Although mostly problematic in older cats, constipation is a relatively common condition for cars of all ages. While the number of "normal" bowel movements per day varies depending on the individual cat, there are some basic signs and symptoms you can watch for to help determine if all is well with your cat's gastrointestinal tract.
Warning
In all cases, if your cat's litter box behavior changes in any way, consult your veterinarian. While constipation itself may not be life-threatening, it can worsen quickly or be symptomatic of another condition.
Identification
The most obvious sign is when you find no (or a significantly decreased number) of bowel movements in your cat's litter box, as compared with what is normal for your cat,
Considerations
If you have multiple cats sharing a litter box, this can be more difficult to discern, so you will have to look for certain behaviors that your cat may exhibit when constipated.
Early behaviors
These behaviors can include straining to defecate, crying or acting distressed, frequenting the litter box more than usual, a distended abdomen, or over-grooming the genital or anal area.
Worsening symptoms
Constipation is progressive, and as it worsens, the signs and symptoms become more painful and pronounced. Your cat may not eat or drink, vomit, hunch or crouch to try and relieve discomfort, or become lethargic. It is also possible that it may seem to pass small amounts of liquid feces.
Prevention/Solution
Most veterinarians recommend wet or whole food diets to help prevent constipation. Cats do not often drink enough water, and dry food lacks the moisture many cats need for normal disgestion.
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