If your cat has a mild case of diarrhea, you can usually safely treat the illness at home. However, if your pet has a severe illness, or the condition doesn't improve within a few days, you'll need to take the cat to a veterinarian. This is especially true if the cat has accompanying symptoms such as listlessness, weakness, blood in the stool or labored breathing.
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Fast
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The best way to get your cat's system straightened out is to put him on a 24-hour fast. This gives his intestines a chance to rest and his system a chance to flush out whatever is making him ill. This means removing his food completely for one day. Do provide him with plenty of fresh water, however. You may also supplement the fast with chicken broth.
Water
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Most likely, your cat's greatest threat while suffering from diarrhea is dehydration. You want to ensure your pet is drinking plenty of water. A good way to encourage cat's to drink is with a small water fountain. Many cats are more likely to drink if the water is running. You might also try providing water in a long, narrow bowl. Some cats are more likely to drink out of these types of containers.
Bland Diet
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After the first day's fast, you'll introduce solid food back into your cat's diet by providing him with bland foods. Cooked chicken and rice is a good place to start. It's important to include meat for the cat, even when providing him with bland foods. Cats are obligate carnivores. A bite of yogurt and chicken broth may also be added in small amount. You'll want to feed your cat a few small meals. Don't let him overindulge or the diarrhea may return.
Regular Diet
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On the third day, you can begin to add bits of your cat's regular food back into his meals. You'll offer him half of his regular food and half of the bland diet. Again, ensure he doesn't over indulge. By the end of the third day of treatment, you cat should be able to return to his regular diet on a regular schedule. If the diarrhea hasn't resolved itself by this point, you should take your cat to a veterinarian.
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