Kitty Constipation
Looking for ways to help Toddy....
Since all of this recall stuff and changing foods, I've noticed that my big boy, Todd, seems rather constipated. I honestly can't be sure it has to do with the food change or not, but I just noticed it within this last week. He'll go daily, but for such a large kitty, they're pretty small, not super hard, but not super soft poo's. And a touch dark. (not like blood though. Believe me, I checked)
So, I had read that pumpkin was a good thing to try, but he doesn't eat much food to begin with and he can tell if I put a bit in his food, so then he won't eat it. Honestly, he hardly does eat. He eats more of the dry food (was Natural Balance Venison & Pea, is now Innova EVO) And will take a few bites of canned food (Was NB, is now Solid Gold). I don't think he's sick, he's acting just fine other than the bit of constipation, a little bit of gas and some burping. I find it odd that he hardly eats the canned and dry food (been like that for over a year now though), but if I give him treats of any kind, he'll eat them and want more. Always wanting more treats!! Do you suppose I should try another food for him? What kind?...
Also, I should point out, he's not having any vomiting fits. I figured someone might ask that. He did vomit the other day. It was the dry food, looked like he just swallowed it whole and it came right back out. I have been giving him hairball goo daily since he threw up, just in case it's a hairball. Good thing he likes the hairball goo! The other kitties hate it. lol
Like I said, acting pretty normal otherwise, just a bit gassy, burping and constipated.
I have been checking around online as well, and I did read about Megacolon, which I will mention to my vet tomorrow (if she's in). Because that certainly could be it. It looks like it can be easy to treat if it's not too bad. But, I would like some ideas/thoughts first. I would like to avoid rushing him to the vet, only because he is SO scared of the vet, he wets himself every time we have to go and he just cries. I know it's because he doesn't understand, but I would like to spare him the stress for the moment.. since he's so old. :/
Thanks for any ideas on ways to help!
Since all of this recall stuff and changing foods, I've noticed that my big boy, Todd, seems rather constipated. I honestly can't be sure it has to do with the food change or not, but I just noticed it within this last week. He'll go daily, but for such a large kitty, they're pretty small, not super hard, but not super soft poo's. And a touch dark. (not like blood though. Believe me, I checked)
So, I had read that pumpkin was a good thing to try, but he doesn't eat much food to begin with and he can tell if I put a bit in his food, so then he won't eat it. Honestly, he hardly does eat. He eats more of the dry food (was Natural Balance Venison & Pea, is now Innova EVO) And will take a few bites of canned food (Was NB, is now Solid Gold). I don't think he's sick, he's acting just fine other than the bit of constipation, a little bit of gas and some burping. I find it odd that he hardly eats the canned and dry food (been like that for over a year now though), but if I give him treats of any kind, he'll eat them and want more. Always wanting more treats!! Do you suppose I should try another food for him? What kind?...
Also, I should point out, he's not having any vomiting fits. I figured someone might ask that. He did vomit the other day. It was the dry food, looked like he just swallowed it whole and it came right back out. I have been giving him hairball goo daily since he threw up, just in case it's a hairball. Good thing he likes the hairball goo! The other kitties hate it. lol
Like I said, acting pretty normal otherwise, just a bit gassy, burping and constipated.
I have been checking around online as well, and I did read about Megacolon, which I will mention to my vet tomorrow (if she's in). Because that certainly could be it. It looks like it can be easy to treat if it's not too bad. But, I would like some ideas/thoughts first. I would like to avoid rushing him to the vet, only because he is SO scared of the vet, he wets himself every time we have to go and he just cries. I know it's because he doesn't understand, but I would like to spare him the stress for the moment.. since he's so old. :/
Thanks for any ideas on ways to help!