My precious little cat hasn't pooped since we brought her home yesterday. She has peed several times, not worried about that. I catch her running to the litter box several times but not doing anything. Any suggestions? I have never had any experience with constipated cats before.

Is this a new cat?

If she's new to your house, she might just be a little stressed with the move. Once she's used to the house and you, she'll get comfy and go poo.

Erin she is the cat that I have from the rescue organization. She has been from house to PetSmart back to house then my house. We are fostering to see if all works out so we can adopt her. She is 1, eats well and temperament is very good.

She might not have to go potty... Has she been eating normally?

Did you just pick her up this week? It might just be the change in environment. I know with dogs, that they'll...hold off on going sometimes if they're nervous and unsure about a sudden change. Wondering if cats do the same thing sometimes.

altho, with dogs, sometimes they'll drop a gift as a way to claim their new house for themselves. (my dog did when we moved into this house, like within the first 10 minutes we were here)

Maybe she found a special spot to go and you havent found it yet? With litter boxes, do you have to buy new never-been-used boxes for a new cat? Do cats use other cat's boxes? (never had a cat. Allergic)

If she begins to vomit, please get her to the vet. Same with if she stops eating. We have learned about cat constipation over the last few years with our kitty, who is on two motility meds and antacid.

You could try a few things our vet suggested before we had to move on to real drugs: canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling, but just plain canned pumpkin), hair-ball remedy like Petromalt, feeding smaller meals more frequently, and canned food only, no dry food. Some vets swear by high fiber, but in our cat it just made it worse. Just move slowly with any changes you may try.

We feed our cat canned Wellness and actually add more water to it, thinning it slightly to a moister consistency.

Good luck. Imagine having Crohn's yourself (me) and then your cat develops something very similar. Broke my heart. But she is 11 1/2 now and still going . . .

is she eating?
Drinking?
playing?
is her belly tender or will she let you stroke it?


Cats hold their poo when in strange places. If she doesnt pee in 24 hours its a must to call the vet, but poo can take a week or longer for some cats. You can call the vet and ask for some lactulose that you give her by syringe (ml) and its a good laxative.

The changes in food will make them go less often. Cats who eat raw diets only go 1 or 2 times per week. Cats on strictly dry food tend to go every couple of days unless they are stressed. Wet food cats tend to go at least once a day. Make sure she has plenty of water, and if you are truly worried give her some canned food. This will add water to her system.

I am sure as she calms, she will use the box, which by the way, will mark that area as her own. She may be waiting to see if others are going to show up and claim her new territory. As she relaxes, she will go.

If her belly becomes rock hard, distended, painful (kicks your hand off when you stroke it) or she cries painfully when you pick her up, she needs to see a vet, but other than that she just needs some time. If she is peeing in the box, she knows where it lives.

If your kitty is new, I agree it could be stress. Also a food change an cause her to be stopped up. There is a paste, put out by pet smart that cats love, and can help with that if you feel this problem continues. You just put a dab on your finger and they lick it off. This worked for my cat. I wish you all the best with your new baby. ginnie