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.

No more concerns! All systems go. I just don't understand her tortoise hair conversation. I was so used to what Adora was trying to say. Melody talks in a completely different way.

I was like that with my dog. My dog could talk with his eyes and body language. I miss talking to him. He was a pretty good conversationalist for a dog.

My aunt's dog is fun, but I'm still learning her Pug language.

I'm pretty sure you'll learn "tortoise-ese" soon and you'll know what she's trying to say. (it'll probably be "Give the cat food!")

My son's tortie, is very unique. She does not meow much either.

When he took her to the vet, the tech looked at her with dismay----and said---"Oh you know Torties are a bit crazy!"

But you know I like Ellie. She took a while to get used to us as
visitors. But that may have been the town house my son was renting. She seemed nervous there. But when they moved to
his home, she settled down quickly. She is much calmer in his home and I think she could hear sounds at the other place that we humans could not.

This Xmas she was very affectionate with me...more than at any other time. And she is very affectionate with my son, who spoiled her in bed, letting her sleep along his neck when she was younger. Now she is huge... and he is sorry he indulged that habit. Ellie also makes quite a fuss when my son cooks... endless vocalizing even after being fed.

Here is a cute picture of her... I really like it and it sort of illustrates how intelligent torties are---
She conveys alot with a "look"...

Our own Weezie who is more Bombay than anything does not meow either. She squeals, squeakes, trills, and quips, all sorts of sounds...even little grunts, and I heard a "blech" the other day. She will MEOW when very upset, like the trip upNorth last summer....extremis meowing!

So here is my son's Tortie, Ellie:
The cat in the background is Tima the tabby who ran into
my son's apartment one November day, when it was very cold.
She had decided to move in with them, seeing the cats in window, I guess. She ran between his feet and staked her claim and he couldn't bring himself to not accept her! Ellie in this photo is rather put out by the whole thing. I could see this photo working well on I Can Haz Cheezeburger even!

This second portrait, is Ellie this Xmas.. looking over the edge of her ledge. I gave this to my son when he moved...it is up in a high window of his family room. She likes it up there,obviously!

I think you will love your Tortie, Doydie.

Torties have a cattitude. They tend to be stubborn, sweet, funny, and cuddly, but can quickly turn zippy, racy, crazy, and silly.

I have found in my years of working with cats they tend to either be the sweetest babies on earth, or they are a bit nuts. Looks like you got a good one.