Diarrhoea is common in both cats and dogs, and is usually nothing to worry about. However, diarrhoea in cats can also be caused by a number of potentially serious underlying conditions. So, it’s important to recognise the warning signs, and know when to get your kitty to the vet! Let’s take a look at why your cat might have diarrhoea.
What is diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea means poo that is more watery than usual. This could look like a cow pat consistency, or it could be liquid like water. Your cat’s poo may be a different colour, or may be covered in a jelly-like substance, or even contain blood. Often, cats with diarrhoea will need to toilet more often than usual, or they may strain to pass stools. In some cases, your cat may also vomit (be sick), seem sleepy, and / or go off their food.
It can be hard to spot diarrhoea in cats, especially if they go outside to toilet. You may notice your cat going out more often than usual, soft poo stuck to the fur around their bottom, excess wind, bloating, or they may even toilet indoors.
What causes diarrhoea in cats?
If your cat has diarrhoea, it means something is going wrong in their guts! The intestine may be producing more liquid than usual, not absorbing enough liquid, or their poo could be moving through the intestinal tract faster than usual, meaning there is less time for water to be absorbed. Diarrhoea is a symptom rather than a disease, meaning it can have lots of potential causes!
Some common causes of diarrhoea in cats include:
Change in diet:
Cats are often used to eating the same thing every day, since we (as owners) tend to stick to the same brand or even flavour of cat food. This means a sudden change in diet can be a bit of a shock to your cat’s guts! Some cats are more sensitive to diet changes than others, but a sudden diet change is a very common cause of diarrhoea in cats.
Eating something inappropriate:
Similarly, scavenging inappropriate or human foods is a common cause of diarrhoea in cats. For example, most cats are actually lactose intolerant, meaning they often develop diarrhoea if they drink milk.
Parasites:
Intestinal parasites such as worms, Giardia, Cryptosporidium or Tritrichomonas are common causes of diarrhoea in cats.
Slightly less common causes include:
- Ingesting poisons / toxins: such as household cleaners or chocolate.
- Medications: such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause diarrhoea as a side effect
- Inflammatory bowel disease: chronic inflammation of the gut
- Pancreatitis: an inflamed pancreas (a digestive and hormonal system gland)
- Bacterial infections (such as salmonella or campylobacter)
- Viral infections (such as feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) or feline panleukopenia virus)
- A foreign body, or blockage of the gut: such as an ingested piece of string that has become stuck.
Diarrhoea may also be caused (usually in older cats) by:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
- Cancer
This list is not exhaustive, meaning there are even more potential causes! Many of these causes will have other symptoms alongside diarrhoea, especially the more serious causes. For example, in hyperthyroidism you would usually also see an increased appetite with weight loss. With kidney disease, for example, your cat would also be drinking and weeing much more than usual.
When to contact your vet
Usually diarrhoea resolves on its own, without any treatment. However, if left untreated, severe diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. Diarrhoea with a more serious underlying cause will also need treatment. So, how do you know when to contact your vet? Here are the warning signs to watch out for:
- Lethargy, or signs of tummy pain
- Blood in the diarrhoea, or black stools
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Anorexia (not eating)
- Diarrhoea that is not improving after 24 hours
- Your cat is very old or very young (they are at greater risk of dehydration).
If you notice any of these signs or are worried about your cat with diarrhoea, book an appointment with their vet. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry! If you aren’t sure if your cat needs to be seen, contact your vet clinic for advice.
Treatment for diarrhoea in cats
The treatment with diarrhoea will vary, depending on the cause. If your cat is bright, alert and eating as normal with no other symptoms, you may wish to try treatment at home for 24 hours.
Home treatment for cats with diarrhoea includes:
Feeding a bland and digestible diet little and often
It is no longer advised to starve a cat with diarrhoea, since they need food for their gut to heal. Starving a cat can actually make them very poorly, causing something called ‘hepatic lipidosis’ (or fatty liver). You can buy prescription cat food made for gastrointestinal upsets, or you could try boiled chicken or white fish (with no skin or bones). Just remember that the latter will not be a nutritionally complete diet, so should only be fed for a couple of days. Once your cat’s poo is back to normal, you should slowly re-introduce their diet over a few days. If you re-introduce it too quickly, this change in diet may also cause diarrhoea!
Increasing water intake
To prevent your cat from becoming dehydrated, try to ensure they are drinking enough water. You can do this by offering several water sources around the house, away from their food and any litter trays. Feeding wet food or adding warm water to their food can help too.
Probiotics
You can buy probiotic/probiotic supplements specially designed for cats, that may replace their friendly, beneficial bacteria in the gut, and certainly help to restore.a healthy gut balance. Some also contain substances to help firm up the stool, speeding the recovery from diarrhoea. You should ask your vet clinic for advice if you aren’t sure which probiotic would be best for your cat.
TLC!
Your cat may sleep a bit more while they recover, and they may be more affectionate or clingy than usual. On the flipside, some cats like to be left alone when they are feeling poorly, so be guided by your cat.
If your cat is not improving after 24 hour or they are getting worse
You should book an appointment with their vet. Your vet may examine your cat and suggest supportive treatment as above, or your cat may need to be hospitalised for supportive treatment if they are dehydrated, such as intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. Depending on how your cat is, your vet may wish to run some tests to determine the cause. Treatment will then be tailored to treating the underlying cause of the diarrhoea.
Luckily, most cases of diarrhoea in cats will clear up quickly on their own, with a little TLC at home
However, some causes are more serious and will need veterinary treatment. If your cat is very young, very old, or seems unwell in themselves, you should book an appointment with their vet.
Remember, you know your cat better than anyone! So if you are worried about your cat, or you aren’t sure, it’s safest to contact your vet for advice.
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