Mary Allen
Diarrhea can be very dangerous for cats. If you know the causes, you can often prevent worse things from happening. You should know these things.
Diarrhea in the cat is not nice for the animal and also not for the people. The fact that the quiet place is visited more often and therefore has to be cleaned more often is not the real problem. If the cat has diarrhea, we humans suffer too! After all, we want our cats to be happy. If they struggle with diarrhea in the litter box, it’s bad for us too.
If cats have diarrhea, it shows up with various side effects:
- The cat has diarrhea but is eating normally.
- The cat has diarrhea but is otherwise fit.
- The cat has diarrhea and is also battered overall.
Which of the variants affects the cat also depends on what is causing the cat’s diarrhea. If she shows other symptoms in addition to the soft or even liquid droppings, the cause may be different than if the cat only makes unusually thin droppings.
But what are typical reasons for diarrhea in cats? And what can you do to prevent diarrhea in cats? The following causes of fecal problems are particularly common.
The lining is usually the root cause
Numerous suppliers are constantly expanding the market of the feed industry for cats with many offers and delicious varieties. The different ingredients are often tailored to specific types of cats, but this does not always mean that your Maine Coon really tolerates the food intended for Maine Coons.
Cat stomachs can react differently to different ingredients. In one animal, the food is the cause of intolerance, the other cat tolerates the food without any problems. Try out several types of food until you find one that your velvet paw tolerates well. If necessary, your vet will help you with the selection. Due to his experience with many different cats, he certainly has at least one good tip ready.
By the way, feeding the same cat food over and over can promote intolerance. Many cat owners don’t know that. As much as your house cat likes to eat his favorite food – if he is plagued by diarrhea after feeding or if he has to endure this illness permanently, the food can be the cause. In that case, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
Rapid feed changes cause problems
Just as the same thing can always become a problem, frequent changes are not without risk either. Did you recently want to offer your cat something new and unusual and have you changed the food? This changeover, which is often too quick, can be a reason for diarrhea in cats.
Your cat’s small stomach then has trouble absorbing and processing the new ingredients. After all, this organ also has “a memory” and gets used to the work processes involved in digestion. Therefore, mix the new food in small portions with the old over several days to make it easier for your cat to change the food. Most cats tolerate the change quite well.
Too cold upsets the stomach
If you want to do something good for your cat and feed it food fresh from the fridge on warm summer days, this can also be a trigger for diarrhea. A cat’s stomach often has trouble digesting cold foods. So make sure to store the cat food at room temperature or warm it to room temperature before feeding to improve tolerance.
Better not give cold water either. This can also cause problems, even if the cat gratefully accepts the water. In a drinking fountain for cats, the water is usually at a temperature suitable for cats. Try it out and see if your four-legged friend accepts this little luxury.
When is diarrhea in cats a case for the vet?
Diarrhea is not always a cause for concern and, as discussed above, can often be traced back to the food. Worms in cats, giardia, drug intolerance, and poisoning (e.g. with the flea drug permethrin) can also trigger diarrhea.
If your cat not only has diarrhea but is also a little more tired and weak than usual or is behaving atypically, you should consult a veterinarian immediately. A specialist can often tell you in a few moments what the reason for the persistent diarrhea is and help your cat quickly and effectively. The vet also has tips on what to look out for when feeding in the future to prevent new diarrhea.
We wish you and your cat all the best!