Tuna Causing Diarrhea in Kitten

Most cats love tuna and this love affair begins while they are still kittens. Some feline health professionals advise against feedings cats regular amounts of tuna because they can become addicted. Another reason to avoid feeding kittens large amounts of tuna is because it can cause a thiamine deficiency in cats. However, many kittens enjoy the occasional treat of tuna. When a kitten gets sick after eating the tuna pet owners wonder if the tuna is the culprit.

  1. Feeding Tuna

    • Various veterinarians, nutritionists and pet owners are involved in a debate about the proper feeding regiment for kittens. Many believe commercially prepared dry food formulated especially for kittens is the safest source of nutrition. Others claim that felines are carnivores that need large amounts of animal-based protein; the proteins in dry food often come from plant sources. Some kittens refuse dry food and will only eat canned cat food. Most kittens love eating tuna.

    Cause of Diarrhea

    • There are issues with kittens eating tuna. Some kittens do experience bouts of diarrhea after eating tuna. This is usually caused by the kitten eating tuna that was packed in olive oil. The rich olive oil is hard for kittens to digest. Other common causes are tuna that is packed with marinades or spices that can cause intestinal distress in kittens. You can avoid this by only feeding kittens tuna packed in water with no added spices or marinades.

    Other Causes

    • Tuna can also contribute to diarrhea in kittens in other ways. A kitten that is not used to eating tuna can become ill. Overeating and food allergies may come into play. Other common causes of kitten diarrhea not related to tuna include intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, viral infections and anxiety. The kitten could also have a reaction to a vaccine or any other medicines it is taking. More serious reasons include feline leukemia, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and hyperthyroidism.

    Treating Diarrhea

    • Observe the kitten carefully while it suffers from diarrhea. Discontinue the feeding of any solid foods. Offer meat-based broths that were not cooked with onions to combat dehydration and offer some nutrients. Slowly start offering small amounts of very bland food. Poached chicken and rice is usually recommended. Winter squash or sweet potatoes mashed with a little broth -- do not use butter -- helps restore normal bowel function. If the diarrhea persists for more than a day contact your veterinarian.