8 Best Cat Laxatives – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

If you notice your cat seems to be spending a lot of time in the litter box without a lot to show for their efforts, they could be suffering from constipation. The condition occurs when poop builds up inside your cat and becomes hard and dry, making it difficult to pass normally.

Dehydration, hairballs, and foreign body ingestion are often to blame if your cat becomes constipated. To treat and prevent constipation, your vet may suggest using a cat laxative. To help you choose the right product, we’ve gathered reviews of what we think are the eight best cat laxatives to try this year. As always, rely on your veterinarian’s advice to help you make your final choice.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

The 8 Best Cat Laxatives

1. Lactulose Generic Oral Solution – Best Overall

Our choice for the best overall cat laxative is Lactulose Generic Oral Solution. It’s designed for regular use as a stool softener and is commonly suggested and prescribed by veterinarians. Depending on where you purchase Lactulose, you may need a prescription from your vet. Since it’s available in a sweet-tasting liquid, Lactulose can be mixed into food or administered directly by mouth.

If your cat isn’t cooperative for taking medications by mouth, Lactulose may not be the best choice because it is so sticky. You, your cat, and your house may need a good cleaning when you’re done. It should be used with caution in diabetic cats.

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2. Vetoquinol Laxatone Gel Supplement – Best Value

Our pick for the best cat laxative for the money is the Vetoquinol Laxatone Tuna-Flavored Gel Hairball Control Supplement. This tasty gel is available in a value-sized 4.5-oz tube and is gentle and easy to use. Your cat can lick the Laxatone off a spoon or your finger.

It can also be mixed in food or placed on the cat’s nose or paw to be licked off. Laxatone is designed as a hairball remedy but also supports normal digestion. Plus, as we learned, hairballs are often the cause of constipation.

Most users report that their cats enjoy the product’s taste, making it less stressful to administer. Some found the texture slightly runny and messy. If your cat has chronic constipation, Laxatone may not be strong enough to get things moving.

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3. Pet Wellbeing Smooth BM Gold Supplement – Premium Choice

For cat owners who prefer herbal solutions, try Pet Wellbeing Smooth BM Gold Bacon-Flavored Liquid Digestive Supplement for Cats and Dogs. It is a good choice for multi-pet households as it can be used for cats and dogs.

It’s made from a blend of herbs, and Pet Wellbeing Smooth BM is designed for regular use to keep stools soft and serve as a gentle laxative. The liquid can be mixed into food or given by mouth. Some customers warned that their cats don’t like the taste if you give it directly. However, most users reported that Pet Wellbeing seemed to help their cats maintain soft stools. It is one of the higher-priced products on our list, but it is available in either a 2-oz or 4-oz bottle.

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4. Cat Lax Cat Supplement

If you’re looking for a product to ease constipation, prevent hairballs, and support coat health, Cat Lax Cat Supplement might be just what you need. The gel supplement has a taste and texture that appeals to most cats. It’s also easy to administer as it can be mixed into food or smeared onto your cat’s nose or paw.

Cat Lax is made in the USA and contains cod liver oil and Vitamin E, which can benefit your cat’s coat health. This product received high ratings from users, most of whom found it effective and readily accepted by their cats. Unfortunately, it’s only available in a 2-oz tube, which may not last long, especially in multi-cat households. Cat Lax includes sugar, so check with your vet before using if your cat is diabetic or overweight.

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5. Lax-Aire Medication for Digestive Issues for Cats and Dogs

As another option for multi-pet households who need a little help on the go, the Lax-Aire Medication for Digestive Issues for Cats and Dogs has a thicker texture than other gel laxatives, making it less messy to administer.

It’s made from a blend of oils and serves as a laxative and lubricant, easing digestion and helping prevent hairballs. Most owners reported their cats enjoyed the cod liver oil taste of the Lax-Aire. You can mix the laxative into food or let your cat lick it off their nose or paw. Lax-Aire is a bit more expensive than similar products. It also doesn’t include a safety seal, which makes some cat owners uncomfortable.

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6. BestLife4Pets Constipation Relief and Stool Softener

BestLife4Pets is the low-mess, homeopathic cat constipation relief product you’ve been looking for. The small tablets are odorless and tasteless, dissolve quickly in water, and are one of the easiest laxatives to give cats. They can be crushed in food, given whole, or dissolved into liquid. In theory, your cat won’t even know they are there but will enjoy the relief they bring. BestLife4Pets is made with plant and mineral-based ingredients, supports digestive and anal gland health, and softens the stools. It’s free of artificial ingredients and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Users reported positive results with these tablets but caution they may take a few days to work in severely constipated cats.

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7. Amazon Basic Care ClearLax Polyethylene Glycol Powder

Although it’s also used by humans, polyethylene glycol laxative powders have also been shown to be safe and effective for cats. Amazon Basic Care ClearLax Polyethylene glycol powder is a generic version of a more well-known product, which makes it more affordable. It’s available in a powder (unflavored or orange), and the only way to administer ClearLax is to dissolve it in liquid.

It’s grit-free, sugar-free, and available without a prescription, and it functions as a stool softener and laxative. You’ll need to ask your vet for help administering the correct dose to give your cat. This might not be the easiest to give or the best-tasting laxative, but it is affordable and usually works well.

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8. Raw Paws Organic Pumpkin Powder for Dogs and Cats

Raw Paws Organic Pumpkin Powder for Dogs and Cats is an easy way for cats get pumpkin’s natural fiber and constipation relief. It’s made and sourced in the USA, and it contains only organic, dried, ground pumpkin. In addition to serving as a natural laxative, the pumpkin powder also provides antioxidants and vitamins to support your cat’s overall health.

The Raw Paws powder can be a bit tricky to serve, and pet owners reported the packaging is not very user-friendly. Raw Paws is a small, family-owned company, which will appeal to cat owners who prefer to support small businesses. Overall, users were happy with this product, but some reported inconsistent quality between shipments.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Laxative

Before you make your final decision regarding the best cat laxative for you, here are some additional points to consider.

What Does Your Vet Say?

Constipation is a medical condition that should be managed with the help of your veterinarian. It can also be a side effect or sign of more complicated health concerns. Don’t buy a laxative and start treating your cat without talking to your veterinarian first. Your cat may need testing to rule out other conditions before determining that a laxative is needed. If your vet recomends a laxative, one of the choices on our list may be appropriate.

What Form Is the Easiest to Give?

As you can see, cat laxatives are available in a variety of forms, from gels to dissolvable tablets. One of the simplest ways to choose which laxative is best for you is to decide which form will be the easiest to give. If your cat loves treats, a tasty gel formula may be the right choice. Picky cats may prefer the odorless, tasteless pills.

Other Pets at Home?

If you have other pets at home besides cats, you may prefer to choose one of the laxatives that works for dogs, too. They may be more convenient for you and cost-effective in the long run. Just remember to check with your vet first if your cat’s canine friend also suddenly has trouble pooping.

Conclusion

As our best overall choice, Lactulose delivers effective, vet-approved laxative power with a sweet aftertaste. Our best value pick, Vetoquinol Laxatone Gel, is a tasty, easy-to-administer laxative that most cats love to eat. Constipation and hairballs can be frustrating to manage in cats, but these eight laxatives can make the process easier. We hope our reviews of these products help make the shopping process as smooth as your cat’s future digestion.

• See also: MiraLAX for Cats: Dosage and Uses (Vet Answer)

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Featured Photo Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock