Pay attention to this spot for our monthly happenings!

Here is the space where you will find all of our exciting events this month! You can also find them on our facebook page (Cattyshack Inc.). So, look for our post on all of our events – we often have events like introverts night, book club, contests, and fundraising events to help support the rescue, the lounge, and our medical expenses.

If you have an idea for a fundraiser or want to help Cattyshack fund raise through your business, you can email us at fundraising@cattyshackhsv.org.

If you would like to donate, please look under “Ways to Help” and click on one of our donation links.

Things we always need:
Dry cat food (Purina Kitten One or Purina indoor cat)
Barn Pellets (Used as litter)
Breeze Pellets and pads (For the Breeze system)
Wet food for kittens and cats (Fancy Feast, Weruva, Applaws)
Bottle Baby supplies (KMR Formula, Bottles, Miracle Nipples, Royal canin Mother/babycat)
Pee pads
Cat toys (various)
Catnip spray (various)
Wand Toys (Various)
Fresh Step Crystal Litter (to watch for bad pee)
Slide litter (for use in boxes when we have cats/kittens that do not like barn pellets)
Rescue Cleaner
Lysol Spray
Paper Towels
Windex
Fabreeze room spray
Pixi water Fountain Filters

May 29, 2026October 20, 2025

Questions or wanting to donate?

Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?

Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!

Here is a list of things we always need:
Dry cat food (Purina Kitten One or Purina indoor cat)
Barn Pellets (Used as litter)
Breeze Pellets and pads (For the Breeze system)
Wet food for kittens and cats (Fancy Feast, Weruva, Applaws)
Bottle Baby supplies (KMR Formula, Bottles, Miracle Nipples, Royal canin Mother/babycat)
Pee pads
Cat toys (various)
Catnip spray (various)
Wand Toys (Various)
Fresh Step Crystal Litter (to watch for bad pee)
Slide litter (for use in boxes when we have cats/kittens that do not like barn pellets)
Rescue Cleaner
Lysol Spray
Paper Towels
Windex
Fabreeze room spray
Pixi water Fountain Filters

You can also make donations on zeffy using the link on our “Ways to Help” page.

May 20, 2026October 20, 2025

How do I help a constipated kitty?

How To Help a Constipated Cat

If you’ve ever wondered how to help a constipated cat, you’re not alone. Cat constipation is a fairly common issue, particularly in those 7 years and older, and it can leave your feline friend feeling uncomfortable or even in pain.

While an occasional missed bowel movement may not be cause for alarm, ongoing constipation can lead to serious health concerns. Knowing when to seek veterinary care—as well as what safe, at-home steps you can take under your vet’s guidance—can make a big difference in your cat’s comfort and well-being.

What Not To Give a Constipated Cat

Key Takeaways

Cat constipation is common, especially in cats over 7 years old, and can cause discomfort if not addressed promptly.
Veterinary care is essential if your cat hasn’t had a bowel movement in 48–72 hours or shows signs of pain, lethargy, or vomiting.
Simple steps like ensuring hydration, adjusting diet, and managing stress may help relieve mild constipation—but only under a vet’s guidance.

Treating Cat Constipation

Treating constipation in cats at home is not recommended because of the potential for a more severe and urgent underlying cause (chronic diseases like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or kidney disease). Always take your cat to the vet if you believe something is wrong.

Cat Constipation Remedies From the Vet

Medical treatment of cat constipation varies depending on the cause and severity.

Initial treatment from your veterinarian may involve administering enemas or manually extracting feces, says Ernie Ward, DVM, author and chief veterinary officer at VerticalVet in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Removal of feces from the colon requires an anesthetic or sedative. Intravenous fluid therapy is usually needed to correct fluid imbalances and dehydration.

If constipation recurs or becomes a long-term problem, then medications, environmental changes (adding water fountains, adding litter boxes, moving the litter box’s location, or cleaning the litter box more often) and/or dietary changes may also be recommended. See more specific advice below in the home remedies section.

Several treatments are available to soften the feces and promote regular bowel movements. In mildly affected cats, lubricating laxatives or stool

Cats with chronic constipation or those with severe cases may need medications that stimulate colonic contraction, Dr. Ward says.

If the constipation is caused by an obstruction, such as a colonic tumor or a foreign body, surgery may be required.

If your cat’s constipation is caused by a health condition, treatment depends on the condition itself. Your vet will come up with the best treatment plan for your cat based on their diagnosis and may include the following:

Megacolon: High fiber or low-residue diet change, colon-wall stimulants, enemas, or surgery.
Hyperthyroidism: Medication, radioactive iodine treatment, diet change, or surgery.
Diabetes: Diet change; weight loss, if your cat is overweight; oral medications; or insulin may be recommended.
Kidney disease: Kidney disease is managed mostly with the aid of medications, diet, and hydration. .
Arthritis: Weight loss, if your cat is overweight; medicines; supplements; therapies; and surgery may be recommended.

Home Remedies for a Constipated Cat

Sometimes, constipation can be caused by a serious underlying cat health issue, such as kidney disease or a defect in the colon or rectum. These issues need veterinary care, which is why Dr. Ward doesn’t recommend home remedies for a constipated cat.

But if you know your cat’s occasional straining isn’t caused by something else, or just want to help your cat maintain a healthy digestive tract, there are some things you can do yourself. (Always talk to your veterinarian first about any at-home remedies you’re thinking of trying.)

Keep your cat well-hydrated. Water helps move things along, so make sure your cat gets enough water by providing water bowls or fountains.

Reevaluate your cat’s litter box setup. Cats can be picky about their “bathroom.” If they don’t like the location, if the box isn’t cleaned enough, or if several cats are using the same box, they might avoid using it altogether. You should have one litter box for every cat plus one extra. Keep them in different locations of the home, scoop twice a day, and do a deep cleaning every two to four weeks.
Consider probiotic supplements. They contain “good bacteria” that support

Brush your cat regularly. Hairballs are a common cause of constipation in cats, so removing excess hair before your cat grooms on their own can cut down on the hair they might swallow.

Cat Constipation Diet

Depending on the cause of the constipation, therapeutic diets with varying amounts of dietary fiber types (soluble and insoluble) can help treat constipation or prevent its recurrence, Dr. Ward says. (Therapeutic diets need authorization from your vet.)

Additionally, your vet may recommend feeding your cat canned wet food, as the increased water content helps improve hydration and soften the feces. Also give your cat access to plenty of fresh, clean water.

Below are a few highly rated therapeutic diets formulated with more fiber to help with constipation. Before switching to a new diet, be sure to speak with your vet as they are in the best position to recommend the most appropriate food for your pet. And remember, these therapeutic diets require a vet’s authorization.

What Not To Give a Constipated Cat

While it might be tempting to treat your constipated cat yourself, there are things you just should not do:

Never attempt to give your cat an enema or suppository yourself, especially those not specifically formulated for cats. Some ingredients can be toxic or even fatal for your cat. You could also accidentally damage the sensitive tissue of the colon if you’re dealing with a fidgety cat. These treatments should be done by a veterinarian.
Don’t give your cat milk for constipation or anything else. Adult cats are lactose intolerant, so milk could cause further tummy issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and belly pain.
Don’t use oils (like olive oil, coconut oil, or even butter) for a constipated cat—it’s not recommended. The high fat content isn’t healthy for your cat.

What To Do for a Constipated Kitten

Kittens can become constipated for a variety of reasons, including dehydration, parasites, improper diet, blockages (foreign bodies like small toys or feathers), and congenital defects.

As with adult cats, take your kitten to the veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions. The remedies used in adult cats can also be used for kittens, but check with your veterinarian before you start any of them.

Attributions

*A lot of this information was taken from Chewy – a great resource for all animals*

May 7, 2026April 8, 2026

We Need Volunteers!

Hello out there in the rescue community, followers of Cattyshack, and people who just love animals. Kitten season is upon us and we need help.

We are beginning to need more foster homes to place our animals in. The community is asking us to help with more adults and some pregnant mothers. If you are interested please go to out “Ways to help” page and click on the tab next to “interested in fostering.”

Please note, we are looking for people who are interested in fostering BOTH adults and kittens, not only kittens. We have several adults, or mothers coming in and we need fosters for everyone.

If you have questions about fostering you can always ask them in the comments for this post, or email them to us.

Some questions that we have answers to –
We provide everything you need but litter. If you can help with food that would be lovely, but we have food and meds. We also send cats and kittens to the vet if they need them. You also will have to transport them to and pick them up from their spay/neuter appointments – but we are looking for people to help with transport too. Cattyshack will provide you with food, dewormer, flea meds, eye ointment, flea comb, nail trimmers, new toys, and a carrier or two if you need them. We also schedule (and pay for) all vetting. You just need to purchase a couple new litter boxes and some litter. The rest is easy… just love on theses cats and kittens until they find their forever homes!! We do want everyone to keep the cats and kittens until they get adopted.

You will be contacted to schedule them for our lounge. Our lounge is located in Lowe Mill and we have cats there Friday and Saturday. Drop off is Friday morning and pick up is Saturday night. We usually don’t have the same cats come to the lounge every weekend unless we are short on cats.

It isn’t hard to foster – think of it as saving a life. It isn’t hard to let the cats be adopted either. If you think about fostering as saving a life, and think about giving them to their adopters, and then consider the fact that no one can keep them all so there can be room for more fosters and save more lives, it does make it easier.

Do we fall in love with our fosters? Absolutely! Do we keep all of them? Nope! Some of our fosters have adopted every cat they have from us, and some have adopted no cats from us, and both continue to foster as space and time allows.

Yes, fostering can be difficult. Sometimes cats get sick and it can be daunting. Cattyshack has had a few recently that have been a doozy – a kitten with a polyp in an odd place, a kitten with a strange bacteria, a kitten who needed her eye removed due to infection, and a cat who needs a few (possibly several) teeth removed. It happens, and if you don’t think that dealing with medical issues is something you can deal with – we understand!

Besides fostering there are other ways to help! We have monthly events, a subscription sticker club, monthly donors, you can make a reservation to visit the lounge, or you can help by sending us items from our wish list (especially right now, before all the pregnant moms and kittens come!!!).

So, we are putting out a call. Can you help?

*Cat featured is Louise. She is one of our adoptable cats and she is sponsored. She would love a home to call her own, one that will give her all of the Churu. If interested in a cat of your own, please look under “Our Kitties” and click on the picture of the cat you would like to apply for.

May 1, 2026October 20, 2025

Pay attention to this spot for our monthly happenings!

If you have an idea for a fundraiser or want to help Cattyshack fund raise through your business, you can email us at fundraising@cattyshackhsv.org.

If you would like to donate, please look under “Ways to Help” and click on one of our donation links.

April 24, 2026October 20, 2025

Are there any questions you have we can answer?

Do you have any questions about cats, kittens, cat or kitten care, rescue, fostering, adoptions, anything feline related?

Let us know what question you have and we will write a blog post to answer these questions!

You can also make donations on zeffy using the link on our “Ways to Help” page.

April 15, 2026October 20, 2025

Urinary health in cats (One of the biggest issues for male cats especially)

The Best Cat Foods for Urinary Health, According to Veterinarians

Keeping an eye on your cat’s urinary health is important. Not only are many cats predisposed to various urinary issues—referred to as feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)—but once signs occur, immediate attention is needed.

Some common signs of urinary issues include frequent urination, straining to urinate, urinating outside of the cat litter box, and blood in the urine. All of the above mean your kitty needs to see the vet pronto. If your cat is straining and not producing urine, this may be a life-threatening emergency—seek veterinary care immediately.

One thing that can help prevent, manage, and even treat urinary issues is swapping in cat food for urinary health. Sometimes, a cat’s diet can actually contribute to urinary problems, such as urine crystals and bladder stones.

“Diet affects the pH, concentration, and mineral content of urine,” explains Colleen Guilfoyle, DVM, the national shelter medicine veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. “Foods high in certain minerals—like magnesium or phosphorus—or too low in moisture can promote crystal or stone formation.”

Ahead, we’re sharing veterinarian-approved cat foods that can help promote good urinary health.

Speak with your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet.

FAQs About Cat Food for Urinary Health

Key Takeaways

Cats can experience a range of urinary health issues, including bladder inflammation, urinary crystals, and bladder stones.
Diet plays a key role in your cat’s urinary health. It ultimately affects the pH, concentration, and mineral content of urine.
The best cat food for urinary health prioritizes moisture content, controlled mineral levels, and urine-acidifying agents.

What To Look for in Cat Food for Urinary Health

The key things to look for in cat food that promotes good urinary health are moisture content, controlled mineral levels, and urine-acidifying agents.

Controlled mineral levels: High levels of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium are the building blocks of crystals, says Elliott Garber, DVM, veterinarian and founder of Creatures, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Foods with controlled levels of these minerals help prevent stone formation.
Moisture content: Ensuring your kitty gets enough water is critical to their urinary health. “Wet foods or formulas designed to increase water intake help dilute urine and flush the bladder regularly,” says Dr. Garber.
Urine-acidifying agents: Certain prescription or urinary-support formulas include ingredients that help maintain a slightly acidic urine pH, Dr. Guilfoyle says. This discourages the formation of struvite crystals, which tend to develop in more alkaline environments. Balanced acidity supports a healthier bladder environment overall.

Ultimately, the most effective options are veterinary prescription diets specifically formulated for urinary health. Dr. Garber explains that these have undergone clinical testing to prove they can dissolve existing struvite stones and prevent both struvite and calcium oxalate formation. (Calcium oxalate crystals are another type of bladder stones in cats.)

FAQs About Cat Food for Urinary Health

How do I know if my cat needs urinary health food?

A prescription diet is needed if a cat has confirmed urinary crystals, stones, or recurrent urinary tract disease, especially if the goal is to dissolve existing stones. Signs your cat is having urinary issues include straining to urinate, having blood in their urine, and urinating outside of the litter box.

Can I feed urinary health cat food long-term?

Yes, most veterinary urinary diets are safe for lifelong feeding. In fact, cats with a history of urinary disease often do best when they remain on the diet to prevent recurrence. The main caveat is ensuring the formula meets the cat’s other health needs as they age.

What’s the difference between prescription and non-prescription urinary cat food?

Prescription urinary cat foods are formulated to treat or manage existing urinary conditions with carefully adjusted mineral content and pH balance, and they require a veterinarian’s approval.

Non-prescription urinary-support foods are available over the counter and focus more on general prevention by promoting hydration and bladder health. They are not considered strong enough to treat diagnosed problems.

Can all cats eat urinary health food, even without urinary issues?

There’s no benefit to putting a healthy cat on prescription urinary food preemptively. It won’t provide extra protection and could simply be an unnecessary expense.

Save the therapeutic diets for cats who actually need them. But if you have multiple cats and one requires a urinary diet, it’s usually fine for the others to eat it too. Ask your veterinarian if you would like to feed a therapeutic diet to otherwise healthy cats in the home.

*A lot of this information was taken from Chewy – a great resource for all animals*

April 9, 2026April 8, 2026

Events for the Month of April

April is full of fun events at Cattyshack! We always have something going on, and it is especially important now that kitten season has started to boom!!! We currently have six moms and thirty-two kittens under the age of two months in the rescue. We also have several adult cats who need home (and some have to be only cats), and several other kittens who are a little older that need homes. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning of kitten season, and we know that since is just the beginning our volunteers are going to be elated, exhausted, and entirely overwhelmed with the need to help and care for kittens.

So, how can you help? By coming to one of our events, making a donation, sending us items from our wish list (especially formula, mother and babycat dry and wet food, and kitten food), or by making a reservation to come to the lounge (Fridays are great days because until the summer we often have space).

The first event we have this month, is our soccer team! Cattyshack has sponsored a soccer team and one of their games was last night! There are a few more to come. If you go to a game, they are free, so YAY! You can often also find either Tina Cooley (Creator of Cattyshack) or Shawn Appling (a team player) and give them a donation of funds or cat food! The schedule is below:

On Friday the 10th of April, we have Introverts’ Night Out. These nights are great for anyone who wants to sit with cats while they crochet, knit, read, or whatever you as an introvert wants to do. You can use the link below to snag your reservation (as there are still some spots).

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-introverts-night-out

OUR NEXT EVENT WILL BE On Saturday, April 11th, we will be at the Madison Library looking for volunteers! We have several different volunteer opportunities, so it would be a great time to come see what you can do to help!
Madison Public Library
142 Plaza Blvd
Madison, AL 35758

We also have our BOOK CLUB! On Friday, April 24, we will be discussing The Dreadfuls by A. Rae Dunlap, which is a historical fiction novel set in 1888 London. The novel follows a young inmate at a reform school who investigates the Jack the Ripper murders with her friends, uncovering a dark secret about her teacher and the school. You can reserve your spot by using the link below!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/cattyshacks-catty-book-club

We are also gearing up to KITTYPALOOZA and are looking for pet specific vendors and sponsors! Kittypalooza is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and helps get us through the medical costs that come with kitten season.

To become a vendor use the link below:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/kittypalooza-vendors–2026

To become a sponsor use the link below:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/kittypalooza-sponsors–2026

As always, thank you for helping us rescue our feline friends.

April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Cattyshack has Sponsored a Soccer team!!!!!

Cattyshack has walked through doors that most other rescues have not and has sponsored their own soccer team. Below you can find a schedule of games, but you might be asking yourself, why would Cattyshack do this?

Sports are popular, and sponsoring a team helps get the Cattyshack name out there. Right now is just the beginning of kitten season, and since we already have over 30 moms and kittens from 2 months under in our care, we know that kitten season will be insane this year. We have noticed a trend of moms having 4+ babies each too, which means that we will soon be overloaded with kittens.

Anything we can do and anything the public can do, helps get our name and the rescues brand out there. Getting out name out there helps us fund raise without having us asking for donations, or having our volunteers working events for people to donate. Now, what can you do?

Go see a game! Share the details! Celebrate Cattyshack! And often you can find either Tina Cooley (Cattyshack’s President) or Shawn Appling (a player) and hand them a few bucks as a donation. Bring a small bag of Purina kitten one to a game and drop if off with Tina or Shawn. Or simply enjoy the games, which are free to attend!

As always, thank you for reading this blog, and thank you for sharing your love of cats and Cattyshack. As a volunteer based organization, kitten season is the hardest, exhausting, and fun part of the year, and all the help we can garner helps us rescue more lives.

Soccer schedule:

If this image isn’t clear, please email stacy@cattyshackhsv.org and I will send you a printable schedule.

April 1, 2026October 20, 2025

Pay attention to this spot for our monthly happenings!

If you have an idea for a fundraiser or want to help Cattyshack fund raise through your business, you can email us at fundraising@cattyshackhsv.org.

If you would like to donate, please look under “Ways to Help” and click on one of our donation links.