Today we will tell you why diarrhea can occur in cats. Causes and treatment are two important topics that will be discussed in detail in the article. As you know, pets are susceptible to various diseases. For example, cats can overtake ailment such as diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur in cats for several reasons.
Causes of Diarrhea in Cats
First, malnutrition can cause diarrhea. Secondly, overeating. Thirdly, intolerance to any products, or, in other words, allergies. Fourth, mental disorder. In cats, as well as in humans, an emotional experience may arise, resulting in diarrhea.
What other causes of diarrhea in cats? Diarrhea occurs due to poisoning, infections, worms and intestinal diseases. The normal functioning of the gastrointestinal system in cats is as follows. After eating, the food processing process takes 8 hours. In this case, the body of the cat digests water and nutrients. Further, in the colon, the accumulation of metabolic products occurs. After this, processed foods exit the intestines. In a normal state of health of a cat’s body, the stool should be of uniform mass, without blood and without pieces of undigested food.
Binge eating
What other causes of diarrhea in cats are known? Binge eating. In this case, the food does not have time to digest in the intestines, it moves too quickly, and the liquid is not absorbed by the body. Thus, undigested food in the liquid state enters the rectum. Next, there is a yield of metabolic products in a liquid state. If the cause of diarrhea is because the cat is overeating, then the disorder will be a one-off. To avoid diarrhea, you must ensure that the cat does not overeat.
Malnutrition
If we talk about the causes of diarrhea in cats, then you need to remember about malnutrition.
It is important to ensure that the pet has the right diet. Diarrhea can arise from eating mice, rotting foods, carrion, any sauces, fatty foods, or certain types of plants. Changing water can also cause diarrhea. It is better if the cat will drink the one to which her body is used. Often there is diarrhea in kittens when switching from breastfeeding to a normal diet. Better if this transition is gradual. If it is not possible to combine the breastfeeding of a kitten and the gradual introduction of the main diet, it is necessary to include liquid products in the animal’s menu. For example, small pets are advised to give cow's milk diluted with water. You can also include semolina porridge. In stores, you should buy special food for kittens. It is enriched with special trace elements that are necessary for the growth of the body.
Changes in eating habits can also lead to diarrhea in adult cats. Diarrhea is especially common in rare breeds.
Diarrhea from food intolerance
There is a specific list of foods that cats are allergic to. First of all, in adults, milk can cause such a reaction. A feature of cats is that there is no lactose enzyme. In addition to milk intolerance, there may be an allergy to beef, fish, eggs, corn, feed of certain manufacturers. If it is noticed that the cat has a reaction to some products, then it is necessary to exclude them from the diet. It should be said that if you remove milk from the diet, then this will not affect the health of the pet. At the same time, the use of dairy products is allowed. If the cat does not have the lactose enzyme, then it will not tolerate milk in its pure form. This does not affect the assimilation of fermented milk products.
Emotional mood
The emotional background of a cat is upset, as a rule, from fear. The latter can arise from transporting a cat in a car or placing an animal in an unfamiliar environment. Fear also arises from the appearance of other animals in the house. If the pet has experienced this feeling, then he may experience diarrhea. In this case, no treatment is prescribed, as a rule, the emotional background is established after some time.
Diarrhea in case of poisoning
Poisoning can be not only food, but also toxic from any substances. The latter include gasoline, paint, household cleaners, industrial oils, bleach. Typically, cats will not eat toxic substances themselves. Poisoning can occur if they accidentally enter the body of an animal. For example, when cleaning the tray using household chemicals and poorly rinsing them with water.
These substances can enter the animal’s hair, and then through the tongue into the body. Also, the remnants of household chemicals can remain in a bowl, and then, when eating food, get into their stomach with them. Poor quality veterinary drugs can cause poisoning. The main symptom is vomiting and diarrhea. With such signs, you should contact your veterinarian, perhaps he will prescribe special drugs.
Worms and infections
If a cat has worms, then as a result she will have diarrhea with blood secretions and mucus. Infectious diseases, such as plague, can occur in animals that have not been vaccinated. Even if the cat is in the apartment all the time, this does not exclude the possibility of infection in his body. Symptoms of infection include diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. With such signs, you must urgently consult a veterinarian. Since the body may not cope with the disease on its own.
Diarrhea from bowel disease
A disease like pancreatitis is found in some cat breeds. Other intestinal diseases are also possible, which are accompanied by replenishment and impaired digestive system. In order to identify the cause of diarrhea, it is necessary to examine feces. Color, texture, smell and frequency of emptying are important. If the cat constantly has diarrhea and lasts for a long time, namely more than 10 days, then you need to contact a veterinarian.
It is necessary to stop dehydration
How to stop diarrhea in a cat? It should be remembered that with diarrhea, a large amount of fluid comes out of the body of the animal. Therefore, dehydration occurs, the cat loses weight. Also, the general condition of the pet worsens, and it becomes lethargic. Dehydration is accompanied by poor blood circulation. And this leads to insufficient blood supply to the cat's brain. With such symptoms, it is necessary to give the animal the drug "Regidron". This medicine will help to avoid dehydration. If diarrhea has spotting and is accompanied by vomiting, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. It should be said that the body of a kitten is weaker than an adult pet.
It will be right to take stool with you when contacting your veterinarian with symptoms of diarrhea. An analysis of it will help determine exactly what caused the diarrhea in the animal.
Diarrhea in a cat. Home treatment
If the pet’s diarrhea is not accompanied by fever, vomiting and does not have bloody or mucous secretions, then this disease can be cured on its own. Of course, if the cat has green diarrhea, then you should show it to a specialist.
First of all, you need to provide a special diet for the cat. Namely, to exclude the use of milk and products that contain starch. It should be remembered that with diarrhea, the digestive system is in an unstable state. Therefore, it is important to monitor the nutrition of the pet. First, you should limit the animal in nutrition completely, with the exception of water. It is important that the cat has the ability to use it in unlimited quantities. Since diarrhea can cause dehydration, it is necessary to provide the animal with access to water.
Restrictions on food should be made for an adult animal during the day, and for a kitten a 12-hour break will be enough. Do not worry that the animal will be hungry. Such a break will best affect the condition of the pet.
Nutrition for Diarrhea
How to feed a cat with diarrhea? After a break in food, you can give food. It is important that the dose of food is reduced by 2 times compared with the usual amount. You should also pay attention to the fact that the food is non-greasy and easy to digest. It is better to give the animal food in small portions, but often. It is desirable to feed with dietary products, for example, boiled chicken, chicken stock, rice, mashed meat. If the pet refuses to use the above products, then you should buy her a special animal feed with a weakened digestive system. It is better to use finished products of those brands that the cat is used to. After the diarrhea disappears, you can return to your normal diet.
Preparations
What if cat diarrhea begins? Treatment at home should be aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
First of all, it is necessary to give the animal activated carbon. To do this, dissolve the tablet in water. Then you should feed the cat through a syringe without a needle. You can also give infusions of herbs such as oak bark, St. John's wort and chamomile. The dosage should be discussed with the veterinarian.
What is the cure for diarrhea for cats? It is also recommended to use Vetom in the treatment of diarrhea (this is a veterinary drug). It is given once a day at 75 mg / kg of body weight daily until recovery. In addition to it, you can use Smecta. Dissolve half of the sachet in 0.25 cups of boiled chilled water. You can pour the medicine through a syringe, if the pet refuses to just use it. 1-2 ml every three hours. Use the medicine until complete recovery.
What to give a cat from diarrhea? You can use drugs such as Bactisubtil (one capsule for an adult animal) and Bifidum (one bottle for an adult). These funds should be diluted in a small amount in water (1-2 tsp). All of these medications should be given two to three times a day until the symptoms of diarrhea disappear completely . Of course, it is better to show the pet to the veterinarian so that he looks at his condition and says that he should give the cat diarrhea.
If treatment has not led to improvement after 2 days, then it is especially important to go to the veterinarian. You also need to monitor the cat’s stool, namely its consistency and color. There are times when pet owners do not treat them, and the pet’s body does not cope with the disease. Therefore, it is always better to play it safe and take all possible measures to eliminate the ailment. It is also important to monitor the cleanliness of the tray and bowl, in order to avoid the entry of harmful substances into the cat's body.
Conclusion
Now you know why diarrhea appears in cats. Causes and treatment are two important topics that we examined in our article. We hope you find the information useful.