If your cat is feeling down in the dumps, as a loving pet owner, you want to do everything in your control to help him feel better as quickly as possible. Diarrhea in cats can be triggered by a number of minor causes such as a change in food, consuming people food, eating something that has spoiled, or going through a traumatic event such as moving or being chased by another animal. In these cases, your cat’s upset stomach should pass within 24 hours and you should not be too concerned.
On the other hand, diarrhea in cats can be caused by more serious infections and diseases, so you should carefully monitor your pet to see if the reaction persists. If so, it is important to seek prompt veterinary attention because diarrhea is your cat’s way of eliminating whatever is ailing his body. Although diarrhea is not a fun topic for cats and cat lovers alike, it is important to stay informed and treat your cat with proper care.
Part of this care process is being hyper-aware of what to feed a cat with diarrhea. When a cat has diarrhea, the digestive system is attempting to clean itself out and remove whatever is causing the irritation. Due to this reaction, it is important to carefully monitor what you feed your cat to keep any additional irritation to a minimum. In order to treat and alleviate your cat of his symptoms, it is crucial that you as his owner first understands how to manage diarrhea in cats.
Increase Your Cat’s Water Intake
When thinking of what to give a cat with diarrhea, we often think of different foods. However, the first step you should take is to ensure your cat is drinking water. When any pet is vomiting or has diarrhea, they are losing a large amount of fluid. When your cat loses this much water, he is at risk for dehydration, which brings a whole new, dangerous risk to the table. Make sure your cat is drinking plenty of water by closely monitoring him. If your cat isn’t drinking water, try different techniques to make water more appealing. Watch to see if he is actually visiting the water bowl. Many cats are particular when it comes to what water they will drink, so if you notice your cat is not drinking from the bowl, try enticing him with running water from the sink. Although this is probably not something you want to make into a daily routine, replenishing your cat’s fluids is the most important step to at-home care when your cat has diarrhea.
Change Your Cat’s Food
The first thing to ask yourself is, “have I recently changed my cat’s diet?” If so, this may be what is causing your cat’s diarrhea. There may be something in the new food that isn’t sitting well with your cat, and the solution may be as simple as going back to the old food. If you have not recently changed your cat’s food, now may be the time to try. Many cat foods have artificial flavors, dyes, and ingredients such as soy that could be setting off your cat’s stomach. Try switching to a natural, wet food with chicken or turkey listed as the number one ingredient. Wet food is typically easier for cats to digest, which is best when your cat has an upset stomach.
Some cat lovers like to make their cat’s food themselves to ensure their cat is getting the purest ingredients. In this case, boiled, peeled, and mashed potatoes mixed with boiled, skinned, and deboned chicken is a good option. All homemade meals should be void of any dairy, spices, or oils. You want the food to be as bland as possible. Whatever food you decide to feed your cat, start with small portions and work your way up.
Dietary Supplements
If your cat’s diet is lacking fiber and proper nutrients, this could also be the cause of the diarrhea. A natural way to solve this is by adding one tablespoon of plain, canned pumpkin to your cat’s meals. Other options include sprinkling half a teaspoon of plain, unflavored Metamucil over your cat’s food. However, it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian before making this call. Finally, you can help your cat fight off bad bacteria by supplementing his diet with good bacteria, also known as probiotics. A probiotic supplement can decrease your cat’s recovery time and help prevent future dietary issues.
As a loving cat owner, you want to make sure your cat is comfortable and well cared for. If your cat has diarrhea, it is important to carefully monitor your cat to make sure the diarrhea does not persist or escalate. Even if the symptom passes within 24-hours, it is crucial to consider the cause in order to prevent it from happening again in the future. During this time, follow the steps above to keep your feline friend as happy and healthy as possible.
