Constipated cat

Q.    I think my cat might be constipated.  What causes this and what can I do to help him?

A.    Constipation in cats can result from simple causes such as eating bonesor hair in the intestine.  Large amounts of hair can be ingested by the cat during self-grooming and you can help prevent this by regular grooming.  An overweight, lazy, indoor cat is more likely to suffer from constipation than an active outdoor cat.  It is worth consulting your vet, as your cat’s constipation can be a sign of a large intestine problem, which is more serious.  There is a feline disease of the large intestine called Key-Gaskell syndrome and veterinary diagnosis and treatment is essential for this.  Physical injury or trauma to the pelvis often seen in road traffic accidents and old age can both be causes of constipation and your vet will be able to advise you on appropriate treatment.