Why does the cat not go to the toilet in a big way and what to do? The cat stopped going to the litter box: reasons and solutions to toilet problems.

When the owners of pets with difficulties with the administration of needs go to the veterinarian, he has to find out the details of why the cat cannot go to the toilet. Whether it is the lack of urination or defecation, how long it takes, the reasons, the general well-being of the animal. Whatever the cause of the disorder, if the cat does not go to the toilet for a little more than a day, electrolyte disturbances in the blood develop, the indicators of renal failure grow, and autointoxication grows every hour. This situation requires urgent medical attention. It will be useful to find out the main reasons why the pet may not walk in.

If the kitten does not go to the toilet for a long time.

On average, a month old kitten can go in large quantities from 3 to 6 times a day.

  • The care for the administration of the natural needs of a newborn kitten lies entirely with the mother cat. If for some reason the cat does not know what to do when caring for the baby, he will not be able to go big.
  • Problems with the dispatch of needs may be associated with congenital pathology, in this case, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
  • The kitten should not switch to adult food too abruptly. Complementary feeding for kittens occurs gradually, with the presence of mother's milk and nutrition suitable for kittens.
  • With a sharp change in the environment, the kitten can experience stress and for a long time (2-3 days), not going to the toilet for a long time. Measures should be taken if the kitten has adapted, but does not go to the toilet for a long time for 5 days.

If an adult cat does not go to the toilet for a long time.

On average, an adult cat goes to the toilet a lot once every 24 hours. If an adult cat eats, but does not go to the toilet due to great need for several days (longer than 4 days), measures should be taken.

The most common reasons why an adult cat does not have a bowel movement include:

  • Improper nutrition. A cat's diet lacking sufficient fiber, eating bones, and not drinking enough fluids can cause stool retention.
  • Often, a cat does not go to the toilet for several days after moving, due to the arrival of guests, the appearance of another animal and other similar situations.
  • Problems with defecation are caused by the presence of wool lumps (trichobezoars) in the gastrointestinal tract. The fur enters the cat's stomach as it cleans its own fur with its tongue.
  • Neutered cats, due to a sedentary lifestyle, are prone to obesity and difficult bowel movements.
  • The intestines of cats in old age are less able to cope with the movement of feces in their departments.
  • Difficulty defecating can be a symptom of a disease of the internal organs.

If the cat does not go to the toilet on a small one.

A situation where a cat does not go to the toilet for a little is easy enough to recognize. The cat can meow loudly, moan, fuss, stomp next to the litter box. If the cat manages to go to the litter box, then very little. The cat's belly is swollen like a drum and painful to the touch, the pet cannot lie on it. There may be traces of pus and blood in the tray.

The most common reasons why a cat may not go to the toilet when small are:

  • One of the reasons why a cat goes to the toilet a little for little is the lack of fluid intake. The concentration of salts in a small volume of urine provokes the formation of stones.
  • If the cat has had urinary problems in the family, she may inherit them.
  • An improper diet can be the cause of urinary problems. Foods such as raw meat, fish, minerals can cause urinary problems.
  • Overweight cats with a sedentary lifestyle can have a problem with passing urine.
  • The cat does not go to the toilet much because of the stress, moving (travel), new owners.
  • Congenital pathology of the urinary tract. In this situation, urgent veterinary care is required, often surgical intervention.
  • Dry food, being a balanced diet, also requires a balanced fluid intake. To reduce the risk of developing urolithiasis, you need to provide your pet with constant access to clean drinking water.

In any case, if the cat is unable to urinate, it is necessary to take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. It is strictly forbidden to massage the cat's belly, as this can worsen its condition. You can learn more about the signs of acute urinary retention in cats in this video:

After sterilization, the cat does not go to the toilet.

In the postoperative period, you need to carefully monitor the pet, process the stitches, and ensure that the stitches are removed correctly. If the cat does not go to the toilet after surgery, check for constipation or diarrhea, how stool affects the stitches.

Normal bowel movements can be up to 3 days. The cat can go to the toilet unnoticed, excreting a little urine. In the postoperative period, the animal requires a soft, sparing diet that does not strain the abdominal wall, which makes it possible to secure the stitches.

Some animals have difficulty using the toilet after anesthesia, such as constipation or painful diarrhea. Constipation is characterized by symptoms such as: the cat does not eat, does not go into the tray, does not poop, meows, groans, her tail trembles, there may be damage to the seams. In case of constipation, medications prescribed by a veterinarian and dietary adjustments are taken. It is possible to relieve constipation in a pet on your own with the help of 1 tablespoon of petroleum jelly.

It is not uncommon for cats to delay urination due to the stress and discomfort of the blanket. In this case, you need to consult a doctor about removing the blanket for a while, observing the cat, and not letting her lick the stitches.

The cat does not go to the toilet after giving birth.

Many cats do not eat much or stop eating more often before giving birth. So the cat instinctively "cleans" the body and prepares for childbirth. After giving birth, on average, a cat may not walk for a day on a small one and for 3 days on a large one. During feeding, the cat loses a lot of fluid. If your cat is constipated after giving birth, you should give her petroleum jelly or olive oil. A doctor should be consulted if the stool does not appear within 24 hours.

Seeking help from specialists.

Urination and defecation are as important to the functioning of the body as food and water intake, so you cannot ignore the situation where the pet does not go to the toilet. If the animal does not walk on a small second day, it is not possible for him to help at home, an urgent need to contact a specialist. When contacting a veterinarian, you should prepare answers to questions about whether the animal urinates, how long it has not had a chair, the composition of its diet, and the drinking regimen.

The situation when a cat does not go to the toilet for a long time for a long time is quite common. There can be many reasons for such a deviation - from the most harmless to very serious. Owners should be aware that a healthy cat will defecate about once every 1 to 2 days. In old animals, the period between bowel movements can stretch up to three days, while small kittens usually poop several times a day.

The frequency of trips to the toilet largely depends on the characteristics of the pet's diet. However, if 3 or more days or even a whole week have passed since the last visit to the tray, you should be wary. Constipation can indicate a serious health problem. It is imperative to find out the reason for the deviation and help the cat.

Why isn't the little kitten pooping?

Kittens that are still under the "wing" of their mother are completely dependent on her in a delicate matter. Babies under one month old can only poop normally after the cat has rubbed their tummy.

If such a baby does not go to the toilet for a long time, it means that mom is doing her job badly. This often happens with young, inexperienced cats "raising" their first litter. The reasons for constipation in older kittens can be:

  • severe stress due to weaning and moving to a new place of residence;
  • a sharp transition to a new type of diet (from milk to solid food);
  • unsuitable feed;
  • congenital bowel pathologies.

If after moving to a new house a lot of time has passed, and the baby has not gone to the toilet, and adjusting the diet does not work, most likely the last of the listed points takes place. The kitten must be shown to the veterinarian. You may need serious treatment - up to and including surgery.

Reasons for the absence of a chair in an adult cat

There are even more reasons for litter problems in an adult cat. The most common:

  1. An unbalanced diet that is low in fiber and protein. An abundance of overly solid foods (such as bones) or a lack of fluids can also provoke the problem. Do not overfeed the animal with chicken meat. It can cause constipation.
  2. Accumulation of fur in the stomach and intestines. An extremely common reason that cats rarely go to the toilet for a long time. It is especially relevant for long-haired breeds. Hard lumps of fluff in the internal organs of the cat interfere not only with the release of feces, but also with their formation. This is a serious problem that can even be life threatening.
  3. Senile age, when the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract is slowed down. The intestines are unable to expel feces normally, and the cat stops going to the toilet normally.
  4. Sedentary lifestyle. Often common in spayed cats. It becomes the cause not only of problems with the toilet, but also of obesity, as well as other health deviations.
  5. The period of sexual arousal in males and estrus in females. When an animal wants to "walk", all his "thoughts" are only about this. Kitty at this time is not up to sleep and not to eat. Thus, he simply has nothing to shit with.
  6. Postponed operations with anesthesia. After anesthesia, the cat may not go to the toilet for several days. This is due to the stress that the animal's body has suffered. It takes time for a pet to recover. As soon as all processes are restored, the toilet is also normalized.
  7. Using a catheter. Sometimes, before surgery, it is used to clean the intestines of the animal. The fact that after catheterization the cat does not go to the toilet longer than usual is quite natural. It's just that feces have not yet accumulated in the intestines, which have been emptied to sterility.
  8. Stress due to moving, visiting guests and other events. Cats are great conservatives, and they perceive any changes very painfully.
  9. The postpartum period in females. The absence of a chair during it is explained by the fact that, preparing for childbirth, the cat went to the toilet more often than usual, and so far she has nothing to poop with. Usually, the stool returns to normal a few days after the addition to the family.
  10. Diseases of the digestive tract. Unfortunately, this is also a possible reason. These can be pathologies such as intestinal obstruction, malignant or benign tumors, adhesions, ulcers, gastritis, etc.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of toilet problems on your own. If there is even the slightest suspicion of health deviations, you need to show the animal to the veterinarian. Without professional diagnostics, it will not be possible to identify the disease and cure the pet.

How to help a cat on your own

Fortunately, much more often the cat does not go to the litter box for a long time for reasons not related to disease. What to do in this case? How can you help an animal? It all depends on the situation. Sometimes you just have to wait. For example, if the cat “forgot” about the litter box due to severe stress. As soon as the frightened animal "crawls out from under the sofa" and comes to its senses, the "toilet" problem will be solved by itself.

The same goes for the postpartum period in cats. Here you can try to speed up recovery by offering liquid dishes to your pet. If the reason for the long absence of bowel movements is sexual arousal, you can also just wait it out, or you can help the animal by giving it libido-reducing pills or by finding a "pair". The last option will work, but not for long. The best solution and a guarantee of getting rid of torment is sterilization.

If you suspect a build-up of hair in the gastrointestinal tract, cats are given a little petroleum jelly. Of course, the animal is unlikely to eat it of its own free will. However, you need to try to pour a small amount of the product into his mouth, holding the latter with your hands so that the pet swallows the oil. Literally a day later, the pet will feel the urge to defecate and visit the tray.

If a cat does not go to the toilet for 5 days, and at the same time no serious health abnormalities have been identified, then constipation is a situational phenomenon. It can cause serious damage to the body, so you cannot pull. It is allowed to give the cat a laxative like "Duphalac" or make a cleansing enema.

It is advisable to consult a doctor about both the first and the second. Most often, constipation is caused by inaccuracies in the diet. What and how to feed the cat so that it goes to the toilet normally is described below.

"Anti-consumable" menu

When a cat does not go to the toilet well, its diet is reviewed first. Here you should take into account the recommendations of experts:

  • You shouldn't feed your pet from your table. Not all human food is suitable for a cat. Lushe to choose the right food, and treats in the form of a fish or a piece of meat only occasionally.
  • The cat must be full. In no case should it be starved to starve her, even for the purpose of education. The minimum number of meals per day for an adult animal is two.
  • Eggs, chicken, meat broths, rice are contraindicated for constipation.
  • Boiled vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini, cabbage) should be periodically mixed with the cat's usual food. Fiber improves bowel movements and shortens toilet breaks.
  • Condensed milk diluted with water in a ratio of one to one helps with persistent constipation.
  • A cat that has problems with bowel movements should eat less dry food and more liquid food. Kefir, milk, yoghurts with beneficial bacteria are ideal for constipation.
  • A raw liver is largely capable of provoking a trip to the toilet. It can be given to a cat in limited quantities.
  • A bowl of clean water should always be on the cat's “table”.

To avoid constipation, you should always adhere to the principles of proper nutrition. In addition, take other preventive measures. So, long-haired cats need to be combed out regularly so that the fallen villi do not migrate into the stomach when the cat is performing hygiene procedures. It does not hurt to periodically give these beauties a little petroleum jelly.

Particular attention should be paid to castrated pets. After spaying, cats tend to become lazy and inactive. This leads to stagnant processes in the body. In order for a pet to go to the toilet on time, you need to stimulate its physical activity: play with it, make it run, jump, etc.

If the problem has already made itself felt and you cannot cope with it for several days on your own, you need to show the cat to the veterinarian. The sooner this is done, the better. Timely assistance from a specialist will relieve the animal of unnecessary agony and minimize health risks.

Every caring owner should be attentive to any changes in the behavior and well-being of his pet. This is especially important when it comes to the most delicate moments. So, if your cat doesn’t go to the toilet, what to do and how to fix this problem?

First of all, you must find out if the animal does not go to the toilet at all, or only to a specific litter box. You will discover the latter by a thorough inspection of the house.

The reason why the cat may start walking past the litter box:

Stress. There are many options here, and they all depend on the sensitivity of the animal:

    incorrect location of the tray (cats, like people, need privacy, so the toilet should be located in a secluded place);

    dirty litter box (they are extremely clean, and some are to such an extent that you have to start two or even three litter boxes at the same time, because they cannot go to the toilet a second time where it is already dirty);

    you put in new filler, and the pet does not like it;

    you washed a tray of detergent that he doesn't like the smell of;

    you bought a new tray;

    you moved the tray to a different location;

    you have moved to a new home;

    you have another pet;

    a small kitten has the greatest stress - when it was taken away from its mother (in this case, they may not go to the toilet for up to 5 days. The solution is to create a calm atmosphere and isolate from children for a short time);

Puberty. At this time, the animals undergo a serious restructuring of the psyche. If the cat starts to tag, and the cat is in heat for the first time, perhaps this is the case. What to do if the cat does not go to the toilet in these cases - first wait until it gets better by itself, if nothing changes - contact your veterinarian. If you have a purebred animal and plan to have offspring, your doctor will prescribe a sedative to help relieve stress. If you have a simple pet who does not walk on the street, castration is the best solution. It will help to establish the hormonal background of the pet, and relieve you of constant unnecessary worries;

Some diseases of the genitourinary system. For example, with cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), the frequency of urination increases sharply, and the cat may simply not have time to go to the litter box;

Injuries in which some of the nerve endings atrophy (the pet does not feel the urge to urinate, and goes to the toilet where necessary).

The reasons for the complete lack of urination

It is important to know: if a cat does not go to the toilet on a small one for a day (and you are sure that he does not do this elsewhere), you need to urgently take him to the veterinarian. Otherwise, dangerous changes in the composition of the blood occur, and renal failure may develop. It even threatens the death of the animal.

The reason is almost always in various diseases of the genitourinary system.

For example, with urolithiasis, stones in the ducts can interfere with their patency, so the cat does not go to the toilet on a small one at all.

There is also hyperplasia (enlargement) of the prostate, or various neoplasms due to cancer. In such cases, the animal retains the urge to urinate (the cat sits in the tray), but it does not work.

It is impossible to hesitate with a visit to the veterinarian, because every hour the intoxication of the body increases, and the kidneys suffer greatly.

A separate case is when a cat does not go to the toilet after castration. If this continues for about a day, and at the same time he eats and drinks little, then the matter is most likely in recovery from the operation. If this lasts more than a day, you need to immediately go to the veterinarian. Perhaps purulent inflammation, or other pathologies that you yourself cannot diagnose and cure.

Reasons for the complete absence of bowel movements

If the cat does not go to the toilet for 1-2 days, and there are no other symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, this is not a reason to worry.

Possible causes of constipation (with the animal often squatting in the tray and pushing):

    improper nutrition. The matter may be in a fundamentally wrong diet (mixing dry food with natural food, feeding food from your table, using low-quality food, low water consumption) or too abrupt change of diet (after moving to new owners, or when changing food, it takes 3-7 days gradually reduce the amount of old food, replacing it with a new one). A common mistake of the owners is the addition of potatoes to the diet. Like all products with starch, it is practically not absorbed by cats at all;

    frequent stress (for example, other animals or children offend your pet);

    improper care of the cat for a newborn kitten or refusal from it (without licking, stimulating digestion, the kitten sometimes cannot go to the toilet and get rid of gas). In this case, you will have to do a careful tummy massage with a damp cloth from head to tail;

    acute intestinal obstruction. However, vomiting is another important symptom. It can be caused by a foreign body in the stomach or intestines, a build-up of hairballs, or even worms. If you are not sure why the cat does not go to the toilet, it is better to contact your veterinarian right away;

    various bowel diseases. For example, tumor formation, or inflammation. If constipation is chronic, then this may be the result of congenital pathology - lengthening of the large intestine (while the feces become too dry and do not pass further). Such animals need a special diet, or even surgery.

How to help a cat on your own?

If the cat does not go to the toilet for a long day or more, you need to feel its belly. If there is swelling, soreness, and when trying to go into the tray, the pet meows plaintively, then he needs help.

If there is no stool for less than 5 days, then the most effective remedy is liquid paraffin. It needs to be poured into the pet's mouth from a syringe without a needle 2 times a day (2 ml of oil for each kilogram of his weight) until he can go to the toilet. So you can check the patency of the intestine (after 4 hours, attach a paper napkin to the cat's anus). Be aware that liquid petroleum jelly comes out undigested and can stain carpet, furniture, or your clothes.

If necessary, you can replace it with half a teaspoon of any vegetable oil, but once a day.

If these procedures do not help within a day or two, you need to take the animal to the veterinarian.

With severe constipation (more than 5 days), cats are given an enema, but it is better for a veterinarian to do this. By trying to do this yourself or by using human medications, you can harm the animal.

General advice for cats prone to constipation is to drink as much liquid as possible and choose the appropriate diet (many are helped by the transition from dry food to natural). It is also recommended to add bran to the food of such animals, which aid digestion.

In any case, if the cat does not go to the toilet, an empty litter box cannot be ignored. These processes are as important for the body as nutrition. Only your attentiveness and observation will keep the pet healthy.

Health to you and your pets!

The idyll between a pet and a person can one day be disturbed by one extremely delicate, but global problem: the furry creature begins to completely or partially ignore the toilet. Instead, the cat finds another or several other places, which leads the owner first to panic, then to fury. If the cat stops going to the litter box, this fact, with the owner's insensitivity, his unwillingness to understand the problem, can lead one day to a painful parting with the animal, which equally injures all participants in the situation.

Typically, there are two reasons why a cat has stopped going to the toilet: behavioral (psychological) and medical

Therefore, do not rush to give up the fluffy, because with all the complexity, the problem can be solved if you show maximum sensitivity, observation and understanding, and, most importantly, love for your pet. After all, refusal from the usual toilet for himself is also a serious stress. Felines, with all their cleanliness, conservatism, attachment to territory and "rituals", will never just leave their favorite litter box. This is because something is bothering them. Why did the cat stop going to the litter box? There may be several reasons, which are conventionally divided into 2 categories: behavioral (psychological) and medical.

The former are so diverse that sometimes it is very, very difficult to guess about the source of the "shift". The latter are more serious, because health problems are always anxiety for a pet, long-term treatment (the outcome of which is unpredictable), costs. But the toilet problem is solvable, and this must be clearly understood. Therefore, let's deal with everything in order.

Medical reasons

There can be only one reason for refusing the tray of a medical nature - problems with the genitourinary system. It can be inflammation, cystitis, stones, the release of sand from the kidneys and many related factors. Despite the stereotype that cats are incredibly tenacious, these creatures (if they never leave the apartment) are extremely sensitive to drafts, temperature changes, and cold. It is enough for a cat in late autumn to lie down in front of an open window, on a cold floor, and even do it, for example, after bathing, for the most severe cystitis to develop. This disease presupposes elementary urinary incontinence (the pet simply may not “reach” the toilet), severe pain when urinating.

If the cat is neutered, the problems can be even worse. Inflammation, unhealthy diet lead to the formation of stones. In this case, it is not just painful for the animal to go to the toilet (sand or the smallest pebbles scratching the channels): it may simply not be able to do this one fine day if the stone blocks the passage. Therefore, it is the pain that the pet will associate with the tray, and he will shy away from it like the devil from incense, while looking for another, in his opinion, "painless" place.

Attention! If the cat or cat after sterilization stopped going to the tray, first of all, exclude health problems, take the pet to the veterinarian, pass all tests, undergo examinations.

If the cat is healthy, and the pot is still ignored by him, start observing his behavior.

Behavioral (psychological) causes

If we compare cats and dogs, the former are distinguished by more complex socialization, behavioral manifestations. You can talk about "cockroaches" in their little heads for hours (the owners won't let you lie). They are incredibly conservative (cats are stronger than cats), stubborn, tied to territory, smells. Even shifted from one place to another thing in the room can cause discomfort for them. Therefore, there are a dozen of behavioral reasons for refusing a litter box in felines. And the individual characteristics of any animal can expand this list indefinitely. Let's list the most likely possible behavioral reasons why your cat stopped going to the litter box in a small way. This can happen because:

  • the tray or the place where it stands is dirty;
  • do not like the tray itself;
  • the filler is incorrectly selected;
  • there are foreign odors;
  • there is no seclusion of the latrine;
  • the animal has experienced (or is experiencing) stress;
  • aggression within the feline group (there is more than one animal in the apartment);
  • features of the psyche.

Each of the above points needs to be explained separately. The tray and its location must always be perfectly clean. This means fresh filler, washed pot, rubbed linoleum (laminate, tiles, etc.). Cats are extremely susceptible to foreign odors, so the pot itself, the scoop does not need to be washed with chemicals, or choose something with no odor. The cat may not like the very shape, size, configuration of the pot. The fact that you like it, suits the interior - it doesn't mean anything yet. If the cat stops going to the litter box, the reason for this may be the change of the old one to the new one. Therefore, do not throw out the old tray until the tailed friend takes a fancy to the new thing.

Attention! Very often, a cat starts to ignore the toilet because he doesn't like the litter.

This often happens when changing from one species to another. Sometimes the filler can run out abruptly in stores, and the owner has to quickly look for a replacement. A real lottery awaits you here. You bring home a new litter, the cat doesn't like it, you go for a new one. And so on until the cat person approves of your purchase with a joyful puddle or a bunch. Choose a filler that is free of foreign odors. Of course, I would very much like the toilet, especially a wet one, to exude the scent of roses, but the cat will never agree to this. Decide what you like best: the dubious smell of roses or an obedient cat who will honestly bring his goodness to the tray without spilling a drop on the side.

If several individuals live in the apartment, "showdowns" between them can also cause the cat to stop walking in the litter box. It is important to remember here: there should always be one more pot in the apartment. That is, if there are two cats, put three pots and so on. Be sure to nip all conflicts at the root so that they do not plunge the apartment into chaos. This also includes periods of sexual desire / reproduction, accompanied by marking the territory. Here, either find a mate for the animal, or castrate it immediately.

If the cat stops walking into the litter box in a big or small way, this may be due to the stress experienced or experienced. Moving, new family members, renovations, the appearance of small children, the arrival of aliens - any, even a minor event that goes against the usual way of life, can cause the refusal of the official toilet and the appearance of puddles / heaps in the corners. Either be patient, wait, showing maximum affection, care, or do everything to neutralize the source of stress. Another reason is the lack of privacy. It is unlikely that any of the people will like to send their needs in public.

Cats are very similar to humans in this. That is, the pots standing in the middle of the living room, kitchen, other passable, brightly lit place are not suitable. They need privacy, a minimum of light, silence. Although there are exhibitionist cats, loving ones will definitely relieve themselves in the presence of any of the family members.

Important! Never use physical punishment if the cat stops going to the litter box.

Beating, shouting, the desire to throw the animal out into the street, to abandon it are simply unacceptable! Understand one thing: a cat never does anything for no reason. Therefore, show maximum love, understanding, care, get to the bottom of the truth. And suddenly the cat is seriously ill, suddenly he feels bad, scared, sad. Help your pet. And he compensates you for your troubles more than a thousandfold!

Exits from the situation

Part of the way out of the situation logically follows from the above reasons. Let's go over them in more detail again. So, the cat has stopped going to the litter box, what should I do in practice? If it’s not a disease, the fluffy is healthy, then you need to “activate” the mode of total observation of him, analyze the received “data”. We keep the tray in perfect order, the area around it. We select empirically the filler that the pussy will like, we provide her with maximum privacy. We neutralize any stressful situations. If this is a move, a new family member, the appearance of another animal, we surround the pet with maximum affection, attention, understanding, patiently wait until he gets used to the changes.

We encourage trips to the "right" pot, express our "phi" about visiting the "wrong" place (no physical abuse!). And it is better to completely block access to it: put the furniture, cover it with rustling paper, sprinkle with a sharp-smelling chemical. If the cat has stopped going to the litter box, you can also use special drugs (soothing, corrective): Cat Bayun, Stop-Stress. Or Royal Canin Colm, which completely neutralizes anxiety.

The cat stopped going to the litter box: reasons and solutions to toilet problems was last modified: September 6th, 2016 by Ekaterina Efimova

Unfortunately, sometimes the cat cannot go to the toilet. Small or big. And this worries not only the mustache, but also its owner. Emptying the bladder and bowels is a natural function. If this does not happen, then the animal develops intoxication with the decay products of urine and feces inside the pet. Today we will tell you about the reasons and what to do if the cat cannot go to the toilet.

There are reasons for everything. And if they are not eliminated, then the pet will suffer, slowly die. There is no need to hope that the problem will be solved by itself, and the mustache will heal itself. Often, the cause is severe inflammation.

First, let's start with a situation in which the cat cannot go small. As a rule, this is not so easy to determine. Let's take a look at all the nuances of this problem.

Reasons why a cat cannot go to the toilet

The most common reason why a cat cannot go to the toilet in a small way is urolithiasis. Often, sand or stones clog the ducts. The stones themselves rarely come out, even if they come out, they severely injure the mucous membrane. And this leads to a strong inflammatory process.

Inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system. These include cystitis, nephritis, urethritis, pyelonephritis and other diseases. It will not be possible to independently diagnose the reason why the cat cannot go to the toilet in a small way. Not always the veterinarian will accurately name it, because the inflammatory processes "move" extremely quickly, covering all organs from the system.

Symptoms that it is difficult or painful for your cat to go to the toilet in a small way

Symptoms of painful or difficult urination in a cat are hard to miss. The mustache meows loudly, groans, screams in a wild voice. If something is released, then in very small portions (more often in inflammatory processes). If the reason is mechanical blockage of the urinary tract, then not a single drop of urine will be released from the animal.

The cat does not allow to touch his stomach, because he really hurts. The abdominal wall can be very tense, like a tight drum. The pet cannot sleep or even just lie on its belly. It is very important to remember all the symptoms you see and report to the veterinarian. The more he knows, the easier it is to diagnose. You may notice drops of blood or pus in the tray.

Treating a cat that can't go to the toilet in a small way

To know how to treat a cat that cannot go to the toilet in a small way, you need to know what exactly the reason is. And, already based on it, a treatment regimen is selected. In addition to blood and urine tests, an ultrasound scan is needed. Only it will give the most complete picture of what is happening inside the cat. And already according to the results of the study, we can say what exactly led to the fact that the cat cannot go to the toilet.

Most often, catheterization is required. The bladder is washed with antiseptic solutions. Less often, the veterinarian resorts to surgery. Often, catheters should not be inserted, as this leads to even more swelling of the urinary tract. And this will again become the reason that the cat cannot go to the toilet in a small way.

Inflammation is "removed" not only with antihistamines. Use of antibiotics is necessary, especially if the cat has not gone to the toilet in a small way for several days. After all, urine in the bladder is an ideal breeding ground for microorganisms.

It should be understood that if the animal at least once had problems with the genitourinary system, then it will be extremely difficult to achieve complete recovery. But the chance that there will be a relapse is very high. In 9 cases out of 10, the disease will return. But strict adherence to the rules of prevention helps to reduce the risk of a recurrence of the disease.

Prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system in cats

Prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system in cats is the same as the prevention of urolithiasis or inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system:

  • Avoid hypothermia of the animal. There should be no drafts at home.
  • Vaccinate in time, as pathogens are often the cause of inflammation.
  • The diet must be correctly composed. If something goes wrong, the metabolism will fail. As a result - a bunch of sores. One of them is urolithiasis. Exclude everything prohibited! No "oh, you can give it once, nothing will happen." Will be! Be careful with meat and fish products.
  • Water must be purified / filtered and always freely available. The animal should not wait until you remember about it and pour water. And if the mustache also eats dry food, then without fresh and clean water, health problems cannot be avoided.
  • If the pet has had problems with the genitourinary system at least once or has a predisposition to them, then it is better to immediately transfer the cat to dry food (there are special "lines" against diseases of the genitourinary system). And then you don't have to puzzle over how to make a diet correctly and what to cook.

The cat cannot go to the toilet in a big way

Now we have a second case. Your cat has not been able to go to the toilet in a big way for quite some time - what to do in this case? How long is it considered critical, what to do and where to go? Let's figure it out.

Reasons why a cat cannot go to the toilet in a big way

Let's take a look at all the possible reasons why a cat can't go to the toilet in a big way.

Inflammatory processes in the digestive tract Sometimes they lead to constipation, which is why the cat cannot go to the toilet for a long time. And even if it does, then the whole house knows about it, because the pet screams loudly, meows. Peristalsis slows down, the contents of the intestines stagnate, rot. Moisture is absorbed from it, so the masses harden. This leads to constipation.
The presence of foreign objects or neoplasms in the gastrointestinal tract that impede the passage of food More often than not, dogs gnaw bones, thereby clogging the intestines with debris, however, cats sometimes eat what is not needed. And the wool, after licking, often accumulates in the intestines, forming a pylobezoar. It can only be removed surgically. And if you leave it, then the pet will slowly die due to intoxication.
Cat diet More often than not, an unbalanced menu leads to constipation and problems with stool. Lack of water or insufficient amount of it leads to the fact that food moves dry through the intestines. Which greatly slows down the digestion process. The feces dry out, become hard, and scratch the intestinal mucosa. And if they are still inside the animal for a long time, then they completely lead to intoxication. However, it is worth adding more water to the diet of the mustache and increasing the amount of juicy feed containing fiber (the same vegetables), as problems with stool almost immediately disappear.
Compression of the intestine It can be caused by tumors, volvulus, adhesions, other organs, or hernias. Because of this, intestinal obstruction develops, or peristalsis is greatly slowed down.
Anal problems Inflammation of the rectum, scars on the sphincter. All this greatly complicates the process of bowel movement. The animal is afraid of pain, so it is patient.

Symptoms that your cat is having bowel problems

Symptoms of bowel problems in cats are not immediately noticed by most owners. But if you look closely, you can see the state changes.

The most obvious symptom of a cat's bowel problems is that the cat does not go to the litter box for many days. Of course, the older the mustache, the less often it poops. But this does not mean that he will endure for three days. looking into the tray, it becomes clear whether the cat has done its job or not.

Even if the cat does not endure for long, then with her anxiety and loud meows, she will tell you that she has a tummy ache. It can be hard, bloated.

Treating a cat that has a difficult bowel movement

Treating a cat with a problematic bowel movement is simple - eliminate the cause. Review your diet, give more water. Laxatives should only be given after being examined by a veterinarian. After all, if the reason lies in obstruction or adhesions / neoplasms / foreign objects, then the use of a laxative will lead to rupture of the intestine.

If the doctor permits such drugs, then you need to choose "soft" - vaseline oil or duphalac. Castor oil should not be given to animals with constipation. This will lead to severe abdominal pain, but the bowel movement will never happen.

Be sure to prescribe drugs with lacto- and bifidobacteria in order to populate the intestines with useful microflora. Enemas may be prescribed. But it is better to put them in the clinic so as not to harm the animal.

Preventing bowel problems in a cat

Prevention of problems with bowel movement in a cat: basic rules.

  1. Balance your diet. Be sure to add fresh vegetables to your pet's menu.
  2. The animal should always have fresh and clean water in sufficient quantity.
  3. Take your cat for walks often. Movement helps the intestines work better.
  4. See your veterinarian. Preventive examinations will help to avoid health problems. It is impossible to skip (let alone run) diseases. The digestive tract is long, so inflammation can hide anywhere. And ultrasound will help find this area.

If you still have questions on the topic, ask them in the comments - we will be happy to help you!


    Hello! The cat could not go on small. On the recommendation of the doctor, he poured tea into the cat, the cat resisted and the tea got into the bronchi. The cat has wheezing and intermittent coughing. The doctor said it would pass. How can you remove fluid from the bronchi?
    Thanks for the answer.

  • Hello! Tell me please, now in winter our mustache has become closer and closer to the battery and has practically eaten nothing for about two weeks. Accordingly, he was very exhausted, although they carried them to the bowls to eat and drink. Now I began to eat and drink little by little. Although there is this loudly said, but nevertheless something is not - no, and he will eat. He has an urge to go to the toilet for the most part, he sits down, but he has no strength to go. Please help with advice on what to do and how to help the cat at the moment, veterinary clinics are far from us.

  • good night! cat 3 years old scotish fold - two days ago there was a loose stool. gave the smecta one-time - half a packet diluted with water. now for the third day in the toilet for the most part does not go. but eats as usual. advise what can be done now to make the cat poop?

  • Good day! Tell me what to do !?
    At first, the cat had diarrhea for a week, on the last days of this week there was diarrhea with mucus (they went to the doctor and prescribed smecta 3p per day for 3-5 days and otylosin for 3-5 days.
    Today is the 4th day of constipation (((eats well, drinks! But what to do !?

  • Hello my kitten is a month old and we have not seen such a problem as constipation or the difficulty of going for a big time before.
    The three of them seemed to think everything was fine and there were no problems with the tray. But one kitten has a problem she meows and cannot go. A veterinarian friend said to give an injection and not feed for three days, only give water.
    What else is fashionable to do?

  • Good afternoon. the cat is 8 years old. can't go to the toilet for a big, stopped eating, drinks only milk. hiding in the dark. did an enema, the doctor poured salt water, pricked noshpa, antibiotic, hubbub, vitamin and caffeine. no results. the analysis is not possible, ultrasound too.

  • Hello! The cat could not walk on the little one for several hours. As a result, they were taken to a veterinary clinic, where they diagnosed urolithiasis + cystitis, put a catheter for 3 days, and medication. After that, he could not go fully, but only in small portions. 2 times were taken to the urinary lavage. After a month of treatment and diet, the cat still goes to the toilet in small portions. Tell me, how long can this last and what to do in this case?

  • Nastya 18:05 | 18 Feb. 2018

    Hello, our cat does not go to the toilet for four days. It feeds on natural food (mainly chicken fillet, beef, chicken hearts, rarely liver, fish once every two weeks we give capelin all these products first freeze and only after defrosting. wet food.) the cat is cheerful, plays, the belly is not swollen, not hard. she groom regularly without problems. Gave petroleum jelly but never went away. The cat is sterilized, nine months old. Tell me what could be the reason? And how to help her. I can't go to the vet yet, it's in another city.

  • The cat, she is about 15-16 years old, is always played, cheerful, affectionate, for a long time on dry food, periodically and on jelly food (in pieces), drinks water in those quantities that she wants, drinks milk, never saw anything bad in feeling well, but then she decided to feed capelin with fish, she forgot about the food, ate fish, for 4 days, and now she wanted to take her in her arms, she meowed loudly, I put her back on the floor, and she growled so that I would not touch her! I think that the change in diet also affected her constipation ??? Help to roughly determine, it may last two hours

  • Hello! The kitten is 6 months old, today we walked on the street and after that cannot walk on the little one. Sitting in a pot, but cannot go. Meows. Cold. Anything you can give to relieve the pain?

  • Hello, we have a Scotsman, for the third day he hasn’t been going to the toilet, not big, not small, not eating, today he just started drinking water. It feels like he has a big, round solid on his right side. vomits .. We live in a village, there are no clinics, tomorrow we will try to get to the doctor, is it possible to help him somehow?

  • Hello, we have a British cat ate a piece of salted salmon. The next day, the state of health worsened; lethargy, fruitless sitting in the tray, vomiting. Damp under the tail, no diarrhea. Now the state of health has improved, but does not go to the toilet, it just pretends not to shout.

  • Hello, we have a castrated British cat, we are only 10 months old. After castration, they began to notice that there were problems with urination, they walk on a small one every other day, a day is normal, a day cannot and blood is dripping, there is no veterinarian, what can you do on your own?

  • Hello! Tell me please. My cat has not been able to go to the toilet, neither big nor small, for 4 days, and his tummy is swollen. He also has vomit, some kind of yellow, but does not eat anything, only drinks a little water. Please tell me what to do?

  • Hello. I have a Persian cat. Castrated. he is already 8 years old. Now sick. They took me to my veterinarian. He put in vitamins and an anthelmintic. Was sluggish for a couple of days. Then he drank a lot of liquids and walked around the little one. Stopped eating. A week later, he was taken for a second vaccination, and he got worse. The veterinarian said to take three days for injections and systems, since he even stopped drinking. For the second day I have been singing and feeding with a syringe. Vomited all day yesterday. The cat is getting worse and thinner every day. What to do?

  • Good afternoon. It is very cold outside and a kitten was picked up. He was completely frozen. He was warmed up, fed him in the morning, he began to bring him, after a day he stopped vilifying and he could not go to the toilet and could not scream too much. We don't have time to see the veterinarian because of work. He is very thin, we are afraid for him. What can you give at least pull until Sunday there and take