If anything, most dogs and cats are a little bit too regular, which is why you have to change a cat's litter box every day or let the dog out at 2:30 a.m. But sometimes they wait . . . and wait. Then, when they finally do have a bowel movement, they have to strain to get things done.
In pets (as in people), constipation that lasts a day or two isn't a serious problem. They will return to normal soon enough, says Karen Mateyak, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Brooklyn, New York.
In cats, constipation sometimes occurs if they have swallowed too much hair during their normal grooming. When hair gets into the digestive tract, it binds to the stool, making it harder and more difficult to pass.
Cats can be extremely fussy about their litter boxes, Dr. Mateyak adds. "If the cat box is dirty, they may not want to use it," she says. While they are waiting for fresh litter, stool in the intestine is getting dry and hard, which will make it difficult to pass later on.
Take note of when your cat is making frequent trips to the litter box but without any results. "A cat that is constantly straining may be suffering from obstipation" -- a severe form of constipation in which the stool won't move without a veterinarian's help, says Alan Green, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Katonah, New York.
In dogs, constipation may be caused by their snacking habits. When your dog munches bones, for example, he may swallow small particles that irritate the large intestine, causing stools to move more slowly, says Dr. Green. In addition, bone chips may bond together into rock-hard lumps, making stools especially difficult to pass. This tends to be a problem with smaller dogs since their digestive tracts can be upset even by small particles.
Both dogs and cats may get constipated when they don't get enough to drink. The intestines need large amounts of water to keep things moving smoothly. When water levels fall, stools get harder and drier and are more likely to stay in place.
One of the most common causes of constipation for both dogs and cats is not getting enough exercise, says Dr. Mateyak. If your pet has been lounging on a windowsill or sleeping under the kitchen table all week, his entire body, including the digestive tract, will slow down. "And the longer they hold the stool in, the harder it gets," she says.
You wouldn't think that your pet's hairstyle could cause constipation, but in cats and small dogs it may be a problem. When hair around the back end gets long and unruly, it can literally block the passage of stool, making bowel movements painful. Simply keeping the hairs trimmed will help prevent this from happening, says Dr. Mateyak.
Finally, constipation may be a warning sign of other, more serious problems, such as kidney disease, infected anal sacs (two sacs on either side of the anus that contain a strong-smelling liquid that pets use to mark their territory), or muscle weakness caused by old age or other conditions. In addition, what looks like constipation may in fact be something else, like a hernia.
See Your Vet If...
- The litter box is dirty
- Your pet is trying to have bowel movements with increasing frequency
- He has been chewing on splintery bones
- He is drinking or exercising less than usual
- Pushing on your pet's belly causes her pain
- Your dog or cat hasn't eaten for 24 hours or more
- Her abdomen appears bloated
- She has eaten rodent poison, antifreeze, houseplants, or other harmful substances
- Your pet has been vomiting for more than a day or is vomiting blood
- There are worms or other parasites in the stool
- She has had diarrhea for 24 hours or more
- There is blood in the stool or it looks dark and tarry
- She is scooting across the floor, or the anal area looks swollen
- Your pet has gained or lost substantial amounts of weight
- She is having side effects from medication, like appetite loss or vomiting
- There are growths in the anal area
- There is a bulge in her throat
- She is drooling much more than usual
- Your pet vomits shortly after eating
Next Steps:
Back to the Symptom Solver Main Page
Copyright 1999 Rodale Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
