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animals don’t have to go through a maze to get it, and don’t have to wait an extra 8 to 12 hours,” she says. “It comes down to good animal husbandry habits—regular exercise and regular meals.” Avoid missing or delaying meals, and stick to a regular schedule.

Feeding For Health

Regular exercise, lots of water, daily grooming, and the proper diet goes a long way toward controlling hairballs that cause constipation. Some commercial foods are designed to reduce hairballs, and if your cat has chronic problems, one of these may be a good option. Hairball formulas include:

Eukanuba Adult Hairball Relief Formula

Science Diet Hairball Control Formula

Nutro Max Cat Hairball Management

Cases of obstipation and mega-colon must be diagnosed by the veterinarian, and generally they cannot be treated at home, says Dr. Burrows. “They need help. They need medication, enemas, and laxatives.” Some cats need to be sedated in order to remove a fecal ball that’s grown too large to pass through the pelvis. These cats will need medical management for the rest of their lives.

A drug called cisapride (Propulsid) helps the colon to better contract. It has been removed from the human market due to health risks, but these do not apply to cats. “We still use it if we can get hold of it,” says Dr. Burrows. Compounding pharmacies are currently the best source for obtaining cisapride. Lactulose also is often prescribed to help soften stools, and is particularly helpful because it not only promotes intestinal contractions but also draws water into the large intestine.

When medical management using drugs, laxatives, and diet aren’t effective, some cats require surgery. The malfunctioning colon is removed in a procedure called a subtotal colectomy. “You cut it out and join the [farthest] part of the small intestine to the rectum, and that part of the small intestine then takes over the storage function. Cats tolerate that very well,” says Dr. Burrows.

The surgery is used mostly as a last resort but can restore the cat to near normal function. The feces usually will stay soft with a cow pie consistency for the rest of the cat’s life.

Nurse Alert!

When the laxative doesn’t work in 24 hours, an impaction requires an enema. If your cat has chronic constipation or obstipation problems, your veterinarian may suggest you learn how to do this at home. However, cats that struggle during the enema may be injured by the applicator if mishandled. You know your cat best, and if he’ll object, you should make a trip to the veterinarian. Warning: Human enemas typically contain phosphates and are deadly to cats. Use only preparations recommended to you by your veterinarian. Warm tap water (about 105 degrees or so), one ounce per pound, is the safest option and very effective.

Put the cat on an absorbent towel, or in the bathtub—in case the enema works very quickly.

Any standard enema applicator works for most pets. Veterinarians often use red rubber tubing with a large syringe at one end to inject the fluid. But a turkey baster or empty contact lens solution bottle will also work.

Lubricate the tip with Vaseline or K-Y jelly, and gently insert it into the rectum one to two inches.

Then depress the syringe, squeeze the bottle applicator, or the bulb of the turkey baster to infuse the liquid into the rectum.

Age-Defying Tips

Using basic common sense will keep your cat regular for all his life. Begin these steps during kittenhood, and adjust as the cat matures.

· Groom your cat regularly. Hair you comb or brush off won’t end up swallowed by the cat, and that will reduce the chance for hairballs—the number one cause of constipation.

· If your cat has repeated problems with hairballs despite good grooming practices, consider feeding him a commercial hairball diet. These typically include added fiber that helps move hair out of the system.

· Infrequent problems with hairballs can be managed with home remedies. Mix one-half to one teaspoonful of unflavored Metamucil in canned food to