My cat has chronic constipation. Is lactulose or Miralax better?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Female | 13 years and 4 months old | 7.5 lbs
My cat is having chronic constipation for the first time in her life. Had 2 enemas and now on Fiber canned food and lactulose or miralax. The vet told me to start with lactulose and then switch to miralax. It has been one day on the mirlax but now i can't tell if it was the lactulose or the miralax that is working. Help!
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 3rd, 2019
Hello, and thanks for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. For now, I wouldn't stress about knowing exactly which medication has helped Kiki - in truth, it's probably been a combination of all the different interventions. Cats who are prone to constipation often need constant adjustments in their management, so for now, if she's doing well, continue the miralax as your vet advised and touch base with them if her stools become hard or less frequent again. Sometimes cats may need to be on both meds for a time, or even switch foods entirely to a diet formulated for cats with constipation issues. So, there's probably not one "right" medication for her, and a therapy that worked this time might still need to be adjusted in the future. I have found the Royal Canin GI Fiber Response food to help immensely - you could ask your vet if that's an appropriate option if Kiki continues having bouts of constipation. Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 2nd, 2016
Constipation can be a very serious condition, it can be caused by a physical blockage (foreign body like a bone) or a functional peristalsis deficiency of the intestines. In order to treat simple constipation, you should increase the fibers in the food (e.g. canned pumpkin) and can add a little mineral oil to the diet. I strongly advise taking your cat to the vet in order to check if there is a serious condition causing the constipation first.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on January 18th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using PetCaoch! Yes canned pumpkin can help as can miralax. Keep in mind that constipation is a symptom of something else (intestinal disease/megacolon or kidney disease). I recommend taking TIgger to the Vet for an exam and blood work. They can provide other options for medications. I hope this helps and I wish Tigger the very best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on September 14th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Pintu! Constipation is a symptom of something else. Most commonly it is seen secondary to kidney disease or intestinal disease (inflammatory bowel disease). I wold restart the lactulose at a lower dose. The goal is softer than normal stools but not diarrhea so you can increase of decrease the medication based on what you are seeing. Also there is a diet that I highly recommend for constipated cats as it can eliminate the need for medication: Royal canin Fiber Response. I wish Pintu the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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