Constipation in cats – signs and vet care

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: International Cat Care (iCatCare)

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your cat has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Constipation is when a cat has trouble passing faeces, passes them rarely or not at all.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Constipation means a cat has trouble passing faeces, passes them rarely or not at all.^[1] It is a very uncomfortable condition that can lead to more serious problems if left untreated.^[1] When a cat is constipated, faeces remain in the colon or rectum for longer than normal.^[1]

Signs

Straining or difficulty passing faeces
Digging around or spending extra time in the litter tray
Pain when passing faeces, including crying out
Passing faeces less often
Producing small, hard, dry faeces

Causes and risk factors

A dirty litter tray
Competition for a litter tray with other cats in the household
Disliking the type of cat litter used
A litter tray in a noisy or unpleasant place
A bad experience when using the litter tray

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Urine tests
X-rays
Ultrasound
Biopsy

How vets treat it

Fluids or a drip
Hospitalisation

What the experts say

“Straining and difficulty passing faeces ; Digging around and spending extra time in the litter tray ; Pain when passing faeces (crying out) ; Passing faeces less often ; Producing small, hard dry faeces”
— International Cat Care (iCatCare) [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What signs can constipation cause in cats?

Signs include straining or difficulty passing faeces, spending extra time in the litter tray, pain when passing faeces, passing faeces less often, and producing small, hard, dry faeces.^[1]

How will a vet check for constipation?

A vet may take a detailed history, examine your cat, and use blood and urine tests, X-rays or ultrasound.^[1]

How is constipation treated?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, the severity of the condition and how long it has been a problem.^[1]

Sources

International Cat Care (iCatCare)

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages