Constipated kitty

[Sanity Claws]

Sebastian, approximately, 13 years old, appears to be constipated. I know because he's an indoor kitty who uses a litter box. Last night he scooted along the floor, dragging his butt. Another cat did that years ago and I learned it meant he had impacted anal glands.I'm not sure how long he has been constipated because he shares a litter box with another cat. My guess is that he has not moved his bowels in 2 to 3 days.

Is there anything I can do to relieve the kitty? I gave him Petromalt last night, a hair ball remedy, hoping that would help. It still has not.

As for why he's constipated, he was on antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection. Could that have caused it?

[China_cat]

1. Canned pumpkin.

The plain stuff, not the pie filling that has sugar and milk in it.

Sounds weird but 1)it works and 2)cats actually like it. I don't know why but they do. We use it for our diabetic cats who tend to constipate very easily.

[ceile]

5. Seconded n/t

[badgerpup]

6. The pumpkin adds fiber and bulk, according to my vet...

My vet recommended it for my new kitten along with some yogurt (with the live cultures) because little Finnegan was having very loose stools. Not sure whether it was caused by a change in his diet or because he had worms (vet told me they could get them via their mother's milk if their mom had worms).
He fell face first into the canned pumpkin that I'd put into his dish, snarfed it up, and demanded MORE!

Got him wormed, and he's adjusted to the cuisine at chez badgerpup...but he still likes his pumpkin and yogurt for breakfast.

[ginnyinWI]

2. petroleum jelly

It's okay, really--I got this advice from a vet for my elderly cat. Some cats will lick it right off your fingers. Or you can put it on their paw or in their food dish. Helps things move along. :) There is a product out there that does the same thing--but it's made of mostly petroleum jelly anyway and is far more expensive--so you might as just use the jelly.

[demnan]

3. I'd take him to the vet

if it doesn't clear up in a day or so. Could be something more serious. A cat of mine had to have part of his intestines removed at age 3. He lived fine for 14 years after that.

[Coyote_Bandit]

4. Olive oil

vet recommended for the same reasons as the petroleum jelly.

Won't take much - a half a spoon full or so should do the trick.

Might try a treat of sardine packed in olive oil.....

[badgerpup]

7. They may put you up for sainthood if you put olive oil on their food...

Just a little drizzle...it's very good for them and every cat I've ever met has LOVED it! :thumbsup:

[japple]

8. Haven't ever tried pumpkin, but Hill's Science Diet Hairball

formula has been working for my Oscar, and he LOVES, which means it probably isn't too good for him, but it has helped his constipation problem. Laxatone works pretty well, too, if you can find it, but I think it's about the same thing as Petromalt. One time, I had an elderly Persian with a constipation problem, and the vet gave a big fat syringe that I used (without a needle) and told me to fill it up and squirt into the old girl's mouth. It did the trick. Good luck.