Cats hide diseases and injuries incredibly well. Whether you have shared your home with cats for many years or you have adopted your first kitty, sometimes it can be a bit difficult to determine a cat’s health from their poop.
This is why it’s usually important for pet parents to pay attention to their cat’s defecation habits, urination, appetite, energy levels, and circadian rhythms.
When it comes to defecation, you should closely examine factors, such as frequency, color, and consistency. Always remember that your veterinarian would want to hear about your kitty’s poop every time you take him for a checkup.
Take notice if your cat has diarrhea. Watch for a few key signs when scooping out the litter box. Here is everything you need to know about diarrhea in cats!
What is Diarrhea in Cats?
Diarrhea refers to the loose, watery stools that occur frequently. It may occur alone or could be accompanied with other symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Fortunately, diarrhea in cats is usually short-lived. But, it usually indicates that there’s another serious problem if the diarrhea lasts beyond a few days or weeks.
What are the Symptoms of Diarrhea in Cats?
Cats with diarrhea exhibit so many symptoms along with having unhealthy, loose, watery stool. The following are some of the most common signs of diarrhea in cats:
Nausea or vomiting
Stress or anxiety
Eating garbage or any other spoiled food
Loss of appetite
Straining to defecate
General weakness
Blood or mucus in the stool
Presence of worms in the stool
Increased frequency of defecation
Weight loss
Abdominal pain
What are the Causes of Diarrhea in Cats?
There are several causes of diarrhea in cats. It usually occurs when you change your kitty’s meal plan abruptly or when your cat eats something that is unusual.
This is why slow transition up to over a week is often recommended when switching your cat from one kind of food to another.
Gradual change of food allows your cat’s digestive system to adjust to the new food, thus lowering the possibility of diarrhea.
Other possible causes of diarrhea in cats include:
Parasites
Chronic inflammatory disease
Cancer
Food allergies
Ingesting toxins or poison
Bacterial infections, including salmonella
Ingestion of foreighn objects like toys, bones, and fabric
Hyperthyroidism
Ingesting garbage or spoiled food
Bacterial overgrowth in the digestive tract
Medications such as antibiotics
How is Diarrhea in Cats Diagnosed?
After reviewing your cat’s detailed medical history, your veterinarian may run fecal tests and culturing that includes cytology, antigen testing, and fecal flotation to screen for inflammatory or infectious diseases.
Bloodwork may be carried out to test systemic and metabolic causes of diarrhea and determine the outcome of diarrhea.
In mild cases of diarrhea, your veterinarian may undertake further diagnostic testing that involves abdominal ultrasound, radiology, and endoscopy to examine cancer and check for any foreign objects in your cat’s body.
How to Treat Diarrhea in Cats
Treating diarrhea in cats depends on its underlying cause. There are several available treatments, though nutrition plays a key role in managing diarrhea.
For healthy adult cats, your veterinarian may recommend a special diet plan, feeding small quantities of a particular diet, or withholding food for at least 24 hours.
A diet formulated with a balance of complex carbohydrates with added fiber that benefits the good bacteria in your cat’s intestine may be recommended.
Your veterinarian may also suggest using NHV Maris Supplement for Pets 100ml, an herbal formula for constipation that also relieves inflammation. Besides, it promotes bowel movements and supports gastrointestinal health. In addition to eliminating the toxins, kaolin also slows down the passage of faeces. Pectin relieves any cramping, discomfort, and irritation associated with non-infective diarrhea by detoxifying and coating the intestine.
When it comes to treating diarrhea in cats, it’s essential that you never give your cat medications formulated specifically for people before consulting your vet. Human medications are toxic to cats and may further complicate their health.
How to Prevent Diarrhea in Cats
It’s always best to take precaution when it comes to your kitty’s health. Use appropriate prescription diet and medications to underlying diseases, such as food allergies, hyperthyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, and pancreatitis, as recommended by your vet.
Do not give your cat human foods or make sudden diet changes to avoid cases of diarrhea.
Try using Himalaya Digyton Drops (Digestion) for Dogs and Cats to address digestive issues. You can use Himalaya Digyton Drops as a daily tonic to promote good digestion and to tone the digestive tract. It’s an effective digestive normaliser and appetite stimulant. Labivet Probiotics Skin & Gut Health for Dogs & Cats is another product that is specially formulated to support gut health in dogs and cats. It’s a prebiotic and probiotic supplement that has a guaranteed 2 billion colony forming units for your kitty’s gut health. Besides, it also helps reduce feces odour and bowel problems, such as constipation and diarrhea. Always take your cat for regular examinations. By doing so, you give your vet the opportunity to determine any underlying issues and prevent the most effective treatment before the diarrhea problem escalates.