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My senior cat's poop gets stuck. What diet changes can help her?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 14 years and 8 months old | 8.5 lbs

My cat regularly gets poo stuck in her rectum, like she can’t finish properly. She is 14 and has had this problem for the last couple of years. She has wet food in the morning and dry throughout the day.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 4th, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend switching to a different food such as Science Diet or Royal Canin and see if a diet change makes a difference. You may even consider adding in a fiber supplement to help bulk up her stool so that it passes without getting stuck. A probiotic such as Purina Fortiflora may also be a good idea, which can be found online quite easily. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 5th, 2018

    Hi there and thanks for posting! There can be several causes for this- constipation, certain spinal disorders, or joint pain (such as from arthritis) or other conditions that may make it difficult for Moon to pass stool normally. She Moon has been doing well otherwise, you may try giving her some extra fiber in diet by adding a teaspoon or two of plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) in her food at each meal may help move things along. If you find Moon is still having stool issues, then I would recommend she see her veterinarian. Your vet may recommend x-rays to rule out pain from arthritis or run blood work to rule out systemic causes such as kidney disease. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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