Food For Kittens With Diarrhea

Shelter Cats And Diarrhea

In animal shelters, cats with diarrhea typically arent adopted out as quickly as healthy animals and are therefore more vulnerable to euthanasia. Read: this shelter cat with chronic diarrhea found a forever home and a solution to her digestive problems.

Because chronic diarrhea is such a serious problem for cats at animal rescues and shelters, we help support these organizations by offering product discounts and by periodically donating microbiome tests and supplements.

Purina Cat Chow Sensitive Stomach Gentle

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey By-product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Rice, Chicken By-product Meal

Now heres a truly remarkable cat chow thats loved by many cat owners and adored by kitties.

Purina presents this dry cat food that is appropriate for cats with an upset stomach and digestive issues. This kibble has a wealthy 34% protein content and just about 11% fat, which is perfect for a healthy cats stomach.

Mind you, this cat food boasts 25 essential nutrients plus omega fatty acids for various health benefits that include digestive health and lean muscle development.

This dry food has no artificial flavors or preservatives that can cause cat diarrhea. It is also the most economical option in this best dry cat food for diarrhea list.

What Do I Feed A Kitten With Diarrhea

To help speed the recovery process, you can add canned pumpkin to your little kittys diet. Pumpkins increase the fiber levels and help with their gastrointestinal tract. You can also add powdered supplements to your kittys food.

You can also prepare boiled rice or pasta with some boiled skinless chicken for your little pet. Talk to a vet about your kittens diet. They usually suggest foods high in fibers that feed the good bacteria in your kittens intestines.

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How Is The Cause Of Diarrhea Diagnosed

Your veterinarian will diagnose the cause of diarrhea in your cat by reviewing a detailed medical history, performing a physical examination, and in some cases, taking samples for laboratory testing. It can be helpful to document details such as when the diarrhea started, how frequent it is, and what it looks like, and note any changes made to your cats diet or environment. To help you prepare this information for your veterinarian, see the handout “Diarrhea Questionnaire for Cats”.

“Your veterinarian will likely ask you to bring a fresh fecal sample to your appointment.”

Your veterinarian will likely ask you to bring a fresh fecal sample to your appointment. In mild cases of diarrhea, further diagnostic testing may be deferred unless initial treatment fails or if the condition worsens. Additional tests may include blood work, stool and rectal swab samples for parasite examination, DNA testing, bacterial culture, radiographs , ultrasound, and endoscopic exam.

Does Dry Cat Food Help With Diarrhea

No. Dry food increases the risk of diarrhea due to more hard-to-digest ingredients.

Most dry kibble foods are high in grains, and legumes. These foods tend to result in digestive issues in high amounts in cats.

Cats have fewer digestive enzymes for digesting carbohydrates. Dry food that is too high in carbohydrate can result in diarrhea.

Cats have no need for carbohydrate based foods as they are obligate carnivores. Wet canned food high in animal meat, organs, and grinded bones is the best choice for health.

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Kitten Diarrhea: Common Causes Symptoms And Treatment

Much like human babies, kittens can be sensitive to sudden changes in environment or diet. They can even suffer from food allergies. These factors can cause diarrhea, a condition in which the kitten will release frequent, liquidy stools. If you notice loose stools, you should monitor their bowel movements to make sure the condition is not chronic or a sign of a more serious problem.

When it comes to kitten diarrhea, it could be just a reaction to new foods, but it could also be a sign of a more serious, underlying illness.

If your kitten is suffering from diarrhea, its not time to panic. Dr. Erick Mears, a BluePearl veterinary specialist who is board certified in internal medicine, points out that kitten diarrhea is usually a treatable condition. Its pretty common and tends to be very responsive to treatment. Most of the time the things you look for are dietary causes or parasites, he says.

Diarrhea Treatment Depends Upon Severity

When questioning how to help a kitten with diarrhea, the first priority is to determine how severe the diarrhea appears to be. If your kitten has had a few episodes of slightly soft stool, and is otherwise up to date on veterinary care, you can likely monitor your kitten at home while feeding a consistent, high-quality diet. If your kitten is experiencing severe diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, or other signs of illness, however, you need to seek veterinary care as soon as possible to prevent dehydration and other significant complications.

Dr. Barnette is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she received both her B.S. in Zoology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine . She has 15 years of clinical experience as a small animal veterinarian, treating dogs, cats, and occasional exotic patients. She now works as a freelance veterinary writer, creating educational content for veterinarians, veterinary team members, and dedicated pet owners. Dr. Barnette lives in southwest Florida with her husband and daughter and enjoys kayaking, biking, and hiking. Learn more about Dr. Barnette at .

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Grandma Lucys Simple Replacement Anti

We give the best overall to this unique product Grandma Lucys Simple Replacement Anti-Diarrhea Freeze-Dried Dog & Cat Meal Replacement specially design to help your kittys tummy recover. This is a formula of only 2 ingredients: plain boneless chicken breast and white rice. While this is not a complete balanced diet this remedy is the perfect meal replacer for cats suffering from diarrhea. This is a simple and easy-to-digest equivalent to a bland diet. To feed it to your kitten you must rehydrate it using boiling water first, let it cool down, and use it as a meal replacement while your kitty stomach resets. In addition, this product is based on all-natural freeze-dried ingredients that are not GMO produced.

The only downside of this product is that some picky eaters will refuse to accept it and that it can only be used temporarily as a meal replacer because it is not a complete balanced formula but rather a remedy.

• Picky eaters could refuse this food
• Not a complete balanced diet

What To Do If Your New Kitten Has Diarrhea

Does your kitten have diarrhea? While this can be common, it can also be a sign of something more serious. Here’s what you need to know about kitten diarrhea.

As a pet parent of a new kitten, any change in behavior or health status can cause a great deal of stress. If you notice that your kitten has diarrhea, you might be concerned that something is wrong and wonder if they need medical attention.

There are a variety of things that can cause your new kitten to have diarrhea. The good news is that some of them are simply just a result of being in an entirely new environment. However, itâs also possible that the cause of your new kitten’s diarrhea requires the attention of a vet.

Learn what could be causing your kitten’s diarrhea, how you can provide them with relief, and when you should bring them to the vet.

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Wellness Core Indoor Chicken & Chicken Liver Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth, Chicken Meal

For the best canned cat food for diarrhea, we chose this chicken recipe from Wellness CORE.

Real chicken, chicken liver, and chicken broth are the first three ingredients in this wet cat food, with peas, cranberries, and flaxseeds as part of the plant-based components for balanced nutrition.

This amazing canned cat food boasts 11% protein and 4% fat, with 2% fiber per 5.5- ounce can.

It is 100% grain-free and made in the USA, this wet food for cats also features remarkable essential nutrients, including taurine, and fatty acids for a healthy immune system.

What Ingredients Should I Avoid To Help My Cat With Diarrhea

Any ingredients that have a chance to irritate your cats digestion are worth eliminating.

Lets take a look at some things to avoid:

• Histamines

These foods are sources of food intolerance.

Food intolerance is a negative reaction to food that doesnt involve allergies.

There are many possible foods that lead to intolerance for a variety of reasons. Food intolerance is a catch-all term for a variety of food-related sensitivities.

Either the food is poorly digested or the food itself causes changes to the digestive system function .

Cats have fewer digestive enzymes for digesting carbohydrates. Dry food that is too high in carbohydrate can result in diarrhea.

Is Milk Good For Cats With Diarrhea?

Yes, too much milk can give cats diarrhea. Milk contains the sugar lactose which cats have a hard time digesting. This is due to having low amounts of lactase enzyme.

Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down the lactose sugar in milk. Undigested lactose increases the risk of digestive upsets.

Small amounts of milk may be easier to digest, so you may still give your cat a small amount of milk without harm .

Learn more: Is Milk Bad for cats?

Read Also: Iodine Levels In Cat Food

When To Schedule A Vet Visit

Ideally, you don’t want your cat’s diarrhea problem to go on too long, and you should consider getting in touch with your vet if your cat’s diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours. You want to keep track of when the onset point was, what the frequency of the diarrhea is, the severity, and any possible causes like switching out their food.

Your vet will be able to give your cat fluids if they’ve gotten to the point of being dehydrated, and they can also suggest a treatment plan to help curb the episodes and severity of your cat’s diarrhea. If you notice that your cat’s abdomen is tender or bloated, contact your vet straight away because this can be a sign of a dangerous health problem.

I Switched Diets: What Else Could Be Causing My Cat’s Diarrhea

• If switching to a healthier diet did not help your kitten get better, then there is a much more serious issue at hand. If the diarrhea continues, you need to take your cat to the vet for a check up.
• Chronic loose stool could be a symptom of an irritated bowel, poisoning, cancer, parasites, or another health issue.

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Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Kitten Ultra Soft Mousse In Sauce Best For Kittens

Read more:
• Pretty litter green urine

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Kitten Ultra Soft Mousse in Sauce is a prescription food made specifically for kittens with gastrointestinal problems. This food is an ultra-soft mousse formula, making it easy for kittens to eat. It contains a blend of prebiotics and dietary fibers to support firm stools. This food is a good option for tiny kittens that are having a tough time transitioning from milk to solid food. It contains levels of protein and calcium appropriate for the needs of a kitten and is nutrient-dense enough to support your kitten, even in small quantities. This food does come at a premium price.

Firstmate Pacific Ocean Fish Meal With Blueberries Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Pacific Ocean Fish Meal, Potato, Chicken Fat, Whole Blueberries, Minerals

First Mates formula is certainly a welcome addition to this list of best dry cat food for diarrhea.

Known for its first-class pet food formulas, this cat food from First Mate is made with wild-caught herring, anchovies, and sardines from the ice-cold Canadian waters to make a tasty and protein-rich Pacific Ocean fish meal recipe for a lush 42% protein load.

This high-protein and limited ingredient diet dry food is a formidable cats diet for cat diarrhea and sensitive stomachs, lean muscle building, immune system, and digestive health for adult cats and kittens alike.

Potato and whole blueberries are the only plant-based ingredients in this dry food. The blueberries provide powerful antioxidants for immune health, as well as strong boosters to the cats digestive tract.

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Should I Give My Kitten Wet Or Dry Food For Diarrhea

Wet food is a better choice for kittens with diarrhea.

Some cats may be sensitive to wheat, barley, and gluten flour.

Wet canned foods seem to reduce the risk of food intolerance and improve outcomes in cats with diarrhea, possibly due to not having much of these ingredients.

Bottom Line: Wet food is a better choice for kittens with diarrhea due to having a higher moisture content and easier-to-digest food sources

Other Causes Of Kitten Diarrhea

• Internal Parasites

Parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms can upset your kittens digestion and even stunt their growth. Your kitten should be dewormed at two weeks of age and again at two-week intervals until they reach 12 weeks. After that, kittens should be placed on a monthly anti-parasite product that is prescribed by a family veterinarian. This preventative treatment helps control intestinal parasites and fleas, which cause tapeworms.

• Infections

Common bacterial infections include salmonella and campylobacter. Kittens can also contract viruses such as feline immunodeficiency virus, panleukopenia, feline leukemia virus and rotavirus.

• Environmental Stress

Moving to a new home, getting new housemates and other environmental factors can cause diarrhea in kittens.

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What Ingredients Should I Look For

Lets go through some ingredients that you want to get in your kitten food.

Moisture

A high moisture content helps to hydrate your kitten if they have a diarrhea episode.

This seems logical, but it is important to note because cats dont tend to drink enough water outside of their food intake.

A healthy cat or kitten needs at least 30mls of water per pound of body weight.

If your kitten isnt drinking enough water from the bowl, consider a higher moisture content food.

Most wet canned foods range from 75-85% moisture content.

Bottom Line: Choose a food high in moisture to hydrate your kitten. Wet canned cat foods are much higher in moisture than dry cat foods and are a better choice

These foods are called novel as they arent in the usual diet of a cat or kitten.

• Lamb
• Duck

Keep in mind that novel protein food sources are location dependant.

A kitten raised in New Zealand on a diet of lamb wont be able to use lamb as a novel protein as this is common to their diet.

Novel protein foods are used as part of an elimination diet, which involves the following steps:

Is their any research on food intolerance in cats?

Yes.

Natural Balance Lid Indoor Salmon & Chickpea Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Chickpeas, Peas, Salmon Meal, Pea Protein

Another pet food maker thats no stranger to premium cat food is Natural Balance, an expert in limited ingredients diet recipes. Just like the top 2 brands, this dry cat food is made of high-quality animal protein in real salmon.

As advertised, this dry food formula has only a few select ingredients to cater to kitties with food allergies and sensitive stomachs.

It is surely one of the safest cat foods in the market today for food-sensitive felines. As for addressing cat diarrhea, this cat food is high in protein and low in fat , with a high 8% fiber.

The salmon and salmon meal also provide the essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

This dry cat food for sensitive stomachs is augmented with essential vitamins and minerals for total feline health nutrition, and yes, probiotics for good measure.

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Should You Withhold Food From Cats With Diarrhea

No. Wet cat food is a source of water and electrolytes which help replace losses from diarrhea.

I recommend cutting out dry food from the diet and sticking to wet foods. These options are easier to digest and less likely to result in further diarrhea episodes.

This is because wet foods contain fewer carbohydrates, grain, and legume ingredients. Cats lack the digestive enzymes for tolerating high carbohydrate diets.

Offer Probiotics And Fiber Supplements

Studies have shown that giving cats probiotics can result in firmer stools. This is because probiotics contain good bacteria naturally found in cats gastrointestinal tracts.

Fiber supplements or natural sources of fiber may also help treat diarrhea and firm up your cats stools. Pumpkin and psyllium fiber are great sources of fiber that you can buy easily, but take note that some cats may be allergic to the latter.

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Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Mousse Cat Food

The premium pick for kitten food for diarrhea is Royal Canin Mother & Babycat Ultra-Soft Mousse in Sauce, which is a wet food containing 47.4% protein and 21.1% fat on a dry matter basis. It has 10% fiber, which is higher than most kitten foods, and 1.35% calcium, which is within the recommended range for kittens. The high fiber content supports healthy stools and this food is calorie dense, making it ideal for the rapid growth that kittens experience. This highly palatable food is easy on the tummy and is ultra-soft, making it ideal for weaning kittens. It is not recommended to continue to feed this food as the primary source of nutrition beyond 4 months of age.

The ORIJEN Kitten Dry Food contains 40% protein and 20% fat, putting it in the recommended ranges. It also contains 3% fiber to support digestion and 1.4% calcium, which is within range. Chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, chicken liver, turkey giblets, whole mackerel, eggs, dehydrated chicken, dehydrated turkey, dehydrated herring, dehydrated chicken liver, and dehydrated egg as the first 13 ingredients, making it one of the most animal protein dense foods for kittens. It also contains great sources of fiber including butternut squash, collard greens, apples, lentils, and navy beans. This is a premium priced food, so it may be out of some budgets.