Diarrhea in cats can come as suddenly as a bolt from the blue. If your cat suddenly gets diarrhea, it is normal to be both worried and stressed. Because you may have heard that it can lead to dehydration and life-threatening conditions. Unfortunately, this is not a myth, but fortunately, most causes of diarrhea in cats are completely harmless. In this post, we will look at common reasons for your cat's stomach problems, what you can do yourself to prevent future stomach problems and when you need to contact a veterinarian.
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How do I know my cat has diarrhea?
You know your cat has diarrhea when their stool is more liquid than normal. It can have different consistencies, ranging from slightly loose stools to completely runny and watery. Depending on the type of cat litter you use, your cat's diarrhea will clump together like urine, but you will easily notice that it is loose stools because of the strong odor. Diarrhea is also often called loose stomach.
When should I contact the vet if the cat has a loose stomach?
- If the cat has had diarrhea for more than 1–2 days.
- If there is diarrhea with blood.
- When the cat vomits.
- Fever above 39 °C or temperatures below 38 °C.
- The cat is not eating and is lethargic.
- Vomits what it drinks.
- Recurrent diarrhea.
- When you don't know the cat's background (e.g. whether it is from abroad).
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Common reasons why your furry friend has a loose stomach
The cat's diet
What your cat eats is one of the most common causes of stomach upset in cats. Do you have a kitten that is about to switch from kitten food for adult food or you want to try a new food variety, it is important to take the transition slowly. If you do not gradually let your four-legged friend get used to the new taste, this can cause your furry friend to not want to eat the cat food and also irritate their digestive system. Food intolerance or poor quality cat food can also give a cat diarrhea.
Rotten food, toxins or foreign bodies
Cats are rarely called bookworms and unfortunately cannot read the warnings on your detergents either. In case of poisoning a cat can have both diarrhea and vomiting. The same applies if the cat has eaten bad food or has foreign objects in its stomach such as large hairballs or thread from clothes, curtains and carpets.
Stress
Cats are generally not keen on frequent changes. If you have traveled due to a move or taken your cat to a cat show, this can lead to stress, which in turn can cause stomach problems. Kittens often experience stress when moving to a new home filled with new smells and people. To prevent your kitten from getting diarrhea due to stress, you can try using pheromones to calm the little furball.
medications
If your four-legged friend is taking medications such as antibiotics or NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), this can affect the intestinal flora and lead to diarrhea.
parasites
There are many different parasites in cats that can cause frequent and loose stools. If your cat has diarrhea due to parasites, a course of antibiotics may do the trick. Tritrichomonas is an example of a parasite that causes long-term diarrhea in cats but does not affect their general condition. It is important to find out if your kitty has a loose stomach due to parasites as it is easily transmitted between cats.
Virus
Did you remember to vaccinate your cat? It is recommended to vaccinate against feline distemper (parvovirus) every three years. If you have a cat with diarrhea that you don't know the cause of, for example if it came from abroad, it could be feline distemper.
Diseases
Diseases such as pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, cancer and kidney failure in cats can also be reasons for cat diarrhea.
Treatment of diarrhea in cats
What can you do yourself?
If you have a cat with mild diarrhea and who otherwise acts healthy and well, you can try to treat the cat at home. Give smaller portions of easily digestible food such as boiled white fish, rice or meat with a low fat content. Also remember to give the cat access to clean water, preferably also via the food to replace fluid loss. You can also buy prebiotics and probiotics from the vet or pharmacy that can help. These agents stabilize the intestine, have a binding effect and promote the good bacterial flora. Pay close attention to the cat's condition as it can change quickly. If it does not want to eat for a day or does not get better within 1–2 days, you should contact a veterinarian.
What can you expect at the vet?
When you are at the veterinary clinic, you can expect the vet to ask about how the disease has progressed. The cat will then be examined and blood tests will be taken to check for dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and to rule out underlying diseases. A stool sample can reveal parasites. If they find nothing on the tests, an X-ray or ultrasound will be performed to see if there may be something in the abdomen. Depending on what the results reveal, a diagnosis and a treatment plan will be given so that the cat can get healthy and fast again.
