Before anything, let’s start with this fact: Constipation is annoying! It doesn’t matter if you’re a human or a cat; if you’re constipated, you’ll be uncomfortable, maybe even in pain.
But no need to panic. Constipation is a common problem for pets and can, in many cases, be treated by at-home remedies or over-the-counter medications. A quick and safe solution would be a laxative such as MiraLax.
Here’s all you need to know about how much MiraLax for a 17-pound cat, how to use it, and more!
Table of Contents
How Much Miralax for a 17-Pound Cat?
Determining the appropriate dosage of Miralax for a 17-pound cat should be done under the guidance of a veterinarian. The dosage may vary based on the cat’s individual health condition and needs. Generally, veterinarians recommend starting with a low dose and gradually adjusting it as necessary. Miralax is sometimes used to alleviate constipation in cats, but administering the correct amount is crucial to avoid potential complications.
Miralax dosage for cats by weight
Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350) is occasionally used in veterinary medicine for constipation, but the dosage should be determined by a veterinarian. The following table is just a hypothetical example and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice:
| Cat Weight (lbs) | Miralax Dosage (teaspoons) |
|---|---|
| 5 | 1/8 |
| 10 | 1/4 |
| 15 | 3/8 |
| 20 | 1/2 |
Again, this is just a general example and may not be accurate for your cat’s case. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet. They can guide the appropriate dosage based on your cat’s specific condition and health history.
How to Know if My Cat Is Constipated?
Cats usually feel the need to use the litter box every 24 to 36 hours. So you’ll need to check the litter box every day. If you notice that your cat goes longer than two days without pooping or that it is straining or in pain when it tries to poop, then she’s probably constipated.
Constipation usually increases with time because the colon absorbs the water from the feces in it. Meaning, that the longer your cat goes without pooping, the harder and drier these feces will be. This would make it even more difficult and painful for your cat to poop.
MiraLax is an osmotic laxative that can be used as a short-term treatment for constipated cats. It comes in a powder form that you can then dilute in the cat’s water or food. MiraLax should help with easing the congestion and enhancing bowels’ movement.
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Is Miralax Safe For Cats?
The MiraLax laxative is safe to use for your cat with proper dosages, but make sure to go through this list before giving your cat MiraLax, or any other laxative:
- Is your cat showing symptoms other than constipation such as vomiting, loss of appetite, laziness, or weight loss?
- Does your cat have any significant health conditions that medications could affect?
- Is your cat already taking other medications?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should visit the vet to ensure that MiraLax or other laxatives won’t make things worse or won’t be the proper treatment.
Tips on How to Use a Feeding Syringe
If your cat refuses to drink the water or eat the food mixed with the MiraLax powder, using a feeding syringe is the second-best option.
Feeding syringes are not the same as the regular syringes used for injections. They come with a cap and no needle, and they’ll probably be bigger in size as well.
If you can’t find a feeding syringe, it’s okay to use the regular one. You’ll just need to remove the needle first and carefully cover it, and put it somewhere safe so you won’t hurt yourself or your cat.
If you’re new to this whole syringe-feeding situation, don’t worry! The following steps should give you a very detailed and clear explanation of how to do it.
- After diluting the powder in water, load that mixture in the syringe. If your cat won’t swallow the water mixture, another way to do it is to mix the powder with some of its favorite food to make it more appealing.
- If your cat isn’t so chill, it’s better to prepare a towel and wrap it around its neck, just in case things get a little messy. Just make sure it’s not wrapped too tight. Of course, you don’t want to strangle the poor thing in the process!
- Use your non-dominant hand to hold your cat and secure the towel.
- Put the syringe in the back corner of your cat’s mouth with the other hand. Make sure that it’s pointed towards the cat’s throat and not to the other side of the mouth so that it wouldn’t spill everywhere.
- You can now start pushing the mixture into the cat’s mouth. Do this slowly and give your cat a chance to swallow. Don’t over-push the syringe’s plunger so the mixture won’t get into the cat’s airway or cause a gag reflex. Repeat this step until the cat swallows all the medicine.
MiraLax should be used once a day and shouldn’t be mixed with other laxatives. You also shouldn’t alternate between laxatives. Don’t give it to your furry friend on an empty stomach to avoid causing any inflammations.
How to Prevent Constipation in Cats?
Although constipation can be, in some cases, a sign of significant health issues, in many cases, it isn’t. Instead, it could be caused by poor dietary choices or lack of movement.
After understanding enough about constipation’s symptoms, causes, and treatments, we recommend making some adjustments to your cat’s diet and lifestyle. Here are some tips that can help with, or even cure, this problem:
- Make sure your cat is at a healthy weight. If the cat is overweight, this can make it harder for her to move and play around. Enough movement has a noticeable impact on improving bowels’ movement.
- Add foods that are higher in fiber and lower in residue to your cat’s diet.
- Try to get your cat to consume more fluids.
FAQs
How to mix Miralax for Cats?
Miralax is usually mixed with your cat’s wet food. The most common mix is 1/4 teaspoon every 24 hours. I highly recommend asking your vet to help you pick the optimum dosage for your cat’s weight, age, etc.
Are there any Miralax alternatives for cats with constipation?
Yes, you can use lactulose for your cat; it’s an effective stool softener that’s recommended by a lot of veterinarians. However, this needs a prescription from your vet. Its dosage is usually about 1/2 a teaspoon every 8 hours until your cat’s stool becomes loose enough. One downside of this medication though that it’s too sticky so you might face some difficulties in trying to make your cat intake it.
Can Miralax hurt cats?
Excessive intake of laxatives -like Miralax- for cats could lead to diarrhea, nausea, and cramping in some cases. That’s why it’s important to follow up with your veterinarian in case you recognize any abnormal symptoms in your cat.
Wrapping up
Now that we’ve discussed how much MiraLax for a 17-pound cat, how to use it, and other alternatives, you’ll need to observe your cat. If you notice that she’s not responsive to the medication within a week or shows any other symptoms or side effects, you should visit the vet’s clinic.
Constipation might be related to other health issues. Therefore, your vet might have to run some tests to get to the bottom of things and provide the needed care and treatment for your furry friend.
I’ve been living with cats since 2008 and I can confidently say I have more feline friends than humans lol. I currently live with 5 cats in different life stages; two of them are less than one year old, one is 2-ish years old and the oldest two are 9-ish years old. I’ve developed a strong bond with cats over the years and I’m eager to share my experience through this blog. You can learn more about my cats here.