A healthy cat poops at least once a day, and if yours hasn’t gone in two days or is straining in the litter box, a few simple changes can usually get things moving. The most effective home strategies target hydration, fiber, and environment, though some cats need veterinary help if the problem has gone on too long.
Add More Water to Your Cat’s Diet
Dehydration is one of the most common reasons cats get constipated. When the body is short on water, the colon absorbs extra moisture from stool, leaving it dry and hard to pass. An average 10-pound cat needs roughly one cup of water per day, according to Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and many cats fall short of that.
The easiest fix is switching from dry kibble to wet food, or at least mixing wet food into your cat’s meals. Canned food is roughly 75% water, while dry food contains only about 10%. You can also add a tablespoon or two of warm water directly to wet food. Some cats prefer running water, so a pet water fountain can encourage drinking throughout the day. Placing multiple water bowls around the house helps too, especially if the current bowl sits next to the food dish or litter box.
Use Pumpkin or Psyllium for Fiber
Fiber draws water into the stool and adds bulk, which stimulates the colon to push things along. Two options work well for cats: plain canned pumpkin and psyllium husk powder.
For pumpkin, use plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling, which contains sugar and spices). Start with half a teaspoon mixed into food and increase to one or two teaspoons if needed. Many cats accept the taste without fuss. Pumpkin also supplies potassium and vitamin A, so it’s a nutritious add-on beyond its fiber content.
Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber that forms a gel when mixed with water, softening stool and increasing how often cats defecate. A 2024 study in healthy adult cats found that psyllium increased both stool frequency and moisture content compared to insoluble fiber alone. You can sprinkle a small amount (around half a teaspoon) over wet food. Start low, since too much fiber too quickly can cause gas or loose stools.
Check the Litter Box Setup
Cats are particular about where they go, and a litter box problem can turn “won’t go” into “can’t go” surprisingly fast. If your cat avoids the box, stool sits in the colon longer, dries out, and becomes harder to pass.
A few things to evaluate: Is the box clean? Scoop at least once a day, and do a full litter change weekly. Is it in a quiet spot? Boxes near washing machines, dryers, or high-traffic areas can startle cats mid-use, making them hold it. Keep the box away from food, water, and sleeping areas. If you have multiple cats, the general rule is one box per cat plus one extra. Older cats with arthritis may also avoid boxes with high sides, so switching to a low-entry box can make a real difference.
Get Your Cat Moving
Physical activity stimulates the muscles that push stool through the colon. Inactivity and obesity are both linked to prolonged transit time in the large bowel. Indoor cats that sleep most of the day are especially prone to sluggish digestion.
Interactive play sessions of 10 to 15 minutes, two or three times a day, can help. Wand toys, laser pointers, or crinkle balls get most cats up and running. Cat trees and climbing shelves encourage movement even when you’re not actively playing. For overweight cats, regular activity pulls double duty by addressing both the inactivity and the excess weight that contribute to constipation.
Probiotics May Help Gut Function
Probiotic supplements formulated for cats can improve stool quality by supporting healthy gut bacteria. A clinical trial using a multi-strain probiotic containing Enterococcus faecium (the same strain found in the widely available supplement FortiFlora) showed significant improvements in fecal consistency. Cats in the study went from loose, irregular stools to firmer, more regular bowel movements over the supplementation period. While most probiotic research in cats focuses on diarrhea rather than constipation specifically, improved gut motility and stool consistency benefit cats on both ends of the spectrum. Look for veterinary-formulated products rather than human probiotics, since the strains and doses differ.
Over-the-Counter Stool Softeners
Polyethylene glycol 3350 (sold as MiraLAX) is sometimes used for constipated cats at a dose of one-eighth to one-quarter teaspoon mixed into food twice daily. It works by pulling water into the colon, softening stool so it’s easier to pass. This is not something to start on your own for the first time without checking with your vet, because the dose is small and getting it wrong can cause diarrhea or dehydration. It’s also a temporary measure, not a long-term fix, unless your vet specifically recommends ongoing use.
Signs That Need Veterinary Attention
Simple constipation is uncomfortable but manageable. What you want to watch for is the progression from constipation to obstipation, where the cat physically cannot pass the stool no matter how hard it strains. At that point, the colon can become packed with dry feces from the rectum all the way back to the junction with the small intestine.
Take your cat to the vet if you notice any of the following: no bowel movement for more than two to three days, repeated straining with little or no result, vomiting (common in constipated cats and a sign of significant discomfort), lethargy or loss of appetite, or feces that appear thin or ribbon-like. Ribbon-shaped stool can indicate something is physically narrowing the passage, which requires imaging to evaluate. Repeated bouts of constipation can also lead to megacolon, a condition where the colon stretches out and loses its ability to contract normally. This is a chronic condition that often requires medical management or, in severe cases, surgery.
If your cat is otherwise acting normal and has only missed a day, the strategies above, particularly increasing water intake and adding a small amount of pumpkin, are reasonable first steps. Most mildly constipated cats respond within a day or two once hydration and fiber improve.