My cat poops every 3 days with hair. Is this normal or constipation?

A cat can go up to 48 hours without pooping, meaning anything past 48 hrs is a cause for concern, especially if you see your pet straining to defecate and nothing coming out. Ideally every pet should have a bowel movement daily, however there can be some slight variations here depending on the GI transit time and diet. I would monitor for signs of straining and also vomiting, lethargy or lack of appetite which means that kitty should be seen for constipation/obstipation. There are also medications and supplements available through your vet (i.e. Laxatone or Lactulose) that can help keep the GI track moving along if this becomes a chronic issue. Also fiber supplementation can be discussed with your vet.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If Moosh is pooping every 3-4 days and he does not have any problems to defecate it may be normal for him. However, if he is showing signs of constipation, like straining, painful defecation, very large volume of stools it is not normal and should be address. The easiest way to avoid constipation is adding fibre to the diet. You can try food supplements (can be veterinary or human product) containing inulin or psylium. If this does not work, your vet should able to prescribe a mild laxative for Moosh

He could be having difficult defecating due to the extra hair around his anus. You can use grooming clippers (not scissors!) to trim the hair on his backside and under the tail, or find a groomer for a sanitary clip. I recommend a supplement for hairballs, like Laxatone, that will help bind hairballs so they can pass. You may also consider daily brushing, as this will help Mr. Josie get rid of loose hair so that he doesn't ingest as much. However, what you have described could be a sign of constipation. Often times loose stool will move around the harder stool in the colon, and this fluid can have a very foul odor. Mr. Josie may need to see the vet to confirm constipation and receive appropriate treatment.

There is no set time frame, however a cat should poop at least once every two days (if it does not eat much) and it should urinate at least once daily. If your cat is not urinating at least once a day and not eliminating properly , it should be seen by a veterinarian for an exam. It may not be eating enough which in turn could be caused by a health condition.

Hello there. As log as Charlie has good energy, is eating and drinking, is not having any vomiting, and is not having trouble with bowel movements I wouldn't worry about it. If it appears that he is constipated or bowel movements are painful for him, you could add extra water in with him food to help hydrate him, or take him to the veterinarian for evaluation. Hope this helps!

A little added fiber or a daily pet probiotic can help firm up loose stools, however bringing a stool sample into the vet to rule out anything such as parasites or an underlying illness causing it is a good idea. In some cases, even normal stools can sometimes get stuck on long-haired cats. Gently trimming the area to make it less easy for stool to stick, or using a pet wipe after Pockey gets out of the litter box before the stool can dry may help make it easier to clean.

As long as she is defecating regularly and not straining the firm stool may not be a concern. It is a little unusual for a/d to be recommended as a maintenance diet - you may want to check with your vet and see if there is another diet that would be recommended for Hopper given her constipation. This diet is very nutritionally dense, so it's possible that she's just not making much stool. If she has been straining, or you feel her stool looks black and tarry I would recommend making a recheck appointment with your veterinarian.