Water’s role in constipation or lack of constipation is so frequently misunderstood that its relationship to constipation merits a chapter of its own.

The body needs to be properly hydrated for everything to work well. A dehydrated cat can also have a dehydrated stool. But a well-hydrated cat can still be constipated!

The problem of constipation is not necessarily lack of water in the cat, it is lack of water retention in the stool.

Water retained in the stool is what makes the difference between a softer stool and a harder stool. Proper treatment to prevent constipation involves increasing the water retention capacity of the stool.

Increasing the water retention capacity of the stool does not mean adding water to the cat unless the cat is dehydrated. If, without increasing the capacity of the stool to retain water, extra water is added to an adequately hydrated but constipated cat, that extra water will take the other exit and appear as urine in the litter box, it will not affect the poop.

What helps retain water in the stool?

Increasing water retention of the stool means improving the diet to improve the stool, making the changes necessary to ensure that happens. It may also involve the use of medication in a constipated cat. This is not a simple equation of 'add water' but involves understanding a bit of biochemistry. And that biochemistry involves the next chapter . . .

which is Gut Bacteria and Fiber

“Cats require purity and simplicity.” – SEM