Feeding the cats a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet will surely help to increase the important nutrients that cats can absorb easily & this thing can also help in keeping the cat’s digestive system in the best of health. But, just like humans, constipation is quite common in cats & it happens to almost all feline breeds however, this condition has to be taken seriously. Constipation is a common and troublesome digestive tract issue for cats. Constipation occurs whenever the stool is very firm, dry or large to be expelled easily thus, causing pain and discomfort for the cats.
Moreover, constipation in felines is not healthy or normal because if not treated properly it can lead to life-threatening health issues. Therefore, cat owners should understand the consequences of constipation & try to give them a healthy and well-balanced diet. Here, I would like to mention that felines have a habit of not drinking enough water. It is a well-accepted fact that water is mandatory for maintaining good health or well-being in general; however it also plays an extremely important role when it comes to digestion. Keeping this in mind, if the cats do not drink a lot of water then, they might be more prone to severe constipation.
What Exactly a Cat Constipation is?
Sometimes, cat owners do not give much attention to the cat’s constipation. This medical condition is due to infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Usually, a healthy feline should have at least 1 bowel movement daily. It is vital to mention that bowel movements help in removing toxins or other bacteria from the body while maintaining good overall health.
What Causes Constipation in Cats?
After knowing that your little feline is constipated, cat owners will have to find out the reasons behind it, because this will help cat owners to treat the constipation while preventing it from recurring. Some common causes are as follows:
- Low-fiber diet
- Dehydration
- Colon obstruction
- Ingestion of external items
- Side effects of some medicines
- Ingesting hairballs
- Painful defecation
- Prostate abs-cessation and inflammation
- Obesity
- Neurologic disorders or orthopedic problems
- Cat megacolon
In some cases, the cause of feline’s constipation might not be clear. So, if cat owners have not already discussed the matter with the vet, then it is advised to take feline for a detailed medical checkup.
What are the Common Symptoms of Cat’s Constipation?
Constipation has different clinical symptoms and it is important for cat lovers to give due attention to these signs. Some common symptoms are:
- Dry, hard, and small stools
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Stools covered in mucus or blood
- Straining while passing bowels
- Restlessness
- Mood swings
- Frequent visits to litter box
- Straining
- Weight loss
What are the Best & Recommended Food Items for Constipated Felines?
As per vet recommendations, the best cat food for constipation should contain fiber but in limited quantity. Most cat owners think of flaxseed, bran flakes, and Metamucil whenever they get constipated & try to give the same items to cats. However, more fiber will not serve the same purpose for every feline. In short, the best cat for constipation has both soluble and insoluble fiber however, it is not loaded with fibrous plant ingredients. Animal fat, coconut oil, butter, olive oil, and raw liver are few examples of the gentle laxatives that cat owners can incorporate into the cat’s diet to treat constipation.
Reviewed: Best Cat Foods for Constipation
In this section, I am going to review the top-selling cat foods that will help in treating the constipation. Improving the feline’s digestion is very important when it comes to relieving constipation & reducing the chances of its reoccurrence. Moreover, the best cat for constipation should be rich in fiber and moisture while being prepared with wholesome and healthy ingredients in order to ensure balanced and complete nutrition. Below are the top picks for cat’s constipation that are good at treating this annoying medical condition.
Weruva Cat Food
This amazing canned food is offered by a well-known and reliable brand namely Weruva cat. The product contains healthy ingredients to help promote digestive system health & eases blockage in cat’s intestinal tracts including locust bean, guar, and xanthan gum. It is vital to mention that guar gum comes under the category of the laxatives & locust gum is good at promoting the health of the cat’s digestive system. However, if your little feline is prone to allergies then, be very careful and try to avoid xanthan gum.
This delicious wet cat food contains high moisture content also in order to help soften cat’s stool while making it easy to remove bowels. Cat owners might need to feed large serving of Weruva wet cat food for keeping up with the day-to-day intake of their cats. In short, it is a well-balanced and complete diet for cats with added minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins designed for supporting the health of felines with optimal hydration.
Pros:
- Ensure healthy coat and skin
- Free of artificial colors and preservatives
- Low carb high protein meal
- High quality cat food
- Grain-free & Carrageenan-free
Cons:
- It has many plant-based ingredients thus, cannot be taken as feline’s daily food
User Experience:
According to the cat owners, this product is worth buying. This cat food is the absolute best people can give their cats. Many buyers have commented that the food itself is superb & seems to be of great quality. Overall, this is considered as one of the cat food available in the marketplace made of premium ingredients.
Nulo Grain Free Cat Food
This yummy canned feline food is completely packed with top-quality ingredients thus, cat lovers can easily trust giving this food to their precious cats. Furthermore, the formula of Nulo cat food is made from real turkey & the 2nd ingredient is chicken along with turkey broth, turkey liver, & then tuna. Apart from the very beneficial and healthy ingredients that do take up the list’s major positions, others are fiber enriched pumpkin & different sources of vitamins such as dried kelp and tomato. The Nulo cat food has taurine as well to help keep the feline’s heart healthy. The best thing is that the can is extremely easy to open, as it has an easy to pull tab while being highly palatable. The diet is grain-free thus, easy to digest. Just like other products of the Nulo brand, this product contains probiotics in order to support the cat’s digestive health.
Pros:
- Rich in animal protein
- Free of harmful & artificial flavors & preservatives
- Grain-free
- Nutritionally balanced formula
- Help relieve constipation
Cons:
- Some cats may not like the taste
User Experience:
Many cat owners have recommended the Nulo grain-free cat food and according to them, this is a high end cat food & cats love it. Some buyers have commented that this cat food has good quality ingredients emphasizing animal protein while being highly nutritious. No doubt, it gives the best value for money spent.
Blue Buffalo Dry Cat Food
Before moving ahead, I would like to share that Blue Buffalo cat food contains each & everything that grownup cats need in order to be happy and healthy. This cat food is made of premium-quality healthy fats, proteins along with complex carbohydrates. Moreover, this is considered as one of the best and nutritious cat foods that can be consumed by healthy felines & those who are suffering from constipation.
The food’s 1st two ingredients are chicken meal and deboned chicken. In other words, this product is especially designed to feed the cat’s wild side in order to help her build & maintain lean muscle mass. The Blue Buffalo cat food also contains a perfect balance of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are carefully picked by animal nutritionists and holistic vets to support cat’s immune system health, healthy oxidative balance, and life stage requirements.
Pros:
- Grain-free
- Give superior nutrition
- Support healthy skin & coat
- Highly recommended diet for cat’s constipation
- Contain finest all-natural ingredients
Cons:
- Few cat owners have reported UTI in cats
User Experience:
According to the buyers, the Blue Buffalo food is what real cat owners feed their precious pets. This food will give the cats a longer lifespan, a healthier & more energetic life. Many cat lovers have commented that this product is good at relieving constipation while keeping the fur soft and silky.
Royal Chain Cat Food
Another great and worth buying product that is especially designed for adult cats who are suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. The Royal chain cat food is carefully packed with insoluble and soluble fibers & fiber-enriched grains to make the cat’s digestive system and intestinal tract strong and healthy. Moreover, the included probiotics will prevent constipation in the cats by simply keeping the hazardous bacteria away from her/she colon.
The Royal chain cat food also has omega-3 fatty acids which will keep the cat’s intestinal tract in shape. However, cat owners will need a vet’s prescription before buying this cat food. As it comes some questionable ingredients as well for instance, brewers’ rice and corn which comes under the category of low-quality grains. Well, on the other hand, both ingredients are present in small quantities & do not affect the cat’s health & quality of the food.
Pros:
- Promotes cat’s digestive health
- Support optimal stool quality
- Tastes good
- Made of premium quality ingredients
- Give the best value for money
Cons:
- Some buyers think that this cat food is bit overpriced
User Experience:
The majority of cat owners have bought the Royal chain cat food and are happy with the quality & performance of it. According to them, this product is just amazing and works as advertised. Many other buyers have commented that this cat food is exactly what constipated cat need to get instant relief.
ZIWIPeak Cat Food
The grass-fed lamb, free range, & New Zealand green mussels are surely the best & great quality sources of the protein that are being offered by ZIWIpeak cat food. Other real meat ingredients along with the above-mentioned ingredients make the ZIWI peak canned food the quite close to original, raw diet of the felines while excluding the bacteria & foodborne diseases.
Moreover, the green mussels help promote strong and healthy joints for the cat. Dried kelp and chickpeas are the best sources of fibers being included in this cat food & considered safe and excellent for all felines. Chickpeas has soluble fiber & can be taken as an alternative of binders such as gums. While, dried kelp keeps the cat’s digestive tract healthy & free from harmful chemicals. Overall, all those cat owners who are looking for the safest cat food that will help relieve bowel issues of the cat while providing nutrients with healthy and fresh ingredients, should consider buying the ZIWI peak cat food.
Pros:
- Contain best sources of fiber and protein
- Recommended for all life stages & all breeds
- Has great palatability
- Low-carb and grain-free
- No gums or BPA
Cons:
- Some cat owners report of this cat food being not appetizing enough
User Experience:
According to the buyers, this cat food is of high quality & acts as a lifesaver for constipated cats. The cats love this food due to the yummy and healthy ingredients. Many cat owners have said that they like everything about the ZIWI peak cat food. Even the picky cats love this food that’s why it is considered a highly recommended diet to keep cats in best of health.
Wellness CORE Cat Food
This grain-free and all-natural recipe is made from botanicals and cranberries and carefully fortified with minerals and vitamins to help cat’s inner wellness along with the perfect blend of flax and fish omega to promote a healthy coat and skin. The recipe also contains healthy fats, lean meats, vegetables with no corn or soy, wheat with no added harmful or artificial flavors, preservatives, carrageenan or colors.
It is worth mentioning that hydration plays a vital role in maintaining the cat’s overall health and no doubt, this cat food is considered as an easiest way of increasing the feline’s moisture intake to support cat’s urinary tract health. Created by vets, nutritionists & animal lovers, the Wellness core cat food gives a perfect balance of nature’s best ingredients.
Pros:
- Superior ingredients
- Rich in fiber
- High moisture content
- Good for constipation
- Tastes good
Cons:
- Has a lot of plant-based ingredients thus, not a daily food
User Experience:
Many cat owners have recommended Wellness core cat food as it helps promote smooth movement of bowel and healthy digestion of the cat. According to them, this is the food we use to feed cats regularly. The food’s consistency is pate with a good quantity of gravy. Worth buying.
Buying Guide: The Best Cat Food for Constipation
Even though mild & occasional constipation is quite common in domesticated cats. It is vital to mention that serious constipation needs immediate help because if left untreated, it can lead to serious health issues. So, what cat owners can do to help cats support to have healthy digestion? Firstly, try to ensure that cats have sufficient water intake & then try to change their diet. This buying guide has all the relevant information that will help cat owners to keep their cats healthy.
Why is My Feline Unable to Pass Stool?
The first & most common reason is dehydration. As the feline does not drink enough water, the colon starts to absorb water directly from the food waste in the large intestine thus, making the litter dry & hard to eliminate. Moreover, this is particularly common if people are feeding the felines with more & more kibbles as compared to canned food. Sometimes, cat’s fur can also be a culprit. Likewise, if the cats start swallowing their hair unconsciously while grooming then, they can impede the waste movement in the colon.
What Ingredients Will Serve the Best Purpose for Relieving Constipation?
When cat owners go shopping for food items for their cats then, they should look for the following ingredients on the label.
- High in fiber
- Moisture rich food
- Protein
Is It Normal for a Feline not to pass Stool Daily?
Well, every feline is different & as a cat lover, you need to be familiar with the cat’s habits in order to see when something goes wrong. Honestly speaking, it is completely normal for a feline to have a bowel movement about once a day.
Conclusion:
In the end, it can be said that cats are highly prone to digestive health issues including constipation. However, it is important to cat owners to understand the needs & provide the cats with the best ingredients to maintain healthy & regular digestion. Here, I would like to mention that constipation in felines is not a serious issue however, it can lead to serious complications. If your cat suffers from constipation frequently then, it is better to take the cat to a skilled vet in order to diagnose the underlying cause of the cat’s digestive issues. Because whenever in doubt, an experienced vet is surely the best and great source of the medical help.
