Our veterinarians in Denver can help you identify the common causes of feline diarrhea and determine when it needs serious attention, just like humans, cats can also experience diarrhea for various reasons.
Why does my cat have diarrhea?
If your cat is experiencing unformed or loose stools with increased frequency, it may have diarrhea. This is caused by faster movement of fecal material through the intestine combined with decreased absorption of water, nutrients, and electrolytes. It is not a disease but a sign of many different diseases.
If your cat suddenly starts having accidents around the house and the poop is unformed to fluid, it likely has diarrhea. However, if your cat still uses the litter box, it may be harder to tell if they have diarrhea.
It is important to note that some variation in the consistency of a cat's poop is normal and healthy. However, if frequent liquid or semi-liquid stools continue for more than two days, it is recommended that you consult the vets at Pets on Broadway Animal Hospital for advice and assistance.
What causes diarrhea in cats?
- Parasites can irritate your cat's gastrointestinal, causing diarrhea involving the small and/or large bowels. Significant numbers of parasites that cause diarrhea are more common in younger kittens.
- Viral or bacterial infections can cause diarrhea and occur more frequently in younger cats.
- Cats tend to be more careful about what they eat than dogs, but sometimes they eat inappropriate things like grass, string, etc. Even a purposeful change in diet from one food to another can cause diarrhea.
- Just like with people, stress/anxiety/excitement can result in GI upset (especially lower bowel irritation or colitis).
- Like inflammatory bowel disease in people, inflammatory disorders can cause your cat to develop diarrhea.
- From disorders of the pancreas or liver to thyroid imbalances, many other problems upset the motility or environment in the GI tract, resulting in diarrhea.
- Most know that certain antibiotics can upset the GI tract, but other medications and certain toxins can cause diarrhea.
- Constipation may seem counterintuitive, but I mention it because older cats are prone to developing motility problems in their colons, leading to constipation. In these cases, the cats often pass only a few more liquid stools around the obstruction.
What do you do for a cat with diarrhea?
Some veterinarians used to believe that fasting was necessary to help the bowels "rest" during diarrhea, but this has been proven false. Proper nutrition is important for your cat's intestines to heal.
So, what should you feed your cat? Consider adding more fiber to their diet, which can help with diarrhea. Additionally, offering multiple small meals per day (around four) of easily digestible foods is recommended. This includes a low-fat, mostly carbohydrate diet consisting of potatoes, pasta, rice, chicken, and/or turkey, low-fat cottage cheese, or yogurt.
Some sources suggest giving your cat Kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol for diarrhea, but it's important to note that Pepto-Bismol is unsafe for cats. Dosages for other products can also be difficult to determine, so it's best to consult with your local veterinarian for their recommendation.
How do you stop chronic diarrhea in cats?
Human medications can be very dangerous for cats and should never be given to them unless explicitly told to do so by your vet.
Regarding your kitty's health, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Taking your feline friend to the vet for an examination allows your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of your cat's diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.
That said, your vet's primary focus will be addressing the underlying cause of your kitty's diarrhea. Once your cat has been diagnosed, treatment can begin to address the problem rather than the symptom.
Of course, your priority is likely to be stopping the mess. To address your cat's diarrhea, your vet may prescribe a kaolin-pectin anti-diarrheal medication or another suitable drug and recommend one or more of the strategies below.
Other things to consider when considering how to treat diarrhea in cats:
- Changing your cat's food may help to rectify the issue. If you have recently changed your cat's food, return to serving the food you previously gave them. If you haven't changed your cat's food recently, try switching to a gentle GI food for a few days or switching your kitty to a hypoallergenic or low-antigen diet.
- Probiotics may be recommended as a dietary supplement for your cat to address the balance of the microbiome and reduce GI upset.
- Increase your feline friends' fiber intake by trying a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet that includes foods such as potatoes or rice mixed with chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, or yogurt.
When should I be concerned about my cat's diarrhea?
Occasionally, diarrhea may only persist for a few hours before disappearing. However, in other instances, it could last for days, weeks, or even months and reoccur frequently. If your feline is elderly or you have a young kitten, diarrhea lasting 24 to 48 hours may be problematic.
If it lasts longer, your cat can become dehydrated, which can be dangerous. You need to contact your vet right away for an appointment.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.