Infrequent Cat Diarrhea With Sporadic Blood

Infrequent diarrhea in cats can be caused by nothing more than an upset stomach, or it could be a symptom of a serious underlying illness. Cats that spend time outdoors can often hide diarrhea from their owners, but stained fur under the tail and frequent grooming of the back end are dead giveaways. Sporadic bloody stools can be worrisome, but small amounts of blood can just be the result of mild inflammation. Large amounts of blood should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian, and it is helpful if you are able to bring in a sample for testing.

  1. Upset Stomach

    • Cats are finicky eaters, but can still occasionally get into something they shouldn't. Eating garbage, rodents and some plants can cause an upset stomach that can lead to diarrhea, and they cannot digest the lactose in milk. Even some cheaper cat foods contain dyes or other additives that can cause problems in some cats, so a change in regular diet can cause them to have occasional issues.

    Parasites

    • Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, and severe cases often produce bloody stools. The most common culprit is the hookworm, which latches on to the lining of the intestine and feeds on the cat's blood. Hookworms can be passed from a mother cat to her unborn kittens, but are more commonly spread through contact with a previously infected environment. If left untreated, hookworms can cause anemia and even death in very young or old cats.

    Chronic Diarrhea

    • Many chronic diseases count diarrhea as a major symptom. Kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death in geriatric cats, and diarrhea is often one of the first visible signs of the condition, along with rapid weight loss. Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is often found in stray cats and outdoor cats who are prone to fighting, and is transmissible by blood and saliva. As FIV progressively weakens the cat's immune system, frequent watery diarrhea is a common occurrence.

    Home Treatment

    • If the diarrhea occurs infrequently, it is most likely just a case of upset stomach. Try withholding food for 24 hours, then gradually introducing small amounts of bland food. Plain rice mixed with boiled chicken is a commonly used bland-diet food because the rice will firm up the stools a bit while being gentle on the stomach, and the chicken provides needed protein without a high fat content that could aggravate the problem.

    When To See A Vet

    • If the diarrhea is accompanied by frequent vomiting, fever, lethargy, or large amounts of blood, it is necessary to see a vet right away. If the diarrhea continues after trying the bland-food diet, or if the cat refuses to eat, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem, and a vet should be consulted. Diarrhea caused by intestinal parasites is easily rectified by a liquid dewormer dispensed by the vet, but cases of chronic diarrhea require blood work to determine the cause and necessary treatment.