If there is just anything that is surely going to grab your attention immediately, it is when you fall into the deep misfortune of having to see cat diarrhea all over your newly washed floor.
It used to be so sparkling clean, but now it is suffering the aftermath of your little kitten having an accident all over the place…
When your kitten has diarrhea, it can be a symptom of an issue that will clear up on it’s own with time, but it can also be a sign of something more sinister and that something is seriously wrong with them.
It is important that you take action fast when you discover it first on your floor, and you should focus on helping them get relief and preventing dehydration in the young cat.
Try not to worry too much, for there are simple steps you can take to help them feel better, and if that doesn’t make a difference then you will have to call your local vet to get the small thing checked out.
Loose stools are really common for a kitten, and it is not something that should be ignored.
It is important for this reason to find out and understand why this is happening, and you may need to change what you are feeding them or how much you are feeding them for example.
Keep a close eye to the behavior of your kitten and observe how it is acting to figure out the best way to care for them during this time.
Eliminating the source of the diarrhea is important and we must find out why it is happening to begin with and it it poses a real threat to the kitten.
In most cases, the owner can do this on their own without having to find a vet to assist them.
Table of Contents
Why Do Kittens Get Diarrhea To Begin With?
There can be many reasons why a kitten may get diarrhea.
The most common reasons are these:
- Overfeeding the kitten
- Food Allergies
- Consuming or eating objects or things
- Stress and anxiety
- Parasites
Some young cats or kittens have food allergies that can cause them to have diarrhea in some cases.
So, be mindful of what you feed them if this is the case. Especially if you like your white floor…..well white and clean.
Take a look at the ingredients in the packaging, the internal workings of the kitten may not agree with some ingredients such as the fillers which can often be found in such food.
It may be necessary to give them a better diet and improve it, and you should look for food options with natural ingredients. If you are not sure what to do or what to go for, then you could call your vet as they might have some ideas or offer you food advice if you need to make a switch in that manner.
Avoid giving it milk as their bodies can struggle to break it down and this could easily lead to them getting diarrhea. The only milk they will need is their mothers and make sure to give them plenty of water, as that is what they need to drink.
When they are old enough to be weaned from their mother and eat solid food you won’t need to give them any milk then either.
Try to limit the treats you give them and also avoid giving them table food as that can upset their sensitive stomach unpleasantly.
If you overfeed the kitten it can also cause diarrhea for it. Their little body simply cannot process the amount of food in there if it becomes too much and overwhelming. Don’t leave their plate overflowing with food and don’t leave an unlimited supply of food out for them.
Some cats will eat it just because it is there, when they don’t even need to eat it, and instead you should figure out the right amount of food that they need based on it’s size and age.
Not leaving too much food out for them will prevent them from overeating.
It is relatively simple to find such guidelines on the internet or you can simply ask your vet to help you with the right amount of food to have ready.
Then when you are confident in how much to use, only put that amount of food every day. You can also divide the amount info two feedings per day, depending.
Young kittens are very curious beings, and they might try to eat things and objects that aren’t food.
Definitely be mindful and aware of what is around them in the room they are in, and any small toys they might swallow can easily pose a problem and cause them to get diarrhea.
Be sure to inspect toys and things around them regularly for any signs of damage or them being able to chew off portions of it and perhaps even swallow it.
They can eat things such as bones from table food, kitty litter and small pieces of fabric or cloth left lying around.
This can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract of the kitten.
Sometimes, emotional stress can create problems for the kitty. If they have been exposed to a new environment due to a move or a new routine perhaps, that can trigger it.
If they are around other cats or dogs, then they may not feel comfortable yet or able to relax. Try to pinpoint any recent changes in their day to day routine that could be a stress factor.
When stress is the culprit and reason for the diarrhea it should stop after a few days. Kittens are able to adapt to a variety of different changes in their environment and surroundings.
If the new kitten is on shots, the risk of it having diarrhea due to parasites is slim. If they aren’t getting those vaccinations though, then this could become a serious issue.
Such parasites can get into the bloodstream and the digestive system as well.
They can also attach themselves to the area around the heart, so you should definitely talk to your vet if there is any chance of parasites being there and just to check up on the animal to be safe. If there are any parasites then they will need the proper treatment to kill the eggs and the parasites within.
Also read: how to litter train a kitten.
How Long Does Diarrhea In Kittens Last?
When will this end? you may ask yourself.
The longer diarrhea lasts the more serious the concern for your kitten should become. When it is a food allergy or an issue due to overeating, the cycle is going to repeat itself.
It will happen again and again until the problem is resolved and the root of the problem is gotten rid of. Making changes to what you feed them and how often you feed them should do the trick.
You should begin to notice the frequency and the amount of kitten diarrhea becoming less and less as you make changes for the cat. It is hard to say exactly how long this will take to see results, and how long it will last as there are so many factors and variables.
Do everything in your power to find a solution.
Pay attention to the issue and if it is getting better or worse. The situation may clear up in a day or two without any major changes on your end.
Sometimes though, it may linger on for days or even weeks in some cases. If the kitten has diarrhea for more than one week you should seek help from the vet without hesitation.
There could be a serious underlying issue or a problem that has to be explored by a professional and it is essential you make sure the cat drinks enough water so they don’t become dehydrated.
If they are having issues drinking by themselves try giving them water from a small spoon if that helps.
Them being dehydrated creates a brand new set of additional health problems on top of the diarrhea they are experiencing.
What Does Diarrhea In Cats Look Like?
I know this is not the most pleasant question to be asking, but it is necessary at times to know these things.
The color and overall appearance of it depends on the kitten and the underlying issue and cause of it.
If you notice a dark color or any blood in it, you should contact your vet immediately and at once. Blood in the stools is a sign of a serious health risk and problems.
The color can vary from light to dark, but it will often be light brown or yellowish in color. It may also be watery and runny, depending on how loose the stools are at the moment.
Also read: How to clean cat pee effectively.
Treatment At Home
There are some home treatment options for kitten diarrhea that you can try.
If the underlying issue isn’t a serious one such as parasites, these tend to help a lot.
Several of these work together nicely to help control the problem at hand. For example, changing the kittens diet and adding more fiber at the same time can help them process food with more ease.
It isn’t enough only to put water out for your kitten to drink when they are suffering from diarrhea. You should use a dropper or a spoon to help them drink the water, several times during the day and regularly.
You are fighting dehydration in them, remember.
You can also give them liquids that have electrolytes in them, dilute some chicken or beef broth to entice them with if they are refusing to drink the water.
You may want to look into a probiotic approved for kittens.
You will need to give this to them daily in order to help regulate the digestion. This can be useful when you are changing up their food to help them adjust to a new diet.
Some kittens outgrow food allergies or digestive problems as they get older and their systems mature more.
Others will need to continue the probiotics long term to help balance the good and bad bacteria in their digestive systems.
The small cat may have a hard time getting to the litter box when they have diarrhea and it is easy to help with this.
Put some newspapers around the home or disposable towels as this will reduce the time it takes to clean up if they have an accident outside of their litter box. Remember to show patience and understanding, as they can’t help it when this happens and they are not doing it on purpose.
If they aren’t feeling well, put a pet bed and access to food and water close to the litter box for easy access.
They won’t then have to venture far for any of their needs to be met.
What To Feed a Kitten With Diarrhea
Give the kitten limited food to help control it. Change to canned food that is labeled as being fat-free.
Ground turkey cooked and cooled can be a great option if you believe they might have an allergy to whatever you are currently giving them.
Canned pumpkin or canned sweet potato in small amounts can help the kitten have something in their stomach and it can also help reduce the diarrhea thanks to the added fiber.
When to Contact the Vet
If you are not seeing any noticeable difference and improvements with the kitten diarrhea after a couple of days of home treatments, then reach out to your vet for help.
Let them know when the problem started and what you have done to try to resolve it. This is why it is a good idea to remember which day it all started so you can track how things are going.
If the cat has diarrhea along with any of the following, you should seek the care of a vet without waiting:
- Difficulty breathing
- Blood in the stools
- Refusing to drink or eat
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Shaking
- Behind on vaccines, possible parasite issue
- Appears to be in pain
When you arrive at the vet, they may need to do some tests to find out what is going on and figure out the problem.
Answer any questions they might have about the small kitten as best as you can to help them rule out certain things and to focus on others that are a possibility.
They will give you a treatment plan to follow which might include medication and special instructions as well.
If you have any questions, make sure to ask about it before you take your kitten home again. Don’t feel afraid to ask about anything that is on your mind, regarding the kitten as it is best to know and be sure.
Then follow the advice and instructions your vet gave you thoroughly to help the kitten recover again.
If the issue doesn’t improve with the treatment plan make sure to let your vet know about it so they can help you more.
They may ask you to bring the sick kitten back in for a follow up in a week or so. Do everything you can to help your kitten relax and feel better and safe during this difficult time for them.
Thanks for sharing such a good blog!
King regards,
Lunding Duke