Is my cat constipated?
Before anything else: straining in the litter tray can be constipation, or it can be a cat unable to urinate. In a male cat the second is a life-threatening emergency that kills within a day. If your cat is straining and you are not certain urine is being passed, ring a vet now.
Get this seen
This is worth a call to your vet rather than waiting to see how it goes, particularly if it has lasted more than a day or your pet is otherwise off-colour.
Rule out the emergency first
The postures are identical. A cat squatting repeatedly, straining, crying and producing nothing may be constipated — or may have a blocked bladder, which is far more urgent.
Check the tray for any urine at all. If there is none, or you cannot tell, treat it as urinary and ring an out-of-hours service. Assuming constipation is the mistake with the higher cost.
This is not a rare confusion. It is one of the most common and most consequential mix-ups in cat ownership.
What constipation looks like
No stool for more than a day or two, or small, hard, dry stools passed with obvious effort. Some cats vocalise in the tray, or make repeated unsuccessful visits.
It is more common in older cats, in overweight cats, in long-haired cats who swallow a lot of coat, and in dehydrated cats — which includes many cats fed exclusively on dry food.
Repeated constipation is not something to manage indefinitely at home. It can progress to a more serious bowel problem, so a cat who is constipated more than occasionally should be investigated.
When to ring
Same day if it has been more than about 48 hours, if your cat is vomiting, off their food, or lethargic, if there is blood, or if they are straining hard and producing nothing.
Do not give human laxatives, and do not attempt an enema at home. Some human products are toxic to cats, and an enema given without knowing the cause can cause serious harm.
What genuinely helps
Water intake is the biggest lever. Cats evolved to get most of their moisture from food, and many on dry-only diets run mildly dehydrated. Adding wet food is the most effective single change, and many cats drink more from a wide bowl away from their food, or from moving water.
Litter tray setup matters more than people expect. Cats avoid trays that are dirty, too small, covered when they dislike a hood, or in a busy spot — and a cat holding on because they dislike the tray becomes constipated. One tray per cat plus one, in quiet places, is the standard guidance.
Regular brushing reduces how much coat a cat swallows, which matters for long-haired cats particularly.
For an older cat, ask about arthritis. A cat who finds it painful to posture will avoid the tray, and pain relief sometimes solves what looks like a bowel problem.
What can help
Things we stock that owners commonly use alongside a vet’s advice — not a substitute for it.
Cordless Filter-Free Cat Water Fountain 3L
A 3L cordless cat water fountain that runs on batteries with no filter cartridges to replace, so it can sit anywhere in the home away from a socket.
From£58.49
Plastic Cat Litter Tray — Large & XL
A sturdy plastic litter tray in two generous sizes — practical, no-fuss, and easy to clean.
From£11.49
Plastic Cat Litter Scoop
A no-nonsense plastic litter scoop for daily tray maintenance — comes in assorted colours.
£4.99
Bugalugs Scottish Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats 500ml
A 100% natural daily supplement rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 from high-quality Scottish salmon — supports skin, coat, joints, and brain health.
£13.99
Common questions
- How do I know if my cat is constipated or blocked?
- The postures look the same. The question is whether urine is being produced. If none is, or you cannot tell, treat it as a urinary emergency and ring a vet immediately — especially with a male cat.
- How long can a cat go without pooing?
- Most cats go daily. Beyond about 48 hours, or sooner if they are straining, vomiting, off their food or uncomfortable, ring your vet.
- Can I give my cat a laxative?
- Not without veterinary advice. Some human laxatives are toxic to cats, and giving one without knowing the cause can make matters worse. Home enemas should never be attempted.
- Does wet food help cat constipation?
- It often does. Cats get most of their moisture from food, and many on dry-only diets are mildly dehydrated, which makes stools harder. Increasing water intake is the most effective home change.
- Can the litter tray cause constipation?
- Yes, indirectly. A cat who avoids a tray that is dirty, too small, in a busy spot or the wrong type will hold on, and that leads to constipation. One tray per cat plus one, in quiet locations, is the usual advice.
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.