As a devoted cat parent, keeping your cat’s environment clean is just one part of the job — checking on their litter box is also a daily duty. But if you notice the poop seems smaller or drier than usual, you might start worrying: is my cat constipated? Is there a quick way to tell? Don’t stress — this article will walk you through how to spot the signs of cat constipation and give you practical solutions and prevention tips. Let’s learn together how to be the best cat parent you can be!

Why do cats get constipated? 5 common causes

Before we dive into the causes of cat constipation, it’s important to understand that a cat’s digestive system is quite different from a human’s. In terms of intestinal length, the human small intestine is around 8 metres long, a dog’s intestines are about 4.5 metres, while a cat’s are only about 2 metres. This means cats have a relatively short digestive tract, so food passes through quickly — which affects nutrient absorption and water retention. On top of that, the cat’s wild ancestor, the African wildcat, lived in dry desert environments and got most of its moisture from prey. This evolutionary trait means cats naturally don’t drink much water, making them more prone to constipation due to insufficient hydration.

Because cats naturally take in less water, conditions like constipation and urinary tract issues are more common in cats that don’t drink enough. Here are the most common causes of constipation in cats:

Cause 1: Eating only dry food with insufficient water intake

If your cat eats only dry kibble and doesn’t drink much water, they’re likely not getting enough hydration. Consider switching to wet food or adding a little water or fresh food to their meals to help meet their daily fluid needs.

Cause 2: Lack of exercise

One of the key factors in healthy digestion is how well the intestines move — and that’s closely tied to daily activity levels. Regular movement promotes gut motility and lowers the risk of constipation. So don’t be too frustrated when your cat zooms around the house or causes a little chaos! That’s actually their way of staying healthy. Spending more time playing with your cat not only burns off energy but also aids digestion and helps prevent constipation.

Cause 3: Too much fur in the digestive tract

Cats spend nearly a third of their day grooming, which means they inevitably swallow a lot of fur. Normally, cats can pass hairballs through vomiting or defecation. But if hairballs aren’t expelled properly, they can build up in the intestines, causing hairball disease — and constipation along with it.

Cause 4: An unsatisfactory litter box environment

Cats are clean animals and can be very particular about their litter box setup. If the box isn’t cleaned regularly, is placed in the wrong spot, or the wrong type of box is used, your cat may refuse to use it — increasing the risk of constipation and potentially leading to accidents around the home.

Cause 5: Underlying health conditions

Beyond the causes above, constipation can also result from intestinal disease, megacolon, electrolyte imbalances, neuromuscular disorders, tumours, pelvic joint problems, or declining kidney function. If you suspect any of these, it’s best to visit a vet as soon as possible to identify the root cause.

What are the symptoms of cat constipation? Use the Bristol Stool Scale to find out quickly

Now that you know the causes, do your cat’s recent behaviours make more sense? If you want to assess more accurately whether your cat is constipated, you can use theBristol Stool Scale to evaluate your cat’s stool and get a clearer picture of what’s going on.

Bristol Stool Scale
Condition	Type	Description
Diarrhoea	Type 7	Watery, liquid stool with no solid pieces
Possible mild diarrhoea	Type 6	Fluffy, mushy stool with ragged edges and no clear shape
Normal	Type 5	Soft semi-solid pieces with clear-cut edges
Healthy	Type 4	Smooth and soft, shaped like a sausage or snake
Normal	Type 3	Sausage-shaped with cracks on the surface
Possible mild constipation	Type 2	Sausage-shaped but lumpy and hard
Constipation	Type 1	Separate hard lumps, like nuts or pellets

In addition to checking stool appearance, here are 5 constipation symptoms to help you figure out whether your cat is struggling:

1. Less frequent bowel movements

A healthy cat typically poops 1–2 times a day, so if your cat hasn’t gone in over 48 hours, there’s a good chance they’re constipated.

2. Small or hard, dry stools

If the amount of stool your cat produces doesn’t match how much they’ve been eating, that’s a sign of reduced output. You can also refer to the Bristol Stool Scale above — if the stool appears as small, dry, hard pellets, constipation is likely.

3. Crying out or anal swelling during defecation

Cats are usually quiet when using the litter box, so vocalising during defecation may indicate pain or discomfort — possibly from hard stools, intestinal issues, or anal discomfort. Watch your cat’s behaviour and stool consistency closely. If you notice swelling or redness around the anus, this could be related to constipation, anal gland inflammation, or other issues. It’s best to consult a vet to make sure your cat is okay.

4. Blood in the stool

Cats have a sensitive digestive system, and when intestinal inflammation, ulcers, or constipation makes defecation difficult, internal bleeding can occur. If you spot bright red blood in the stool (typically from the colon or rectum), take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

5. Lethargy, depression, or loss of appetite

Beyond litter box behaviour, your cat’s overall energy level is an important clue. If they seem low-energy, leave their favourite food untouched, or appear indifferent to meals, it could point to constipation — or another underlying condition affecting their wellbeing.

What to do if your cat is constipated? 5 ways to help

If you think your cat is constipated, here are 5 things you can try first. That said, if things don’t improve, please see a vet promptly — prolonged constipation can lead to serious gastrointestinal issues.

1. Make sure your cat drinks more water

Aside from illness, insufficient water intake is the most common cause of constipation. To address it at the source, you’ll need to make sure your cat is getting enough fluids each day. Consider switching from dry to wet food, or adding some fresh food to their diet. To encourage drinking, try adding more water bowls around the house, using a pet water fountain, and changing the water daily.

2. Add more dietary fibre

Just like people are told to eat more vegetables when constipated, you can add a moderate amount of dietary fibre to your cat’s diet — such as pumpkin, sweet potato, broccoli, or peas. You can also look for cat food or wet food with higher fibre content. Just don’t overdo it — a little goes a long way.

3. Try lactulose or probiotics

Lactulose or polyethylene glycol (PEG) are relatively safe stool softeners that can help relieve constipation in cats, but since they may still have side effects, it’s best to consult your vet before use. Probiotics are a gentler option that can help regulate gut flora and support healthy digestion. When choosing a probiotic, look for internationally certified products — for example, those withEFSA certification orFDA GRAS certification, to ensure quality and safety.

4. Encourage more exercise or try a belly massage

One of the most effective ways to prevent constipation is making sure your cat gets enough exercise — so daily playtime really matters. Beyond that, gently massaging your cat’s belly using soft circular or pressing motions can help stimulate gut movement and encourage the urge to go. Just note that some cats are sensitive about having their belly touched, so pay attention to their reactions and stop if they seem uncomfortable or stressed.

5. Medication, enemas, and surgery

In severe cases of constipation, medical intervention may be needed — including medication, enemas, or even surgery.

• Medication: To help make stools easier to pass, a vet may prescribe lubricants or laxatives. Laxatives work by increasing water content in the intestines to soften stools; lubricants coat the intestinal lining to reduce friction and help stools pass more smoothly.
• Enemas: When a cat is too constipated to defecate on their own, a vet may recommend an enema to stimulate bowel movement. Enemas work by adding moisture to the stool and stimulating the intestines. This is a medical procedure that carries risks and must be performed by a qualified vet — never attempt it yourself, as it could seriously harm your cat.
• Surgery: When constipation is so severe that medication and enemas are ineffective — particularly if megacolon has developed — surgery may be the last resort. After surgery, your cat will need a long recovery period and careful dietary management. You’ll need to monitor their bowel movements closely and attend regular follow-up visits to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Worried about your cat’s digestion? Follow Fluv for all the cat care tips you need!

What if you need to travel and there’s no one to keep an eye on your cat’s litter box?Fluv — Taiwan’s largest pet sitter platform, uses a rigorous real-name verification system and offers comprehensive in-home cat sitter services, including customised updates like real-time litter box reports — helping to reduce the risk of constipation and other health issues while you’re away.

Want to build your knowledge as a cat parent and feel truly confident in the role? Download the Fluv app now and stay up to date with the latest cat care tips — even first-timers can raise a happy, healthy cat!

Further reading on cat care:

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