Diarrhea in Cats & Kittens

There are several ways that diarrhea affects cats and kittens: their stool may become loose, their bowels may move more often, or the amount of stool may increase. All three of these symptoms can sometimes occur together, and all demand attention.

  1. Causes

    • There might be a simple, easily-treatable reason for your cat's condition. It could, for example, be a reaction to a new food or a new toy. Intestinal worms are also a common cause, as are bacterial and viral infections. Unfortunately, diarrhea sometimes indicates the presence of a serious health threat. Diarrhea lasting more than a couple of days requires expert advice from a vet.

    Important Information

    • When you call your vet, he will likely ask you to describe the color and consistency of the feces, and whether blood or mucous is present. The vet will also ask if the stool has a strong odor and when the diarrhea started, and may request that you bring in a stool sample.

    Treatment

    • There are almost as many treatments for diarrhea as there are causes. Often, slight changes in your cat's diet or feeding schedule will solve the problem. To get started, several professional websites provide valuable insight into feline health care. However, over-the-counter treatment is not recommended until your pet is diagnosed by a vet.