by Nomi Berger
 
Have you recently noticed an increase in the amount of matted fur on your senior cat?
 
While some are more enthusiastic about self-grooming than others, most take particular pride in their appearance throughout their lives. Therefore, if your favorite feline has either stopped or reduced the amount of time she’s typically spent grooming herself in the past, an underlying health issue could be the culprit. Whether it’s a dental condition, degenerative joint disease, a urinary tract infection or some other problem, it’s essential to have her examined by your vet.
 
Once you’ve determined and addressed the physical (if any) cause of her fur matting, it’s then vital to address the quality of your cherished cat’s coat, i.e. through regular grooming sessions – courtesy of you! Why? If left unkempt, her once neat and self-groomed coat will continue to mat, resulting in tiny tangles that turn into small, tight knots. This is particularly painful for senior cats since they now lack excess body fat and muscle tone, leading to thinner skin, loss of elasticity, and making their skin all the more prone to bruising and tearing. Therefore, to reduce the amount of matted fur on her body, spend a few minutes each day on some form of “assisted” grooming.
 
Not only will this grooming routine be much easier on your cat, it’s a ritual that will, hopefully, be an enjoyable experience for you both. (If, however, you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of taking this on, enlist the help of a cat groomer who specializes in working with senior cats).
 
When choosing the ideal setting for these highly anticipated “beauty sessions,” your surroundings should be quiet and calm. Some cat experts suggest placing a rubber-backed, carpeted bath mat on top of the washing machine or dryer. These machines are the perfect height for people and felines will feel safe and secure on the soft, comfortable surface of the bath mat. Before you begin, though, keep a generous supply of your kitty’s favorite treats close by and “gift” her frequently to distract her and create a positive association with your new ritual.
 
Begin then, by petting your cat from head to tail, searching for specific problem areas. Slowly make your way through her entire coat, alternating between a rubber brush to sweep up any loose hair, a soft-pin slicker brush to work through any tangles and a stainless steel comb to gently target any mats. Pay extra attention to her hips, hind legs and underside where mats commonly form. Because these spots may be especially sensitive, go slowly, very slowly, and do so even more gently.
 
If parts of her coat are thickly matted, lightly rub a small amount of cornstarch into them with your fingers and then carefully brush through them. Some of the powder will stick to her coat, making it easier to grip. Failing that, use a bristle brush to work in the powder, thereby distributing natural oils through her coat. Oftentimes, simply pulling the knotted fur apart, slowly and carefully, with your fingers will free the mat. If that doesn’t work, though, contact a professional groomer. Mats that are close to the skin must be shaved off with cat-appropriate clippers used by someone familiar with the practice to prevent even the tiniest of nicks in her skin.
 
Experts also suggest keeping these items in your home: a cat flea comb, particularly if your cat goes outside or shares her space with a dog, a set of cat nail clippers, soft cotton gauze pads to clean around her ears, eyes and claws, and a detangling spray.

by Nomi Berger
 
What IS it about cats and their affinity for cardboard boxes?
 
If you’re curious, do paw-lease consider the following five reasons.
 
1. Cardboard boxes provide them with a sense of security: Despite being domesticated for some, today’s cats retain much of their original, natural instincts. One way for cats in the wild to remain vigilant and keep themselves safe from predators is by squeezing into small spaces that make them feel secure. Studies show that those cats given cardboard boxes as hiding places adapted more quickly to changes in their environment than those who weren’t. Many animal behaviorists, therefore, recommend that cat owners provide their feline friends with cardboard boxes in such paw-tentially stressful situations as bringing home a new pet, home renovation, moving and/or after visiting the vet.
 
2. Cardboard boxes are purr-fect for scratching and biting: Both are normal, instinctive behaviors and serve several purposes. Cats utilize the boxes to express their emotions, sharpen their claws and “mark” them with the scent glands located in their paws. The texture of the cardboard is ideal, allowing cats to sink their teeth and claws into it while rewarding them with a most satisfying sound. Not surprisingly, due to its popularity, many commercial cat scratchers today are constructed out of cardboard.
 
3. Cardboard boxes are warm: Famous for finding comfy, cozy places in which to nap, cats will typically curl up contentedly in the sunniest areas of their homes, next to heat-generating sources like radiators and on top of their owners’ beds. Since cardboard retains its heat so efficiently, it’s an especially effective insulator and allows cats to control their own body temperatures when they cram themselves into snugly fitting cardboard boxes.
 
4. Cardboard boxes are fun: Cats may be creatures of habit and comfort, but as natural-born predators, they must still exercise their hunting instincts through play. And because cats love hiding and stalking their prey before pouncing on them, they find that cardboard boxes will allow them the precise concealment they need from any and all unsuspecting targets. Although the “prey” for indoor cats is most often restricted to their owners, their feline and/or canine friends and their toys, a cardboard box affords them the concealment they crave while they wait to pounce, albeit playfully, on their next chosen “victim.”
 
5. Cardboard boxes satisfy their curiosity: As affectionate, active and entertaining as they are, our cherished cat companions are purr-haps best known for their endearing, enduring and boundless curiosity. Luckily for them, having a cardboard box in their midst is both enticing and exciting, definitely peaking their interest and sparking that oh-so-legendary curiosity. Wondering what this mysterious material is all about, they will gravitate towards the cardboard, and in the blink of a kitty-cat eye discover its various awesome uses. Whether it serves as their new, favorite napping spot, a secret space from which to view their indoor world, a multi-purpose makeshift toy or a surprisingly efficient scratching post, endless hours of self-entertainment are as limitless as their own imagination.

by Nomi Berger
 
Have you ever pondered the question: “Is my cat capable of dreaming?” Simply put, the answer is “yes.” Like most other mammals, cats do dream. Why? Research has shown that it’s an essential occurrence to help their brains organize and arrange images from the day.
 
Dreaming mainly occurs during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep when their brains, similar to our brains, exhibit activity akin to wakefulness. And while the specifics of cats’ dreams are, as yet, unknown, it’s likely that their brains are reviewing their days’ activities, consolidating these memories, and processing various other experiences.
 
Dreams also help cats reinforce learning, retain memories, and even serve as a form of enrichment, paw-tentially allowing them to imagine such splendiferous scenarios as catching mice as large as cars! Close observation of your own cat can provide you with clues both about her sleep behavior and when she may be dreaming. With time, patience and focused attention, you may even be able to guess what she’s dreaming about.
 
Overt signs that your cat is dreaming may include: twitching, particularly of her whiskers and paws, body movements, running-like motions, chirping and purring sounds, muffled meows and various facial expressions. Fortunately, however, the brain is equipped with a safety feature that prevents both cats and humans from physically acting out their dreams: the pons.
 
What, then, DO cats dream about? Do they dream about their pet parents? Do they dream about interacting with their housemates? Do they dream about hunting mice or chasing after birds? Do they have nightmares? While there may not be truly definitive answers to these questions yet, by closely observing cats while they dream, and considering what’s known about dreaming in other species, one can make some educated guesses as to what they do dream about.
 
Dreaming about their daily experiences: Since most mammals use dreams to process the events they’ve experienced, it’s reasonable to assume that cats re-live their daily experiences at night, perhaps with some imaginative additions. Whatever your own “meow-meow” may have been interested in during the day will, in all probability, play a featured role in her dreams that same night.
 
Dreaming about their pet parents: Cats, in all probability, will dream the most pleasant and pleasurable of dreams about their devoted and doting pet parents.
 
Dreaming about their preferred pastimes: Our feline friends are equally likely to dream about such exhilarating and satisfying activities as eating, playing games and “hunting” such indoor prey as laser beams, plastic balls and rolling cat springs, interactive wands and treat-dispensing toys.
 
Nightmares: If cats have had an especially frightening experience during the day, such as a fight with a housemate or something as seemingly mundane as the sound of the vacuum cleaner, the apartment buzzer or some unexpected visitors, they may indeed have what we would consider to be nightmares.
 
In conclusion: Sometimes when cats are sleeping, they may twitch, stretch, snore, purr or make unusual squeaking noises -- all associated with REM sleep. When your own cat twitches in her sleep, it’s generally due to signals being sent to her brain during the “dreaming” phase.

by Nomi Berger
 
Do you fret about black cats crossing your path and bringing misfortune your way whenever the page of a calendar turns to that fabled Friday the 13th?
 
Did you know that history has provided humans with 13 paws-itive reasons to refute this age-old superstition?
 
Skeptical? Curious? Read on, then, for reassurance …
 
The Ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet, who resembled a cat, was the goddess of love, joy, music, dance, protection, and last but not least, cats. And because cats were particularly popular in ancient Egypt, they were considered to be her sacred animal.
 
Freyja, the most renowned of the Norse goddesses, was the goddess of love, fertility, battle and death. She rode in a chariot that was drawn by cats, and farmers would leave offerings out for the cats to guarantee them a bountiful harvest.
 
The Ancrene Wisse, written in the 13th century, was a guide for devout recluses whose lives were dedicated to devotional reading, meditation and prayer. The anchoresses usually lived in enclosures attached to churches, and while they were permitted minimal to no contact with people, they were permitted to have cats.
 
A Chinese proverb states that having a cat assures its owner of having good luck. A more practical proverb states that  “Black cat or white cat: If it can catch mice, it’s a good cat.”
 
The prophet Muhammad had a favorite tabby called Muezza and, according to Hadith (a report of the prophet’s sayings and deeds), he prohibited the persecution and killing of cats.
 
In India, a cat is believed to be magical and the bearer of good luck. One belief states that if you kill a cat, you must offer a cat in gold to a priest.
 
In Yorkshire, England, keeping a black cat in your house not only brings you good luck, it ensures that your favorite fisherman will return safely from the sea.
 
It’s considered good luck on your wedding day if you see either a sneezing cat or a black cat.
 
An Italian superstition, on the other hand, believes that a sneezing cat is a good omen for everyone who hears it.
 
The Scots believe that finding a strange black cat on your porch brings you prosperity.
 
An American superstition believes that dreaming of a white cat means good luck.
 
Another American superstition believes that if you see a one-eyed cat, you should spit on your thumb and stamp it into the palm of your hand. If you then make a wish, that wish will come true.
 
In France, there’s a saying that dogs may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry.

by Nomi Berger
 
Nothing is more contenting than the sight of relaxed and happy cats, “making biscuits,” purring, and often drooling while their loving owners pet, pet and pet them.
 
But sometimes their drooling, especially if it’s excessive, can be concerning. Below are some common causes for such heavy drooling.
 
Dental issues: Conditions such as gingivitis, tartar buildup and tooth abscesses can cause cats great discomfort, leading to drooling. These conditions may also be accompanied by bad breath, difficulty eating or visible plaque on their teeth.
 
Emotional stress: Cats experiencing emotional stress will often drool excessively. Stressful situations such as loud noises like fireworks and/or thunderstorms, the addition of a new family pet and moving into a new home are some of the most common triggers.
 
Illnesses and infections: Among the culprits responsible for excessive drooling are illnesses affecting their upper respiratory system, feline calicivirus, bacterial infections, rabies and gastrointestinal problems, including inflammatory bowel disease or liver disorders – all of which may be accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, lethargy or vomiting.
 
Nausea: Nausea, whether as the result of changes in diet, “dietary indiscretions” or motion sickness, can often cause cats to drool. Usually a reflex to the sensation of feeling sick, it’s often accompanied by decreased appetite, lethargy and/or lip licking.
 
Injuries or trauma: Injuries to the mouth or facial area in general, whether from a fall, a fight with another cat or an accident, can also cause drooling. Because these kinds of injuries may not always be visible immediately, it’s important to watch for other signs of distress and/or pain.
 
Unpleasant tastes or ingested toxins: Cats may drool in response to ingesting something either distasteful or toxic such as certain plants like lilies, household cleaners or medications – their way of trying NOT to swallow these harmful substances.
 
If any of the above sound frighteningly familiar, an immediate visit to the vet with your kitty is vital – both for an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. Your vet will give your cat a thorough physical examination and check her mouth for any dental issues, signs of injury and/or any foreign objects. Depending on these initial findings, diagnostic tests may be required, among them, blood tests to check for an infection, x-rays or an ultrasound for a closer look at her internal organs, and specific tests for infectious diseases. A detailed dental examination may also be needed, usually requiring sedation to allow for a complete evaluation of her teeth and gums.
 
Treatment options: If dental problems are “at the root” of your cat’s drooling, her treatment will, in all likelihood, involve a deep dental cleaning, tooth extractions if required, and/or medication for infections and/or pain relief.
 
For stress-induced drooling, environmental modifications may need to be addressed, and if that doesn’t work, your cat may be prescribed pheromone therapy, mild sedatives and/or anti-anxiety medications.
 
For systemic illnesses or infections, her treatment may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications and/or therapies targeting the direct source of the problem.
 
If nausea is the underlying cause of her drooling, dietary changes, anti-nausea medication and/or other supportive care may be recommended.
 
In cases of trauma or injury, treatment can range from pain management to surgery, depending on the source and severity of either one.
 
If the cause is due to having ingested toxins, treatment will focus on removing them from her body, which might involve inducing vomiting, administering activated charcoal or providing supportive care like IV fluids.
 
To ensure that your cherished feline companion is returned as quickly as possible to her normal self, ongoing contact with your vet, adhering meticulously to a post-treatment plan and regular follow-ups are absolutely essential.

by Nomi Berger
 
Anisocoria is a condition in which a cat’s pupils are different sizes. In some instances, the abnormal pupil may be the smaller one and in other instances, the abnormal pupil may be the larger one.
 
This condition is typically caused by one of the following:
• Congenital defect of the iris, when the tissue fails to develop properly.
• Corneal injury such as an ulcer.
• Brain injury or injury to the nerves running to the affected eye, such as Horner’s syndrome.
• Glaucoma, a disease marked by increased pressure within the eye, resulting in a dilated pupil.
• Uveitis, an inflammation of the eye’s interior, causing that eye’s pupil to be constricted.
• Scar tissue formation between the iris and lens that may develop following uveitis.
• Retinal disease.
• Iris atrophy, a decrease in the tissue within the iris, usually associated with aging.
• Cancer within the affected eye.
• Spastic pupil syndrome that may be associated with FeLV (feline leukemia virus).
• Other infectious diseases such as FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) or toxoplasmosis.
 
Besides a discrepancy in pupil size, and depending on the reason for it, the white part (sclera) of the affected eye may be red, the cornea (the outer surface of the eye) may be cloudy or bluish, there may be a discharge from the eye, the eyelid on the affected eye may droop, the cat may be squinting or rubbing her eye, the third eyelid may be raised, or she may be less active than usual.
 
Should you notice any of the above in YOUR kitty, seek veterinary care immediately to reduce the risk of her vision being permanently affected. Your vet will perform a thorough physical examination of your cat, including a detailed examination of the structures of the eye in question. Depending on these findings, your vet may then measure the tear production and intraocular pressure for both eyes; stain the cornea of the affected eye with fluorescein dye to look for underlying corneal injuries or ulcers and obtain conjunctival scrapings or biopsies to be sent to a diagnostic lab for specialized testing. Blood tests may also be performed to determine if your kitty has a systemic condition such as FeLV or FIV. In some cases, your vet may refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for even further diagnostic testing.
 
Because treating anisocoria depends entirely on the condition causing it, your vet will discuss the options most appropriate for your cat, with the prognosis for a full recovery also dependent upon the condition causing it. In some cases, your cat may require long-term medication to control that condition. Sadly, however, if your cat should go blind as a result of her condition, it’s unlikely that her blindness can be reversed.

by Nomi Berger
 
Have you noticed your kitty drinking water from her water bowl, not with her tongue but with her front paws, using them like a tiny furry paddle or cup? A common sight, purr-haps, and yet, have you ever wondered WHY she’s behaving this way?
 
If so, paw-lease consider the four following paws-ibilities.
 
The water bowl is too small: Since our feline friends favor having easy access to a large supply of water, and that supply, i.e., their bowl is too small, they may have difficulty drinking from it properly and comfortably. Enter ingenuity! How clever of them to dip their paws into the water as their way of getting several cool and refreshing sips from the bowls to their mouths. If your kitty is drinking water like this, check the size of her bowl and replace it with a larger one.
 
She may be experiencing “whisker fatigue”: As odd as this phrase may seem, truth, as they say, is often stranger than fiction. Cats have extremely delicate and sensitive whiskers on their faces that can be easily irritated by rubbing against the unforgiving sides of their water bowls. It makes purr-fect sense then, for them to drink their water by using one or both paws and avoid irritating their whiskers even more. And so, if your kitty is getting her water in this manner, replace her current bowl with one of the many available commercial bowls designated as being “whisker-friendly.”
 
She may simply be playing: As naturally curious, not to mention, creative, animals, kitties enjoy experimenting and doing things differently. Case in point: they LOVE “playing” and engaging with various parts of their bodies, such as chasing their tails and grooming themselves. Therefore, when your “meow-meow” uses her front paws to splash around in her water bowl, she may “see” this as another form of experimenting, exploring and engaging in play.
 
Cats turn up their noses at tepid water. Finicky about what they drink, felines tend to avoid any water in their bowls that fails the “fresh” test. And because they LOVE moving water, they’re never shy about sipping water from the sink faucet or attempting to drink from the toilet bowl. By using their paws in their water bowls, they’re literally “stirring” the water up to create more movement and flow. The solution: invest in an automatic pet fountain that will allow your purr-ecious puss to either drink from the fountain’s bowl or from its continual stream of clean and fresh falling water.

by Nomi Berger
 
What purr-cisely is this condition called alopecia?
 
Alopecia is the partial or total lack of hair in areas where a cat’s hair is normally present.
 
Hair loss can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital hair loss is caused by the failure of hair follicles to develop and is obvious shortly after a kitten is born. In some cases, kittens can be born with a normal coat only to suffer local or generalized hair loss as young adults.
 
Acquired hair loss, on the other hand, occurs in cats born with normal hair coats, only to lose it because of a disease that destroys the hair follicles or shafts or interferes with the hair’s growth. These diseases range from inflammation in a cat’s bladder, kidneys, gastrointestinal system or anal sacs, hyperthyroidism, recent metabolic stress, such as pregnancy, nursing or fever to cancers, including cutaneous lymphoma, thymoma, pancreatic carcinoma and bile duct carcinoma. While acquired hair loss can be inflammatory or noninflammatory, the most common cause of alopecia is an inflammatory disorder.
 
Capable of damaging or destroying a cat’s hair shafts and/or follicles and causing itching or pain are bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections and allergies such as flea allergy dermatitis; deep skin infections; skin trauma such as burns or radiation; and, on rare occasions, iodine, mercury or thallium poisoning. Culprits that either slow or inhibit the growth of hair follicles include nutritional deficiencies -- especially protein deficiencies -- or hormonal imbalances. Significant hair loss is also quite a common occurrence in cats recovering from respiratory infections. Not to mention friction from poorly fitted halters or collars and excessive grooming, so often caused by stress.
 
Congenital hair loss can either be symmetrical in nature or localized to one region on a cat’s head and body and isn’t usually accompanied by inflammation. Signs of acquired hair loss are varied and include change in a cat’s skin color, excessive shedding, inflammation, itching and redness or thickening of the skin. In some cases, secondary skin conditions may develop such as an infection or fluid discharge. Alopecia caused by hormonal disorders isn’t usually itchy at first unless a secondary skin infection is involved.
 
Should your kitty be suffering from alopecia, bring her to the vet who will take a detailed history and perform a thorough physical examination of her skin. But for a more precise diagnosis, your vet will, in all likelihood, order lab tests to check for bacterial, fungal or yeast infections, do a flea combing, collect skin cultures, and do skin scrapes to look for parasites. If your vet suspects a hormonal problem, blood and urine tests will be ordered. A skin biopsy may be performed, and an elimination diet trial recommended using prescription food for eight to 12 weeks to test for food allergies.
 
Because a successful treatment plan depends on a specific diagnosis and may take some time, your vet will either provide or prescribe medication(s) to relieve some of your kitty’s discomfort, including any itching and scratching. Once the underlying cause of her alopecia is identified and appropriate treatment pursued, her hair will probably grow back. But it’s essential that you work closely with your vet, follow instructions and schedule regular follow-up visits to achieve the best outcome paws-ible.

by Nomi Berger
 
From body language to vocalization, cats use various signs and signals to communicate – with other cats and with humans. And although we may not be able to detect them, pheromones rank highest on that list. What, then, ARE pheromones?
 
Pheromones are a form of chemical communication that felines employ when engaging with each other, with the world around them and with their pet parents. The “messages” they send are released from special glands located throughout their bodies, and they produce a wide assortment of pheromones that influence many of their behaviors, emotions and interactions. Different pheromones send different “messages” or signals to other cats, both indoors and outdoors cats, which all cats, young and old, will understand.
 
Many of the glands that release pheromones are located on cats’ faces -- on their foreheads, lower ears, cheeks, chins and around their mouths. They’re also located in their paw pads to help them “mark” their territory when they scratch and/or knead, and around the nipples of females. To share or deposit these messages, your own cat will engage in a range of behaviors – the most positive of which is rubbing her head on you, on various household objects’ surfaces, even doorways, throughout your home, and bumping heads with you and, when applicable, with her feline friends. These are clear signals that your kitty is happy, relaxed and content in her environment, and that by putting her scent on them and on you, she’s marked them and you as being “safe.”
 
Pheromones are used, among other things, to help mother cats and kittens bond, identify and be in harmony with each other, to self-soothe as well as to signal discomfort, stress or fear. All cats use a special organ called the vomeronasal organ (VNO) that’s located in an opening on the roof of their mouths to recognize pheromone messages throughout their environment. When detecting them, your cat will open her mouth slightly and pull back her lips, exposing the roof of her mouth. If you witness your cat standing still with a strange expression on her face, she’s clearly detecting and receiving a single “message” or more.
 
On the other hand, many cats may suffer from anxiety or stress caused by changes in their environment such as adding a new cat to your household, decorating, moving and visiting the vet. Their anxiety will most commonly manifest itself in such negative behaviors as biting, excessive scratching, hiding, refusing to eat, urinating and defecating outside of the litter box, fighting with the other kitties and/or spraying. Should your kitty exhibit any of these behaviors, try using artificial pheromone products.
 
The most popular ones are plug-in diffusers and sprays. Cat calming plug-in diffusers and sprays can help with general anxiety in individual cats and promote harmony in multi-cat households by emitting a synthetic version of the feline facial pheromones given off by mother cats while nursing their kittens.
 
In instances where such measures have little to no effect, animal behaviorists encourage worried pet parents to contact their vets. Hopefully, with an appropriate behavior modification program, including positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior and desensitization along with counter-conditioning, these ‘fraidy cats can overcome their fears or anxiety regarding certain situations and live calmer, happier lives.

by Nomi Berger
 
When cats are constipated, it not only makes them uncomfortable and restless, it could be a sign of a serious underlying medical problem.
 
Cats, on average, move their bowels about every 24 to 36 hours. If yours doesn’t pass one as frequently, strains when attempting to poop or doesn’t leave any poop in her litter box, she may be constipated. While most cases of constipation are mild enough to be treated at home, it’s wisest to contact your vet if yours hasn’t moved her bowels in more than 48 to 72 hours.
 
If you’re unfamiliar with the many possible causes of feline constipation, consider the following:

· Insufficient fiber in their diet
· Dry food 
· Stress or anxiety
· A bowel obstruction due to bones or string blocking it
· Excessive grooming (this results in extra hair inside their digestive tracts)
· Arthritis pain
· Pain or spinal issues
· Kidney problems
· Feline megacolon (this occurs when a cat’s colon gets so large that the muscles are unable to squeeze, leading to a buildup of dry, hard stool)
· Allergies
· Nerve problems
· Ruptured or impacted anal sacs (both can cause pain when defecating)
· Narrow places, tumors or other problems within the colon
· Chronic conditions like hyperthyroidism, diabetes or kidney disease
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· Perianal disease
· Cancer
 
As to the various signs and symptoms of cat constipation:
· Inability to defecate at all
· Straining or crying when inside the litter box
· Avoiding the litter box
· Going into and leaving the litter box numerous times without pooping
Any one of these behaviors merits an immediate call to your vet since your cat may be suffering from a serious urinary tract problem.
 
And because constipation can be a sign of other underlying health issues, you may notice that your kitty is exhibiting one or more of these symptoms:
· Decreased appetite
· Drinking more or less water
· Urinating more
· Difficulty jumping up
· Loss of muscle
· Hiding
· Walking stiffly
· Weight loss
· Nausea
· Vomiting
 
In short, the reason(s) for your kitty’s severe constipation must first be properly diagnosed, then promptly treated to decrease the risk of permanent damage due to prolonged distension of her colon.
 
If, however, your kitty’s constipation is both infrequent and mild enough to be treated at home, consider the following suggestions:
· Help her maintain a healthy weight
· Minimize her stress and anxiety
· Provide her with probiotics
· Switch to a hypoallergenic diet, one with lamb or chicken and special, limited ingredients to reduce any intestinal inflammation
· Try fiber-rich foods, a teaspoon of canned, pureed pumpkin once or twice daily, or ginger as natural remedies
· Increase her exercise to both help her lose weight and keep her active, thereby reducing stress and promoting normal movement within her intestines
· Use over-the-counter laxatives (before doing so, consult your vet since they may worsen symptoms in cats with underlying or chronic diseases) *
· Keep track of how often your cat poops in her litter box and the consistency of her stool at least twice a week initially, then every week or every two weeks thereafter if all is well.