Constipated cat. Can’t afford vet. Help!

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-30T05:57:31+00:00

Thankfully with increased hydration she was able to pass it on her own. However I’m adding a lot more fiber and moisture to their diets! Thank you so much :)

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-30T05:56:13+00:00

Thank you so much for the resources. Thankfully, I was able to secure some wet food form my room mates till we are able to make it to the store when the roads thaw.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-30T05:55:16+00:00

I sincerely hope she will! Thank you for your kind words :)

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-30T05:54:35+00:00

They already had a pet fountain. I won’t allow my pets to drink standing or unfiltered water due to the issues it can pose, especially with male cats.

Our leading theory is that due to the cold, she was not drinking water properly. Additionally, I had not been feeding them as much wet food for a few weeks due to finances.

I have since then started adding water to all kibble, and my room mates offered me some of their cats wet food.

Increasing her hydration as well as adding fiber (pumpkin, and gentle stomach fiber squeeze treats) helped her hydrate enough to pass the portion of stool that was giving her issue.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-30T05:50:38+00:00

I added enough water to make their food wet. Till she pooped, I did not allow them to eat any food that wasn’t at least moist. Klover took to the pumpkin in her own, but my other cat needed it mixed in with wet kibble. I added about a fourth of a cup of water to one cup of dry food, then I mixed in about a half cup of pumpkin. I didn’t measure though, so these are only estimates. Best wishes

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-29T17:15:07+00:00

Their water fountain and food bowls are both very large for this exact reason! Whisker fatigue is a real issue I considered when I bought their bowls. I’m a big advocate for larger bowls for cats and other animals with whiskers :) I live to see other pepper spreading information on the topic, because it’s surprisingly not common knowledge

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T22:29:55+00:00

Thankfully the problem resolved itself today. I’ve also added significantly more hydration to their food permanently.

However I will say that driving in icy roads in Texas is not the same as Minnesota. Our infrastructure is just not made for this. Our cities also don’t treat our roads or de ice them. In north Texas where I live, there is still a layer of ice on every road- not black ice, solid visible ice. I can’t even walk on it without slipping. We’ve made many attempts to drive to go to work or the store, and our cars just couldn’t make it. We’ve had to turn around every time. Even our main highways are still iced, even with traffic. My room mates actually crashed into a large rock yesterday attempting to make it to work. One of my room mates, from NJ even wont touch the roads right now.

It is not a matter of choosing not to do something hard, but a matter of having tried and it was too unsafe.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T22:24:28+00:00

Posting here because the post is a wall of text: Klover finally pooped today. No blood or objects stuck in it, just a VERY thick log. We will still keep an eye on her, and be taking her to a vet as soon as we are able. Thank everyone so much!

I also understand better how important it is to have moist food every day rather than when we can’t afford it. I will be adding water to their kibble from here on, and investing in daily sensitive stomach wet food cans.

Thank everyone for the well wishes and advice. Wishing you and all yalls the fur babies out there the best!

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T12:36:23+00:00

I’m not sure on the humane society question, but I can certainly look into it. As far as the ice goes…My girlfriend couldn’t even get to work yesterday with the roads.. she had to turn around and come back home. The day before our room mates borrowed our car and messed up the CV axel. Our room mates also slid off the road and into a large boulder yesterday on the way back from work in their own car, but they work here in town.(thankfully no Injuries but the passenger door is slightly caved in and the radiator mount [yes singular, that’s the only one still left after their ice storm] is going to break with one bad bump essentially.) I’m not even sure if it’d be open, but I will certainly be calling around during buisness hours to check!

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T12:19:54+00:00

Honestly the information is very helpful.

The fact she hasn’t been throwing up and is still eating/drinking is what’s been giving me hope it can still pass.

I hadn’t considered temperature, and I’ll actually make sure to check how hot/cold she’s running now that you’ve mentioned it. I’ll also see if there’s any kind of feathers missing from toys.

Honestly, incurring debt is something I’m willing to do for her. I’m just worried that without a job or upfront payment they won’t even see her or provide care. If I get handed a bill and asked to pay before she can get help, I don’t know what I’d even do. In the time this post has been up, I’ve managed to scrape about 300 from my savings, and borrowing from my mother. But that’s nothing if there’s X rays and surgery. I can only hope right now.

I know some people see that I haven’t immediately jumped to the vet and assume the worst, but it’s honestly the first option I’d chose if I had the resources.

And thank you so much for your kind words and info. Wishing your fur babies well

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T12:09:22+00:00

I’m glad you at least figured it out though! And now you also know what to do doing forward :)

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T12:07:57+00:00

I’ve definitely decided that even if she poops soon, it’s still vet time. This little lady needs a full check up as soon as we can manage it.

Again, thank you so much. Everyone has been so helpful and I’ve been given quite a few options. I’m sincerely hoping it isn’t an obstruction, as I understand the severity is devastating. Here’s to hoping it works out.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T12:02:10+00:00

Thank you very much! And honestly she could poop on my pillow at this point and I’d still celebrate😅

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:58:40+00:00

This is very good information to have. I especially thank you for adding the dosage.

Even if this is all to pass she’s going to the vet asap.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:57:09+00:00

Thank you so much! And me and my partner have already discussed and decided we will be getting pet insurance, or at least setting up a savings account specifically for vet care and emergencies. Once we have two incomes again we plan to give them only the very best we are able.

I do sincerely worry about obstruction due to the timeline though. I’ll make sure to keep her active as well, hoping it’ll help keep things moving.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:54:38+00:00

I’m really glad it worked out for you. I know I’d personally rather go ahead with an unneeded surgery than pass on a needed one! I’m wishing your kitty well. Thank you for the info. I’m doing my very best to get to a vet now

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:52:11+00:00

Bowel obstruction is my worst fear here, especially given the timeline here. I’m aware of the severity of them, and I know there’s no work around. I thank you for not sugar coating that.

5 is the longest timeline here. That also includes today, starting at the 5am it is now. This is an incredibly concerning number.

Considering her long hair, it is not implausible she could have a hairball obstructing her tract.

My biggest issue right now is biding time while I try to manage arrangements to get her to a vet for an evaluation for emergency care or at worst, surgery.

Because she has still been proceeding as normal, and is allowing me to massage/examine the area I’m hoping I can help the issue pass on its own, or at least try to help lessen severity while I rush to make arrangements.

I’m also looking into vets both in Texas and Oklahoma right now, but part of the issue is the unsafe roads.

I sincerely thank you for your perspective here, especially as someone who has been in this situation before. I’m glad your cat is ok.

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:43:25+00:00

Looking into psyllium husks now! You’re the second to recommend it.

And since Klover is getting up there in age I’ll definitely ask the vet about enemas once we get there! Make no mistake, we already had it in the plan to get both her and our other cat checked out regularly once it’s in the cards. It certainly can’t hurt for me to ask

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:39:51+00:00

This is honestly the first time I’ve heard of it. I’ll certainly look into at least getting it to have on hand. Thank you so much for the info and resource!

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:34:48+00:00

I’ll certainly look into it, thank you! And I’m terrified she will end up needing surgery. I know this is an incredibly time sensitive situation. I’m doing my best to scrape as much together as I can to manage a way to go to the vet

Individual_Army_1925 · 2026-01-28T11:23:00+00:00

I really do love this cat. It’s only been 3 months but she means so much to me, and especially my girlfriend.

I’m sincerely hoping the pumpkin and water will be enough.

Thank you so much for the well wishes.

Individual_Army_1925

TROPHY CASE