Is your pet prone to constipation? Learn the causes and solutions.

The constipation condition of pets is actually very similar to that of humans, but owners often overlook that constipation is not just the inability to defecate at all!

If your pet's bowel movements become less frequent, take longer, are incomplete, or even bloody, these could be signs of constipation. Poop is a way for your pet to eliminate toxins. If harmful substances remain in the body for too long, they can irritate the intestinal mucosa and may be reabsorbed, leading to long-term health consequences.

Let Pettington show you the causes and prevention measures of constipation!

Causes of constipation in pets

1. Inadequate diet and water intake

If your pet lacks sufficient dietary fiber or water, the stool in its intestines will easily become too dry and difficult to excrete smoothly, thereby increasing the risk of constipation (MSD Veterinary Manual, 2023).

For example, in daily life, furry pets may swallow excess hair when combing themselves, or swallow some small, indigestible fragments when chewing. If they do not drink enough water at the same time, these substances will easily mix with feces and form dry, hard feces.

2. Disease and physiological factors

Your pet's health can also affect bowel function. For example, older cats, overweight cats, and cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more prone to constipation.

Chronic kidney disease can cause chronic dehydration in cats, leading to a decrease in water content in the colon, making the stool drier and harder to pass.

In addition, metabolic abnormalities such as hypothyroidism, nerve damage, high blood calcium or low blood potassium may also cause constipation.

3. Behavioral and environmental factors

If your pet is dissatisfied with the defecation environment, for example due to weather problems, the defecation area (such as the litter box) being too dirty, insufficient in number, or having to share with other pets, they may choose to hold back their defecation, causing the feces to remain in the intestines for a long time and dry up.

In addition, your pet may also delay defecation when in an unfamiliar environment or when feeling stressed.

A study of pets in UK shelters found that approximately 5.6% experienced constipation , with increasing age and reduced activity during winter being significant risk factors (Veterinary Practice, 2022).

Clinical symptoms

When pets are constipated, the most obvious signs are difficulty defecating and harder and less-voluminous stools . The Pettington Group recommends that owners pay attention to the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty defecating : Your pet may frequently go in and out of the defecation area, fail to defecate after multiple attempts, or stay in the defecation area for too long.
  • Decreased bowel movement : The stool may become dry and hard, with only a few small fecal pellets, or even abnormal defecation behavior may occur.
  • Abnormal stool : Prolonged retention of stool may irritate the intestinal mucosa, resulting in a small amount of soft stool with mucus or blood surrounding hard stool, or even pseudo-diarrhea.
  • Loss of appetite and poor spirits : In severe cases, your pet may also experience loss of appetite, decreased activity, and even vomiting.
  • Behavioral changes : Some pets may rub their bottoms due to discomfort, or repeatedly try to defecate but to no avail, becoming restless.

Constipation can be a serious or minor problem. If you notice any of the above symptoms in your pet, pay close attention and address them promptly to prevent constipation from developing into more serious health issues, such as persistent constipation or megacolon.

Prevention and daily health care

1. Dietary adjustments

Clinical studies have shown that adding fiber such as psyllium to your pet's diet can help improve chronic constipation.

Pettington recommends that pets prone to constipation can gradually switch their diet to a high-fiber formula or add fiber supplements such as pumpkin puree and psyllium powder to their food, after consulting a veterinarian.

Fiber can help soften stool and increase stool bulk, thereby promoting intestinal peristalsis; however, at the same time, you must ensure that your pet has enough water to avoid excessive fiber absorption of water, which may aggravate constipation.

Each pet reacts differently to fiber, so owners should pay attention to changes in their stool when adjusting their diet and consult a veterinarian if necessary.

2. Increase your physical activity

Studies (VCA Animal Hospitals, 2023) have also shown that moderate exercise can shorten the time it takes for food to pass through the intestines and reduce stool retention.

Regular daily exercise can stimulate gastrointestinal motility and prevent constipation.

EasyPill - French Laxative Soft Pills (for cats and dogs)

Among the many fiber and constipation supplements available, Pettington believes that the French brand EasyPill is worth considering due to its effectiveness, ease of use, and suitability for both cats and dogs.

Products in the EasyPill series, such as EasyPill Transit (laxative formula), are specifically designed to address constipation problems caused by insufficient intestinal motility.

  • Natural formula softens stool : EasyPill Transit combines a variety of natural ingredients, including fermentable fibers such as pectin and psyllium husk, which absorb water in the intestines and increase the viscosity of the contents, making the stool softer and easier to pass.

    Psyllium fiber can increase the volume of stool and form a gel, promoting colon peristalsis while also protecting the intestinal mucosa; while pectin helps carry water, achieving the effect of softening stool.

  • Especially suitable for elderly or inactive pets : For pets who suffer from recurring constipation due to slowed intestinal motility, continuous use of EasyPill can help soften stool and restore normal bowel movement frequency.

  • Easy to Feed : Getting your pet to take medication or supplements easily is often a challenge for pet owners.

EasyPill uses a special palatability design to turn the active ingredients into a soft snack that suits the taste of pets.

According to brand information, EasyPill's formula undergoes a cold-processing process, which not only fully retains the active ingredients but also masks the medicinal taste with a pet's favorite aroma and taste, allowing most pets to actively enjoy it as a delicious snack, eliminating the hassle of force-feeding.