Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Is polyethylene glycol 3350 safe and tasty for cats as a laxative
By Tam, Fiona M et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2011·Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol 3350 as an oral laxative in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with recurrent constipation was given a laxative called polyethylene glycol (PEG3350) for four weeks to see if it was safe and tasty. All the cats were able to eat the laxative without any changes in their weight or appetite, and they produced softer stools as a result. While some cats showed a slight increase in potassium levels, it wasn't considered a serious issue. Individual dosing is important since the effective amounts varied among the cats.
People also search for: cat constipation treatment · polyethylene glycol for cats · laxatives for cats · why is my cat not pooping · soft stools in cats
Abstract
Recurrent constipation is a common problem in cats. Laxatives often are the cornerstone for management of recurrent constipation; however, there is a paucity of published research on laxative use in cats. This study investigated the safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol (PEG3350) in normal cats. All cats consumed the PEG3350 laxative for 4 weeks without changes in weight or food intake. In all cats soft stools were achieved. Effective doses varied widely in experimental cats, so individualized dosing is important. Mild, non-clinical hyperkalemia was noted although the cause is unknown.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21820925/