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How to help a constipated cat

Updated 2026-10-09

Most cats poop at least once a day. A cat that goes more than 48 hours without pooping, or passes small, hard, dry stools, may be constipated. It's especially common in older cats.

First: is it really constipation?

A cat straining in the litter tray and producing little or no urine is an emergency, especially a male cat. A urinary blockage looks very similar to constipation and can be fatal within a day or two. If you can't tell whether your cat is trying to poop or pee, call your vet straight away.

Signs of constipation

• Straining, or spending a long time in the litter tray
• Small, hard, dry stools, or none at all
• Crying or discomfort when trying to go
• Stools left outside the tray (it may be associating the tray with pain)
• Less appetite, vomiting or lethargy in more severe cases

Common causes

• Not drinking enough. Cats on dry food only are at higher risk.
• Swallowed hair
• Not enough exercise, or being overweight
• Pain, such as arthritis making it hard to squat or climb into the tray
• A dirty tray, or a tray in a stressful spot, so the cat holds on
• Underlying illness, like kidney disease, diabetes or megacolon

Gentle ways to help at home

For a mild case in an otherwise well cat:

1. More water. Switch some or all meals to wet food, add a little water to meals, and try a water fountain. This makes the biggest difference.
2. More fibre. A high-fibre or gut-health food can help. Make changes gradually.
3. More movement. Play sessions with wand toys get the gut moving too.
4. Make the litter tray easy. Keep it scooped, use a tray with a low entrance for older or arthritic cats, and put it somewhere quiet.
5. Brush regularly to cut down on swallowed hair.

Don't

• Give human laxatives, stool softeners or enemas. Some human enemas (phosphate types) are toxic to cats.
• Give oil by mouth. Cats can inhale it into their lungs.

See a vet if

• No stool for 48 to 72 hours
• Your cat is vomiting, not eating, or seems unwell
• There's blood, or obvious pain
• Constipation keeps coming back

Your vet can give safe laxatives, an enema under supervision, or fluids, and check for underlying causes like kidney disease or arthritis.

The short version

Most constipation comes down to not enough water. Wet food is usually the fix. But straining with nothing coming out could be a urinary blockage, which is an emergency.