Foods Causing Diarrhea in Cats

Feline diarrhea is a condition causing loose or watery stools in cats. Feline diarrhea may be the result of medical conditions or illnesses, a reaction to medication or even food that the cat has ingested. If you think your cat is suffering from diet-related diarrhea, speak to your veterinarian about possible treatments. In the meantime, monitor the foods your cat eats and be aware of diarrhea-causing foods that may aggravate your cat's condition

  1. Dairy Products

    • Cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they lack the ability to digest dairy products. Therefore, when a cat ingests a dairy product the result is often diarrhea. Dairy products include milk, cheese, cream, yogurt and ice cream.

    New Foods

    • Feeding your cat a food it does not normally may cause your cat to suffer from diarrhea. Another common food-related cause of feline diarrhea is a sudden switch of your cat's diet to a new type of cat food.

    Vegetables

    • Unwashed vegetables or fruits may carry bacteria or parasites that can give your cat a case of diarrhea. Vegetables are OK for cats to eat (except onions), but they are much more easily digested by cats if they are lightly steamed before serving.

    Unfamiliar Water

    • Allowing your cat to drink water in a new place (such as a new home or on vacation) may cause a digestive upset and lead to diarrhea. Providing filtered water can prevent this.

    Bone Marrow

    • Some cats like to eat the marrow from chicken or cow's bones. Bone marrow is very nutritious for cats, but large quantities of bone marrow can give a cat diarrhea.

    Prey

    • Cats often hunt outdoors and eat their prey. Rodents, birds, lizards and other wild prey often give these cats diarrhea.

    Spoiled Foods

    • Garbage, spoiled and rotting foods often give cats diarrhea when ingested.