Cats express their feelings in subtle ways, which can be difficult for humans to recognize. Sorting out signs of pain and discomfort in cats can be difficult, partly because they are evolutionarily programmed to hide indications that they are unwell to protect themselves from predators. . It can be difficult to determine if cats are experiencing discomfort for similar reasons.
Sometimes lips can indicate that a cat is in pain, especially if they are also expressing other signs of illness. Lips during defecation may be something your cat is doing, or it may be an indication of discomfort. Difficulty having a bowel movement can be a sign of several conditions, including constipation and various conditions of the anal gland. Straining when trying to go to the bathroom, lack of stool production, and pain when defecating are never normal and warrant immediate veterinary action.
What do pursed lips look like in cats?
Pursed lips can be hard to tell on a cat, so just to be clear, it’s a straightening of the normal lip curve along with a straightening of the whiskers. Their ears may flatten and their face may become tense 1.
How Can You Tell When Cats Are Not Feeling Well?
Changes in behavior, such as eating or drinking more or less, avoiding the litter box, leaving, and lethargy, can indicate illness in cats. Meowing and litter box issues can be common indications of illness, and cats can also show discomfort through facial expressions—commonly seen are flattened ears and tense muzzles.
Cats can be quite expressive, so lip pursing is not a concern if your companion has been happily doing it and pooping healthily for years. However, pets that suddenly stick out their lips while defecating and seem to show signs of pain or suffering need medical attention.
What is Feline Constipation?
Constipation is difficulty in defecation. Constipated cats may make less frequent litter box trips, strain or cry when defecating, become withdrawn, and sometimes lose interest in food. This can be caused by certain medical conditions.
Constipation may be related to environmental factors, such as avoiding a dirty litter box. Issues can also arise when cats are unhappy with the location or have difficulty accessing litter boxes. It can also be caused by dehydration and lack of physical activity.
Conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can also lead to problems. Treatment depends on the cause, but dietary adjustments are often part of the plan. Increasing the amount of water cats drink and their physical activity can also help.
Which Anal Gland Conditions Commonly Cause Cats to Have Pain During Pooping?
Cats have anal glands located just inside the anus that produce a dark, pungent fluid that they use to mark their territory. The liquid is usually expressed when cats defecate, but effects and infections of the anal gland can make it difficult for them to release feces, and therefore, express the glands.
Anal impactions usually develop as fluid fails to drain from the glands over time, essentially forming and creating a blockage. Cats suffering from anal gland impactions may lick their bottoms and have difficulty defecating. Expressing the gland usually solves the problem and can be done at the vet’s office.
Infected anal glands can develop from impactions that are not treated promptly. The accumulation of fluid makes the area a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Signs of an anal gland infection include lots of licking and biting of the area, pain when defecating or sitting, redness, and itching. You may also see blood in their stool or from their anus. Treatment usually involves expression of the gland and antibiotics. Cats sometimes need to be sedated during treatment because it can be painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do cats usually poop?
Most healthy adult cats have at least one bowel movement every 24 hours or so; over 48 is too long in most cases. Cats that do not poop for a day need to be seen by a veterinarian.
Are There Ways to Support the Health of the Feline Digestive Tract?
Feeding cats a high-quality food that provides the right mix of nutrients in proportions designed to support nutritional needs is essential to keeping cats happy and healthy.
Weight maintenance also plays a big role when it comes to a cat’s digestive health. Overweight pets may have difficulty completely removing their anal glands. Making sure they drink enough water and get enough exercise during playtime is also important.
Are There Ways To Increase The Amount Of Water Cats Drink?
Many cats prefer to drink fresh water, so cleaning their water bowl frequently or getting a water fountain with a filter can encourage them to drink more. Giving cats bowls they want to drink from can also make a difference; Glass, metal, and stainless steel models are easy to clean and don’t hold odors as easily as plastic. Regularly cleaning bowls with hot, soapy water can keep bacteria and odors at bay, which often encourages cats to drink more. Increasing the amount of wet food in your cat’s diet is another way to improve their hydration.
How Much Play Time Do Cats Need?
Cats need at least 20 to 45 minutes of play time every day, broken up into short sessions to keep them engaged and interested. Many cats can be trained to play fetch and can exercise after their favorite plush toy filled with catnip.
Conclusion
Cats can show signs of discomfort through vocalization and body language, and pursed lips can indicate illness to some, but it could also be something your cat is doing. Lips during defecation can mean that your cat is struggling and in pain. This may be related to certain medical issues or caused by environmental factors such as lack of exercise and dehydration. Call your vet if your cat seems to have difficulty trying to poop, has trouble going to the bathroom, or if they go more than 24 hours without defecating.
Featured Image Credit: Oleg Opryshko, Shutterstock
