Cats are notoriously picky, and so are their digestive tracts. Just like humans, they can be afflicted with bouts of vomiting and diarrhea if they eat something that disagrees with them, or if they get a stomach bug. Vomiting and diarrhea in cats often resolves itself on its own. Here's how to treat it at home while you wait for it to clear up, or the vet to call you back.
Things You'll Need
- Fresh cat litter
- Water
- Unflavored Pedialyte or a similar product(if your cat is diabetic, skip this)
- One chicken breast (with bone)
- 1/2 cup of cooked white rice
- 1 teaspoon plain yogurt with active cultures or a culture of "good" digestive bacteria (optional but helpful)
Instructions
Remove Food and Water
If your cat is vomiting and has diarrhea, start treatment by withdrawing food and water temporarily to give the cat's digestive system a chance to calm down. Withdraw food and water for a maximum of 6 hours. During this time, make sure your cat can rest somewhere safe and quiet.
During the 6 hour period, make some homemade chicken stock for your cat. Simmer one piece of chicken breast in a pot of water for a few hours. Do not add onions, garlic or salt. Remove the chicken breast and set it aside in the refrigerator.
Add 2 to 3 drops of unflavored Pedialyte to the chicken broth. This will ensure your cat maintains the proper balance of electrolytes and does not become dehydrated. If your cat is diabetic, do not add Pedialyte to the chicken broth because it contains sugar. Give him plain broth instead.
Reintroducing Food and Water
After 6 hours, try offering your cat a small amount (a tablespoon or two) of the chicken broth.
Wait an hour, observing your cat for any further signs of vomiting or diarrhea. Offer your cat a few more tablespoons of the chicken broth.
If your cat is keeping the chicken broth down, at the end of the next hour you can increase the amount of broth to 1/4 of a cup.
Continue offering broth in small amounts throughout the day.
After 12 hours, if your cat has tolerated the broth with no more signs of vomiting or diarrhea, you can begin to introduce bland solid foods. Mix the white rice with 1/4 cup of shredded chicken breast. Add the yogurt or beneficial digestive bacteria if you have it.
Offer the cat this bland food in small amounts throughout the day, along with water or broth.
Clean the cat's litter box thoroughly. If the cat's illness was something infectious, you don't want him to reinfect himself or spread the germs to other cats in your household.
If you have seen no further signs of vomiting or diarrhea, on Day 2 begin mixing the bland food half and half with your cat's regular diet.
Continue watching your cat for signs of vomiting and diarrhea for the next week. Persistent or recurring vomiting and diarrhea means that the cat needs to see a vet for diagnosis and treatment.