| Feline Constipation -- 4 Important Issues |
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| Written by Kurt Schmitt |
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Feline constipation is rather common among house cats. Too much fur in the gut, commonly referred to as hairballs, is the number one cause of this condition. Litter box aversion, kidney disease, and other physical and psychological causes may be a factor. Too much hair in the gut, or a recent change in diet can cause a temporary constipation issue. For the average cat, a little bout of constipation every now and then is normal. At higher risk are elderly cats, and those with other health problems, including pre-existing bowel or kidney problems. In any case, you'll want to be alert to a few warnings and issues concerning this condition. Warnings and issues surrounding feline constipation problems: 1. Never give human preparations to your cat -- Preparations made for people may be harmful or fatal when given to cats. You should never give a remedy designed for humans to your cat unless recommended by a cat health professional. Talk to your veterinarian first to make sure it's cat safe. 2. Home remedies -- Mineral oil has been suggested as a home remedy for constipation in cats. Do not use this. Mineral oil is easily inhaled into the lungs, and never breaks down in body. Consult with your veterinarian on any suggested remedies. 3. Administering enemas -- Enemas can be administered, but you should probably not attempt this yourself. The experience probably will not be very pleasant for either you or your cat, and you could end up being scratched or bitten. If you attempt this yourself, get advice and instruction from your veterinarian first. 4. Chronic feline constipation -- With long term constipation, it's possible that other more serious underlying medical issues exist. Some cats may develop a condition known as megacolon where the colon swells with stool that size of the stool in the large intestine grows too large for it to leave the body. Sometimes pelvic injury can be a contributing factor in these situations. You should have a conversation with your veterinarian about the potential risks and issues. Whatever the cause and severity, you'll want to have a talk with veterinarian if your cat suffers from persistent feline constipation. About Author: Author Kurt Schmitt has created a resource for cat lovers and writes about litter box problems, feline constipation and other cat illnesses You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here. Kindly provided by 4Girls.dk You are welcome to use this article on your own website, if you include this link. |