Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment ...When is it Serious and How Do I Stop It?

Cat Diarrhea: When is it Serious and How Do I Stop It?

You can learn tons about your cat's health from his poop. Whether you’ve just adopted your first kitten or you’ve shared your home with cats for years, await a couple of key signs once you scoop out the litter box.

Cat Poop: What’s Normal?

Most cats will poop a minimum of once each day . If they’re healthy, their poop should:

Be chocolate in color

Feel not too hard or too soft or mushy

Not smell too foul, though some odor is normal

Diarrhea

Diarrhea isn't uncommon for cats, and there are many reasons why your cat may need it. Sometimes, it comes and goes quickly. Other times, it can last for days, weeks, or months, or come on a daily basis.

Diarrhea that lasts for twenty-four to 48 hours probably won’t cause a drag unless you've got an older cat or a kitten. But if it lasts longer, your cat can get dehydrated, which may be dangerous.

Some common causes of cat diarrhea include:

Changes to their diet or food allergies or intolerances

Inflammatory bowel disease

Colitis

Worms (intestinal parasites)

Pancreatic disease

Cancer

Hyperthyroidism

If your cat has diarrhea that lasts quite each day or two, see your veterinarian to work out the cause. Call your vet directly if the diarrhea is black or bloody, or if it happens along side fever, vomiting, sluggishness, or a loss of appetite.

The treatment your cat will need depends on what’s causing his diarrhea. Some will need prescription medications, like metronidazole or prednisolone, to regulate inflammation. Your vet may recommend a special diet if she thinks a allergy or intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or colitis is that the problem. for a few cats, a deworming medication or probiotics can also be needed. 

To prevent diarrhea

Do not give your cat dairy causes such like milk or yogurt -- many cats can’t digest them properly. Also, if you turn the brand or sort of food you give him, make certain to introduce it over several days by mixing it with smaller and smaller amounts of the old food until he’s eating only the new stuff.