The majority of people who add a cat to their family, especially a cat that they will let roam around outside unchecked end up getting their cat spayed.
Not only does this help with unwanted kittens but it can also help to deal with aggression in some male cats too so the process is very common.
The problem is that the spaying procedure can cause a number of side effects in your cat and although a veterinarian will offer you advice after the operation, many people simply forget it.
This is why we see so many people reaching out and asking various questions about their cat being constipated after spaying as they simply don’t understand what the problem is with their pet cat.
If you are worried about your cat being constipated you really should double check if this is a normal side effect of the medication that your pet cat is on but we have some information below that may be able to put your mind at ease.
Can Cats Get Constipated After Being Spayed?
The majority of people who get their cats spayed don’t realize that there are a number of different side effects that can occur.
One of the more common ones is constipation and this is caused by the pain medication that your cat will be given after the operation.
The pain medication is designed to help your cat feel more comfortable after the surgery but it can have a number of different side effects, constipation being one of them.
How Long After A Spay Should A Cat Have A Natural Bowel Movement?
The length of time that it takes for a cat to have a natural bowel movement after a spay can vary and it really depends on the individual cat.
Some cats will be back to their normal selves within a day or two while others may take up to a week before they have a natural bowel movement.
If your cat is taking longer than a week to have a natural bowel movement then you should speak to your veterinarian as this could be a sign of a more serious problem.
Why Is My Cat Constipated After Spaying?
As we mentioned above, the main reason why your cat is constipated after spaying is due to the pain medication that they are on.
The pain medication can cause a number of different side effects in cats including constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting.
In some cases, complications such as infections can take hold of a cat after an operation even if they do take the required medication.
Although rare, some infections can cause constipation too but if you do suspect that your cat has an infection then you really do need to get it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Here are some symptoms of infections in cats to watch out for:-
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- fever
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- weight loss
How Do I Get My Cat To Poop After A Spay?
There are a number of things that you can do to help your cat if they are constipated after being spayed.
The first thing that you should do is make sure that they are drinking plenty of water.
You can do this by adding some water to their food or by giving them small amounts of water throughout the day.
If your cat is still not drinking enough water then you can speak to your veterinarian about giving them some fluids through an IV.
Another thing that you can do to help your cat poop after a spay is to give them some wet food.
Wet food is easier for cats to digest and it can help to get their system moving again.
You should also make sure that your cat has access to a litter box at all times as this will give them somewhere to go if they need to poop.
How Long Will The Constipation Last?
The constipation should only last for a few days but if it does last longer than this then you should speak to your veterinarian.
In some cases, the constipation can be a sign of a more serious problem and it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your cat’s health.
A number of cats will just not eat much after an operation so it naturally causes them to poop less with some people thinking that they are constipated.
It really can be a pain to workout exactly whats going on with your cat and this is why we recommended that you get advice from a veterinarian if possible.
How Can I Prevent My Cat From Getting Constipated After A Spay?
There are a number of things that you can do to prevent your cat from getting constipated after a spay.
The first thing is to make sure that they are drinking plenty of water.
You can do this by adding some water to their food or by giving them small amounts of water throughout the day.
If your cat is still not drinking enough water then you can speak to your veterinarian about giving them some fluids through an IV.
Another thing that you can do to help your cat poop after a spay is to give them some wet food.
Wet food is easier for cats to digest and it can help to get their system moving again.
You should also make sure that your cat has access to a litter box at all times as this will give them somewhere to go if they need to poop.
