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Effective Solutions for Constipation in Pets

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Pumpkin

28 User Reviews
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Posted by Lisa (Harrison, Oh) on 10/20/2011
 ★★★★★

Our Havanese 8 month old puppy was constipated and hadn't gone for 1 ½ days. He had been out walking around the yard extensively but no luck. My daughter stumbled across your website and she had told me pumpkin and I didn't believe her! I had to put my glasses on just to see it for myself!! Luckily last night I happened to make a pumpkin cake and had leftover pumpkin. Within two minutes of licking up a generous teaspoon of pumpkin, he went straight to the laundry room where he rings his bell to go to the bathroom!! It works like magic... Unbelievable!! Thanks so much!!

Pumpkin
Posted by Kay (Columbia City, Indiana) on 10/15/2011
 ★☆☆☆☆

My cat seems to be okay. He is eating and drinking more. He did not like the essaic tea, so I am trying the organic cottage cheese and flax seed oil. The problem is his bowel movement, I have tried the pumpkin for three days and nothing. The vet thinks he is still to weak for a digging out. I don't know what to do, there has to be something else I can try.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Usa)
10/19/2011
2043 posts

Kay, my parents had a kitty that suffered constipation for yrs. Many trips to the vet for enema. Make sure the diet doesn't include too much msg's or nitrites. Most of the canned food labled "with gravy" have way to many additives. Add salmon oil to diet, and occasionaly feed raw, cooked, or canned liver as it contains lots of nutrients needed for health. Also, I occasionaly use only a few sprinkles of milled flaxseed to my kitty's food to clean their colon. Begin w/ only a few grains, and slowly increase until you reach desired effect. Lastly, I have become a big advocate of Magnet therapy as I have personally witnessed its healing effects, so consider a magnet pet pad for your kitty to sleep on, as it can reduce the suffering and promote health. Hope this helps.

Pumpkin
Posted by July 1955 (Wildomar, California) on 08/25/2011
 ★★★★★

My cat suddenly became lethargic and the vet discovered he was badly constipated. Over 2 days the vet gave him 5 enemas and sent him home suggesting pumpkin or a hairball remedy. He hated the hairball stuff so we got some canned pure pumpkin and two days later the cat passed a stool with a piece of plastic wadded up inside it -- that piece that pops out to make the handle in a plastic grocery bag. Poor Boo lost a lot of weight and was very reluctant to eat. We gave him a kitty milk supplement and some canned food but for several days he would only take the milk and lick the gravy off the food. We forced him to eat the pumpkin at first but then he started to like it! It has been several weeks now and we've discovered he gets constipated again if we stop the pumpkin. I assume his intestine is irritated. He's gaining weight now so we keep giving him the pumpkin mixed in his food. One bonus -- our other cat won't eat the food that has the pumpkin mixed in!

Pumpkin
Posted by Blackkat (San Mateo, Ca) on 08/14/2011
 ★★★★★

Thank you for this great site! I've use ACV for my cat's UTI the past year and so far so good! But, just these past few days, I noticed my cat did not produce a BM. He had soft, watery stool 4-5 days ago and didnt have a BM for 2 days after. I am very strict in what I feed him, so I did some investigating around the house. Turns out, he was munching on the tips of the leaves of an indoor Palm Tree--6 blade tips to be exact! I believe that this was the reason why he wasn't producing a BM. I was worried that it could also be hair balls blocking him since he is a long haired cat. In any event, because of his watery stool, I decided to boil some organic chicken in filtered water to make some broth for him. I also plain/dry roasted a chicken breast for him as well, hoping that this would calm his tummy troubles. I gave this to him for 1. 5 days. Last night, I started to add his wet food in with the chicken broth and shredded chicken breast meat. BUT I started to worry because he didnt have a and no BM! He normally produces a BM every day! HUGE concern! The vet isn't open on the weekends, so I was desperate to find a holistic solution to "make" him have a BM. My cat did not show any signs of constipation, but not producing a BM for 2 days going on 3 was not a good sign to me.

I read on this site to give 1 tablespoon of pumpkin to my cat for constipation. I went to Whole Foods and bought a can of organic pumpkin and went home to make his breakfast for him. He was running to the front door to greet me and to tell me he was starving! I put 1 tablespoon of pumpkin (to help him pass his BM), 1 tablespoon of his canned cat food (High quality-grain free poultry diet), 2 tablespoons of boiled filtered water (to add more liquid in his system in case he was dehydrated), 1/4 teaspoon of ACV (to make sure he continued to produce urine and keep his UTI at bay) and 1/2 capsule of fish oil (for his skin, coat and hairballs) in his bowl. At first he backed away from his bowl, then he wanted to "bury" the bowl before walking away altogether. Finally, because he was so darn hungry (He's a 16 pound cat), he had no choice but to eat it. He got at least half of the meal down before walking away. During the day I made sure to exercise and play with him as well as rubbing his tummy in hopes of getting things moving in his intestines. For lunch, I gave him the same thing and he again only ate half of it. Dinner, I backed off the pumpkin and fed him again. I was considering the fact that I would have to take him to the emergency vet hospital the next day. Then, at the stroke of midnight, he walked into his litter box and produced a BIG, firm, perfectly formed, stinky BM! And, yes, I did see the Palm blades in his stool! 15 hours after I gave him the pumpkin did it finally work! I gave him lots of praises and loving after he left his litter box, as well as a midnight snack! Thanks again for this great site! It's helped my cat's health as well as my sanity and pocketbook!

Pumpkin
Posted by Gisela (Huntsville, Alabama, Usa) on 10/17/2009
 ★★★★★

My 6 year old cat had constipation in March, after 3 days of not going to the bathroom I took her to the vet and got a $300 bill and a sick cat back in return. She came home so sick from the vet that I was up with her for 2 day straight. She had a problem with diarrhea and constipation in August but I looked online and decided to use Pumpkin, it worked great within an hour. I used 1/2 teaspoon once a day for 3 days, had to force feed it and that worked great. I also made sure to take her off of her daily 1/2 a can of a very cheap and well known wet cat food (known to cause cat tummy troubles) and switched her over to a human grade holistic brand (the same brand as her holistic dry cat food).

Here we are in October and the day after coming home from the vet (blood work to discover the cause of her anemia, vet thinking it could be a mosquito caused blood parasite) and again sick for 2 days from the sedatives at the vet and not able to use the bathroom. I also saw what looked like to be pink either urine or diarrhea in the litter box. I called the emergency vet hospital which wanted a lot of money up front, which I just don't have as I've spent $390 at the vet this past month already and I am unemployed. Unsure of what to do and really worried for her I gave her 1/2 teaspoon of 100% pure pumpkin puree thinking it might be constipation since she's only had small amounts of black stool. Within an hour she has already gone to the litter box twice and her feces looks healthy, not black and hard as it had been (from the anemia) and no signs of blood. I mentioned the pumpkin to her vet about using it earlier in the year, who then told me that the fiber in the pumpkin works great for cats with constipation and with diarrhea (he couldn't have told me that before the $300 bill and the undo procedures and stress on the cat???).

FYI: Anemia can cause hard black stools in cats and should be considered as a cause if you notice other symptoms such as pale ears, tongue and paw pads, rapid breathing and lethargy. It's a serious problem which is caused by other diseases, see a vet for a proper diagnosis.

My long term plan for constipation & preventing it long term:

At the first sign, 1/2 teaspoon of 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling, check that the ingredients list only pumpkin), you can use up to one teaspoon a day though I've always had results with just 1/2 a teaspoon. Use for 2-3 days to make sure your cat gets everything that is backed up, out. After the initial treatment, 1/4 teaspoon daily to keep the stool soft enough to pass.

** She is also getting 1/4 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar mixed in with her wet food daily to aid with some respiratory problems (allergies and weather changes plus running the heater have left both her and I with dry noses) and for just in case she has a urinary problem since I did see blood in the litter box. I also dip a cotton ball in a solution of 1 part organic apple cider vinegar to 1 part water and apply this to the back of her neck to help her breathe as well as saline nasal spray for babies, one drop in each nostril to induce a good sneeze to help her clear out her nostrils when she has dry breathing sounds.

Replied by Gisela
(Huntsville, Al, Usa)
10/23/2009
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

** Update **
The pumpkin worked twice since posting the above however it isn't working now, I'm up to giving her 1 tsp daily for the last two days and it has not worked. She is an 11 lbs cat so I will try another 1/2 teaspoon or more and go from there. She did have to have her bowels unblocked in March and I'm hoping to avoid another $300 vet visit and more stress on an already anemic cat.

The ACV has completely taken care of her urinary problem and her respiratory infection, took a 5 day treatment and loads of ACV but she's better from those problems.

Replied by Anonymous
(Usa)
12/16/2010

My cat is a picky eater, so she tasted the pumpkin in her food and would not eat it. Psyllium fibre works, but I have to use a lot of it, maybe 2 teaspoons per serving, and a quarter cup of water stirred into some chunks of wet food. Hairball paste works too. Miralax can't be used often. The psyllium doesn't unblock her, but it keeps her from getting blocked. The hairball paste unblocks. Acai fibre might work, too. Haven't tried it.

Replied by Kerie
(Garrison, Nd)
03/04/2012

As I told someone else, try organic coconut oil. If you buy virgin, it smells like coconut, which my cat does not like, but she loves just organic coconut oil. I give it to all my pets and gets all the bug out of their intestines, helps them pass hairballs and keeps them regular. You can read about the benefits of it online, it's AMAZING stuff. Hope this helps. I give my animals 1tsp. I have 1 maincoon, 1 long hair calico and 1 small dog about 12 lbs. (Hope this helps!!)

Pumpkin
Posted by Spookie (New York, Ny) on 08/05/2009
 ★★★★★

Cat Constipation: My male cat was constipated for 4 day and after feeding him some canned pumpkin pie filling i was amazed to find within a 12 hrs he was a very happy cat. He wasnt thrilled with me mixing it with his wet food but after a little coaxing he seemed to like it. Thank you so much for this great idea and I will surely suggest it to anyone with similar problems.

Replied by Ashley
(Bellingham, Wa)
12/10/2009

Here's hoping this works! My male cat has had a hair ball but -refuses- to throw it up, so now its working it's way south. He's been backed up for a day but with this issue I do not want to wait. Well, here is hoping the pumpkin works.

As he did not take the pumpkin straight up, I went food fight style on him. Smudged it down his leg :) he seems to take it well like that.

Replied by Penwright
(Mn, Unite States)
03/13/2014

I have a Maine Coon, who suffers from Mega Colon. I have been serving him and our other two cats a combination of 1 TBS. of pumpkin, 1/8 tsp. of olive oil, warm water, and their dry food mixed into their canned food. I also add Miralax, just for the Maine Coon 2 to 3 times a week. For all over health of all three, I add Diatomaceous Earth once a week.

Since I have been using this combination of the pumpkin, olive oil and warm water with dry food, I have noticed the Maine Coon has a healthy appetite and is not constipated like he was.

I have used Coconut Oil before, but for some odd reason, they won't eat it mixed in their food. So when the Maine Coon has protuding problems, I just slather it right on his bum. This way, I know he will eat it when grooming.

I am just starting to cook liver for them and will add ingredients as I go to see how this might help. I will let you know how this works out.

Pumpkin
Posted by Lauri (Surprise, AZ) on 07/22/2009
 ★★★★★

I have a pet sitting business and was looking after a Maine Coon Cat that hadn't had a bowel movement for 3 days. He wasn't eating very much and so didn't go to the bathroom. I gave him 1 teaspoon of pure pumpkin and the very next day he went to the bathroom. I have continued to give it to him and he loves it.

Replied by Clara
(Mississauga, Ontario)
11/13/2009

Laurie, how old was the Maincoon? Mine is 17.5 years old. How long before the Maincoon did #2? My cat is having big problems. I've tried pumpkin twice yesterday, once, 1 teaspoon and again .5 teaspoon. Today I gave him another 3/4 teaspoon, always mixed in with his wet food. I've also given him water to keep him hydrated, but so far nothing has happened. Today, I believe is the 4th day that he will not have done #2. Please help! Recommend something. Thanks in advance. C from Mississauga

Pumpkin
Posted by Jay (Oklahoma City, OK) on 02/15/2009
 ★★★★★

Canned Pumpkin For Constipated a Dog: Phoebe, my 22 pound 3 year old dachshund basset mix had surgery for a herniated disc and was defecating fine until about a week after her operation. Last night I gave her a tablespoon of pumpkin and one more this morning with her food, and she took care of business about an hour after breakfast. Thanks for your website!

Pumpkin
Posted by Jodie (Eau Claire, WI) on 02/01/2009
 ★★★★★

The pumpkin really works! Wow. Thanks so much for your suggestions on using pure pumpkin for clearing up pet constipation issues. My dog was spayed a few days ago, and hasn't been able to go to the bathroom since I brought her home. I fed her 1 tsp. of pumpkin with her dinner, and a few hours later, she was finally able to start going to the bathroom again. Thanks!

Pumpkin
Posted by Sara (Albertville, Alabama) on 01/26/2009
 ★★★★★

Cat Constipation: Hi, I found this wonderful site searching for natural cure/treatment for Sjogrens disease. In cruising the site I found this section on pet treatments. I would like to tell everyone who has cats and feeds them dry food to give them a tablespoon of canned pumpkin 3/4 times a week to prevent feline constipation.NOT pumpkin pie filling-just plain old pumpkin. I lost a cat to this after surgery to remove the blockage. One cannot also feed them milk as this is not digestable.

Pumpkin
Posted by Jesse (Los Angeles, CA) on 11/29/2008
 ★★★★★

My dog loves to eat. He suffered constipation the day after our Thanksgiving party. i suspect someone tossed him a bone or beef BBQ. Last night was really hard for him. After reading your web site, i went to the local store and bought a canned pumpkin. This did the trick for him. I gave him 5-7 spoons every 4 hours. The next morning he was jumping and relieved.

Thanks for the information. You help save my wonderful dog and help me a trip to the vet.

Pumpkin
Posted by Pam (Smithsburg, MD, USA) on 10/16/2008
 ★★★★★

The pumpkin method also worked for my golden retriever, Lucy. I think at times she tends to overeat grass. The vet is the one who told me about the pumpkin so I felt it was a safe method. Now I have to really hide it in her food as she will not eat anything remotely related to fruits or vegetables concerning people food. Over her 2-1/2 years she has become a very picky eater for both dog and people food.

Pumpkin
Posted by TERESA (CLINTON, MS) on 09/30/2008
 ★★★★★

MY DOG WAS CONSTIPATED AFTER BEING OUTSIDE FOR AN OUT OF TOWN STAY, WHEN HE IS USE TO STAYING INSIDE. I THINK HE OVERATE THE GRASS. THE PUMPKIN WORKED GREAT, I GAVE HIM A SMALL AMOUNT IN A BOWL AND HE ATE IT FREELY AND THEN WE WENT ON A WALK. DURING THE WALK THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF AFTER TWO DAYS OF NO GOING TO THE BATHROOM. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE...

Pumpkin
Posted by Silvia (Toronto, On, Canada) on 09/03/2008
 ★★★★★

My kitten was constipated but what worried me most was the gas. My kitten eats raw but I have no clue how to give her pumpkin so this is what I did: I shred the pumpkin and then I put it in the blender with melted butter and obtained a paste. She loves it, I just give her 1 teaspoon a day and after 2 days the pup is too soft so I have to stop it. Anyway, great remedy. Thanks

Pumpkin
Posted by Shaun M. (Cottage Grove, MN) on 07/05/2008
 ★★★★★

Wow!! My dog was constipated due to recently being spayed. Gave her a tablespoon of pumpkin when we went to bed, woke up to lots of "treats"! Thanks


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