Simple Cure for Cat Constipation

The most common cause of constipation in a kitty is inadequate fluid intake. Cats are by nature infrequent and inefficient water drinkers. They depend on their diet for the majority of their water intake, which is how nature intended things to work. But herein lies the problem. Many cats are fed dry food, which isn't the food they are designed to eat. Cats are obligate carnivores designed to hunt mice. Mice, as it turns out, provide the perfect balance of fiber (their fur), protein and moisture in one tiny package. Mice are 70 percent water, which provides kitties with exactly the amount they need for their bodies to remain hydrated and lubricated. Causes of Kitty Constipation When a cat's natural diet is replaced with a food containing only 10 to 12 percent moisture, dehydration and constipation are common symptoms. The lack of moisture causes the kidneys to become stressed, and stools turn dry, hard and painful to pass -- the condition known as constipation. If your cat is also obese and under-exercised, dehydration and constipation are exacerbated. Physical activity stimulates peristalsis (muscle contractions) which helps in moving feces through the colon. Many house cats have lifestyles that encourage eating too much and moving too little. The ingestion of fur during grooming can further slow down transit time of waste in the colon, especially in cats that are eating a diet of kibble and not getting adequate exercise. How Do I Know If My Cat is Constipated? All ...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news