Cats are susceptible to a large number of stomach issues as they have very sensitive stomachs. If not taken care properly, these problems can even prove to be fatal. So, what is cat diarrhea?
As the human population increases every day, so does their needs and demands. We, humans, are social beings and we are in constant need of company. Animals have been around us since the beginning of time and the animal population has also increased significantly.
In time, humans and animals have successfully learned to co-exist with one another. In this process, many animals like cats, dogs, birds, horses, and fishes have been domesticated by us. It is correctly said that pets are a man’s best friend.
There have been many debates about who the better pet is. But does that even really matter? A pet is a pet and humans should love them equally. Keeping a pet is a huge responsibility, almost like having to take care of a newborn baby. In the early stages of their life, they require constant love and attention.
Not just as a companion or a friend, pets have successfully become a part of our family now. According to a study conducted in the U.S, the population of dogs is 69,929,000 and cats are 74,059,000. India has a dog population of 10,200,000 dogs. Read more about worldwide pet ownership here.
Majorly, our community is divided into dog lovers and cat lovers. Some of us prefer dogs, whereas some of us like cats more. This article talks about cats. They have been around us since the ancient times. The Egyptians worshipped them and started domesticating larger cats later.
Cats are easier to maintain and to care for. Being a cat owner has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the benefits of owning a cat as a pet are:-
Size: They are smaller in size as compared to dogs and use up very less space for living. They are happy to live indoors and do not create much noise. They are quiet and according to researchers, a cats’ purr is one of the sweetest sounds on this Earth.
Cleanliness: Giving a bath is not a problem. This is mostly because when they get dirty they tend to clean up by licking themselves. This helps cat owners to save money on expensive bathing tools and sprays. However, cats should be groomed daily with grooming brushes.
Once a cat knows his/her litter box, he/she will only use that box for excretion where they can cover their waste with sand. Keeping the outside litter box clean is a must.
Solitude: They do not require constant love and cuddling; they believe in solitude and are happy to be left alone by their owners for a long period of time.
Owners can leave their cats indoor without having to worry about them.
Just like us humans face health issues, sometimes cats suffer too. A cat owner can face quite a few difficulties when it comes to cat health problems. One of the major problems faced by cat owners is their pets’ diarrhea.
Cats are susceptible to a large number of stomach issues as they have very sensitive stomachs. If not taken care properly, these problems can even prove to be fatal. So, what is cat diarrhea?
It is a part of stomach problems faced by cats leading to excessive excretion with loose, watery stools accompanied by vomiting. Cat diarrhea is of two types:
- Acute diarrhea persists for a span of 1-2 weeks1. Acute diarrhea persists for a span of 1-2 weeks
- Chronic diarrhea persists for a longer span usually more than 2-3 weeks. Cat chronic diarrhea and vomiting can be caused due to a serious underlying health threat that your cat is facing. During cat diarrhea when to call the vet should be known. If your cats’ health problems go untreated, you may end up losing him/her.
Causes of cat diarrhea:
- Cats can basically eat anything but they do have sensitive stomachs. Changing your pet’s diet should always be a slow process. A sudden change in your cat’s diet may not be accepted by their stomach and can lead to diarrhea.
- Cats can basically eat anything but they do have sensitive stomachs. Changing your pet’s diet should always be a slow process. A sudden change in your cat’s diet may not be accepted by their stomach and can lead to diarrhea.
- They are susceptible to many bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Fungal infections are rare, but they do affect some cats.
- Some foods make your cat hypersensitive. Some cats are protein or sugar intolerant; consuming them can finally lead to diarrhea.
- Intestinal tumors and inflammatory bowel diseases cause diarrhea in older cats.
Symptoms of cat diarrhea:
- Serious cat diarrhea results in passage of loose, frequent tools accompanied by mucus and blood.
- Throwing up fur balls is common among cats but constant vomiting and gagging is a symptom of car diarrhea and can lead to dehydration.
- A loss of appetite and weight loss finally leading to serious liver problems.
- Lethargy and fever.
If your pet is suffering from acute cat diarrhea then try some home-made remedies listed below: –
1. Seasonal fruit
Pumpkins are used by humans as they have many health benefits. Adding pumpkins to your cats’ home-made diet can increase the fiber content your cat needs. Boiled pumpkins are good for them as they bulk up their food. One-two tablespoons of it should be added regularly to your cats’ diet to help their health in general. Pumpkins help with constipation and weight-related problems as well.
2. Hydration
As cat diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, excessive vomiting can result in dehydration. Providing plenty of water for them to drink helps to hydrate them through their vomiting period. Electrolyte water is more advisable.
3. Pedialyte
As mentioned in the point above, hydration is very important for your cat. Unflavored Pedialyte can help to provide energy as it is an electrolyte. Two drops should be given to your cat after every 10 minutes. Electrolyte water is definitely more useful than water and this step should not be missed out during cat diarrhea.
4. Natural herb
Slippery Elm is a tree whose inner bark is used as a medicine to treat diseases like diarrhea, constipation, bladder and urinary tract infections Elm Bark is a natural herb which treats cat diarrhea at home to a large-extend. It soothes the digestive system. They are even available in the form of capsules and tablets. One-two teaspoon of it should be added in the powdered form to your pets’ food during diarrhea.
5. Fasting:
Cats are carnivorous animals that can eat anything when offered. This may make them intolerant or allergic to some foods. Cats like milk a lot but that can be a reason for their diarrhea. During cat diarrhea, they should be restricted from eating food for at least 24 hours. However, they should not be devoid of water. Water is important for dehydration and should be given in limited amount. If diarrhea doesn’t subside after this, the vet should be contacted.
6. Change in diet
The cat’s diet should be rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers. It should contain ingredients like corns and grains. Cats need protein in the form of meat and should always be given clean and fresh water to drink.
7. Bland diet
Cats suffering from diarrhea can be given a diet comprising of home-cooked meat like chicken or fish and little white rice as a diet. This diet is simple and can be easily digested by them. Firstly, fasting for 12-24 hours should be done and then this bland diet should be tried. If both fail at curing your pets’ diarrhea then special diets are available at the vet which should be followed.
8. Metamucil
This medicine is similar to pumpkins. It helps to increase the fiber content in your cat’s diet, helps to make the stool firmer and cure diarrhea at home to a large extend. To treat cat diarrhea, it can be given in the powdered form mixed with food and water or one to four grams can be given orally to your pet every 12-24 hours. If diarrhea persists, getting prescribed medicines from the vet is better. However, try to avoid cat diarrhea treatment over the counter medicines.
9. Probiotics
Yogurts are known to contain “good bacteria”. During cat diarrhea, yogurts are to be given to your pet to add the good bacteria to their digestive tract thereby reducing diarrhea. One-two tablespoons of fat-free plain yogurt should be given or mixed with their food.
10. Pancake syrup
Cats suffering from diarrhea often become lethargic and weak. Pancake syrup is a good way to give your cat a boost of energy. It can be rubbed on the cats’ gums.
11. Antibacterial and anti-parasitic drugs
For cats suffering from infectious diseases, antibacterial and anti-parasitic drugs are available. These medicines should be given as prescribed by the vet. Excessive use of drugs should be avoided as they often lead to other health issues.
Sometimes, cat diarrhea stress can be too much for you and your pets. But always remember to keep the cat diarrhea outside the litter box and always keep it clean. Lastly, cat diarrhea medication should always be chosen with caution.
Some special home-made recipes can also be prepared to treat cat diarrhea
Recipe 1: Bland diet
As mentioned before in this article, a bland and low-fat diet comprising of cooked meat like chicken or fish along with white rice should be given for cat diarrhea.
Ingredients: –
- 1 cup boiled chicken breast or fish.
- 1-2 cups of low salt chicken broth
Preparation: –
The boiled chicken or fish should be chopped into small pieces so that they can be easily eaten and digested by cats. A small amount of low salt chicken broth should be added to the pan containing the boiled meat and cooked. Excessive liquid should be drained and the food should be cooled down before serving it to the cat.
Recipe 2: Pumpkins
As discussed before, consuming pumpkins are extremely important during diarrhea. They are rich is fiber and potassium. Due to its potassium content, it can also act as a natural electrolyte during dehydration which is caused by the excessive vomiting.
Ingredients: –
- Fresh pumpkin
- 1-2 cups of low salt chicken broth
Preparation: –
The fresh pumpkin should be sliced into pieces and added to the pan. The low salt chicken broth should be added to the pan and cooked. After the food becomes soft, it should be removed from the pan. The liquid from the food should be drained and the pumpkins should be smashed to create a paste. The food should be cooled before serving it to the cat.
Recipe 3: Minced beef and rice
Beef would give the protein and rice would provide the energy required at this time.
Ingredients: –
- A half cup of long grained boiled rice
- One cup boiled minced beef
Preparation: –
Mix both the ingredients in a pan and add one cup of freshly prepared beef broth to mix the ingredients well.
Conclusion
Cats are definitely our favorite animals; we love touching their fur and playing with them. Their purrs are clearly the cutest. But when they suffer from illnesses, the pet gets very upset and so do we. Don’t let your cats’ diarrhea go unnoticed or untreated.
This article will teach you to be more aware of your cats’ illnesses and various home remedies to get them the help they need on time. Read and share this article with them to make everyone around you more about their pet’s health.
A large number of cats also face skin itching and flaking on their bodies. This can often lead to other problems like disorientation, anti-social behavior towards you and your family members and friends, can lead to weakness and start showing signs of arthritis. Visits to the vet are extremely important as written about in this article. Remember, cats are precious!