Vetnuus | October 2025 45 Some cats with megacolon benefit from high-fibre diets, while others do better on highly digestible, low-residue diets that minimise stool volume. Tailoring fibre levels to the individual patient is key. Adequate water intake is equally important—wet diets or water fountains may help in cats. Nutrition as a Therapeutic Cornerstone Whether stools are too loose or too firm, nutrition plays a fundamental role in restoring balance. Fibre is not just “roughage”—it is a dynamic tool that influences transit time, stool quality, microbial composition, and mucosal health. In practice: • Acute diarrhoea → Easily digestible, moderate fibre diets support recovery. • Chronic diarrhoea or IBD → Hydrolysed or limited antigen diets with tailored fibre help reduce antigenic load and improve gut health. • Constipation → Fibre adjustment (either increase or decrease) and water optimisation are first-line strategies, with diet forming the foundation of management. Modern therapeutic diets, such as those formulated for gastrointestinal support, incorporate a balance of soluble and insoluble fibres, prebiotics, and highly digestible ingredients to provide clinicians with powerful tools in everyday GI cases. Final Thoughts Diarrhoea and constipation may be opposite clinical signs, but both highlight the central role of the gut in overall health. While diagnostics and medical management remain critical, nutrition is often the piece that makes the difference between temporary relief and successful long-term management. Understanding how to leverage dietary strategies empowers veterinarians and nurses to improve outcomes for both patients and owners and enhance quality of life. References 1. Hall EJ, German AJ. Diseases of the Small Intestine. In: Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 8th ed. Elsevier, 2017. 2. Washabau RJ, Day MJ, Willard MD, et al. WSAVA International Gastrointestinal Standardization Group Guidelines on Small Animal Gastrointestinal Diseases. J Small Anim Pract. 2010;51(6):384–392. 3. Jergens AE, Heilmann RM. Canine Chronic Enteropathy—Current State-of-the-Art and Future Directions. J Vet Intern Med. 2014;28(3):689–698. 4. Marks SL, Laflamme DP, McCluggage DG. Management of Constipation in Cats. Compend Contin Educ Vet. 2011;33(7):E1–E6. 5. Royal Canin Veterinary Diets. Gastrointestinal and Fibre Response Diet Formulations. [Product Information]. Royal Canin I Column Table 1. Summary of the different fibre types and their clinical relevance Fibre Type Physiological Effect Examples Clinical Relevance Soluble fibre Absorbs water, forms gels; slows transit Psyllium Improves stool consistency in diarrhoea; nourishes colonocytes Insoluble fibre Adds bulk, increases stool volume, stimulates motility Cellulose Useful for constipation by promoting peristalsis Fermentable fibre Supports microbiota, produces SCFAs, reduces inflammation FOS, MOS, beet pulp Enhances gut health, modulates immune function Non-fermentable fibre Increases faecal bulk without fermentation Cellulose, Psyllium Beneficial in constipation, especially megacolon
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