Depends on signs
For mild constipation, increase your cat's water intake (wet food, water added to meals, a fountain), add a little plain canned pumpkin, and keep the litter box clean. Never give an enema at home: phosphate enemas can be fatal to cats. A male cat straining in the litter box may have a urinary blockage, which is an emergency.
See a vet now if you notice:
- Straining with little or no urine (possible urinary blockage)
- No stool for more than 48-72 hours
- Vomiting, loss of appetite or hiding
- Small, hard, dry stools that keep recurring
- Crying or pain in the litter box
Important: is it constipation or a urinary blockage?
Cats strain in the litter box for two very different reasons. If your cat, especially a male, is straining and producing little or no urine, crying, or licking the genitals, this may be a urethral blockage. It can be fatal within 24-72 hours. Go to a vet immediately.
Safe home remedies
- Feed wet food, or add a tablespoon of water to each meal.
- Add plain canned pumpkin: about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon once or twice a day mixed into wet food.
- Encourage drinking with a water fountain and bowls in several places.
- Brush your cat to reduce swallowed hair, and ask about a hairball gel.
- Keep litter boxes clean and easy to reach, especially for older cats with arthritis.