Can a senior cat have constipation and diarrhea?
The signs of diarrhea can be quite diverse in any age cat. Frequent, urgent pooping of loose, watery stools are the classic signs that your senior cat has diarrhea. And a cat who has a bout of watery poop and then continues to strain is not suffering from constipation; it truly is diarrhea.
What causes soft stools and diarrhea in cats?
Generally, soft stools that indicate a digestive disorder will be accompanied by other digestive symptoms such as: Liquid poop, diarrhea in cats or soft stools may also be caused by intestinal parasites in cats. This is more common in younger cats. For more, we recommend taking look at our article where we discuss intestinal parasites in cats.
Why does my cat have a lot of poop?
When a cat is constipated, they often strain in an effort to move the stool along and in the process, some liquid stool may ooze around the hard, impacted feces and be the only thing the cat produces. The owner then mistakenly believes their cat has diarrhea when, in fact, the cat is constipated.
How often can an elderly cat have a bowel movement?
An elderly feline that’s been ill for some time may have a bowel movement a few times a week but often will not go more than forty-eight hours without defecating. A healthy cat will defecate two to three times daily and will have feces that’s well-formed, not runny, and deep brown.
Why does my cat poop softer than normal?
Among the types of cat poop we have soft cat stools. These poop types could result from different things from gastrointestinal conditions to feline parasites to diet problems. If one day your cat’s stool is softer than normal, there’s nothing to worry about.
How often should you poop if your cat is constipated?
Symptoms of Constipation in Cats. Constipation is characterized by infrequent stools or stools that are difficult to pass. Most cats will poop about every 24-36 hours. If your cat is pooping less frequently and having some difficulty, she may be constipated.
When to worry about your cat’s bowel movements?
You should contact your vet if your cat’s bowel movements are abnormal for a few days, even if you don’t see blood in the stool. Dealing with the GI problem can prevent blood from appearing in the stool. If your cat’s poop has been normal and you see some blood one time, watch your cat closely for the next day or two.
How often should an elderly cat empty its bowels?
A senior cat should empty its bowels no less than once a day. Any less than that regularity suggests that your elderly cat is constipated. Keep your cat regular with an age-specific diet and exercise. Provide stool softeners or mild laxatives to relieve constipation.
