BACKGROUND: I haven't posted re Poppy in many months, but this week am concerned about her. Poppy is a (now) 6-year-old female cat, short hair, declawed by previous owners, always indoors, lovely disposition. I rescued her from a shelter just over a year ago. She was termed "special needs" by the shelter because of her age, and "behavior" and litterbox issues. The age is irrelevant - she's healthy, eats well, is active, plays, etc. So-called behavior issues (she was returned to the shelter twice for petting aggression, disliked being touched, was "unfriendly" etc.) have also resolved. Poppy still doesn't like to be picked up, but loves to be brushed, comes when called, is a very affectionate little girl. She often jumps up on the arm of the sofa beside me, loves to be petted or brushed, comes looking for me if I'm too long away in another room. It took patience and persistence, but we've made it!
Poppy had some litterbox trial-and-error issues at first, but consistently for over a year has used the litterbox for pee. She decided on the final location for her litterbox (on an enclosed and safe balcony). She spends much of her day lying in the sun on the balcony, has free access to both balcony and the rest of the apartment. It's a totally peaceful and safe environment for her.
No mishaps outside the box for urination.
She has never "pooped" in the box, and we worked out a preferred outside-the-box location on the balcony. "Poop" for over a year has been normal and very easily cleaned up, causing no distress to either of us.
Poppy was sent home from the shelter over a year ago on 1/4 tsp x twice daily Restoralax (Miralax in the U.S.). We worked this down to 1/4 tsp 6 mornings a week, with the addition of 1 tsp canned pumpkin morning and evening. Both Restoralax and pumpkin are mixed into her canned food, and she happily eats well. She alternates Fancy Feast Turkey & Giblets, Chicken, and Liver & Chicken. I tried Wellness grain-free chicken recently - she didn't like it.
CURRENT PROBLEM: Poppy's poop schedule over the past year has been predictable and regular: every 3 days. I switched her from dry food to canned when she came to live with me. She doesn't drink water from any bowls / cat fountains ever used here, but I do add extra water to her canned food.
Her "poop" schedule changed last week, when she went 4 days before pooping. She is now into her 5th day since her last bowel movement. There appears to be no discomfort, no straining, no failed attempts, no nausea. She is still eating normally, sleeping and playing and normally active.
I would take her to a vet in a blink if she presented in pain or obvious distress, but I don't see this at all. I'm a pensioner, can't afford hundreds of dollars on vet care "on spec."
Mindful that she was said to have chronic constipation when I adopted her, I've always been watchful of her litterbox behavior, and keep her box very clean.
I've once again increased the Restoralax (Miralax) to 1/4 tsp twice daily, starting just yesterday. I've increased the canned pumpkin from 1 tsp twice daily to 1 tablespoon daily (3 tsps to the tbsp, so a bit of an increase).
Should I increase the pumpkin more? What is a safe maximum daily amount of pumpkin to give a cat, and over what period of time? As mentioned, there is no change in her apparent comfort level: she doesn't appear at all distressed.
I know one poop in 5 days is not "normal" but Poppy has never been "normal" as per other cats. Just normal for her.
What do I do?
Poppy had some litterbox trial-and-error issues at first, but consistently for over a year has used the litterbox for pee. She decided on the final location for her litterbox (on an enclosed and safe balcony). She spends much of her day lying in the sun on the balcony, has free access to both balcony and the rest of the apartment. It's a totally peaceful and safe environment for her.
No mishaps outside the box for urination.
She has never "pooped" in the box, and we worked out a preferred outside-the-box location on the balcony. "Poop" for over a year has been normal and very easily cleaned up, causing no distress to either of us.
Poppy was sent home from the shelter over a year ago on 1/4 tsp x twice daily Restoralax (Miralax in the U.S.). We worked this down to 1/4 tsp 6 mornings a week, with the addition of 1 tsp canned pumpkin morning and evening. Both Restoralax and pumpkin are mixed into her canned food, and she happily eats well. She alternates Fancy Feast Turkey & Giblets, Chicken, and Liver & Chicken. I tried Wellness grain-free chicken recently - she didn't like it.
CURRENT PROBLEM: Poppy's poop schedule over the past year has been predictable and regular: every 3 days. I switched her from dry food to canned when she came to live with me. She doesn't drink water from any bowls / cat fountains ever used here, but I do add extra water to her canned food.
Her "poop" schedule changed last week, when she went 4 days before pooping. She is now into her 5th day since her last bowel movement. There appears to be no discomfort, no straining, no failed attempts, no nausea. She is still eating normally, sleeping and playing and normally active.
I would take her to a vet in a blink if she presented in pain or obvious distress, but I don't see this at all. I'm a pensioner, can't afford hundreds of dollars on vet care "on spec."
Mindful that she was said to have chronic constipation when I adopted her, I've always been watchful of her litterbox behavior, and keep her box very clean.
I've once again increased the Restoralax (Miralax) to 1/4 tsp twice daily, starting just yesterday. I've increased the canned pumpkin from 1 tsp twice daily to 1 tablespoon daily (3 tsps to the tbsp, so a bit of an increase).
Should I increase the pumpkin more? What is a safe maximum daily amount of pumpkin to give a cat, and over what period of time? As mentioned, there is no change in her apparent comfort level: she doesn't appear at all distressed.
I know one poop in 5 days is not "normal" but Poppy has never been "normal" as per other cats. Just normal for her.
What do I do?