MiraLax for Cats: Dosage, Side Effects, Risks, and More

Before we start discussing using MiraLax for cats, let’s explain what MiraLax is, its benefits, and its side effects. It is important to clarify that it is an FDA-approved drug for use in people, not cats. So, you must consult your veterinarian before administering MiraLax to your cat.

Medication Overview

MiraLax for Cats

What is MiraLax for Cats?

MiraLax, an over-the-counter laxative, is safe for cats, but consult a vet first. It contains polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350), which softens stools by increasing colon water content.

Unlike stimulant laxatives, it doesn’t contract colon muscles, making it gentle on feline intestines. Improving gastrointestinal health, MiraLax relieves constipation in cats and removes toxins, which is vital for cat well-being.

MiraLax Dosages for Cats

MiraLax is a human medicine. Thus, there is no official MiraLax dose for cats. The standard dosage for constipated cats will vary depending on the cat’s weight, the severity of constipation, and whether the cat has any underlying disease.

The following dosage chart is a general guide.

Please note that the chart mentioned above is not a substitute for veterinary recommendations.

Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate MiraLax dosage tailored to your cat’s medical history. Monitor your cat’s response post-treatment to gauge effectiveness, assessing bowel movement frequency and consistency and observing any changes in behavior.

If necessary, adjust the dosage under veterinary guidance. Should MiraLax prove ineffective, consider exploring alternative options. Consistent follow-up is key to ensuring optimal management of cat constipation.

Administration

As we know, cats have difficulty when it comes to taking medication. It can even result in a fight with their owner. But with MiraLax for cats, it is a different story. The following means of administration can be applied:

Wet Cat Food

Since it’s tasteless and odorless, most cats ingest it without realizing it. All you have to do is mix it with a tasty snack such as Smalls Ground Bird Fresh Cat Food .

Another recommended wet cat food brand for constipation is

Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Cat Food

Dry Cat Food

MiraLax can also be incorporated into dry cat food brands.

Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken Dry Cat Food

Open Farm Kitten Grain-Free Dry Cat Food

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• Helps firm loose stools in 24 hours

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As MiraLax is an osmotic laxative, it absorbs water into the intestine. Here are tips for using it effectively:

1. Mix a small amount of wet food (one tablespoon) with MiraLax, diluted with water.
2. Before giving the medicated food, offer a small portion without MiraLax to avoid suspicion.
3. Administer the mixture, followed by the remaining wet food.
4. Alternatively, dissolve MiraLax in a small amount of water in the cat’s bowl, although control over intake is limited.
5. Ensure multiple water sources are available to prevent cat dehydration, including pet water fountains and bone broth infused with MiraLax.

Harvest Chicken Bone Broth for Cats

If your cat is still reluctant to take the medication, the remaining option is to mix the dose of MiraLax in 1 ml to 2 ml of drinking water in a spoon and then load it into a syringe without a needle. Administer in the mouth. Take appropriate measures to avoid bites and scratches.

MiraLax for Cats – Side Effects

Only one study published in 2011 evaluated the safety and palatability of polyethylene glycol 3350 as an oral laxative in six cats over four weeks. As a result, no cats exhibited changes in body weight or food intake. 

Soft stools occurred in all cats studied. The effective doses varied among cats, so individualized dosing is important. The cats evaluated tolerated the medication without side effects, but one cat developed sporadic vomiting. Much information and studies still lack the exact side effects in cats on MiraLax [1]

As side effects of administering MiraLax for cats, we can observe: 

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Increased bowel movements.

Side effects are of sporadic occurrence. MiraLax rarely causes discomfort in cats when administered at the correct dosage.

Adverse effects that may occur after the administration of MiraLax result from an overdose.

Overdose and Allergy Signs

MiraLax for cats is not a product that can generate life-threatening allergies or fulminant problems. Some signs include:

• Explosive, watery diarrhea
• Intestinal rumbling and abdominal discomfort
• Flatulence
• Sometimes, vomiting
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: This is the most severe damage that MiraLax in cats can cause. If you suspect your cat has become dehydrated, consult your veterinarian. Your cat may need intravenous fluids to recover. And, of course, a change of MiraLax dosage.

Storage Instructions

Store feline MiraLax at room temperature, between 68-77°F (20-25°C), in a dry place with low humidity.

Do not use the product if the foil seal under the cap is missing, opened, or broken. Once opened, do not refrigerate the medicine and keep it in the medicine cabinet.

Keeping the medicine in its original container is important because it is child-resistant, and its opacity prevents sunlight.

Do not use expired medications; discard them.

It is important to keep the bottle of MiraLax out of children’s and pets’ reach. In case of accidental ingestion, contact the ASPCA poison control center immediately.

When disposing of MiraLax, do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain, as it may contaminate the water supply. Instead, dispose of the medication in the trash. Mix it with an unpleasant substance, such as coffee or kitty litter, to discourage animals from ingesting it. Place the mixture in a closed plastic bag and throw it in the trash.

When is MiraLax for Cats Not an Option?

In a cat with constipation episodes of more than two to three weeks, do not use MiraLax. It is likely that a cat with repeated episodes of constipation has a more serious health problem, such as an obstructive disease, cancer, etc., and will need more tests (e.g., ultrasound, blood tests, x-rays, etc.) to become diagnosed and specific treatment applied.

Avoid laxatives if a cat ingests foreign objects like threads or toys to prevent bowel stimulation that could worsen the damage. Emergency surgery is often necessary for foreign body treatment. Cats may develop fecalomas and hard fecal masses, causing obstruction and abdominal discomfort.

Detecting constipation early is crucial to prevent feline fecaloma formation; however, MiraLax becomes ineffective in such cases. A veterinarian may attempt enemas to break up masses, but surgery is often required for removal.

Do not administer MiraLax to dehydrated cats, as it can exacerbate dehydration; instead, use intravenous saline for rehydration. Early detection and treatment of fecalomas are essential to prevent further complications.

Associated Risks

Improper use of MiraLax for cats can harm their health, especially with high doses, posing risks for patients with certain medical conditions.

Older cats with kidney failure are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and medication retention due to impaired kidney function.

• Never give MiraLax with other medications, as it will decrease their absorption.
• Do not give MiraLax together with another laxative.
• Never use MiraLax if the cat receives diuretics or similar since the risk of dehydration is high.
• Do not give MiraLax to cats with endocrine pathologies that cause electrolyte imbalances.

Alternatives to MiraLax

For MiraLax alternatives, consider:

• Increasing dietary fiber through commercial foods or supplements like canned pumpkin or oat bran.
• Prescription option: Lactulose, a laxative similar to MiraLax.
• Addressing hairballs with products like Cat Lax or Laxatone, which help them move through the digestive tract.
• Encouraging exercise, preventing pet obesity, maintaining dietary consistency, and regular veterinary check-ups are also vital.

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That’s a Wrap

Every cat is different, and what works for one may not work for another. If your cat suffers from constipation, it is best to consult your trusted veterinarian to determine the best way to solve the problem. MiraLax for cats is a great way to solve mild constipation in our feline companions.

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