Question:
This morning for the first time in ages there was poop in the litter tray!!! yahooo BUT, on the outside of the "very hard poop" there was spots of blood, so off I went to see her "uncle Peter" (vet).

He thinks that as her poop is so hard, she is causing the interior lining of the back passage to bleed.

Has anyone else had this prob?
I have to get her stools looser. She loves fish, and is on Purina prescription diet for overweight and Diabetic cat dry food. (what can I add to make them easier for my baby to pass???)

ANY advise would be greatly received

Answer:
Id get her off the crappy purina diet and feed her Innova Evo.

Answer:
Instead of changing her food, can you add to her existing one? A sudden jump in protien can cause diarrhea or severe constipation (don't risk it), but what she needs is more fiber (Evo is only 2%). I'm guessing that both of these foods are low (4% or less)... if you can get it up to 6%-ish, it would help. Adding oils to her foods might help as well, or even a product like Tonic-Lax (hairball remedy), as it contains both the oils and vitamins/minerals (helps soften stools to pass and prevent hairballs).

Answer:
Originally Posted by Spirit
Instead of changing her food, can you add to her existing one? A sudden jump in protien can cause diarrhea or severe constipation (don't risk it), but what she needs is more fiber (Evo is only 2%). I'm guessing that both of these foods are low (4% or less)... if you can get it up to 6%-ish, it would help. Adding oils to her foods might help as well, or even a product like Tonic-Lax (hairball remedy), as it contains both the oils and vitamins/minerals (helps soften stools to pass and prevent hairballs).

Thanks guys, The Purina Prescription diet is Fibre 10% (is Purina crap??? - advise would be great)
We dont have Innova Evo here in NZ (just called the pet food shop)

I was thinking about getting some Tuna oil or Sardine oil for her. The vet suggested a completely dry food diet for her, but she takes a drop of Metacam daily for arthritis, so some wet food is required.

Answer:
Yes, Purina is crap. Can you list the cat foods that are available to you and we can let you know what is the best choice.

Answer:
Thanks Rainbow, our choices (other than crappy supermarket stuff is...
Iaams
Royal Canin
Eukanuba
Advance
Hills
Nutro Choice
Nutrience

Not much choice !!!!

Answer:
Wow.....they're all crappy. One of the other members here just moved to Australia and said they can order Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance and Eagle Pack's Holistic line. Is that option not available in New Zealand?

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nope
I might have to import some from the States!
What am I too do????
Quin is on the Hills light diet.
I may as well feed them supermarket crap!

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If your vet doesn't have tonic lax they may very well have something that is a good comparison. Or you could order it online.
I give my dog canned pumpkin and I don't know if it's also good for cats but maybe worth a try.

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A friend of mine also used pumpkin ( vet recommended) for constipation for her dog. It was successful. Not sure about cats??? Did you vet recommend anything???

On a happy note, this was my first time seeing Lexie and she is real pretty!!
Good Luck

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I had a cat who was always constipated and had to be put on Medi-Cal high fiber. Too pricey for the quality but it did work. As long as you can find a high fiber food, it should help.

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I never actually thought about it as being constipated...mmmmm
All I know is that her pooz are very hard. She does kinda take about 10 seconds to "get them out" but she doesnt seem to be in pain or doesnt strain
Constipated or not, I've gotta find something to make things a bit slushier
I've just been to get her some tuna fish in oil. Would prefer to try something natural before I go to Meds.

... I guess I'll have to change her diet a wee bit... she loves salt and vinegar potato chips!!!!

Answer:
Originally Posted by Quins-mum
... I guess I'll have to change her diet a wee bit... she loves salt and vinegar potato chips!!!!

I don't think that's the way to go Sorry kitty !

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dont worry frenchy, she only gets a few crisps... she does love em tho!!!! actually she likes anything that goes "crunch" in her mouth! God, I love my Lexie soooo much!

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Funny, one of my cats totally loves chips as well. She likes tortilla chips and potato, prefers them to be not so salty and greasy. Don't worry, she only gets a couple!

I would also recommend pumpkin. It works for loose and hard stools and is fine for cats. Most of them love it. I just give a little at a time w/ meals, like a small spoonful. Use straight pumpkin (comes pureed in cans), and not the pumpkin pie mix w/ all the spices.

Answer:
i found a distributor for Eagle Pack. heres the details. i think its better food than those others you have listed. hope it helps.!!

Fixed Asset Investment Pte Ltd
Tel: 65 6841 6663
Fax: 65 6841 6669
e-mail: sales@eta-eagle.com

Answer:
Thanks everyone for your help, and thanks Rolands mum for the link - I will be looking into it.

I added some oil to Lex's food and this morning her poop was much softer.... couldnt look at if for too long, as the smell was horiffic.... how can such a small lovable pussycat, stink so much!!!

Answer:
Glad to hear her poop is a little softer.....guess you just have to put up with the stinky part.

Another member (One Beagle's Mom) posted a thread in the food forum about a product from New Zealand. It might be worth looking into:

http://www.ziwipeak.com/Products/Ziw...uisine-Family/

They don't list the specific vitamins in it.....hopefully it doesn't have Vitamin K3 (menadione sodium bisulfite complex) in it.

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Here's the thread where it was discussed a little bit and sorry I spelled your name wrong there.


Answer:
Thanks Rainbow, I will have a look at those sites.

Lex seems to be pooping better with the oil, and today I have added more fibre.
She has got a very weepy eye at the moment... just the occasional large tear. Just have to watch that one ay!
Thanks again, everyone is very helpful

Answer:
Quins mom,first off,she is beautiful
IMO,a cat needs a certain amount of canned food,I've always fed mine both and no poop-problems,maybe less smelly than adding oil to her food all the time.

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Thanks Chico, she is a honey of a cat.

I agree, canned food and dry should be in a cats diet. I'll just have to experiment with different foods to see what helps her.

Answer:
QM,I am sorry,I forgot Lexie was 15 and diabetic(a grey moment )and I can understand your concern about food-choices.
My Peppi( )was diabetic,died at 17 from cancer.
In those days the food choices were very limited,no special foods for diabetic cats,it was"Puss'n Boots"(canned)and Purina Cat Chow
The only difference with Peppi and my other cats was his insulin-shots and he was overweight,which Lexie is not.
I still believe a little canned food,carefully chosen,will make her life a bit more exciting and probably improve her poop

Answer:
we all have "grey moments" Chico. Sorry to hear about Peppi 17 is a great age for a cat.
Lexie does receive insulin shots every morning (3 units, she used to be on 4 units) and its only due to a diet of Purina overweight and diabetic dry food that I have managed to reduce her weight, as she too was "a wee bit chubby"
I am however, thru diet, trying to reduce her sugar levels,with the hope that one day, she may not need insulin

It does seem tho, that in New Zeland there seems to be a shortage of decent food, and finding a low carb/high fibre food that the fussy little monkey likes is hard.
I give her canned food as 50% off her diet, (with her Metacam for arthritis). I have noticed however, that she has been starting to "pass wind" quite often, so I guess that as Frenchy mentioned, Lex may be constipated.
Its a never ending battle, but we'll get there.

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Lexie is a good looking kitty.poor kitty being constipated.

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Thanks angeldogs... and Lexie: knows it too!!!!!!!

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