How to Treat a Feline Cough & Diarrhea

Despite your best efforts, your cat will likely experience some illness at some point in her life. Most illnesses are minor and heal themselves over time, although some require attention from either you or a vet. Both cat coughs and diarrhea are common illnesses that your cat may encounter. Unless the cough or diarrhea is severe, you can treat both conditions at home and save yourself and your cat the money and stress of a vet visit.

Things You'll Need

  • Cough medicine
  • Oral syringe
  • Clean water
  • High quality cat food
Show More

Instructions

  1. Cough

    • 1

      Access the reason for the cough and the severity of it. Coughs can be caused by different factors. The most common causes include hairballs which generally including hacking, cold or flu which are usually accompanied by a runny nose and chronic bronchitis which is characterized by sudden attacks where the cat̵7;s neck is extended and phlegm is produced. Allergies to dusts, pollens and smoke are common also and usually have sneezing associated with them. There are also parasites which can cause coughing as well a few more serious diseases.

    • 2

      Contact your cat̵7;s veterinarian if the cough is severe or you believe it to be something other than hairballs, cold, flu or allergies. Follow all prescribed medications and treatments advised by your veterinarian.

    • 3

      Treat mild coughs at home with a cough medicine such as Robitussin-DM. If you choose a different brand of cough medicine, choose one whose active ingredient is dextromethorphan. Do not use any cough medicine that include acetaminophen. Use an oral syringe to provide a half teaspoon of cough medicine for every 10 lbs. your cat weighs.

    • 4

      Repeat dosing every 6 hours as needed.

    Diarrhea

    • 5

      Determine the cause of the diarrhea. It can occur for many reasons including over eating, poor quality food, stress and consumption of hazardous materials such as cleaning supplies or poisonous plants. If the diarrhea is black or bloody, it indicates bleeding and professional treatment should be sought immediately.

    • 6

      Contact your cat̵7;s veterinarian if the diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours and follow all recommended treatments the vet advises. If it has lasted for less than 24 hours and you do not see signs of bleeding and do not suspect your cat has ingested something poisonous, you can treat the diarrhea at home.

    • 7

      Remove the cat̵7;s food source for the next 24 hours when treating the diarrhea at home. Ensure that your cat has plenty of clean, fresh water during this time to keep him hydrated.

    • 8

      Allow three to four small feedings a day once you reintroduce food. Ensure that the food is a high quality food with plenty of poultry protein and high fat content. Ask for brand recommendations from your cat̵7;s vet or at your local pet store.

    • 9

      Increase the food amount over the next few days until your cat is back to eating his normal amount and the diarrhea has ceased.