Diarrhea in cats is a common issue that we see at our Westminster animal hospital. If your cat is suffering from diarrhea your top priority will be curing this messy condition. Here, we look at some common causes and how to stop diarrhea in cats.
Diarrhea in Cats
Our Westminster vets see a lot of cats suffering from diarrhea, and for a range of reasons.
Depending on your cat’s lifestyle, you may or may not be readily aware of the details of her bathroom habits. In addition, cats are very fastidious about grooming so the tell-tale (or tell-tail) signs of diarrhea may be missed—especially in the early stages. For this reason, routine veterinary visits are important.
There are a number of more serious reasons why your cat could have diarrhea.
What Causes Diarrhea in Cats?
One of the first questions you will be asking yourself is, 'Why does my cat have diarrhea?'. The truth is that there are countless causes of diarrhea in cats, but below are some of the most common.
- Parasites – Parasites can definitely irritate your cat’s gastrointestinal, causing all kinds of diarrhea involving the small and/or large bowels. Significant numbers of parasites that cause diarrhea are more common in younger kittens
- Infections – Viral or bacterial infections can also cause diarrhea and also occur more frequently in younger cats
- Dietary Indiscretion or Diet Change – 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
- Stress – Just like with people, stress/anxiety/excitement can result in GI upset (especially lower bowel irritation or colitis)
- Primary Inflammatory Disorders – Like inflammatory bowel disease in people, inflammatory disorders can cause your cat to develop diarrhea
- Metabolic Diseases – From disorders of the pancreas or liver to thyroid imbalances, there are many other problems that upset the motility or environment in the GI tract resulting in diarrhea
- Medications/Toxins – Most know that certain antibiotics can upset the GI tract but other medications and certain toxins can also cause diarrhea
- Constipation – 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 manage to only pass a small amount of more liquid stools around the obstruction.
But how do you know whether your cat's diarrhea requires a visit to the vet?
When Should I Contact My Vet?
If your cat has a single episode of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normal, it is likely not a cause for concern. Monitor your cat's bowel movements to see if things clear up. More than 2 episodes could indicate a problem, so it's a good idea to call your vet if your cat has two or more bouts of diarrhea.
If your kitty is straining to pass a stool but only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a hairball. This is a very serious concern and needs veterinary attention right away, contact your vet or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital for care.
Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period of time could be a sign of a very serious health issue, particularly if your cat is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Contact your vet right away if your kitty is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.
Cats showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea should also be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your cat has any of the following symptoms contact your vet right away to make an appointment:
- Blood in stool
- Unusual drooling
- Vomiting
- Lack of Appetite
- Weakness
- Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)
If your cat is displaying any symptoms that cause you concern, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet's symptoms indicate that an examination is necessary.
How Can I Stop My Cat's Diarrhea?
While you may be puzzling over ways you can stop your cat's chronic diarrhea it's important to note that you should NEVER give your cat human medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that work well for people can be toxic to cats.
Increasing fiber intake is an option since it is considered a great ‘equalizer’. However, I think it is best to go with multiple smaller meals of something easily digestible. That means a low-fat, mostly carbohydrate diet like potatoes, pasta, or rice with a little bit of chicken, turkey, low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt. Some cats are also happy to eat meat-based baby foods.
When it comes to your kitty's health it is always best to err on the side of caution. By taking your feline friend in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of their diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.
Not only that, but they will make sure your pet experiences a minimal amount of discomfort or pain from any health issues they are experiencing. The sooner a medical issue is detected, the sooner it can be diagnosed and treated.
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.