Dealing with Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

 It's generally not a huge concern if you sometimes see some loose waste in your cat's litter box. But if many instances of loose stools occur, it's only normal to pause and think, "Why does my cat get diarrhea?"

How harmful is cat diarrhea? In certain instances, a singular occurrence, such as ingesting a toy that was left lying around the home, may be the cause of diarrhea in cats. However, diarrhea can also be a sign of an underlying medical issue, so it never hurts to take your cat to the doctor for more testing.

What food can I give my cat to treat diarrhea? Foods high in protein and fiber can aid cats with diarrhea. For particular nutritional advice designed just for your feline buddy, make sure to see your veterinarian.

Dealing with Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment


Let's investigate this further.

Symptoms of Cat Diarrhea


Although diarrhea is typically not a huge matter, it occasionally can be. Usually, the response depends on whether the problem is acute or persistent. Contrary to chronic diarrhea, which persists for two weeks or more and typically signifies a far more serious issue, acute diarrhea occurs rapidly. If your cat's diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or if they are also vomiting, call your veterinarian.

Causes of Cat Diarrhea


Knowing what is causing your cat's diarrhea can help you determine how to treat them and when a visit to the doctor is necessary.

These are some typical causes of cat diarrhea, according to Dr. Jamie Whittenburg (DVM), a vet at Cat World and the head of Kingsgate Animal Hospital:

  •  Dietary changes
  • Parasites
  • Stress
  • Viral infections versus bacterial infections
  • ‰onsuming strange items or dangerous materials


Let's examine these typical reasons for cat diarrhea in more detail:

Dietary changes


It's always a good idea to inquire with your veterinarian about the healthiest diets for your cat, particularly if your furry companion has persistent diarrhea. If you're switching your cat's food, do it gradually to give the delicate stomach time to adjust. You can keep an eye out for food allergies or intolerances by introducing new foods gradually over a period of several weeks. Keep an eye out for further allergic response signs in your cats, such as appetite loss, food vomiting, or swelling. A terrific person to turn to during this process is your veterinarian.

Digestive parasites are a common cause of intestinal issues in cats. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, giardia, and coccidia are examples of typical parasites. All of diseases are spread through excrement, therefore it's important to clean your cat's litter box often.

Worms can be detected by:

  •     Distended belly
  •     Abnormal coat
  •     Thin appearance
  •     Lethargy
  •     Worms visible in poop


Your veterinarian will require a stool sample to check whether you think your cat has worms. Consult your veterinarian about worm prevention to stop worms before they begin.

Stress


Every cat reacts to stress in a distinctive way, just like people do. Some cats may become anxious around unfamiliar individuals, novel situations, other animals, loud noises, or shifting environments. Stress can impair your cat's digestive system for any number of reasons. This might be the cause if your cat exhibits signs of fear or discomfort, or if you're going through a significant change in your life.

Ingesting allergens and foreign substances


Cats are hunters, and sometimes what they discover doesn't sit well in their tummies. Ingesting anything they shouldn't, whether it be a rat, toy, or piece of garbage, might result in diarrhea. Make careful to kitty-proof your home by keeping poisonous plants, human foods, and other items out of reach of your cat.

Advice: Call your veterinarian right away if you think your cat may have consumed something foreign or poisonous. A helpful emergency resource is the Pet Poison Helpline.

Infections caused by bacteria or viruses: Viral or bacterial stomach infections, such as salmonella and E. coli, can swiftly progress to cause organ damage by causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. Infections can also cause nausea, pale gums, tiredness, stomach discomfort, and fever. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you discover these symptoms.


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Diagnosis of Cat Diarrhea


Any of the aforementioned causes can result in cat diarrhea. In addition, your cat may experience diarrhea at some point in their lives due to less prevalent conditions such intestinal cancer, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.

In general, Dr. Whittenburg advises consulting a vet every time your cat has diarrhea without a clear explanation, especially if the diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms.

Dr. Whittenburg adds that further indications that your cat needs quick veterinary care include weight loss, fever, lethargy, and hiding. Untreated digestive problems can result in life-threatening disorders like hepatic lipidosis or chronic illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease. She underlines that "the sooner an appropriate diagnosis is established, the sooner the condition may be remedied."

How to behave at the veterinary clinic


Your veterinarian will probably inquire about the texture and color of your cat's feces when you speak with them. Cat feces is intended to be dark and flexible. Soft stool can occur sometimes, but watery diarrhea is particularly worrisome since it can severely dehydrate your cat.

Yellow, crimson, and black excrement are the three most alarming hues to be on the lookout for. The presence of yellow feces may indicate liver illness, anemia, or poisoning. Internal bleeding can be identified by red and black feces. To determine that, tests must be run by your veterinarian.

If your cat has diarrhea that is runny, bloody, yellow, mucus-coated, followed by vomiting, or lasts more than 24 hours, call your veterinarian. If you have a kitten, a pregnant cat, or a cat with a known chronic illness, you should also let your veterinarian know.

Treatment of Cat Diarrhea


Each cat will receive a unique treatment. Your veterinarian may do tests, diagnose your cat, and begin treating the reason of your cat's diarrhea after they have a better understanding of the potential causes of what is occurring.

Restoration and care


Give your cat plenty of water to replenish the fluids and electrolytes they have lost from diarrhea if your veterinarian advises doing so at home. Your vet might need to administer subcutaneous fluids to your cat if it is unable to retain water.

Your veterinarian may also suggest dietary modifications for your cat that will aid in its rehabilitation. This can entail giving your cat a partial day's worth of food-free time, reintroducing food gradually with a bland diet, or giving your cat supplements like probiotics or canned pumpkin. If the diarrhea persists, speak with your veterinarian again until you come up with a workable remedy.

Prevention


Although not all diarrhea can be avoided, routine visits to the vet are an excellent place to start. Getting regular shots, using deworming medication, and maintaining a clean litter box for your cat can all help avoid parasite illness.

You want to make sure that your cat receives the finest treatment available when they develop an unforeseen illness. 90% of qualified vet expenditures are covered by Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies, allowing you to focus more on care and less on costs.

Final thought


There are many different illnesses or circumstances that might induce diarrhea in cats. When you see loose poop and don't know what caused it, it's crucial to take your feline companion to the doctor right away. The sooner you do it, the sooner they'll be on the path to recovery.

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