Constipation in cat: is Movicol OK?

[TryingAgainAgainAgain]

Vet prescribed Polyethylene glycol (PEG3350) for constipation having examined my cat to rule out anything else. Was hugely expensive for a generic med, and I can't seem to find it to buy again from a vet med supplier online.

MiraLax is the same drug and strength used for humans but not available in UK. Movicol/Laxido (flavour free) is the UK version but also contains electrolytes. I've googled loads (vet now closed) but can't find out for sure if the added electrolytes are safe for cats.

I can find references to Movicol/Laxido being prescribed by vets, but just want to be sure.

Grateful if anyone can clarify.

My Google came up straight away

Is Movicol safe for cats?

I would give careful consideration before giving Movicol as it contains electrolytes that can cause mineral imbalance in cats. My vet has said it should never be given to cats.

We were told by vet to get lactulose from chemist for our cat. Was many years ago so can’t remember dosage.

No. There are lots of cat-friendly options online - we use Katalax.

I did this too on vets advice, again was a few years ago though.

Yes, I also saw that on google, but other vets have prescribed Movicol.

Thanks. Katalex is flavoured paraffin wax, which was what the vet suggested first, but it wasn't effective. So she moved to polyethylene glycol.

Thanks, but I'm looking for an accessible, safe form of polyethylene glycol. Apparently lactulose is generally less well tolerated. I'm assuming that's why the vet didn't prescribe it.

My vet said cat milk is quite useful as a laxative.

Not quite what you’re asking, but a teaspoon of (cooked) pumpkin every other day helps to prevent constipation in my cats.

As a one off if you've run out of the proper stuff I might use Movicol but on an ongoing basis I'd be concerned about the other ingredients. Do you have pet insurance? Sometimes they come with a helpline you can call but I'm assuming they'll tell you no as as most online advice is not use use it with cats (I also looked into it when I first realised TempCat has constipation)

Rex once had to have an enema at the vets as he hadn't a poo for 5 days in a row and I was really worried. Lactulose and paraffin wax didn't really make a difference and was a pain as he's so fussy he often won't eat if there are additions to his wet food. If yours will eat it, try adding a teaspoon of olive oil or salmon oil to each meal as these do help.

I now have him on his special "poo biscuits" aka Royal Canin Fibre Response. These keep him regular with softer stools and have worked long term.

My vet recommended lactulose after my cat had major orthopaedic surgery and was on cage rest. We bought it from the chemist and gave her 1ml twice a day (using a dosing syringe - our cat is small so you might need more depending on weight, so do check with your vet). It did the trick and caused her no issues. She is a hoover but I don’t think she could even taste it.

Oily fish can be good and as much water as you can so cat soup, warm water added to wet food etc

Thank you everyone.

He's been on fish oil (Nordic Naturals, best quality) but that didn't help. I haven't been able to get cooked pumpkin into him, but will try again. I wonder if there's a most easily disguised type of pumpkin? He was pretty much a street cat, but has become increasingly fussy!

The constipation started when I gave him some dry food on the advice of his vet (he had previously been on all wet). I dropped the dry, now try and get a soup into him each day, but he simply doesn't drink water.

I tried ordinary milk as he seemed to tolerate it OK, but hadn't thought of cat milk. Thanks, will try that.

Have you tried foods like lick-e-lix?

My vet prescribed liquid paraffin for my cat with acute megacolon. Worked a treat. A cap full everyday, directly into his mouth. It was a bit messy to begin with, but I was expert at it for the years that he needed it.

As an alternative to pumpkin you could try some sweet potato. We cook it in the microwave or airfryer and mash it up with some wet cat food, you can add some oil (or a tiny amount of butter if your cat is fussy!). Our boy loves it.