🔍 What Is Diarrhea in Cats?

Diarrhea is loose or unformed stools that occur more frequently than usual. It ranges from mild to severe and can be caused by diet, infections, parasites, or chronic disease. It’s one of the most common reasons cat parents visit the vet 🐾.

🩺 Common Causes

• Diet change or intolerance: Sudden food changes, dairy, or unsuitable treats 🍗
• Parasites: Giardia, roundworms, coccidia, or hookworms 🦠
• Infections: Viral (FeLV, FIV), bacterial (Salmonella, E. coli), or fungal 🦠
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): Chronic GI inflammation 💥
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas often causes vomiting too 🔥
• Food allergies: Typically to proteins like chicken, beef, or dairy 🧀
• Liver or kidney disease, hyperthyroidism: Systemic illness impacting digestion 🧬
• Stress: Moving, new pets, travel—“stress colitis” is real 😿

⚠️ When to Worry

• Diarrhea lasts over 48 hours ⏱️
• There is vomiting, lethargy, or fever 🤒
• Blood or mucus in stool 💉
• Weight loss or poor appetite 🍽️
• Dehydration signs: dry gums, sunken eyes, lethargy 💧

🏠 Home Treatment Tips (For Mild Cases)

1. Don’t Withhold Food

Unlike dogs, cats should not be fasted. Instead, continue feeding a bland, familiar diet or vet-approved gastrointestinal food 🍽️.

2. Add Fiber

Plain canned pumpkin (1 tsp/day), psyllium husk, or fiber-enriched diets can help firm stools 🥣.

3. Keep Hydrated

• Offer fresh water and low-sodium chicken broth 🍗
• Use pet-safe electrolyte solutions if needed 🧴
• Mix water into wet food or use a water fountain 💦

4. Probiotics

Use cat-specific probiotics to support gut flora (e.g., Fortiflora, Proviable) 🦠.

5. Clean the Litter Box Frequently

To track consistency and frequency of stools 🧼.

🧪 Veterinary Care

When to Call the Vet

• No improvement after 48 hours 📞
• Kitten, senior, or immunocompromised cat is affected 👵🐾
• Recurring or chronic episodes 📅

What the Vet May Do

• Fecal tests for parasites 🧫
• Bloodwork for organ function 🩸
• Imaging (ultrasound or X-ray) 🖼️
• Endoscopy or biopsy in chronic cases 🔬

Vet Treatments

• Anti-diarrheal meds (kaolin-pectin, probiotics) 💊
• Parasite treatments (fenbendazole, metronidazole) 🪱
• Prescription GI diets (Royal Canin Gastro, Hill’s i/d) 🍲
• Anti-nausea meds (Cerenia, maropitant) 🤢
• Fluids (IV or subcutaneous) for rehydration 💧

📋 Case Study: “Whiskers” the Wanderer

Symptoms: Outdoor tomcat returned with runny stool, lethargy, and dehydration.
Vet Actions: Parasite panel showed Giardia. Treated with metronidazole + prescription diet.
Outcome: Within 72 hours, stools firmed and energy returned! 🐈‍⬛

🛡️ Preventing Future Diarrhea

• Gradual food transitions (over 7–10 days) 🍽️
• Keep cats indoors or supervise outdoor access 🏡
• Use regular flea/worm prevention 🐛
• Annual stool testing 🧫
• Minimize dietary indiscretion—no human food or spoiled scraps ❌

🌟 Why Vet‑Led Care Matters in 2025

At Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz, we combine professional veterinary guidance with pet-friendly tools:
• Chat instantly on the Ask A Vet app for 24/7 support.
• Try Woopf’s slow-feeders and Purrz’s GI-friendly diets for sensitive stomachs.
• Together, we help your cat heal fast and stay healthy. 🐾