Today, let’s talk about what to do if a kitten is constipated?

What are the symptoms of cat constipation:

① Under normal circumstances, cats usually defecate 1-2 times a day. If they are cats eating raw meat and bones, they may defecate once every 3 days. If a cat eats dry food and does not defecate for more than 3 days, and if a cat eats raw meat and bones does not defecate for more than 4 days, it is almost constipation.

② It feels very laborious to defecate, the expression is strained, and the defecation time is very long, up to one minute or more

③ The stool is small, hard, and very dry

④ The feces is obviously hard and covered with mucus or blood

⑤ Frequently making gestures to defecate, but no defecation occurs, and making painful sounds

⑥ Decreased appetite , weight loss, but abdominal circumference increases, and intestinal contents are firm and sausage-like upon palpation

⑦ May be accompanied by vomiting, varying appetite, and depression

Have the above symptoms Yes, the cat is most likely constipated

There are many reasons for constipation:

1. Drinking too little water, or dehydration, resulting in too dry feces

2. Mechanical obstruction: such as trichomes disease (hair balls blocking the intestines), foreign body obstruction, tumors, etc.

3. Injuries: pelvic fracture, pelvic deformity, spinal damage, etc.

4. Inflammation: anal gland inflammation, proctitis, perianal injury, etc.

5. Nerve or muscle diseases. Resulting in difficulty or inability to defecate

6. Metabolic and endocrine disorders: hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, etc.

7. Megacolon

8. Obesity and lack of exercise

9. Environmental problems: The cat refuses to go to the toilet due to a new environment or the litter box is unclean or unreasonably placed.

10. Stress factors: Cats that are highly nervous will refuse to defecate.

How to treat cat constipation?

1. Treatment methods:

① Drug treatment uses drugs that soften stool and restore normal intestinal smooth muscle peristalsis. For example, cisapride, lactulose, hemp seeds, etc.

② Infusion: Relieve the cat’s dehydration.

③ Enema: Empty the colon under anesthesia, suitable for mild and simple constipation. Use 40-80 ml of warm soapy water and pour it into the intestine with an enema device, and use external abdominal pressure to moderately press the fecal mass in the intestine. It usually works.

④ Laxative therapy: Take an appropriate amount of laxative orally. For example, 5-30 grams of magnesium sulfate or 5-50 ml of liquid paraffin oil should be taken orally.

⑤? Oil-filling method: You can give the kitten a spoonful of salad oil to lubricate his intestines. 10ml at a time, 2-3 times at intervals, should help.

⑥ Probiotic therapy: only suitable for mild constipation, it helps maintain "good bacteria" in intestinal health. A healthy intestine can defecate normally and keep the stool soft

⑦ Surgical therapy: For severe intestinal constipation, when the above methods are not effective, surgery can be performed to remove the intestinal cavity and feces.

⑧ Kaiselu:

Squeeze a little into the anus, but don’t rely on it. Because Kaiselu helps defecation by stimulating the intestinal wall and triggering a defecation reflex. If used regularly, the sensitivity of the gastrointestinal wall will become worse and worse, leading to dependence. Causes dryness of the intestinal wall, causes habitual constipation, and makes constipation more serious. Therefore, it is not recommended to use Kaiselu casually. If your cat has constipation problem, you still need to find out the cause.

How to prevent cat constipation?

1. Diet prevention method:

① Food allergies can cause intestinal inflammation and constipation in cats. Changing the protein source of your cat's food (chicken, lamb, etc.) can reduce inflammation, allow for more normal bowel movement, and reduce constipation.

② Appropriately increase the fat content in food, and feed high-fat foods such as liver, mackerel, sardines and other oil-rich fish in small amounts, which can make cats defecate more smoothly and eliminate oil-filled feces. The principles are similar

③ Make appropriate use of plant fiber, such as adding a spoonful of pumpkin to food.

The fiber in pumpkin can promote intestinal peristalsis and has a certain laxative effect

④ Drink more water: It is very useful to increase the cat’s water intake.

2. Weight loss method:

Control the cat’s weight. Obese cats are more prone to constipation. Control food intake, play with the cat more, and increase exercise.

3. Methods to keep a happy mood:

Reduce stress and anxiety: Cats will not eat or drink under stress. Moreover, cats tend to accumulate stress. Any changes in the environment or excessive attention from the owner will make the cat nervous. Give it some time to adapt to the environment, and you can use pheromone products appropriately to relax it

4. Combing method:

Groom the cat more often, take away the dead hair, and prevent the cat from If you swallow too much, the hair balls block the intestines.

If it is a long-haired cat, cut the hair around the cat’s anus to prevent the hair from getting tangled and knotted. Doing this will keep the anal area clean and also help prevent constipation. If feces sticks to the hair, it may prevent bowel movement, leading to constipation.

5. Cat litter and cat litter box management method:

Exclusion is because the cat litter box is too dirty, too small, the placement is easy to be disturbed, or the cat litter does not suit the cat Constipation caused by factors such as preferences.