I am taking AM PM Menopause Formula from Enyzamatic and it contains black cohash and rhodiola, both causing constipation but it really helps my hot flashes, mood swings and brain fog. I was taking Sennakot Plus but as you said, I don't want to depend on it. I bought the new PlumSmart juice with fiber by Sunsweet and a glass a day does the trick.

Cats can get constipated, but 90% of the time when an owner says their cat is constipated it is really anorexic. Not eating= not pooping. Sometimes the cat is really dehydrated too. But rarely do I see a truly constipated cat, and 90% of the time, the real problem is a lot worse. I'd strongly advise seeing a vet ASAP because the cat could be a lot sicker than you imagine. If he is truly constipated, he'll probably need an enema which you probably won't want to try at home. The remedies listed above are excellent for PREVENTION of constipation but not so great at curing it, though sometimes they work. At 5 days of not pooping already, I'd be *very* concerned something more serious is going on. Do you see him straining in the litter box? That would be the definition of constipation- straining to defecate. If he's not straining, he's empty, and if he's empty, he's not eating, and if he's not eating, he's really sick. Good luck to you and your cat.

Is this stool small, hard, and constipated, or is it just getting stuck in the hair around her rear end? If it's actual constipation, you should try to find out what's causing it so that you can deal with the source of the problem, not just the result. What do you feed her? Canned or dry? Does she drink much water? Could she have ingested something (like a string or small toy) that is causing an obstruction? Since I am now caring for my third CRF cat, I am very tuned in to the fact that cats in renal failure are often chronically constipated. At 12 yrs old, it's certainly not uncommon for a cat to have some degree of renal insufficiency. You might consider having a full blood chemistry run on her to check organ function and see how her kidneys are doing. If this is a constipation issue, there are several remedies you can try. Mixing one tsp of canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling) into her food daily will help bulk up and soften her stool. Baby food peas will do the same thing. So will 1/8 tsp. of unflavored Metamucil. They are all sources of high fiber. Miralax is a very effective stool softener for cats and can be easily mixed into food or water. A low starting dose of 1/8 tsp once daily might do the trick, and it can be increased slightly if necessary to achieve the desired result. Constipation often goes hand in hand with dehydration, so if you are feeding her dry kibble, I strongly recommend you switch her to canned food. Better yet, mix some warm water into the canned food to make it a sloppy gruel that she can lap up. The more fluid running through her digestive tract, the more moist her stool will be. Laurie

Hmm, weight loss and heart murmur are common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Did Grey's bloodwork include a Total T4 test (a standard blood chemistry usually does not)? If not, you should take her back in for that test. Plain canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling) can be given at the dose of 1 tsp/day mixed into canned food. It is a high fiber source that will help bulk up and soften her stool. It can be given indefinitely. If she won't eat pumpkin, you can use 1/8 tsp. of unflavored Metamucil (psyllium), instead. Miralax is a very effective stool softener, too, and is a dose-to-effect drug. My CRF cat, Billy, receives a heaping 1/8 tsp. of Miralax twice daily to manage his chronic constipation. It works like a charm. If his stool is a little too firm. I increase the dose very slightly. If his stool becomes too soft, I decrease it. Billy's been receiving Miralax twice daily for nearly two years now. If you decide to use Miralax with Grey, start out with 1/8 tsp once daily and see how it affects her stool consistency. You can adjust the dose gradually from there, if necessary. Most importantly, make sure your girl remains well hydrated. Even mild dehydration can lead to constipation problems. If you feed her any kibble, it'd be best to stop. It'd also be a good strategy to mix warm water into her canned food to increase her water intake. Laurie