Cat Has Diarrhea But Seems Fine

Watch For These Symptoms

Since diarrhea itself is a symptom rather than a disease, it can be difficult to determine whether your pets condition is serious or temporary.

In cases where diarrhea is combined with any of the symptoms listed below, you should seek immediate veterinary care:

• Frothy/foul-smelling stool

If there are no secondary symptoms, Dr. Mears suggests monitoring your kitten for a while and not panicking. If theyre on a consistent diet without milk or treats, but theyre still having diarrhea lasting longer than one to two weeks, or if there is weight loss or vomiting, your kitten should see a vet.

Cat Diarrhea: 5 Treatment Options You Should Try

What do you do when you find diarrhea in the litter boxor worse yet, when your cat doesnt quite make it to the litter box? An immediate call to the veterinarian might be in order, but sometimes you might want to try some home treatment first. Heres how to respond when your cat develops diarrhea.

About Dr Sarah Wooten Dvm Cvj

A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and printanimal health publications. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience insmall animal veterinary practice. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.

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My Cat Has Diarrhea And Vomiting But Is Acting Normal Is This A Concern

If your cat or kitten has diarrhea and vomiting, this does need to be taken more seriously.

This combination of signs likely indicates a more serious issue and can quickly lead to dehydration, especially if your kitty is not wanting to eat or drink.

Sometimes, a cat will seem okay during the first day or two of symptoms but then takes a turn for the worse. Cats can be experts at hiding signs of feeling unwell.

In this scenario, it is worth giving your vet a call. This is because your vet may wish to see your kitty.

They will likely suggest a visit if your cat is young, old or unwell.

Similarly, if your cat is known to suffer from medical issues such as pancreatitis or triaditis, they should be examined promptly.

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Just like people, cats can have a variety of conditions that may result in diarrhea. Diarrhea is loose, wet stool, often difficult for your cat to control. You may notice your cat seems uncomfortable in his belly, is not eating as well, is lethargic, or has other symptoms of discomfort if they have diarrhea.

It can be worrying when you notice that your cat is having painful gastrointestinal symptoms. Luckily, cat diarrhea usually has identifiable causes that you can treat at home or with the help of your vet.

What causes diarrhea in cats? Well start by getting to the bottom of the causes.

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Change Your Cats Food

There is no need to withhold food from cats who have diarrhea. In fact, doing so can hinder the intestinal tracts ability to heal itself and put cats at risk for a potentially fatal type of liver disease called hepatic lipidosis. It is best to simplify your cats diet, however. Eliminate any treats or table scraps and focus only on the core, nutritionally-complete cat food that you offer every day.

If you have recently changed your cats diet, go back to what you were previously feeding and see if your cats diarrhea resolves. One or more of the ingredients in the new food may not agree with your cat. Even if you are feeding the same brand and type of food as before but have just opened up a new batch, it might be worth buying a new bag or case from a different lot number to rule out the possibility of contamination.

More chronic adverse reactions to food can develop at any timea cat may have been eating the same food for years or recently been switched to something new. Many cats with food intolerances or allergies will experience relief from their symptoms when they eat a hypoallergenic or low-antigen diet. The best low-antigen foods are only available through veterinarians, but over-the-counter options do work for some cats. Look for diets that are made from novel protein sources .

What Is The Treatment For Cat Diarrhea And Vomiting

The treatment for cat diarrhea and vomiting depends on what triggered the issues in the first place. In general, possible therapies would include:

• Diet Changes. Vets may consider a change in diet to be the best route to treat gastroenteritis. They may recommend new food or a bland diet for the short term to allow the cat to heal and recover properly.
• Fluid Therapy. In cases of severe dehydration and electrolyte disbalances, the veterinarian will give intravenous fluids to compensate for the losses sustained with the vomiting and diarrhea.
• Antibiotics. These may be administered if the clinical signs suggest bacterial infection. They are obtained exclusively through a veterinary prescription and used following the vets instructions.

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Other Things That Can Help With Diarrhea

In addition to rest, fasting, and a bland diet, there are some other things you may find helpful in dealing with diarrhea issues at home.

Probiotics

Probiotics may be helpful when dealing with diarrhea. Since the digestive tract makes up about 60 to 80% of your pets immune system, keeping it healthy is important. Probiotics help support a healthy immune system by keeping the intestinal bacteria in good balance and aiding in digestion. You can try regular, unflavored, probiotic-rich yogurt , or you can pick up a probiotic like Purinas FortiFlora, Nutramaxs Proviable, VetriScience Fast Balance GI Paste, VetriScience Probiotic Everyday, Under the Weather Ready Balance Gel.

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Is It Common For A Cat With Diarrhea To Act Normal Or Look Fine

While diarrhea in cats may have accompanying symptoms, it is common for a kitty to have soft stools and act completely normal. Usually, this type of digestive upset will resolve itself in a day or two. Possible reasons for runny poop thats short-lived include:

• Stress or anxiety
• Change in diet or diet issues
• Dietary indiscretion

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Tips For Preventing Your Cat From Getting Diarrhoea

Feed a high-quality diet

While it can often to be tempting to go for low-cost cat food or the latest food on offer, pay close attention to the brand and why it may be so low cost.

Ensure your cat is being fed a well-known high-quality brand to ensure they are getting everything they need from the food and to help prevent stomach upsets. Ensure you are feeding a complete diet as opposed to a complementary diet .

If your cat has a naturally sensitive stomach or is prone to loose stools, discuss this with your Vet. There are veterinary brand foods available for long-term use designed for these reasons which can assist your cat.

Avoid frequent food changes

Once you find high-quality food which your cat enjoys, stick with it. Resist the temptation to frequently switch your cats food as it can play havoc with their bowels.

It is easy for us to humanise animals and assume they will get bored having the same food at every meal but they will not. Of course, you can occasionally give a different food for a treat or have two different foods to go between but as a whole try to stick to the same food.

If you are planning on changing your cats food, make a slow transition over the space of 5-7 days to prevent any stomach upsets and loose poo. This is especially important when taking on a new kitten.

Avoid dairy

Shop bought cat milk is available and are lactose-free but they are not essential to a healthy cats diet, therefore not necessary.

Final words

Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea But Acts Fine

There are several reasons your otherwise healthy cat has diarrhea but seems fine. Here are some of the most common causes:

• Diet Changes. One of the common causes of diarrhea is a sudden dietary change, especially in cats with sensitive stomachs. For example, giving wet food to a cat used to eating only dry food will result in diarrhea. When switching your cats old food, make the introduction of the new food slow and gradual.
• Food Allergies. Cats can be allergic or intolerant to certain foods. In such cases, they will show signs of gastrointestinal upset . When suffering from food intolerances and allergies, a cat will seem otherwise fine.
• Imbalanced Gut Biome. If the good bacteria in the cats gut are inhibited in some way, it can cause indigestion and changes in the feces consistency. For example, gut biome imbalances can occur after prolonged use of antibiotics. Introducing probiotics can help resolve this issue and normalize bowel movements.
• Lack of Fiber. Fiber is an undigestible but necessary nutrient for a healthy digestive system. Low fiber diets can result in loose stools and can be fixed by adding high-fiber foods to the cats diet or using prebiotic supplements. If your cat has diarrhea but seems fine, it may need more prebiotics in its diet.

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What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of Severe Vomiting And Diarrhea In Cats

Signs and symptoms of severe cat diarrhea and vomiting include:

• Loss of Appetite. One of the first signs and symptoms of digestive upset is loss of appetite. Even voracious eaters stop eating when their stomach and intestines are irritated and hurting.
• Drooling. Drooling or excess salivation typically occurs before a cat vomits and is one of the signs of nausea.
• Dehydration. Cats losing fluids via vomiting and diarrhea are likely to become dehydrated. In most cases, they refuse to drink water which will make the dehydration issue even worse.
• Lethargy. Described as disinterest in everyday activities, lethargy accompanied almost all diseases and health issues in cats.
• Weight Loss. Chronic vomiting and diarrhea result in weight loss. The lack of appetite also contributes to the issue. However, weight changes are linked with long and chronic cases.

What Can You Give A Cat For Diarrhea

Most cats with acute diarrhea usually only have one episode of diarrhea, are fine afterwards and require no treatment. Cats with mild diarrhea may be managed with only feeding a fat-restricted, easily digested food, either homecooked chicken and rice or a therapeutic diet until normal stools are seen.

If this doesn’t clear up the problem within a day, then your vet can prescribe probiotics that can be mixed into your cat’s food and antidiarrheal drugs.

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How To Stop Cat Diarrhea From Happening

One great first step in keeping your cat healthy , is ensuring your cat is up to date on vaccines, deworming, and current preventions says Dr. Michelle Burch DVM from Safe Hounds Pet Insurance. âPreventative care will help to prevent intestinal parasite infections and some viral infections,â explains Dr. Burch.

If your cat is prescribed to take an antibiotic, Dr. Burch recommends supplementing with a probiotic. âYou can speak with your veterinarian about a probiotic they carry in the hospital, or you can find one at your local pet store,â says Dr. Burch.

Cat Diarrhea When Is It A Concern

One of the Catster editors recently asked me a few questions about poop. She wondered whether she needed to be concerned if her cat had a single runny poop. She also wondered whether pooping outside of the litter box might be a sign of a veterinary problem. Poop doesnt exactly make the world go round, but it is something that, for better or for worse, is a major part of life. So, lets talk about cat poop and cat diarrhea!

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What If Home Treatment Doesn’t Work

When in doubt, when concerned, or when the diarrhea extends beyond a day or two, despite your best at-home efforts, your best bet is to have your cat and their poo evaluated by your veterinarian.

No amount of internet searching and no number of trial and error home remedy attempts can compete with the comprehensive history taking, thorough physical examination, diagnostic testing, and the ability to prescribe safe and effective medications or supplements that only your veterinarian can offer.

First Aid For Your Cats Diarrhea

In some situations, you are safe to monitor Kitty for a day or so. If your cat hasnt gone droopy, vomiting along with explosive diarrhea, and is otherwise acting normally, take away all food for a period of 12 hours.

Be sure to make plenty of fresh, clean water available for your cat during this time.

This food-vacation will allow whatever is in her system to pass through. After 12 hours offer her a bit of boiled, skinless chicken a tablespoon or two every few hours. Continue with small amounts of easily digested food at regular intervals until the problem resolves itself. Then you can slowly begin to re-introduce her regular diet.

Feeding your cat a quality food will make a positive difference in your cats poop. Poor quality food, like Meow Mix that has corn as the first ingredient, can and will wreak havoc on your cats stomach .

Instead, try something that has real meat as the number one ingredient. You can find affordable brands using real meat in their ingredients. We use the brand Blue Buffalo.

If your cats diarrhea continues for more than a day, or other symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, or fever develop, you should see the vet. Dont forget to take a stool sample from the litter box with you.

Dehydration can become a serious problem when diarrhea goes on for days and/or if there is also vomiting.

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What To Do If Your Cat Has Diarrhea

Assess your cat’s behavior. Do they appear to be feeling well or acting more tired than normal? Do they have a poor appetite or any other symptoms that stray from their norm? Are they also vomiting? If a case of cat diarrhea is an isolated incident that resolves spontaneously in less than a few hours and doesn’t involve other symptoms, it’s generally not treated as an emergency.

However, diarrhea over a prolonged period , as well as diarrhea accompanied by a significant change in demeanor or other signs, should be treated as an emergency and taken to their vet or vet hospital right away. Bright red blood or darker tarry stools are also considered an emergency.

Finally, note the diarrhea’s frequency and appearance so that you can mention it to a vet at the next regular visit.

Find Out Whats Causing Your Cats Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a sign of another disease or condition, not a disease itself. There are many possible causes of your cats diarrhea, but loose stool is usually attributed in some way with inflammation that occurs in your cat’s gastrointestinal tract . Some of the wide-ranging causes include:

• Parasites in the intestines, like Coccidia and intestinal worms
• Conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, pancreatic disease, cancer or hypothyroidism
• Ingestion of toxic chemicals or poisonous plants
• Food intolerance

With many possible causes, it can be hard to take care of a new case of feline diarrhea without talking to a veterinarian. You may be tempted to immediately try changing your cat’s food without a veterinary visit. However, even if that resolves the diarrhea, the underlying causes may still be harming your cat.

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Why Does My Kitten Have Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is a symptom of dozens of feline illnesses. We have listed the common reasons behind runny stool:

If you have a skinny kitten with diarrhoea, you should get their stool checked in a lab for a complete digestive health assessment.

Can you jump through hoops for your kitten with runny poo?

When To See A Veterinarian

In an adult cat, a loose stool from time to time isnt cause for concern. And if your cat is otherwise behaving normally and seems to feel fine, its reasonable to wait a day or two to see if the diarrhea will resolve on its own.

But if your cats diarrhea lasts longer than two days or is accompanied by additional clinical signssuch as vomiting, poor appetite, or lethargyit could indicate a serious health issue. And if you think your cat might have ingested something poisonous or swallowed a foreign object, you should see your veterinarian immediately.

Your veterinarian may use a number of diagnostic approaches in investigating the cause of your cats diarrhea, including a physical exam, fecal parasite test, blood work, urinalysis, and imaging .

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Can Cats Have Diarrhea For No Reason

No, healthy adult cats should not have diarrhea for no reason.

While some diarrhea bouts are benign and self-limiting, others can be the result of severe or even life-threatening conditions.

For example, acute diarrhea in cats can be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, intestinal parasites, foreign objects, or ingestion of toxins .

Chronic diarrhea in cats can be caused by kidney disease, thyroid gland issues, pancreatitis, or IBD .

When your cat has a loose poo, consider the overall situation. If your cat has diarrhea but seems fine, monitor it and use over-the-counter supplements or home remedies. However, if, in addition to diarrhea, it is showing other signs and symptoms, seek veterinary care.