitty. I'm glad it worked so well for Bennie.

Go pumpkin!

Spartycats · April 30, 2009, 08:36:37 AM

bug · April 30, 2009, 09:56:08 AM

Yes, pumpkin goes over well here, too! When I started feeding grain-free, I noticed that the kitties' poops were getting smaller and harder, so rather than adding grain back in, I added pumpkin and all except one of mine (the veggie-hater) cleaned their plate. They really like steamed and mashed sweet potato as well.

August · April 30, 2009, 11:40:39 AM

Congratulations, Janet!

That's great to hear about your kitty. I always love to read about a kitty making a really good one! It makes me feel so good, too!

We also had some constipation trouble and tried the pumpkin and it worked very well. I keep a can of it in my cupboard for emergencies (though we haven't had to use it again since the one time we were stopped up, knock on wood).

Anyway, yay for Bennie!

kittylyda · April 30, 2009, 12:09:02 PM

Spartycats--that photo is hilarious! That's one of your cats, right?

I guess even the big guys like pumpkin or maybe that tiger is very constipated!

JustMe · April 30, 2009, 12:43:00 PM

Great topic Janet, and congratulations!

We have similiar issues with the grain-free with a couple cats including our oldest having constipation in the last couple months.

Yes...that does look like one of SpartyCats pussycats. They really are growing, aren't they!

What are you feeding them.....besides pumpkin.

lesliek · April 30, 2009, 06:45:47 PM

Since cutting down on the amount of grain,all 5 of mine get a little pumpkin in their food daily. It helps keep things regular.
Spartycats- I need to know what you are feeding,so I can make sure I don't use it !

catbird · April 30, 2009, 07:31:02 PM

Quote from: kittylyda on April 30, 2009, 12:09:02 PM
Spartycats--that photo is hilarious! That's one of your cats, right?

I love that photo! Let's see, it has a white belly, so that must be...Bubba?

Cato · April 30, 2009, 07:36:34 PM

Quote from: catbird on April 30, 2009, 07:31:02 PM
Quote from: kittylyda on April 30, 2009, 12:09:02 PM
Spartycats--that photo is hilarious! That's one of your cats, right?

I love that photo! Let's see, it has a white belly, so that must be...Bubba?

Definitely Bubba - wearing his Holloween costume a little early --- must be the pumpkin that got him thinking Holloween time

Cato · April 30, 2009, 07:42:29 PM

I noticed that there's a difference in the poop quality resultant between canned pumpkin and fresh boiled mashed pumpkin. I used canned organic pumpkin in Cato's raw last week instead of the usual fresh pumpkin (got lazy). I used the same (or roughly the same) amount. Well, his poopies became somewhat softer 3rd day into the recipe. So, today, when I made his week's batch, I used organic canned pumpkin again, but a lot less than the last time. I'll see what happens.

Spartycats · May 01, 2009, 05:48:54 AM

Sorry, I'm going off-topic. The picture is from an exotic cat rescue, in Texas. I got intrigued reading about what they do. Some halloween pictures:

http://www.insyncexotics.com/gallery/thumbs.php?dir=!Halloween_2007&page=1

Homepage is tough to look at (so I'm not including that link), since they've just taken in some very neglected cats, and are asking for donations to help them.

catwoods · May 01, 2009, 02:20:02 PM

Sounds like a good group, Spartycats.

Funny comments, everyone.

I see the Halloween theme there, now. I was going to say, Having seen a few grumpy, constipated housecats in my time, I say it's a wise move to make sure the big guys are getting their doses of pumpkin.

catbird · May 01, 2009, 05:05:13 PM

Quote from: catwoods on May 01, 2009, 02:20:02 PM

I see the Halloween theme there, now. I was going to say, Having seen a few grumpy, constipated housecats in my time, I say it's a wise move to make sure the big guys are getting their doses of pumpkin.

ROFL catwoods!