
ExLax is the brand name of a laxative so confident about its effectiveness that they literally guarantee a bowel movement within 24 hours of taking the medication.
Sennosides, derived from the Senna plant, are the active ingredients in which the brand places so much faith. The ingredient stimulates the movement in the colon by irritating the mucous membrane in the colon. At some point nothing may sound as good as the promise of relief.
People have the convenience to purchase a laxative such as ExLax at the pharmacy, but our furry feline friends are not so lucky.
Can I give my cat ExLax? Answer: No.
ExLax should never be given to cats. In part because constipation for felines can be a symptom of a larger condition and medication may inadvertently make the undiagnosed condition worse.
It is important to have a veterinarian diagnose the cat before you give it any sort of medication. It is never safe to administer human medication including ExLax to cats, since their metabolism works in a completely different way. In some rare cases human medication can be given to cats, but should be done after instructions from a veterinarian.
It is important to have the cause of constipation diagnosed by a vet so they can recommend the best course of action. Meanwhile, there are some ways you can stimulate bowel movements in your cat without ExLax.
Increase Fiber
The feline metabolism is different from that of humans, but the principle of fiber applies to both. An easy and simple way to help promote bowel movements is to increase the fiber in a constipated cat’s diet. Finicky as most cats are about their food, most of them seem to like the taste of canned pumpkin, a great source of fiber. There are also cat foods available that have a higher fiber content, usually directed at the more senior cats.
Increase Fluids
Dehydration can be a cause for constipation in cats. Simply increase the amounts of liquids you feed your cat and you may find their bowels return to their usual levels of productivity. Increasing the fluid can be done by providing wet food instead of dry or adding some water, olive oil, or flaxseed oil to their dry food.
Enter the Enema
Some cats that suffer from constipation may benefit from the occasional enema to clean the colon. The veterinarian can prescribe the enema solution and instruct you on proper usage. It is dangerous to perform an enema on a cat without the proper instruction and tools, because you risk puncturing their bowels. But once you are familiar with the procedure it is probably less stressful for your cat and more economically viable to perform it at home.
Obstructed Bowels
Constipation may be the result of an obstruction in the bowels. Should this be the case, laxatives will not be enough to solve the problem. Whatever is causing the obstruction will need to be surgically removed. Therefore, it is always necessary to contact a veterinarian if you know your cat is constipated. Obstructions in the bowel that are left untreated can cause serious physical damage.
Prevention Works Best
If your cat is never constipated, the thought of using ExLax will never occur to you either. At least in relation to using it on your feline companion. A diet rich in fiber will help keep the bowels regular, both for cats and people. Proving plenty of moisture in the diet will ensure that your cat will not suffer from constipation due to dehydration.
Some cases of constipation are induced by hairballs, so brush your cat regularly so he or she won’t have to swallow so much hair. Play with your petite puma often, because exercise is also a key factor in regular bowel movements. A lazy cat has a lazy colon. Keep the kitty litter clean too, because cats are fussy about their toilets and might just hold it in if they are unsatisfied with its cleanliness.
Eventually, if they keep holding it in they may suffer from constipation-related problems.
ExLax is Not for Cats
As a general rule, human medication should never be given to cats. This is the case with ExLax. Constipation could be a symptom of a much larger problem, so bring your cat to a veterinarian as soon as possible to receive proper diagnosis. In the meantime there are things you can try at home to get the bowels moving such as providing more fiber and liquids.