In the vast majority of cats, there is no underlying cause. In some cases, there is no underlying cause.Ĭonstipation is a condition seen most commonly in middle-aged and older cats.Dehydration from other metabolic disease conditions.This may develop after trauma or may be part of a more generalized neurological disease. Damage of the nerves, which cause the colon to contract.Pelvic injuries resulting in a narrowed pelvic canal.Obstruction caused by tumors, strictures or masses compressing or blocking the large intestine.Hairballs, especially in long-haired cats.What causes constipation?įactors associated with causing constipation include: So you see, what seems abnormal to the untrained human eye is actually normal to the feline survival instinct. Changing their normal routine and/or demeanor may ward off a potential predator. In the wild, a painful or sick cat is a weak cat and a weak cat is a potential victim. It is their natural instinct to behave this way. Sick or painful cats are not being spiteful or acting out of anger, just out of distress. They may hide, be less social, have different eating habits, and/or different elimination habits as described above. Pain or discomfort from any source often causes cats to act out of their ordinary routine. Painful cats, just like people, may act in ways we would refer to as cranky, easily agitated, or aggressive towards people, especially children, and/or other animals. ![]() Finally, they may start to associate the pain of straining and difficult defecation with the litter box and develop an aversion to using it because of that. Alternatively, they may defecate wherever they are if they get the urge, which can be very frequently since their colon is so full and a litter box may be too far away. The physical activity of walking helps some feces fall out to the ground. They may start out in the litter box trying to defecate but little or nothing comes out until they start to walk away. Many constipated cats will defecate outside the box and often it is unintentional. They will also often lose their appetite and/or become lethargic when they are constipated. They will often vomit during and/or after straining to defecate, whether or not feces are produced. Some constipated cats may pass small amounts of liquid feces or blood. Since one of the functions of the colon is water absorption, the retained feces become hard and dry, which makes fecal passage even more difficult.Ĭonstipated cats strain in an attempt to defecate resulting in abdominal pain. The feces are retained in the large intestine or colon. This may result in reduced frequency or absence of defecation. ![]() Constipation can be defined as an abnormal accumulation of feces resulting in difficult bowel movements.
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