My cat is constipated weekly with pain & vomiting. When to see a vet?

Cats should have a bowel movement roughly twice a day. When they don't, that generally means there is a problem. Sometimes this can be a sign of an inappropriate diet, not enough water intake, a neurological issue or a tumor blocking the intestines. Since she is older and it sounds like it's been a year, I recommend to start with a veterinary visit. Bring in a fresh sample of stool so the vet can check it. Make sure to speak with the veterinarian about food options as well. Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet can often help as can feeding a canned food with additional water added. There is also a special prescription diet made by Royal Canin called Fiber Response that many cats respond well to. Older cats often need more care (just like older humans) so have her examined within the next day or so. I hope this helps.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Jasmine. Poor girl! It could be she has a GI illness causing the vomiting and diarrhea. Likely she has had some loose stools, and it's normal to see a cat act like they are trying to poop but have nothing come out. It's not constipation, it's just she still has the urge to go but nothing comes out. It happens in humans as well who have diarrhea. Unfortunately I cannot recommend giving Pepcid or Miralax without seeing her in person, it's illegal. I can give you a home remedy to see if that helps. Feed her a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If she vomits the bland diet, the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck.

Poor Eddie! Before doing anything else, make sure that Eddie is urinating normal volumes in the litter box without straining. Urinary obstructions in male cats can easily be mistaken for constipation because these cats will strain in the litter box, go in and out of the litter box, vomit, and sometimes vocalize. It is extremely important to assure that he is urinating normally without straining because urinary obstructions are a life-threatening situation that require emergency veterinary attention. If Eddie is urinating appropriately and does not have a bowel movement at home tonight, you should take him to the vet in the morning. The vet will be able to examine him and may need to take abdominal x-rays to determine the degree of constipation or stool impaction. Based upon those results, the vet may need to perform an enema or provide Eddie with prescription-based stool softeners. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Bucky! If Bucky hasn't defecated in 2 days and is vomiting and/pr straining he needs to see Vet for an exam, belly X-ray and likely an enema. Constipation is a symptom of something else. In older cats constipation tends to be secondary to kidney disease or intestinal disease. Your Vet may also want to do blood work. he likely will have to be on Miralax, or a stool softener long term. I hope this helps and I wish Bucky a speedy recovery!

Constipation in cats can definitely cause SIGNIFICANT irritability. Depending on the level of constipation it can be extremely uncomfortable and painful. If you seen your cat straining near the litter box or outside, I can assure you that she is in some level of pain. While vegetables and fibrous products can certain ease constipation at times, it also has the potential of making matters worse. She already may have a clogged up intestinal tract and by feeding her, we may just be creating more of a back up. It sounds like you may have gotten some of the feces out, but there could be quite a bit left in there. If you can get to the vet, I would recommend this as a first choice. They will be able to palpate the abdomen as well as shoot an x-ray to determine the magnitude of constipation (if that is in fact the issue). If they feel it is necessary, they can perform warm soap/water/lube rectal enemas in order to loosen the bowel contents. While this is something that can be done at home on the most well-behaved cats, it does not sound like Coca currently falls in that category! If you do not feel going to the vet is an option, certain stool softeners can be used that can be picked up at a local pharmacy such as duralax or miralax.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Mickey! I would contact your vet for more medication and change Mickey's diet. Constipation is a symptom of something else not a primary disease. In a 5 month old cat it is likely dietary but there can have motility issues that are genetic with their colon. Be sure he has been dewormed appropriately and is vaccinated. Increase water intake by feeding a canned food diet and slowly adding water. There are also prescription diets available (royal canin gastro-intestinal until 1 year of age then fiber response). I wish you the best

I would make it a point to take Rron to the vet right away. These are concerning symptoms indeed. If he is constipated or even obstipated (unable to defecate) then they will need to place a rectal enema (sometimes under a mild sedative) to evacuate out his colon.