It’s always concerning when your pet suddenly becomes poorly, whether it’s coming home with a limp or a sudden onset of bowel problems- and cat constipation is up there as one of the most common problems. Indeed, constipation in cats is not only an illness in itself but a symptom of a myriad of issues, all of which we discuss in more detail in our buying guide.
Luckily, the majority of the time, the reasons for constipation in cats can be as simple as providing multiple access points for fresh water, or even changing to a specialist cat food for constipation. With this being such a huge problem for many owners, we’ve taken the time to find you the best options for handling cat constipation, when it comes to their diet and have answered some of your most common queries and concerns about cat bowel movements, below.
The Best Cat Food for Constipation
With real meat as the first ingredient and NO by-product meals, artificial preservatives, corn, wheat or soy, this is the closest kibble your cat will ever get to raw feeding, without the cost or problems that come with feeding your cat raw food. As such, this is the best cat food for constipation, thanks to the high-quality ingredients and appropriate digestible food which allows for a smooth flow of food, through the digestive tract.
There are some huge benefits to using Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness for cats, since the added vitamins and minerals not only help with digestion, but also assist your cat to be as happy and as healthy as is possible. Being so full of nutrients that it’s even possible that you’ll need to feed your cat less often, since all of their nutritional requirements are fully met with this brand. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken is one of 10 cat food recipes included in our review of Blue Buffalo Cat Food.
Protein 40.0 %
Min Fat 18.0 %
Min Fiber 4.0 %
Max Moisture 9.0 %
Max Magnesium 0.14 %
Max Taurine 0.15 %
- Brand: Blue Buffalo
- Model: 800191
- Weight: 12 pounds
Ideal for indoor-only cats who suffer with constipation, this Proactive dry cat food from Iams is a great option for cats who are prone to weight gain or have a habit of over-grooming themselves. The strong focus on fiber makes this an ideal option for older cats, or cats who suffer from long-term health conditions, as they are more likely to have smoother bowel movements with Iams Proactive cat food.
This is also a highly-rated product, with many customers mentioning that their cats love the smell and flavor of this kibble. In particular, cats seem less likely to grow “bored” of this brand, which all cat-owners will know can be a real pain, when you find a brand that actually works. Overall, this is the best cat food for indoor cats who suffer with constipation. Iams ProActive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care is one of 5 recipes included in our Iams Cat Food Review.
Crude Protein (MIN) 30.0%
Crude Fat (MIN) 11.0%
Crude Fat (MAX) 13.5%
Crude Fiber (MAX) 8.3%
Moisture (MAX) 10.0%
Calcium (MIN) 0.75%
Phosphorus (MIN) 0.65%
- Brand: Iams
- Model: 10146538
- Weight: 7 pounds
Royal Canin have created this great dry cat food with added probiotics to take care of your cat’s entire digestive tract. Being able to meet all of your cat’s supplement needs while combining great cat food means that the slightly higher cost of the Veterinary Diet kibble can help outweigh the added expense of using pre-and-pro-biotics as well as your standard dry cat food.
Then, there are the added oligosaccharides, which help improve intestinal health by assisting in breaking down more complex carbs. This means that your cat is more likely to fully digest every ingredient in this kibble, making it a great alternative to raw feeding. This is a great option for short-term problems with constipation, such as following an operation or trauma, as the cost might be a little too high for regular use.
Check out our Royal Canin Cat Food Review.
Crude Protein (min) 29.0%
Crude Fat (min) 13.0%
Crude Fiber (max) 4.7%
Moisture (max) 8.0%
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) (min) 0.18%
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) (min) 0.08%
- Brand: Royal Canin
- Model: 484288
- Weight: 8.8 pounds
If you prefer to feed your cat a wet food diet, you’ll be pleased to know that Ziwi’s grain-free cat food is the best canned cat food for constipation. This is a company that is very proud of the fact there are no added ingredients beyond free-range, grass-fed lamb and New Zealand Green Mussels, which makes this a great option for those who want to feed their cat a raw diet but can’t dedicate the time and cost of providing fresh meat at every meal.
It can take a while for your cat to adjust to this food if they’re used to kibble, so be sure to take your time while transferring your cat onto this canned option but, once they’ve made it, we’re sure they’ll love it as much as the many happy customers do.
Crude Protein min. 10%
Crude Fat min. 4%
Crude Fiber max. 2%
Moisture max. 78%
Ash max. 3%
Chondroitin Sulfate (min) 300mg/kg
- Brand: Ziwi Peak
- Model: ZPCCL0185C-US
- Weight: 2 pounds
Hills cat food for constipation works by eliminating some of the most common causes of constipation, including hairballs and urinary issues. With no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, but a healthy dose of Vitamins C and E, alongside natural fiber, this is a great naturally-sourced option for relieving cats who are prone to bouts of constipation.
As always, with Hill’s Science Diet, these ingredients are picked by vets and pet dieticians, for their ability to help clear minor issues with the digestive and urinary tract, which makes it ideal for older cats and cats who have regular issues. In fact, Hill’s are so confident about their ability to endear themselves to both you and your cat that they’re offering a money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied for any reason. If you want to find out more about their company, product lines, and recall history, read our overview of Hill’s Cat Food.
Protein 34.0%
Fat 19.4%
Crude Fiber 9.0%
Phosphorous 0.60%
Potassium 0.68%
Magnesium 0.079%
- Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
- Model: 10137
- Weight: 15.8 pounds
If your cat is struggling with constipation, you can’t go far wrong with some wholesome wet food. Not only will the high moisture content give your cat a fighting chance, this option is also packed with nutritional value. Similarly, no unnecessary fillers ensures your cat still get all the nutrition they need.
With 10% of the product being protein, this will help your cats muscular structures stay health surrounding the colon. Meanwhile, the 3% of fiber and 7.5% pf fat will help to keep everything moving. Added to this are the bonuses of additional fatty acids and vitamins, to help keep your cat healthy going forward, too.
Take a look at our article on Nature’s Variety Instinct Cat Food.
Crude Protein (min) 10 %
Crude Fat (min) 7.50 %
Crude Fiber (max) 3 %
Moisture (max) 78 %
*Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min) 0.20 %
*Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min) 1 %
- Brand: Instinct
- Model: 769949717010
- Weight: 4.5 Pounds
Another canned cat food option from Wellness, with the main difference here being that the food is given in a pâté format. This increased ratio of meat to hydration means that this is one of the closest forms you can get to raw-feeding as you can get. Naturally, however, this also means that the lack of hydration in the can requires you to ensure that your cat is also having enough fresh water with their meals, so don’t forget to pop out a fresh bowl at mealtime.
This is a great, simply recipe, which includes 65% protein ingredients, as well as added vitamins and minerals to help with everything from digestion to a healthy coat- and a healthy coat means less furballs! Even better, there no wheat, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in this canned cat food, so it’s great for sensitive stomachs.
Read here our detailed Wellness Cat Food guide.
Crude protein 12.0% min
Crude fat 7.0% min
Crude fiber 0.5% max
Moisture 78.0% max
Ash 2.1% min
Magnesium 0.028% min
- Brand: Wellness Core
- Model: 7915
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
While this isn’t a complete food source in itself, the Organic Pure Pumpkin for cats and dogs from Raw Paws is a great supplement for cats who struggle from time-to-time with constipation, or who are recovering from illness or trauma. This is 100% pure, organically-grown pumpkin powder that is grown and manufactured in the US.
Simply add this over your cat’s food or mix with a little water to help relieve your kitten from bouts of constipation or diarrhea. You can use this as often or as little as you like and Raw Paws is so confident that you and your pets will love this, that they’ve even offered a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied.
100% natural pure pumpkin powder
Proudly grown, harvested, air-dried and packaged in the USA.
- Brand: Raw Paws
- Weight: 8 ounces
Another option that works as a supplement, HomeoPet’s Digestive Upsets are a liquid-form addition to food or water that helps to ease digestive complaints in cats and dogs. They are so gentle that they can even be placed directly on the tongue, if your pet is unlikely to eat something that doesn’t have a smell they recognise.
Made in the US, you simply add a few drops, three times a day, whenever any issues crop up. Reviews mention how quickly these Digestive Upsets got to work and how well their pets looked and felt, not long after taking these. In particular, cats with sensitive stomachs, or those who seemed to vomit a lot but couldn’t find the source with their vet, found that these worked brilliantly at calming their cat’s stomachs and helped to alleviate symptoms or gastro-intestinal discomfort. Just be sure to talk to your vet before using these, to ensure that you aren’t covering up any symptoms and allowing the root of the problem to continue, unnoticed.
Acontin Nap, 200c
Aloe, Arsenicum Alb, Phos, 6c, 30c, 200c
Chelidonium ma, 4x, Chininum pu, 30c, Lycopodium, 10x, 30c
Sulph, 6x;6c,30c, in 20% USP alc. in purified water
- Brand: HomeoPet
- Model: 04724
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
Cats in the Kitchen by Weruva is another great option for those who want to get as close to a raw diet as possible, without the hassle of feeding fresh, raw food, multiple times a day. These cans are made with fresh ingredients, with added vitamins and minerals but no nasty stuff. They’re also manufactured in an environment that has even been deemed suitable for human food production, so you know that there has been a lot of time and effort going into each recipe.
It also helps that the majority of this can is moisture- with up to 87% of each can being such. This makes it great for cats who need a lot of hydration but, for the value-for-money, we had to pop it a little further down the list than it would have been, had the protein content been a little higher.
You may also like our Weruva Cat Food Review.
Crude Protein (min) 10%
Crude Fat (min) 1.6%
Crude Fiber (max) 0.5%
Moisture (max) 87%
Taurine (min) 0.05%
- Brand: Weruva
- Model: 1642
- Weight: 10.1 ounces
Best Cat Food for Constipation Buying Guide & FAQ
Is Your Cat Constipated?
Signs and symptoms of constipation in cats can vary considerably. When you consider that healthy cat poo is usually a dark brown color, while being firm but soft and having a slight smell- although nothing too pungent- it’s easy to see how any change from this can indicate issues. If you’re concerned about a constipated cat, check for the following signs:
- Infrequent or no defecation
- Straining
- Hard, dry feces
- Defecating outside the litterbox
- Small quantities of feces
- Small amount of liquid stool with mucus or blood
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Behavioral changes, such as depression or apathy
While constipation can generally be eased at home, if you notice considerable changes or notice changes for longer than a day or two, then try to get booked in with a vet, immediately.
Causes of Constipation in Cats
As with anything related to the digestive tract, there are numerous reasons as to why your cat may be constipated. However, some of the most common reasons are:
- Blockages
Usually from hairballs or other foreign materials. This is particularly likely if you’ve noticed your cat grooming more frequently than usual.
- Reluctance to use the litterbox
This usually happens because of stress but can also be linked to something as simple as a change in litter or a full/dirty box. They may also refuse to the use the litter tray if they are struggling with their joints, which discuss in more detail, below.
- Lack of exercise
In order to keep food flowing freely through your cat’s system, they need to exercise regularly. Regular exercise also, usually, increases the thirst reflex which will encourage your cat to drink more water, which also helps with constipation.
- Dehydration
Speaking of getting enough water, the main cause of constipation links to dehydration. This can sometimes be due to kidney disease, as cats are normally able to easily filter water through their systems and hydrate themselves, easily. If you’ve noticed your cat drinking more frequently, or urinating more often but notice that they’re still constipated, ask your vet to check their kidneys.
- Nerve damage
If your cat has recently been in an accident or if they suffer from a long-term condition which can cause nerve damage, it could be that they are unable to poop. They could also be unsure of when they actually need to defecate and simply not know when to go, which is why it’s important that you also check where they’re defecating, as well as when they’re defecating.
- Arthritis
Arthritis causes problems with joints, making it painful to squat. Therefore, it’s likely that an older cat may be trying to put off going to the toilet, in order to avoid this pain. Unfortunately, this causes the feces to dry and become more painful to move, which then creates more issues for your cat, as they will no longer want to use the litter tray or defecate at all.
Take a look at our detailed review of the best dry food for senior cats.
- Megacolon
Believed to be caused by issues with the contraction muscles along the colon, Megacolon can become worse over time as the inability to defecate causes the passage to widen and damage the muscles along the colon. Thus, it is important to see a vet as soon as possible, if you notice your cat’s constipation lasts for more than a few days.
- Tumors
In some cases, constipation is caused by a blockage or issue that stems from tumors in, or around, the digestive tract. These may or may not come with secondary signs and symptoms, so do tell your vet if you notice anything else alongside their constipation.
- Some drugs
Like our human treatments, many medications, including anesthetics, can cause your cat to become constipated or have other issues with their bowel movements. The good news is that this can be easily rectified by your vet, as they’ll prescribe a different medicine which is less likely to have this side effect.
It’s important to remember that constipation is not just an illness in itself but also qualifies as a symptom for much larger problems. So, if you’re concerned about your cat or they’re not improving with low residue cat food, regular exercise and plenty of water, you should definitely make an appointment with your local vet.
Dietary Requirements for Constipated Cats
The dietary requirements of each cat will inevitably be different, depending on the cause of constipation. However, overall the best foods for constipation are low residue cat food that tends to be higher in protein, as well as high fiber cat food for constipation which has been created with the goal of treating your cat’s bowel problems.
You can also add cat supplements which help to ease constipation, such as pumpkin or multivitamins. They may also prescribe medications by their vet which can include laxatives or stool softeners. If the issue is caused by a particular illness, it’s likely that your cat may also need to take these tablets alongside other treatments.
The most important dietary factor for cats who suffer with constipation is to always ensure there is plenty of fresh water left out for your kitten. Dehydration is the main cause of constipation and so having plenty of water around can make a huge difference and avoid your cat becoming constipated, as well as being a huge help in flushing out harmful toxins.
Check out our review of Cat Water Fountains.
Best Cat Food for Constipation FAQ:
Q: Does raw feeding cause constipation?
A: Raw feeding doesn’t necessarily cause constipation. In fact, because raw feeding is more likely to wholly fulfill all of your cat’s nutritional requirements, it’s more likely that your cat will simply need to defecate less often than those on kibble. This is simply due to the fact there is less waste required to dispose of by the body, when your cat’s nutritional needs are matched more closely.
They’re also more likely to have firmer stools and the smell of those stools will be much more muted than the stools of cats who are on a kibble or wet food diet. Unfortunately, having a distinct lack of digestible matter can, in fact, also lead to constipation. Yup, sometimes it feels like you can’t do right for doing wrong!
In order to avoid this, it might be worth your cat taking supplements to help ease the matter along the digestive tract. This can help fill in the blanks of your cat’s nutritional intake and essentially give your cat some extra substance, which will help things move along more smoothly.
Q: How many days can a cat go without pooping?
Really, this depends on what is normal for your cat, what food they’re on and how they’re feeling. However, the general rule of thumb is that, if your cat hasn’t defecated in over 48 hours, it’s likely that they’re constipated. This might be a little longer if they’re on a raw diet and less if they’re on kibble or wet food.
The main things to look out for, alongside constipation, is any signs that your cat is in distress. For example, if your cat is struggling with defecating but still seem to be trying and straining, then this rule of thumb can go out the window completely, as the evidence of their constipation is in front of you. You should also watch out for vomiting, lethargy or lack of appetite, all of which signify something is wrong with their digestive tract. If this is the case, then you should call your vet for an appointment as soon as possible.
Q: Can cats die from constipation?
If left untreated, constipation can eventually lead to Obstipation. This is where there is a complete blockage along the digestive tract, which causes a tremendous strain in the internal organs of your cat- especially if they are still eating as normal. If the blockage of feces is not manually removed at this point, your cat could, unfortunately and heart-breakingly, pass away.
This is why it is so important to see your vet as soon as you notice symptoms. The main three symptoms you need to watch for, as they can signify serious problems are vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite.
Our Top Pick
Being a fantastic alternative to raw-fed diets, Blue Buffalo have created a great-tasting kibble for cats with their Wilderness range. Packed with everything your cat could possibly want, this is a great option for cats with sensitive stomachs as there are no added nasty bits.
Not only that, but this is a great option for cats of all ages, including elderly cats who are more likely to suffer with bowel problems. You can also mix this kibble with a little warm water, which can help with cats who aren’t too keen on drinking as they eat. Again, this will help hydrate your cat and help keep constipation and it’s nasty effects away from your cat!
Sources:
- Dr. Aja Senestraro, 9 Ways to Help Your Constipated Cat, PetMD
- The Scoop on Cat Poop, Pets WebMD
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