# Senior Cat Constipation, Diarrhea and Incontinence Senior cat constipation, diarrhea, and incontinence are three different problems that often get tangled together in older cats. Constipation means hard, dry stool that is painful or infrequent to pass, while diarrhea and incontinence usually point to a different set of causes. Sorting out which sign you are seeing, and how long it has been happening, is the first step toward getting your cat comfortable again. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Constipation is common in cats and is usually easy to correct, but it needs early, fairly aggressive treatment to keep it from getting worse [1][2]. - Hard, dry stool that sits in the colon gets drier and harder over time, which makes it even more painful to pass [1]. - Sudden diarrhea, straining with no stool, or leaking stool without awareness all deserve a call to your veterinarian. - Never give human laxatives, enemas, or stool softeners on your own. Some are toxic to cats, and doses must be calculated by your veterinarian. - A litter box on every floor, easy access, and a low-sided box help senior cats who cannot move as fast as they used to. ## What Senior Cat Constipation, Diarrhea, and Incontinence Actually Look Like ### Constipation Constipation is the infrequent or difficult passage of feces, and the stool is often dry and hard [1]. Your cat may visit the box often, squat for a long time, and produce little or nothing. You might hear crying or see your cat hunching in a corner. Some cats stop using the box entirely and poop on the floor because the box has become a painful place to be. ### Diarrhea Diarrhea means loose or watery stool, sometimes with mucus or blood. Large bowel diarrhea tends to come in small, frequent amounts with straining, while small bowel diarrhea is often larger in volume [3][4]. Chronic diarrhea is a common sign in cats and has many possible causes, so the pattern matters to your veterinarian [4]. ### Incontinence Incontinence means your cat leaks urine or stool without control or awareness. This is different from a cat who deliberately poops outside the box. Fecal incontinence can follow anal sac surgery, though it is usually temporary [5]. Urinary incontinence is a separate problem and often points to the bladder, nerves, or hormones. ### What Is Normal Normal senior cat stool is formed, moist, and easy to pick up. Most cats pass stool once or twice a day, though every cat has a personal rhythm. A small change in schedule is fine. A change in consistency, color, or effort is not. ## Main Causes of Senior Cat Constipation and Related Signs The longer feces stay in the colon, the drier and harder they become, and the harder they are to pass [1]. That is why constipation tends to snowball if you wait. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Idiopathic constipation | No clear trigger, hard dry stool, straining | See your vet soon | | Hairballs and indigestible material | Fur in stool or vomit, grooming heavily | Routine visit | | Dehydration or electrolyte problems | Poor drinking, tacky gums, weight loss | Same day | | Tumors or strictures in the colon | Narrowed stool, blood, weight loss | Same day | | Neuromuscular disease or spinal injury | Weak back legs, trouble squatting | Same day | | Drug side effects | Started after a new medication | Call your vet | | Megacolon | Long-standing constipation, bloated belly | Urgent | | Large bowel inflammation or infection | Mucus, blood, frequent small stools | Same day | | Rectal polyps | Straining, blood in stool, diarrhea | Routine to same day | | Anal sac disease | Scooting, licking the rear, pain | Routine visit | Many cases of constipation in cats have no identified cause, and these are called idiopathic constipation [2]. Megacolon is a severe form where the colon stays stretched and stops moving stool normally, and it is seen most often in middle-aged to older male domestic shorthairs, though any cat can develop it [6]. Idiopathic megacolon is the most common type [6]. Rectal polyps are uncommon in cats, usually benign, and can cause straining, blood in the feces, and diarrhea [5]. A veterinarian can often feel a polyp during a rectal exam, and surgical removal is usually followed by rapid recovery [5]. ## Red Flags That Mean Emergency Care Now Go to an emergency clinic now if you see any of these: - Your cat is straining to defecate and nothing comes out, especially with vomiting or a hard, bloated belly. - Your cat is crying, pacing, or collapsing while trying to poop. - There is a large amount of fresh blood or black tarry stool. - Your cat is weak, wobbly, breathing fast, or unresponsive. - Your cat has not urinated in 12 hours or more, or is repeatedly visiting the box with no urine. - Your cat's gums are pale, white, or blue. Straining that produces no stool can look like constipation but can also signal a urinary blockage, which is fatal within a day or two if untreated. When in doubt, treat it as an emergency. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While You Wait ### Offer More Water Dehydration makes stool harder, so encourage drinking. Try multiple water bowls, a fountain, and wet food. Treatment of constipation starts with making sure your cat is well hydrated [2]. ### Add Moisture to Food Mixing a spoonful of warm water into canned food is a simple, safe step. Do not change the entire diet abruptly, because sudden diet changes can trigger diarrhea. ### Keep the Box Clean and Easy to Reach Senior cats may have arthritis, so a low-sided box on each floor helps. Scoop at least once a day. A cat who is in pain may avoid the box and poop on the floor instead. ### Do Not Give Human Products Do not give milk of magnesia, mineral oil, human stool softeners, or enemas. Some of these are dangerous for cats, and dosing must be calculated by your veterinarian based on your cat's weight and health. If your cat is already on a prescription laxative, follow the label exactly. ### Track the Details Write down when your cat poops, what it looks like, and how much effort it takes. Bring this log to your appointment. It helps your veterinarian decide whether this is simple constipation or something more serious. If you are unsure whether the situation is serious, see [Cat Constipation: How to Tell If It's Serious](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-constipation-serious). ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your veterinarian will start with a full history and physical exam. They will palpate your cat's abdomen, and a dilated, firm colon is a common finding in megacolon [6]. They may also do a rectal exam to check for polyps, anal sac problems, or narrowed areas [5]. Testing often includes: - Blood work to check hydration, electrolytes, kidney values, and thyroid function. - Fecal testing for parasites and infection [3]. - Abdominal radiographs (X-rays), which are the main way megacolon is diagnosed [6]. - Ultrasound or other imaging if the X-rays are not clear [6]. - Colonoscopy with biopsy when inflammatory disease or cancer is suspected [3]. Treatment depends on the cause. For simple constipation, your veterinarian may recommend laxatives, enemas, drugs that increase intestinal motility, and dietary changes [2]. A psyllium-supplemented gastrointestinal diet has been shown to help manage chronic constipation in cats over a 6-month period [7]. In severe or unresponsive cases where the colon is stretched and cannot work, surgery to remove the affected part of the colon may be needed [2]. For cats with stubborn impaction, a polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution given through a feeding tube has been used successfully to clear both acute impaction and long-term constipation [8]. This is a hospital procedure, not something to try at home. If your cat has diarrhea, treatment is aimed at the underlying cause plus diet and supportive care [3][4]. Nutritional management is a core part of long-term diarrhea treatment [4]. If your cat swings between constipation and diarrhea, see [Cat Constipation After Diarrhea: Causes and Relief](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-constipation-after-diarrhea). ## Senior Cat Health Issues That Affect the Litter Box Aging changes more than the gut. Senior cats have different nutritional needs, and while there are no official guidelines for senior cats, veterinarians focus on energy, protein, fat, and water intake [9]. Enriched diets with fish oil, certain vitamins, and targeted supplements have shown benefits for cognitive function, longevity, and intestinal health in cats [9]. Arthritis, dental pain, kidney disease, and thyroid disease can all change how often and where your cat goes. A cat who cannot squat comfortably may poop standing up or just outside the box. That looks like incontinence but is really a mobility problem. For a broader look at aging care, see [Caring For Senior Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/caring-for-senior-cats). If your cat strains without producing stool, that is a different picture from true constipation and needs its own evaluation. See [Cat Straining to Poop: Constipation or Something Worse?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-straining-to-poop). ## Prevention and Monitoring - Feed a consistent diet. If your veterinarian recommends a psyllium-enriched gastrointestinal diet, stick with it, since it has been shown to help chronic constipation [7]. - Keep water available everywhere and consider wet food. - Scoop the box daily and watch the stool. You are your cat's best early warning system. - Weigh your cat monthly. Weight loss with constipation or diarrhea is a reason to call your vet [6]. - Schedule twice-yearly wellness visits for senior cats, and bring your stool log. - Ask your veterinarian before adding any supplement, including fiber. Supplemental fiber can help anal sac emptying in some cases, but it is not right for every cat [5]. - If your cat has had anal sac surgery, know that fecal incontinence can occur but is usually temporary [5]. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your individual cat. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat can do that. Call your veterinarian the same day if your cat has: - Straining to defecate for more than 24 hours with little or no stool. - Diarrhea lasting more than 24 to 48 hours. - Vomiting along with constipation or diarrhea. - Blood or mucus in the stool. - Sudden leaking of stool or urine. - Not eating or drinking normally. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat is straining with no urine, has a hard and painful belly, is vomiting repeatedly, is weak or collapsed, or has pale gums. Book a routine visit if the changes are mild but have lasted more than a few days, or if your cat is pooping on the floor and you cannot tell why. Litter box changes are one of the most common reasons owners bring senior cats in, and most causes are treatable. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is it normal for an older cat to poop on the floor? No, it is not normal, but it is common and usually has a reason. Pain, arthritis, a dirty box, or a box that is hard to climb into can all push a cat to go elsewhere. Constipation can also make the box feel like a painful place, so your cat avoids it. ### Can I give my cat a human laxative for constipation? No. Never give human laxatives, stool softeners, or enemas without veterinary direction. Some products are toxic to cats, and the correct dose depends on your cat's weight and health. Call your veterinarian first. ### How long can a cat go without pooping before it is an emergency? If your cat has not passed stool in 48 hours, or is straining with nothing coming out, call your veterinarian right away. Straining with no urine is a separate emergency and needs immediate care. Do not wait to see if it resolves on its own. ### Why does my senior cat have diarrhea and constipation at the same time? This pattern often points to large bowel disease, where the colon cannot move stool normally. Inflammation, infection, or motility problems can cause both signs [3]. Your veterinarian will need a history, fecal testing, and possibly imaging to sort it out. ### Will my cat's incontinence after anal sac surgery go away? Usually yes. Fecal incontinence is a known complication of anal sac removal, but it is typically temporary [5]. If leaking continues or gets worse, contact your veterinarian for recheck. ## Related Articles - [Cat Straining to Poop: Constipation or Something Worse?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-straining-to-poop) - [Cat Constipation After Diarrhea: Causes and Relief](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-constipation-after-diarrhea) - [Caring For Senior Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/caring-for-senior-cats) - [Cat Constipation: How to Tell If It's Serious](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/cat-constipation-serious) - [Cat Constipation: What Should You Do?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-constipation-what-to-do) - [Cat Constipation Remedies](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/cat-constipation-remedies) ## References 1. [Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines in Cats - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Constipation](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/constipation). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. 3. [Large-Intestinal Disorders in Dogs and Cats: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Outcomes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41781216/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 2026. 4. [Feline chronic diarrhea: causes and nutritional management](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42502773/). Veterinary and animal science, 2026. 5. [Disorders of the Rectum and Anus in Cats - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/disorders-of-the-rectum-and-anus-in-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 6. [Megacolon in cats: Current insights and future directions](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41354320/). Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997), 2026. 7. [A psyllium-supplemented gastrointestinal diet is effective for the management of chronic constipation in cats: a 6-month controlled clinical trial](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41631677/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2026. 8. [Use of polyethylene glycolelectrolyte solution (GoLYTELY) for management of acute fecal impaction and chronic constipation in a cat](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41716503/). The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 2026. 9. [EXPRESS: What Goes in the Bowl? Evidence-Based Nutrition for Ageing Domestic Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42728580/). Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 2026. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners) - [Cornell Feline Health Center: Health Information](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information) - [American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Care](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare)