constipated cat with kidney disease

[toriree]

One of my older cats has kidney disease and is on a special diet (Hill's K/D canned and dry) along with Epakitin and Rubenal (Azodyl if I could get it down her-but can't). I keep water for her in several places and try to keep it fresh. The past 2 or 3  days I have not noticed any fecal activity. She urinates maybe 3 or 4 times a day that I know of. I have to use NutriCal on her food to get her to eat it, but my vet said it was ok. I am wondering if there is something else I can do about her constipation.

[toriree]

I had never heard of using  pumpkin , so i will get some today to see if I get make her eat some. She won't like it I am sure. I have oplain yogurt on my shopping list. I have been putting the dry food in with some water so it is mushy, wouldn't that be ok? The canned K/D has pysillium seed in it, so I didn't' know if it was not enough or what. I will try the Parmesan cheese too. She does like her old canned food, but I haven't tried it on top of the special diet food.
What will the NutriCal do? I probably AM over using it as that is the only thing she really wants and I mix it with her canned food every feeding (4 times a day).
I thought perhaps fis oil for the constipation, but didn't know if that was too strong for her kidneys. Laxatone was another thought since it is mostly mineral oil. What do you know about FortiFlora? I still have a little of that, but the vet said to use it only a little. And what about Stewart's cat fiber treats? I can order some, but nobody around here carries them any more.
I would be interested in making homemade food for her, but there are so many online I don't know where to start for a cat with kidney disease. Suggestions?
Thanks, I think it helps just to discuss this with someone.  

[PrettyKitty1]

I agree with Opus. Canned Pumpkin is great for that. She gave you an excellent advice.
The only thing for me to add is you can give her Physilium Husk, powder...just a bit, with each meal depending on how bad her constipation is. And, when constipation goes away I would still add a bit of this product to one of her meals…just once a day.

Dry food causes the colon to lose elasticity, leading to constipation. A balanced homemade diet is the healthiest meal for any pet. Sometimes prescription foods cause other issues.  They may help with one thing  but may cause other issues. That is not a balanced diet, since she is lacking the fiber she needs to help her go.  I have heard very good things about the Physillium husk, especially for kitties who are kept on dry food.

I'm sorry about your kitty's health problems. I hope she gets better.

[opus88]

poor baby!! Will she eat canned pumpkin?...that is great for kitty constipation....even probiotic live yogurt, I give than to mine when they get constipated and they love it.
One very good thing you can do for her is get her OFF the dry food!....it is so low in moisture it just contributes to the problem.
I hope your not over using the Nutrical? that can cause other problems.
can you sprinkle with just a tad of some other treat she likes?..I know she needs a special diet but a tad of her old diet on top( like a 1/4 teas?)...or tiny sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (thats what I have to use for one of mine to eat his homemade diet)...just a lite dusting.
good luck, let us know who she is doing ok!!