Cat Constipation Olive Oil Treatment

Cat constipation may often occur in cats and may be due to a deficient diet, a sedentary lifestyle or the ingestion of a food that is difficult to digest. Hairballs, stress and an untidy litter box may also be causes of constipation in felines. There are a lot of remedies for cat constipation available; olive oil is a home remedy that may be applied in constipated cats.

Cat Constipation

Cat constipation occurs when the cat fails to produce feces for more than 2 days. Typically, cats defecate 1 or 2 times per day if fed a normal type of cat food, or once every 2 days if the cat is fed a low residue diet.

Cat constipation is not a cause for concern, especially if your cat is constipated only on rare occasions. However, if constipation occurs more frequently, you should consult a vet and see if the cat’s diet is rich enough in fibers and have a general checkup to determine if your cat is in good health.

Olive Oil Treatment

The olive oil treatment may be administered at home and unlike other constipation medication, olive oil has no side effects.

The olive oil is beneficial for a constipated cat as it stimulates the bowel movement and moisturizes the feces. When the cat is constipated, the moisture in the feces is absorbed by the bowels, which makes the feces even more difficult to eliminate. The olive oil will soften the feces and the cat should be able to pass the feces within a few hours after administering the oil.

The olive oil should be added to the cat’s normal food. Add ½ to 1 tablespoon of olive oil or 5 to 10 drops, if you use a dropper.

Don’t give more olive oil than the indicated amounts to your pet, as the excess of olive oil may cause diarrhea.

Other Constipation Treatments

In addition to olive oil, you may use any type of fish or vegetable oil. These will have the same effect on the cat and he will pass the feces.

Canned pumpkin is a natural laxative that may stimulate bowel movement.

Fiber supplements may also be recommended, especially if the cat has a dry diet. Fibers will help the digestion of the food and will prevent constipation.

There are also cat laxatives available. A vet can prescribe a suitable laxative, but this is only recommended if the cat hasn’t passed feces for a long time and the condition is severe.

Other drugs that may be used in constipated cats include Propulsid (cisapride) which can regulate the cat’s metabolism. This drug has a number of side effects including arrhythmia, kidney or liver failure. Propulsid shouldn’t be administered in cats with a heart condition or with a dysfunctional liver and kidneys.

An enema injection may also provide fast relief for cat constipation. The enema consists of a fluid injection in the rectum of the cat and the fluid will stimulate the bowel movement, having a cleansing effect as well.