How To Stop Chronic Diarrhea in Cats

A cat suffering from diarrhea is a nightmare for both the feline and the cat’s parents. In most cases, it is necessary to call the vet. But do you know home treatments can be effective in some cases? 

So, you have to know when it is time to take the cat to the vet, and when home treatment is enough. In this article, you will get to know about how to stop chronic diarrhea in cats. Deworming the feline, or switching to a more digestive diet are indeed good options. But there is more to explore. 

If you are wondering how to stop your feline’s chronic diarrhea, this article is for you. 

What is Chronic Diarrhea in Cats? 

Diarrhea is the frequent movement of ingested fecial materials through the cat’s intestine. This condition comes with loose stool and increased bowel movements. The loose stool contains nutrients, water, and electrolyte. In many cases, the feces of the sick cat will have mucus or blood in it. 

I prefer not to indicate diarrhea as a disease. This is more like a sign of another severe condition. If your cat is suffering from diarrhea, you need to take it seriously. Most of the time, diarrhea occurs because of food poisoning, water, or other digestive problems. 

If the cat gets well in a short period, then there is nothing to worry about. But if it lasts for 3 weeks or longer, then go to a vet immediately. 

Causes of cat diarrhea 

Before moving on to how to stop chronic diarrhea in cats, let’s see what is responsible for this condition. There are many probable reasons why a cat is suffering from diarrhea. For example, 

• inflammation in the gastronomical tract
• Infection (virus, fungus, bacteria, coccidia)
• Toxic food 
• Food allergy 
• Food intolerance 
• Liver disease
• Kidney problems 
• Pancreatic disease 
• Overactive thyroid 
• Intestine parasites or worms 
• Protozoa 
• Certain medicine 

Usually, diarrhea indicates that a feline is suffering from a more complicated disease. Sometimes, cats suffer from diarrhea due to stress and anxiety. You need to keep this in mind. 

Cat diarrhea symptoms 

When your cat has diarrhea, it will exhibit some symptoms. The loose and watery stool is the main sign that your feline has diarrhea. You will also notice the color change in stool and blood or mucus in the potty. 

The bowel schedule will be too frequent and the stool amount will be increased. The cat will lose its appetite and so the pet will look weak. Poor hair coating and lethargy also indicates that the feline has diarrhea. 

If your cat has diarrhea but seems fine, then you can try the home treatments. But if the condition looks out of control, consult a vet immediately.

How to Stop Chronic Diarrhea in Cats

When diarrhea lasts longer than 3 weeks, you should consult a vet. The vet will prescribe some effective cat diarrhea medicine, which will recover the feline. But if the condition is not severe, then you can offer the home treatment. Here is how you can do it: 

1. Experts believe that a low fiber diet can actually help felines recover. This diet is highly digestive for the kitties. The low fiber diet will only work if your feline has diarrhea and produces a lot of stool frequently. 

You can ask the vet for food suggestions for the cat’s sensitive stomach. No matter which product you choose make sure it has a crude fiber level of around 3 percent. Canned pumpkin and unflavoured psyllium can be a good choice. Mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of these low fiber items in your cat’s food, and wait for the progress. 

2. Bringing a change in your cat’s overall diet can help a lot. Some people withhold foods thinking this will help the kitty. But no, it can have an adverse effect. The pet will become weak and lose its ability to heal from the condition. Even the cat can suffer from liver diseases. 

I recommend simplifying the diet of the cat. You can go with the same old diet but make sure to provide the food from a new batch. Sometimes the cats get bored eating the same diet every day. In that case, you can try a new item with the permission of the vet. 

Diarrhea can occur due to food allergies or food intolerance. So, observe your cat while it is eating. Some renowned brands offer cat food for diarrhea. You can try those if the vet gives you a green signal. Also, you can feed your cat more protein, for example, duck or rabbit meat. 

3. There is a special type of bacteria in the cat’s intestine tract that ensures its normal digestion. If the bacterial population gets imbalanced, the cat suffers from diarrhea. In this case, you have to give the pet probiotics. 

The probiotics can bring the bacterial population back to normal. As a result, the pet will be healthy sooner. But do not use any probiotic supplements. Go for the branded ones and if you are confused, take the vet’s advice. 

4. Diarrhea can cause dehydration to the feline. So, you have to encourage it to drink more water and electrolyte. Keep the water bowl clean and filled. This will make the cat drink more. 

You can also add chicken or beef broth to the meal. Switching to canned food is another way to increase the kitty’s water intake. 

5. If your cat does not recover after all these home remedies, go for the proper medication. Ask your vet for cat diarrhea medicine. Kaolin pectin meds work perfectly for the cats. Consult with the vet about how much and how often to use the meds. Your cat will be recovered within a few days. 

In most cases, diarrhea is not life-threatening. But without proper action, the cat can grow weaker day by day and will become sicker. These home treatments on how to stop chronic diarrhea in cats will help you a lot. But if you notice the situation is getting worse, take your cat to a vet. 

Related: How To Treat Worms in Cats? 4 Ways to Deworm Cats