Constipation

Constipation means stool moving through the colon too slowly, so that too much water is reabsorbed and the faeces become hard, dry and difficult to pass. It is one of the more common digestive complaints in cats, particularly from middle age onwards.

Water is at the heart of the problem. Cats evolved from desert ancestors and have a naturally low thirst drive, so many live in a state of mild chronic dehydration — especially those fed only dry food. A drier colon means drier stool. This is why the single most effective change for most constipated cats is simply getting more moisture into them, through wet food and tempting water sources.

Pain and mobility play a bigger role than many owners realise. An arthritic senior cat may find it genuinely uncomfortable to climb into a high-sided tray and adopt the squatting posture, so it 'holds on', and the longer stool sits in the colon the harder it becomes — a vicious cycle. Providing a large, low-sided tray on each floor of the home can make a surprising difference.

Constipation should never be left to drift. Repeated or prolonged episodes can stretch the muscular wall of the colon until it loses its ability to contract — a condition called megacolon that is far harder to manage. Early attention to hydration, fibre and any underlying pain keeps the vast majority of cats regular and comfortable. And because a straining cat can equally be suffering a blocked bladder — a true emergency — any cat that appears 'stuck' in the tray deserves a same-day veterinary check.