Treating Constipation in Cats: Prebiotics

We’re discussing treatments for feline constipation, which we’ve divided into fluids, fiber, prebiotics & probiotics, Chinese herbs, enemas, laxatives, suppositories, and drugs that enhance gut motility. We’ve covered fluids, soluble and insoluble fibers, and probiotics and now, let’s consider prebiotics.

What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are food for the probiotic organisms. Prebiotics are molecules from fruits, vegetables, and beans. These molecules are so large and complex that they can pass through the first section of the gut without being broken down and absorbed as most other nutrients are. These large molecules reach the lower gut, which is populated with probiotic organisms, and become the food source for these probiotic yeasts and bacteria. As a result, the yeasts and bacteria produce vitamins and fatty acids that keep cats healthy.

Examples of prebiotic molecules:
• fructooligosaccharides (FOS), named for the source (fruit), size (oligo = few) and type of molecule (saccharide or carbohydrate sugar),
• galactooligosaccharides (GOS)
• mannosoligosaccharides (MOS),
• xylooligosaccharides (XOS),
• inulin, and
• arabinogalactans (AG).

Benefits of prebiotics
Among the benefits attributed to prebiotics are:
• a boost to the immune system,
• an increase in calcium and magnesium absorption,
• a decrease in colon cancer,
• a decrease in irritable bowel syndrome,
• a decrease in bad gut bacteria and infection,
• a decrease in fecal odor,
• better control of blood sugar and a decreased tendency to develop diabetes,
• lower cholesterol and blood lipids.

Sources of prebiotics
High concentrations of prebiotic molecules are found in fruits, vegetables, beans and whole, unrefined grains:
• artichoke
• asparagus
• bananas
• black beans
• burdock
• carrots
• chicory
• garlic
• tomatoes
• barley
• maize
• wheat

Onions and leeks also contain prebiotic molecules, but onions, and possibly leeks, make cats sick by causing Heinz body anemia.

How much prebiotic do cats need?
Cats probably need the same concentration of prebiotics that people do to be healthy, which is about 1% of the weight of what is eaten.

Coming Up
We’ll cover Chinese herbs, laxatives, suppositories, enemas and other treatments for feline constipation over the next few days.