If your cat can't pass stool or has dry, hard stools, your cat may be constipated. Constipation may be uncomfortable for your cat, and you will be frustrated to see him trying to have a bowel movement. If your vet agrees, and your cat tends to cooperate, you can try giving him an enema at home to ease the problem.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Knowing When to Do the Enema
Step 1. Look for signs of constipation
If your cat is constipated, you may see your cat going in and out of the litter box, squatting down to defecate, but failing to pass anything. Your cat may stretch and make noises (meow, cry, roar) during these attempts. Other signs may include feeling low on energy, loss of appetite, and stomach pain. Sometimes, you may even feel a large, hard lump of stool if you gently press on your cat's stomach.
Signs of constipation can look like signs of a urinary blockage, which is an emergency because it can quickly put your cat's life at risk. If you think your cat is having trouble urinating, or if you haven't seen urine in the litter box for more than 12 hours, take your cat to the vet to prevent urinary obstruction
Step 2. Try to identify the cause of constipation
Tumors and foreign bodies such as hair, bone, and plant material can interfere with the passage of feces. Sometimes eating habits can be the cause of constipation. If your cat has been constipated before, you may want to add canned food to provide extra moisture or enrich your cat's eating habits with psyllium.
Metabolic or endocrine disorders such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or obesity may also cause constipation. Neurological problems from spinal cord disease, pelvic injuries, or major nerve dysfunction can cause constipation for some cats
Step 3. Consider performing enemas at home in rare cases of constipation
You can try an enema at home if your cat has mild constipation (less than 2 to 3 days) or when the constipation doesn't seem chronic. If the case is more severe or you think your cat has more complications, see a veterinarian.
Your cat may have other complications if you notice a change in drinking, very low energy levels, severe vomiting, or loss of appetite. Sometimes, a constipated cat may feel a little hungry or experience discomfort but still want to eat
Step 4. Also consider your cat's body temperature
Try enemas at home only if your cat is docile and gentle. Your cat should not have internal pain or medical conditions such as fractures, arthritis, and kidney problems. One of the potential benefits of administering enemas at home is that your cat is in a familiar and likely quieter place.
You may want to have a second person present to help gently hold your cat. Your cat may still be unable to cooperate and may scratch or bite you. Don't hold it too hard if your cat resists
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Enema
Step 1. Buy the right enema
The best enemas are those made especially for cats. This enema contains dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate in glycerin like Feline Pet-Ema ®. Dioctyl sodium sulfoscinate will add water content to the stool to make it soft. The glycerin portion helps in lubricating the rectum. You can easily find enemas for purchase online.
- As an alternative, consider using warm water or mineral oil. You can also use warm water and mineral oil. Warm clean water is the safest and cheapest option because it will not cause dehydration. Mineral oil is also safe, can lubricate the rectum easily, and helps small hard stools to pass. However, it can affect levels of fatty vitamins (such as vitamin D) and should be avoided in cats with kidney disease. If you use water or mineral oil, be aware that it will take some time for the stool to soften because mineral oil does not draw water from the intestines, as sodium-based enemas do. This material is also not very able to lubricate the rectum. Be prepared and be aware that the cat may need to pass several stools before the stool softens and comes out slowly (from a few minutes to 2 hours).
- never ever using Fleet enemas or other enemas containing sodium phosphate. Cats can absorb the sodium and phosphate molecules from the enema into their blood and muscle fibers. This can lead to a severe electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, which can put the cat's life at risk.
Step 2. Use an appropriate and lubricated syringe
If you buy an available enema kit, it will come with the right injection. If you are using water or mineral oil as an enema, use a 10-25 mL syringe and a fine tube attached to the end. The tip of the tube is round, smooth and can prevent cuts during insertion.
Always lubricate the tip of the injection or tube. Place a thin layer of lubricant (such as KY Jelly or Vaseline) on the tip of the syringe or tube
Step 3. Prepare your materials and surroundings
Your bathroom is a good place to do enemas because your cat knows the place, it's closed and cleaning will be easier because the container is small. Clean all surfaces and stack your materials.
Enemas can make your room dirty and messy. Spread towels, absorbent pads, or newsprint on the bathroom floor. You will be encouraged to wear clean plastic gloves. Hygienic conditions are essential to this process, both for the cat and for yourself
Part 3 of 3: Giving Enema
Step 1. Cover your cat with a towel
Spread out a clean towel and place your cat in the center. Pull one side up your cat's back and around the side by tucking the free ends of the towel under the paw. Pull the other side in the opposite direction in the same way. At this point, your cat should be wrapped up like a burrito.
If you are alone, hold your cat close to your body with its head facing the opposite direction of your dominant hand. Speak in a soft voice all the time. Try to do this during the procedure to help calm the cat
Step 2. Do the enema
Lift the cat's tail and gently insert the tip of the enema syringe or tube attached to the 20 cc 5, 1 to 7. 6 cm syringe into the rectum. Or you can insert until you feel hard dirt touching the end of the rubber tube. Do not apply too much pressure with the tube or liquid as you will cause rectal trauma or sores, leading to serious medical complications.
If you are going to use mineral oil, slowly apply 15-20 ml into the rectum. If you are going to use warm water, give it slowly 50-75 ml. If you are going to use the Feline Pet-Ema ® Enema, first dispense 6 ml at a rate of about 1 ml every 3 seconds. After 1 hour, add another 6 ml of the enema and follow the same procedure as the first one
Step 3. Feel the belly
Place your palms under your belly between your cat's paws and press gently until you feel the hardened poop. Massage this area in gently pinching motions using your thumb and the rest of your fingers. In some cats, the feces will come out quickly, after 5 to 10 minutes.
In other cats with very hard stools, it may take 1 to 2 hours for the softened litter to come out. If the second enema is not effective, contact your veterinarian
Step 4. Watch for complications in cats
You may see a few spots or small fresh blood spots, which is normal. However, if you notice large amounts of blood or bleeding occurs, your cat may have a sore in his rectum. See a doctor immediately if this happens.
Be sure to keep an eye on the cat for a few hours. Enemas can sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea. The cat may also be severely dehydrated and will need fluids
Tips
Always remember that a veterinarian is still the best source of advice for giving or deciding what type of enema is best to administer. Never hesitate to call or visit the vet if your cat has been constipated for more than 3 days
Attention
- If your enema does not work, contact your veterinarian.
- Some cats have or develop a condition known as 'megacolon'. Megacolon is an abnormally large colon from the accumulation of too much feces. Get your cat checked by a vet as it may require more thorough care. In some severe cases, surgery on the colon may be needed.
