Cat treats for constipation
A handful of cat treats are built around fibre or added moisture, which can gently support normal digestion in a cat prone to occasional sluggishness. They are not a treatment for constipation itself — a cat who is regularly straining or not passing stools needs a vet, not another packet of treats.
What actually helps digestion in cats
Moisture matters more to a cat's digestion than most owners expect, because cats evolved to get much of their water from prey rather than from drinking, and many do not drink enough on a dry-food-only diet. Wet food and moisture-rich treats can genuinely help keep things moving more easily than dry treats alone.
Fibre plays a supporting role too, helping to keep stools a workable consistency. Treats built around this idea tend to include ingredients like pumpkin or added fibre sources, which is a reasonable general approach for a cat with an occasionally sluggish gut rather than a genuine treatment for a diagnosed problem.
What a genuinely useful treat looks like
Wet or semi-moist treats generally do more for hydration than dry biscuit-style ones, simply because of what they already contain before your cat even drinks any water. If hydration is the goal, choosing a treat with a high moisture content is more useful than one marketed on fibre content alone.
Treats described as supporting digestive or hairball health often overlap usefully here, since many use similar fibre and moisture principles. Read what is actually in the treat rather than relying on the word 'digestive' on the front of the packet, which can mean quite different things between brands.
Keeping treats part of a sensible routine
Treats, whatever they claim, should stay a small part of your cat's daily food intake rather than a substitute for their main meals or for fresh water being available at all times. A cat drinking properly and eating a consistent diet will generally get more benefit from that than from any specific treat.
Introduce a new treat gradually rather than all at once, watching how your cat's stools respond over a few days. A sudden change, even to something marketed as helpful, can occasionally unsettle a cat's gut in the short term before things settle down.
When it is more than occasional sluggishness
Occasional, mild changes in how often a cat passes stools are common and often resolve on their own. Straining repeatedly, passing very hard or infrequent stools, a swollen abdomen, or a cat who seems uncomfortable or is eating less than usual are different, and need a vet rather than a change of treat.
Cats are also good at hiding discomfort, so a cat who has stopped using the litter tray as often as usual, or is spending longer than normal trying without producing much, is worth getting checked sooner rather than waiting to see if a fibre treat helps first.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Catit Creamy Chicken Treats 4 Pk
Lickable chicken cat treats, 4 tubes, for treating or as a food topper
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Tasty Chicken
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with chicken, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with salmon, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Creamy Adult Cat & Kitten Treats with Tasty Chicken
Creamy chicken treats for cats and kittens, with taurine and no added sugar
£1.59
Dreamies Creamy Adult Cat & Kitten Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Creamy lickable salmon treats for cats and kittens, in a 40g pack with taurine
£1.59
Dreamies Shakeups Seafood Celebrations Cat Treats
Complementary Dreamies Shakeups tuna, salmon and shrimp treats, 55G
£2.05
Dreamies Shakeups Rockin Roost Cat Treats
Complementary Dreamies Shakeups chicken, duck and catnip treats, 55G
£2.05
Dreamies Cat Treats with Salmon
Complementary Dreamies salmon-flavour cat treats for adults and kittens, 60G
£2.05
Dreamies Mix Cat Treats with Tasty Chicken & Delectable Duck
Dreamies chicken and duck mixed cat treats for adults and kittens, 60G
£2.05
Dreamies Mix Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon & Heavenly Tuna
Complementary Dreamies salmon and tuna flavour cat treats, 60G
£2.05
Common questions
- Can treats actually cure a constipated cat?
- No. Treats built around fibre or moisture can support generally healthy digestion, but they are not a treatment for a cat who is already constipated. A cat straining, passing little or nothing, or seeming uncomfortable needs a vet rather than a change of treat.
- Why is water intake important for a cat's digestion?
- Cats evolved to get much of their water from prey rather than from drinking, and many do not drink enough when fed mostly dry food. Wet food and moisture-rich treats can help keep the digestive system working more comfortably than dry treats alone.
- How do I know if my cat is actually constipated?
- Signs include straining in the litter tray without much result, harder or less frequent stools than usual, a swollen or tender-feeling abdomen, or a cat who seems uncomfortable or off their food. Any of these is worth a vet visit rather than waiting to see if it passes.
- Are digestive support treats safe to give every day?
- Most are fine as an occasional part of a normal diet, but treats of any kind should stay a small proportion of what your cat eats overall. If you are relying on them because your cat has an ongoing problem, that is a reason to see a vet rather than to feed more treats.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.