The tricky part is... Trouble peeing or pooping?

[PeanutButterSmoothie]

Hello all! Long time, no see.
I'll get right to the point(s)

-So my cat has been walking around and visiting his litterbox quite frequently. I changed it last night and there is only: one tiny piece of stool and no urine. He currently eats WellnessCore dry and a few Greenies treats a day.

-Given the unusually tiny bit of stool (about size of 1/3 human thumb) I am hoping it is constipation and not anything urine-related.

-I took his food away and gave him warm water with a few bits of kibble in there for flavor, hoping this would loosen him up. (good/bad idea?)

-Because of the information available on cat urination problems, every time he has issues going it ends up being resolved by the end of the night and I panic the whole time, fearing for his health.

But how am I to know this isn't a serious urinary problem that will kill him while I'm asleep?

Thanks for any help/thoughts!

[OsnobunnieO]

In my experience it is always better to be overly safe than wait with ANY male cat making frequent trips to the litter box with no urine production.

How is he acting? Eating/drinking? Any vomiting? Is he happy and active or lethargic, hiding, hissing/growling?

In general, cats don't like their stomachs messed with a great deal but most would tolerate it pretty well. Gently pick him up and GENTLY feel around his abdomen. In general, even at the start of a urinary blockage the bladder will become painful. As time goes on and the bladder becomes more full it will be VERY painful. Not to mention you should be able to feel a firm round bladder in the abdomen. Normal full bladders are maybe the size of a lemon. Blocked cats bladders, in addition to being hard as a rock can become the size of a baseball or larger and are generally very easily found by feeling around the abdomen. Again, I stress to be gentle.

While its possible he may be constipated, my first assumption would be that he is blocked. Either way, it is not something I would risk waiting overnight for. Get him to a vet now. If there is really nothing wrong with him, you will have peace of mind. If he is constipated, they can find him relief. But if he is blocked, they will save his life. Urinary blockages can lead to severe kidney problems in a matter of hours and become fatal in just a few more hours.

[PeanutButterSmoothie]

How is he acting?
He was walking around a bit more than usual in between litter box trips. He's chilling out on the couch right now though.

Eating/drinking?
When I put his "soup" mixture down he ate/drank a fair amount.

Any vomiting?
No.

Is he happy and active or lethargic, hiding, hissing/growling?
Pretty regular disposition. Seemed a bit anxious but is just hanging out now.
He let me feel his underside, didn't notice anything...

[MowMow]

Yeah, if it were my guy I would palpate his belly and see if his belly/bladder felt full(ish). The vet showed me where to palpate and what it felt like with a problem (when Mow as sick with Urinary problems) and how it felt when he was healthy (when I picked him up the next morning).

It felt just like a baseball in his lower belly. Round and firm.

[PeanutButterSmoothie]

Thanks for the advice guys!

He peed and pooped(although only pooped a little)

It seems he doesn't pee as much if he's constipated, which always makes me super nervous. I'll have to ask next vet check-up, which is soon.

Have a good night and, thanks again!

I'm gonna do some more reading into these issues now, good night!

[Janis]

In the meantime, to help his constipation, give him a couple of teaspoons of canned pumpkin (not flavored for pie) in with his soft food. Then give him about a teaspoon full each meal for a while. I keep some in little balls in a plastic bag in the freezer.

[laurief]

I recommend that you NOT feed more than 1 tsp. of canned pumpkin daily. Too much fiber can and will make constipation worse. A moderate daily amount of 1/2-1 tsp should be helpful.

[Janis]

Not to argue lauriet, but I am curious where your information comes from, as I have used canned pumpkin successfully several times. It is a source of fiber and will not constipate the cat. One to two teaspoons is moderate. You can call your vet and access it on the internet to verify this.
Giving a couple of teaspoons to begin with, then following up with a teaspoon each meal (usually twice a day) for about a week when there is a constipation problem has been a good program with a natural and inexpensive product.