How long is safe to give our cat Miralax/Tapering off?

cejhome

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Hello, Buddy has been taking Miralax since we adopted him in July. He came to us very constipated. We started him on Miralax 1/4 tspn a day in late July. He has improved to having pretty normal daily poop for the last 3 week or so. It took a while to get to this point. The history we know from his previous home said he had digestion issues almost the whole time they had him (a year). Sounds like constipation as the notes said he would get really bloated and then have very stinky poop. We have tapered him down to 1/8 tspn a day. Any opinions/experience on how long is safe for him to be on Miralax? He is 2+ years old. I'd like to work towards weaning him totally off of it. He eats only wet food, and I add water to it. He is grain free fed, as he has food allergies, and we aren't sure if grain may be involved. He eats Instinct LID rabbit, Soulisitc Lamb (has tuna listed after the lamb in the ingredients), and Meat Mates lamb.
 

Furballsmom

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Hi!
My experience is that his system will tell you. If you can get it down to 1/16th for a few days, then try maybe every other day and see how he does :)
 

DreamerRose

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I have the same problem myself and have taken Miralax almost every day for years. This was recommended by my gastroenterologist, who said it was perfectly safe. I would keep giving it to your kitty for as long as necessary and cut back on it only if his stools become runny. Start it again if the stools become hard and difficult to pass. Miralax is a continuing treatment; it's not something that will "cure" the condition. His constipation is probably chronic, not caused by food or a medicine, and he will need it the rest of his life.
 

Tobermory

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My 18- and 8-year olds have been getting Miralax in their food for years. Iris, the senior, has a senior’s constipation issues so it’s not unusual. Mocha has always strained to poop since I adopted her at age three and just seems to have an easier time of it when I give her Miralax. They each get a shy 1/8 tsp. in their morning and evening meals. My vet is aware of it and has never said it’s a problem. I also add water to their canned food to help.
 
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cejhome

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Thank you! I thought that would work - get him down to less and seeing how he does, then work on every other day, etc. If I find we need to keep him on it long term, that is fine but I want to see if its possible to eliminate it or get him to the lowest dose possible. Yes, he could have been born that way, but going for 1 year with food issues without any treatment or diet change could also have caused it, and could have done damage. The notes from the previous home admitted he had food issues but they never took him to the vet (for anything at all) or tried to alter his diet. He was fed Friskies shreds and dry food. He would get very bloated and then when he would poop it would be super stinky. With the diet change with us - no chicken, no grain, non-standard or no thickeners, he is doing great - his poop is good size (he is a big boy) and is not stinky. When we were working things out with his diet, you could smell down the hall when he would poop, and it was constipated. Oh interesting I just remembered - in their notes, they said he would bite if you touched him around his belly or sides. He has done none of that with us. He is a love nibbler and an "I am starving" nibbler, but it tickles, and never comes close to being a bite.
 

Alldara

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Wonderful progress you've had already!

We are long-term with a same medication, different brand here. For Nobel he was prescribed 1/4 tsp twice a day. He gets probably 1/4 tsp every other day now.

Magnus has had food allergies and constipation since we brought him home. He and Calcifer share a 1/4 tsp every other day. (Cal's poos get big and were super smelly when he came home. Not sure if it has to do with him being a bottle baby for a bit)

Chronic constipation problems can lead to Megacolon. The vet said it's safe for cats so any sign of constipation, even a bit of less waist for a few days and I increase the dose temporarily. If ever I go away a few days, I'll have the sitter give 1/4 tsp twice daily split between all boys for safety.

Usually, when they have some pumpkin in their food or separately I can give a bit less. FYI - the vet prefers that I use the medication over using pumpkin so take that as you will.
 
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cejhome

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We are so blessed to have him! He is such a great cat. He makes us laugh a whole lot. We went in to the rescue looking for a petite girl kitty like our previous kitty was and saw Buddy - a big young boy kitty. Love at first sight! Luckily the previous home (had adopted Buddy from same rescue) brought him back when they didn't want him anymore instead of dumping him. He is so very sweet too - constantly wanting attention and helping us work during the day. I agree - the constipation is dangerous and will definitely keep him on the Miralax at the minimum dose needed. He is an only cat (he doesn't like to share), which makes it easy to monitor his poop. We did have the vet do an x-ray to see what he looked like - his intestines were picture perfect.
 

Alldara

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We are so blessed to have him! He is such a great cat. He makes us laugh a whole lot. We went in to the rescue looking for a petite girl kitty like our previous kitty was and saw Buddy - a big young boy kitty. Love at first sight! Luckily the previous home (had adopted Buddy from same rescue) brought him back when they didn't want him anymore instead of dumping him. He is so very sweet too - constantly wanting attention and helping us work during the day. I agree - the constipation is dangerous and will definitely keep him on the Miralax at the minimum dose needed. He is an only cat (he doesn't like to share), which makes it easy to monitor his poop. We did have the vet do an x-ray to see what he looked like - his intestines were picture perfect.
All wonderful things for sure. And you have a few options to try! :)
 
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