Signs of constipation can look similar to signs of a urinary blockage, which is an emergency that can quickly become life threatening. If you suspect your cat has been straining to urinate, or if you have not seen any urine in the litter box in more than 12 hours, take your cat to the vet to rule out a urinary obstruction.

Metabolic or endocrine disorders like dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or obesity may also cause constipation. Neurological problems from spinal cord disease, pelvic injuries, or primary nerve dysfunction can cause constipation in some cats. Megacolon may develop when feces is impacted in colon and colon no longer pushes contents along.

Your cat may have a more complicated disorder if you notice changes in water intake, very low energy level, severe vomiting, or a complete loss of appetite. Sometimes, a constipated cat might be slightly less hungry from feeling full or from the discomfort of being constipated, but may still be willing to eat.

You may want to have a second person present to help gently restrain your cat. [8] X Expert Source Jamie Freyer, DVMLicensed Veterinarian Expert Interview. 8 October 2021. Your cat may still be uncooperative and might scratch or bite you. Don’t excessively restrain your cat if she is fighting back.

Alternatively, consider using warm water or mineral oil.
You can also use warm water or mineral oil.
Warm clean water is the cheapest and safest option since it’s not likely to cause dehydration.
Mineral oil is also relatively safe, can easily lubricate the rectum, and help small hardened stools pass.
But, it can affect levels of fat soluble vitamins (like vitamin D) and should be avoided in cats with underlying kidney disease.
If you use water or mineral oil, know that it can take time before the stool softens since it does not draw water from the intestines like sodium-based enemas do.
It also lacks lubricating properties.
Expect it to take several flushes into the rectum before the feces softens and slowly comes out (from a few minutes to 2 hours).
Never use Fleet enemas or any other enema containing sodium phosphate.
Cats can absorb sodium and phosphate molecules from these enemas into their blood and tissues.
This can lead to a severe electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, which could be life-threatening.
[9] X Research source Washabau, R; Day, M.
J.
Canine and Feline Gastroenterology Ed 1 St. Louis, Elsevier, 2013 p 95

Always lubricate the end of the syringe or feeding tube. Place a light coating of lubricant (like KY Jelly or Vaseline) on the end of the syringe or feeding tube.

An enema can be a messy procedure. You may want to lay out some towels, absorbent pads, or newspaper on the bathroom floor. You’ll be best off wearing clean, plastic gloves. It’s important that this process is hygienic for you, too.

If you are alone, snuggle your cat close to your body with her head facing the opposite direction of your dominant hand. Talk to her this entire time in a calm voice. Try to do this during the entire procedure as it will help in calming the cat.

If you’re going to use mineral oil, apply 15-20 ml slowly into the rectum. If you’re going to use warm water, slowly administer 50-75 ml. If you’re going to use a Feline Pet-Ema ® Enema, first put in 6 ml at a rate of around 1 ml every 3 seconds. After 1 hour, administer another 6 ml of the enema and follow the same procedure as the first administration.

In other cats with very hardened stools, it could take 1 to 2 hours before the softened stool passes. You can repeat the enema in 1-2 hours if no stool passes. If the second enema is ineffective, contact your veterinarian.

Be sure to keep an eye on your cat for a few hours. Enemas can sometimes cause vomiting and diarrhea. Your cat could become severely dehydrated, administration of fluids might become necessary.