constipation

What You Should Know About Feline Constipation

Although cats are generally very healthy creatures, they become more prone to diseases when they get older. According to studies, older cats become more prone to diseases such as arthritis and constipation especially when they are already way past their prime. Feline constipation can be quite painful and uncomfortable making some cats become really cranky and irritable. If your cat is getting old, you might want to watch out for signs of feline constipation so that you can help your pet deal with the situation.

Signs And Symptoms Of Feline Constipation

Detecting feline constipation can be quite challenging on your part especially if you are one of those people who are not home most of the time. The first sign and symptom of feline constipation is straining and pain on the part of your cat when it attempts to have a bowel movement. If your cat usually has bowel movement in the evening when you are asleep, this may be quite difficult for you to detect.

However, if you notice that you cat had not really been using its litter box for quite some time and your cat has been irritable, you should check if your cat does have feline constipation by bringing your cat to the vet immediately. Note that feline constipation can be very detrimental to your cat. In fact, feline constipation can be just a symptom of a more serious condition in your pet.

Cause Of Feline Constipation

There are many things that can cause feline constipation. According to studies, swallowing foreign objects such as bones, strings, hair and others can cause feline constipation. The foreign objects inside the stomach of your cat can cause irritation and irregularities in the bowel movement of your cat. To prevent constipation in your pet, you should pay close attention to the kind of food that you give to your cat. Giving your cat a healthy diet with lots of fibers would help prevent constipation.

On the other hand, injuries to your cat may also trigger constipation. According to studies, cat that are suffering from pelvic fractures, intestinal scars and spinal cord damage may suffer from constipation. If you cat has had some injuries lately, you should consult your vet on what to do to prevent constipation. Do not give your cat any types of laxatives or medications without the knowledge of your vet to prevent some unwanted side effects.