If your cat has diarrhea, it could be a simple, passing upset or a sign of more serious illness. Keep the cat indoors and make sure it drinks sufficient water to prevent dehydration. If diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours, your veterinarian will want to do medical tests to determine the cause of the problem so it can be treated effectively.
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The 12- to 24-Hour Fast
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When severe diarrhea strikes, it is best to stop all foods for 12 to 24 hours to allow the pet's digestive system a chance to rest and return to normal. Most upsets are a result of something your pet has eaten but shouldn't have. Restricting all food for 24 hours is the best way to restore the digestive system to its normal state. Care should be taken to provide plenty of water so that dehydration does not occur.
Review Your Cat's Diet
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Remove any elements in your pet's diet that might be contributing to the problem. Some cats are highly lactose-intolerant, so remove milk from its diet and make sure neighbors aren't contributing any milk products. Some commercial cat foods are made with corn, which is known problem for some cats, so eliminate foods containing corn from the diet as well. Keeping the cats indoors will ensure that your cat is not eating anything from the wild.
Slowly Return To Solid Food
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Many veterinarians as well as experienced cat owners suggest a little yogurt to help reestablish the normal bacterial flora in the cat's intestinal tract. Try a small amount. If there is no improvement, then discontinue use. Some also recommend canned pumpkin as a tasty source of fiber.
The standard diet vets recommend for pets with intestinal upset is the rice/protein diet. A diet high in fiber and low in fat is the best way for the animal's digestive system to rebalance itself. Boiled chicken mixed with rice is usually recommended, given in small amounts and gradually increasing until a normal amount is eaten without problem. Chicken baby food is a good substitute.
There are a number of commercial products available that are formulated for pets with digestive problems. These foods are only available by prescription through your vet. Hill's I/D Diet is recommended for pets with intestinal issues. Hill's Z/D Diet is the most hypoallergenic food available and is prescribed when food sensitivities are suspected. Iam's also has a prescription food for cat's digestive problems in both canned and dry formulations.
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