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Natural Home Remedies for Increased Bowel Movement in Cats

The average cat has one or two bowel movements a day. However, when experiencing feline constipation, your pet will be limited to a movement every two to four days and will show signs of distress. Once urinary blockage is ruled out and your cat seems otherwise healthy, you can begin at-home treatments to help relieve your pet's suffering.

  1. Water

    • One of the most overlooked remedies of constipation in cats is also one of the most effective--water. In the book, "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats," Dr. Whiteley, D.V.M. in Guatalupita, Mexico, says, "Cats are notorious for not drinking water." She recommends encouraging them to consume more fluids by leaving various bowls of water around the house or leaving a tap to drip. You can also add some water to their food at every meal to sneak in some extra hydration.

    Milk

    • As most cats are lactose intolerant, giving your pet some milk should get the bowels moving again. But mind the amount you give--too much lactose can cause your pet to have the opposite problem of diarrhea.

    Exercise

    • Keeping your cat active and physically stimulated throughout the day can also help keep him regular. Dr. Whiteley suggests 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise to help push waste from the body by strengthening the abdominal muscles.

    Stress Removal

    • Cats can become stressed in several situations--strange surroundings, dirty litter box, addition of another pet into the household, separation anxiety--and they may refuse to eliminate. Besides immediately removing the stress from your cat's life, Dr. Stefanatos, D.V.M., holistic veterinarian in Las Vegas, also from "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats," recommends giving your cat a flower essence called Bach Rescue Remedy to relieve the anxiety, thereby restoring your cat's natural bowel movements.

    Oils and Herbs

    • The use of olive oil, saffron oil or slippery elm bark will coat the stomach lining to reduce irritation during times of constipation. A small amount of oil or slippery elm in the cat's food or water will help provide relief for your pet, while providing lubrication for any compacted fecal matter.

    Hairball Prevention

    • Keep kitty well-groomed.

      Because your cat licks himself clean and therefore swallows copious amounts of hair, brushing your pet or giving him a haircut will help reduce constipation due to hairballs. Dr. Stefanatos recommends the "lion cut"--shaved, with the exception of a mane of fur around the head and a tuft on the end of the animal's tail.

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