Cat laxatives and constipation: what helps and when to worry

How often should a cat poop?

Most adult cats pass stools once or twice a day, but every cat is a little different. What matters most is a change from your cat's normal pattern. Healthy cat stools are brown, firm but not hard, and shaped like a log.

Time since last stool	What to do
Up to 36 hours	Usually normal
36–48 hours	Watch closely, encourage drinking and wet food
48–72 hours	Call your vet for advice
Over 72 hours, or straining, vomiting or not eating	See a vet

Signs of constipation in cats

• Fewer stools than usual, or none for 48 hours or more.
• Small, hard, dry stools, sometimes found outside the tray.
• Straining or spending a long time in the litter tray.
• Crying or appearing uncomfortable while trying to go.
• A little liquid or mucus around hard stools (sometimes mistaken for diarrhoea).
• Reduced appetite, vomiting or lethargy in more severe cases.

Causes of constipation in cats

• Dehydration: common in cats fed only dry food and in cats with kidney disease. See our guide to renal diets for cats.
• Hairballs and swallowed fur. Read our guide to cat hairball remedies.
• Low-fibre or low-moisture diet.
• Pain from arthritis or injury, which makes squatting uncomfortable. Our guide to Metacam for cats explains arthritis pain relief.
• Litter tray problems: a dirty tray, a tray with high sides, a stressful location or a change of litter.
• Obesity and inactivity.
• Stress, such as a house move or new pet.
• Medicines, including some painkillers and antihistamines.
• Megacolon: a stretched, weakened colon that can't push stools out, usually in middle-aged or older cats.
• Narrowed pelvis after a road accident, or a blockage from bones or foreign objects.

Cat laxatives compared

Type	Examples	How it works	Prescription?
Lubricant pastes	Katalax, Laxapet, Laxatract	White soft paraffin or liquid paraffin coats stools so they slide out	No
Bulk-forming fibre	Psyllium husk, fibre-rich diets	Absorbs water and softens stools	No (ask vet for dose)
Osmotic laxatives	Lactulose; polyethylene glycol (e.g. Movicol, used under vet direction)	Draw water into the bowel to soften stools	Yes / vet-directed
Prokinetic medicines	Cisapride (specialist supply)	Help the colon contract	Yes
Prescription fibre or gut diets	Various veterinary diets	Balanced fibre and moisture	Usually via your vet

Katalax for cats

Katalax is a malt-flavoured paste containing white soft paraffin. It lubricates hard stools and hair, and many cats lick it straight from the tube or from a paw. It's useful for mild constipation and hairballs. Use it as directed on the pack, and don't give it every day long-term without asking your vet, because paraffin can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Laxapet and Laxatract

Laxapet and Laxatract are similar lubricant pastes for cats and dogs, often used for hairballs and mild constipation. Follow the dosing on the label for your cat's weight.

Psyllium husk for cats

Psyllium is a natural fibre that absorbs water and softens stools. A small pinch of plain, unflavoured psyllium husk powder mixed into wet food can help some cats. Too much can make stools bulkier and worsen constipation if your cat isn't drinking enough, so ask your vet for a dose and make sure fresh water is always available.

Lactulose and other prescription laxatives

Lactulose is a syrup that draws water into the bowel, softening stools. It's prescribed by vets, often for cats with recurring constipation or megacolon. Polyethylene glycol products can also be used under veterinary direction at a carefully worked-out dose. Never guess doses of human laxatives.

Safe home remedies for mild constipation

1. Increase water intake: feed more wet food, add a little water to meals, use a water fountain and place water bowls away from food.
2. Add a little fibre: a teaspoon of plain cooked pumpkin (not pie filling) in wet food can help some cats. Plain pumpkin is generally safe for cats in small amounts.
3. Brush your cat to reduce swallowed fur.
4. Keep the litter tray clean and in a quiet place, with low sides for older cats.
5. Encourage activity with short play sessions.
6. Help overweight cats lose weight gradually. Check your cat with our cat weight checker.

If there's no improvement within 24 to 48 hours, or your cat seems unwell, contact your vet.

Cat laxatives for older cats

Constipation becomes more common with age. Older cats often drink less, move less, have stiff joints that make squatting uncomfortable, and may have kidney disease that leaves them mildly dehydrated. For these cats, vets often combine several approaches: a long-term laxative such as lactulose at a carefully chosen dose, more wet food or added water, pain relief for arthritis, a low-sided litter tray on every floor, and regular check-ups. Constipation in an older cat can also be the first sign of another illness, so it's worth a vet visit rather than simply reaching for a paste.

Constipation in kittens

Kittens can become constipated when they move from milk to solid food, or if they're dehydrated or have a heavy roundworm burden. Very young kittens need their bottoms gently stimulated with a warm, damp cloth after feeding to help them pass stools, as their mother would do. A kitten with a swollen belly, straining or not passing stools for more than a day needs a vet promptly. Our cat worming guide explains how worms affect kittens.

What not to do

How vets treat constipation

Your vet will examine your cat, feel the abdomen and may take X-rays to see how much stool is present and look for causes such as a narrowed pelvis or megacolon. Blood tests may check for dehydration and kidney disease. Treatment can include:

• Fluids to rehydrate your cat.
• Laxatives and stool softeners.
• A warm-water enema given safely by the vet team.
• Manual removal of stools under sedation or anaesthetic for severe cases.
• Long-term diet changes, laxatives or medicines to prevent recurrence.
• Surgery for severe megacolon that doesn't respond to treatment.

Preventing constipation

• Feed some wet food daily and keep fresh water available in several places.
• Brush regularly, especially long-haired cats.
• Keep your cat at a healthy weight and active.
• Provide easy-access litter trays, one per cat plus one extra, kept clean.
• Treat pain and arthritis so squatting is comfortable.
• Book regular check-ups for older cats.