SIGNS OF DIARRHEA IN CATS

Large volumes of stool
Loose, watery feces

CAUSES

Viral infections are the most common cause of diarrhea in cats:

Feline Distemper virus
Feline Leukemia virus
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Dietary changes and milk intolerance which is the inability to digest the milk sugar lactose is extremely common in cats, dogs and people. The enzyme lactase which is necessary to digest the milk decreases after the first few weeks of life in cats and dogs. The result is diarrhea because of the inability to tolerate milk. Roundworms and Hookworms can cause diarrhea in kittens.

Toxins Tylenol in cats is very dangerous.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the major cause of chronic diarrhea and vomiting in cats and dogs. Bacterial Infections such as Salmonella are a risk in cats that hunt birds.

WHAT YOU AND YOUR VET CAN DO

Diarrhea lasting 24 hours or less in an otherwise healthy cat can be beneficial to cleanse the body. Diarrhea lasting over 24 hours or occurring in a sick cat who is for example not eating, depressed and/or vomiting can cause life threatening dehydration and requires veterinary intervention. Routine Diagnostics generally include a fecal exam to check for worms, blood tests for viral infections, and X-rays to check for foreign items eaten as well as tumors.

TIP: Water is the single most important nutrient required to prevent dehydration with diarrhea.

HOME REMEDY

For simple diarrhea lasting less than 24 hours in an otherwise healthy cat, withhold foods 12 to 24 hours but provide fluids to prevent dehydration. Offer Chicken Broth. To make: use one 1/4 cup chicken broth or pureed chicken, mix with two tablespoons of water and 1 teaspoon of yogurt and warm to room temperature. Many cats enjoy this.

Feed small amounts of a bland food (not spicy- spices can irritate the stomach).
Bland foods include boiled chicken and rice, strained lamb baby food, uncreamed cottage cheese.

Tip: Avoid Kaopectate and Pepto-Bismol in cats. Pepto-Bismol contains aspirin which is toxic to cats.

Add Fiber to the diet which adds bulk to the stool and helps solidify the feces. Fiber Sources include: Psyllium, Slippery Elm,  Vegetables, Plain Pumpkin Filling

TIP: Digestive Enzymes replace bacteria lost in diarrhea which are necessary to digest and absorb food.

Yogurt contains Acidophyllus which are live cultures of bacteria. L-GLUTAMINE is an essential nutrient for pets and is available at health food stores. A 2% solution of L-Glutamine in water can be given by mouth under your vets advice. Fructo-Oligosaccharides (FOS) are beneficial. FOS are carbohydrates or fruit sugars attached to glucose molecules. They are digested in the colon, which is the large intestine. This is different than most other sugars which are digested in the small intestine. FOS help to eliminate bad bacteria and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine.

TIP: Organic yogurt with live cultures contains bacteria which are necessary to digest and absorb food. Offer 1 teaspoon 2 to 3 times a day. Probiotics are a concentrated source of "Friendly Bacteria" which are live bacterial cultures and are excellant for cats with diarrhea.

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY

Natrum Muriaticum (6x): (salt, sodium chloride) 1 pellet every 4 hours by mouth for 3 treatments, wait 24 hours, if cat is not better, try another remedy. No food 10 minutes before or after treatment. Use for longer lasting diarrhea in cats especially in cats that are uncomfortable and sit hunched up.

HERBAL REMEDY

Slippery Elm Powder: Mix 1 tsp of Slippery Elm powder with 1 cup cold water, bring to boil, and then simmer 3 minutes, cool to room temperature, and give one ½ tsp every 4 hours by mouth.