You may notice your cat in the litter box, straining to poop and not being able to. You may also notice that your cat is only passing small, firm “fecal balls”, vomiting, or otherwise not acting like themselves. Constipation can occur for many reasons in cats, with a variety of treatments available. A simple over the counter (OTC) treatment you can try is giving your cat Miralax. It can be effective for both simple cases of constipation, or long-term management. In this article we will discuss more about Miralax, how much to give, and if there are any side effects you should be aware of. Remember that it is important to consult a veterinarian before giving any medication to your cat.
What is Miralax?
Miralax is the brand name of an osmotic laxative that contains PEG 3350, or Polyethylene Glycol. Other names include GaviLAX, GlycoLax and ClearLax. It is used to help relieve constipation, or difficulty passing stools normally and regularly, usually due to hard stools.
What is an osmotic laxative? This means that when swallowed, it travels through the digestive tract (intestines), binding to water molecules along the way. This will cause more fluid to be absorbed into the intestines, increasing the size of the intestines and their water content. As the Miralax and additional water go into the colon, the hope is that the increased hydration of the bowel will cause the hardened stool to soften, therefore making it easier to pass.
Miralax is not a stimulant laxative. A stimulant laxative is a drug that will cause an increase in the contraction(s) of the intestinal tract. It is never recommended to give your cat a stimulant laxative unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian.
How Is Miralax Given?
Miralax comes in powder form. It is reported to be odorless and tasteless, although we are not sure if cats and dogs can smell and/or taste it. It doesn’t need any special storage – just keep it in the container it was bought in.
Miralax is taken orally; in other words, eaten. Although it does not need to be taken with food to be effective, it will be easiest to give your cat with food. You can sprinkle it directly over their food or mix it in to try and hide it from prying eyes. Of course, you could try mixing it with liquid and giving it to your cat with a syringe, but that probably won’t work.
For mild constipation, it should be given twice daily until the stool is normal and your cat is defecating normally. If your cat is severely constipated, they may first need more aggressive hospital care, and stools maintained with Miralax are given once or twice a day.
Miralax Dosing and What Happens If You Miss a Dose
Always double check dosages with your vet. It’s best to start with between 1/8-1/4 teaspoon twice daily. Ask your vet if they want you to give this medication to your cat once or twice a day.
If you normally give it twice a day, then if you miss a dose, your vet may double the dose and give it just once. However, depending on the severity and cause of your cat’s constipation what your vet may want you to do. Miralax is generally safe. Missing a dose will usually not cause any adverse effects. If anything, missing a dose can cause your cat to become constipated.
Sometimes cats are so constipated that they need to be sedated and manually removed by your veterinarian. They are often kept in the hospital to receive IV fluids and intensive care before going home to medical care. Miralax may be prescribed to your cat by your veterinarian for long-term care. Therefore, dosing can be titrated up or down depending on what your cats are doing, and what is causing their constipation in the first place.
Potential Side Effects of Miralax
Miralax is generally safe for most cats. In some cases, however, this may not help your cat. If this is the case, your cat may start vomiting and/or have persistent bowel problems if you only give Miralax and do not take any other steps to help your cat.
Other cats may develop flatulence or diarrhea if given too much. If this occurs, you should back the dose down to once daily and contact your veterinarian regarding additional instructions.
If your cat is constipated from underlying dehydration, giving Miralax or any other osmotic laxative may worsen their dehydration. This is because of what we discussed above that Miralax will draw more fluid into the intestines. Make sure your cat is not only drinking an appropriate amount of water but also not dehydrated. Your vet can discuss this with you as some cats who drink too much will still be dehydrated chronically. We often see this when cats have chronic kidney disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Miralax Take to Work?
In mild cases of constipation, you should notice results within about 12 hours. However, if your cat’s constipation is severe, it may last for several days. At the very least your cat should be passing small pieces of solid waste every day. If more than 2 or 3 days pass without any stool passing, you should seek emergency veterinary care.
Why Is My Cat Constipated?
Constipation in cats can occur for many reasons. Sometimes this is simply from a decrease in water intake and/or their diet. Other times, constipation can be from chronic kidney disease, a hairball, or a previous injury. Your vet will likely want to perform radiographs and bloodwork to try to determine what is causing your cat’s constipation, and discuss whether it could be the beginning of a chronic issue.
Conclusion
Constipation can occur for many reasons in cats. In cases of mild constipation, your cat may receive medical management at home, including Miralax. Miralax is an osmotic laxative that helps to loosen stool by increasing the water content of the intestine. It can be purchased OTC as a powder and sprinkled on or mixed into your cat’s food. It can be given once or twice daily, depending on your veterinarian’s recommendations. The dose can be titrated up or down with few side effects seen. Management of constipation should always be done with your veterinarian, as prescription food and/or other medications may be needed for long-term control.
Featured Image Credit: Zhuravlev Andrey, Shutterstock
