![]() ![]() Avoid antibiotics unless they’re absolutely necessary, since most antibiotics can worsen or cause diarrhea. Never give your cat any human anti-diarrheal medication, since many of these products are toxic or fatal to cats. (True food allergies are much less common than food intolerances, but if an allergy is involved in your cat’s diarrhea, the solution will still involve eliminating any ingredients in their diet that may be causing trouble.)Īvoid medications unless prescribed by your vet. The solution usually involves identifying and eliminating the offending ingredient in the cat’s diet-for example, by transitioning to a “novel” protein source that the cat has never been fed before. In other cases, cats may suddenly develop a hypersensitivity to a protein source they’ve eaten for years with no problem. A newly introduced food may cause diarrhea if your cat can’t digest one or more of its ingredients. To avoid digestive symptoms when you switch your cat from one brand or variety to another, it’s best to transition gradually from the old food to the new food over 7–10 days.įood intolerance, also called food hypersensitivity-the body’s inability to digest a particular food properly-is another frequent cause of diarrhea. Even if your cat doesn’t usually have a “sensitive stomach,” any new food can upset the digestive system at first. When these bacteria become too abundant, they can create unhealthy levels of inflammation, leading to diarrhea and even inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Īn abrupt diet change can trigger your cat’s diarrhea. For example, the bacteria group Prevotella thrive in low-protein, high-carbohydrate environments. Many commercial cat foods contain high levels of carbohydrates, which can encourage an overgrowth of certain types of gut bacteria. So cats do best on a diet that’s high in animal protein and low in carbohydrates. Is your cat producing soggy logs, soft piles, or puddles? To determine where your cat’s stool falls on the scale, check out our Cat Poop Chart.Ĭats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they can’t get all the nutrients they need from plant sources. But if your cat has very soft or liquid bowel movements for more than a day or two, it’s important to identify the underlying cause, since diarrhea can sometimes indicate serious, even potentially fatal, health situations. ![]() Moist logs or even a wet “flop” from time to time probably isn’t cause for alarm. Diarrhea is considered chronic if it continues or recurs over a period of three weeks or more.Ī healthy, “normal” cat poop is generally dark brown, firm (but not hard), and shaped like logs or nuggets. When it begins suddenly and lasts for less than two weeks, diarrhea is described as acute. How do you know what’s causing your cat’s diarrhea? When should you see your veterinarian? And how can you help your cat feel better?ĭiarrhea-meaning stool that’s softer and wetter than normal-actually includes a range of consistencies, from moist shapes to watery liquid. Ongoing diarrhea may indicate an underlying chronic illness. But causes of cat diarrhea also include dangerous, even fatal, health issues, so it’s important to know what clues to look for. Most cats experience a brief episode of diarrhea from time to time, and the cause is often something benign, like a too-sudden change from one brand of food to another. ![]()
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