Cat diarrhea: The causes and a quick remedy
Cats are very sensitive animals. This applies not only to their character and personality, but also to their digestive tract. These small predators often suffer from cat diarrhea. This can have a wide variety of causes. In addition to diet, hunting behavior and external circumstances, changes in the habitat can also lead to an upset stomach. However, this does not mean that you have to panic at the slightest hint of cat diarrhea. Diarrhea in cats can be harmless. It is important to keep a close eye on your cat and monitor its progress. However, if symptoms persist or in particularly severe cases, you should seek help and advice from a vet. It is not always harmless factors that lead to cat diarrhea in the animal. We at AniForte explain what you should look out for in case of cat diarrhea!
What to look out for if your cat has diarrhea?
There are various signs by which you can recognize that your cat is suffering from this unpleasant illness, cat diarrhoea. Depending on the symptoms, you can already tell whether the condition is harmless or serious. The first change is usually the consistency and smell of the droppings. The droppings are softer, sometimes slimy or bloody. The smell alone gives an indication that something may be wrong with the digestion. In some cases, the feces may be next to the litter box or somewhere in the apartment or house. This can be a sign that the cat has not made it to the toilet in time and is suffering from cat diarrhea. However, the symptoms of cat diarrhea can also manifest themselves in behavioral changes. It is therefore possible that your pet is more withdrawn and needs significantly more cuddles. Your cat may also eat less or nothing at all and its body temperature may rise. In the latter case, you should take your furry friend to the vet. It is now important to find the reason for this change and stop the cat's diarrhea. Various remedies such as elm bark can be used to counteract this. However, there is one thing you should always do as a cat owner: it is important to compensate for the loss of fluids. The animal should therefore always have enough fresh water available. This applies to all types of cat diarrhea and is independent of the cause. If the cat refuses to drink, you should consult a vet. Diarrhea and reduced fluid intake can quickly lead to dehydration. This must be prevented at all costs.
These are the possible causes of cat diarrhea
Diarrhea occurs in both humans and animals. In many cases, it has harmless causes and usually disappears on its own. Sometimes, however, medical help is required. In any case, the causes of the change and the symptoms of cat diarrhea must be identified. Only then can the animal be helped reliably and, above all, successfully. The causes are usually as follows:
- The food
- Parasites in cats
- Poisoning
- Stress
Causes of cat diarrhea: The diet
A cat's stomach and digestive system are very sensitive. Not every animal tolerates every type of food. In addition, many manufacturers are not focused on health, but on maximum profit. This means that when choosing a cat food, you as the owner should pay particular attention to the ingredients and composition. Natural ingredients that come as close as possible to a species-appropriate diet are the first choice here and can prevent cat diarrhea. If a cat is fed too much grain, it will quickly become full, but the body will not be able to extract many nutrients. Sooner or later, this leads to malnutrition and thus to health problems. Another cause may be a change in diet. A change of food should therefore not be made overnight. The body needs some time to get used to the new diet. To avoid cat diarrhea, you should definitely avoid mixing different types of food.
Causes of cat diarrhea: Parasites
Animals that live in the wild are occasionally attacked by various parasites. Many of these unpleasant guests often remain undetected and in most cases disappear naturally all by themselves. A fecal sample provides reliable information about a possible parasite infestation. However, if the cat's diarrhea does show its stubborn side, psyllium husks or elm bark, for example, can help effectively and quickly.
Causes of cat diarrhea: poisoning
Especially with outdoor cats, you as the owner cannot check what your cat eats on its tours through nature. Poisoning can therefore never be completely ruled out. It doesn't even have to be poisoned bait that has been deliberately distributed. There are numerous plants that are poisonous to cats. A poisoned mouse can also be eaten by a cat. Antibiotics, which are supposed to help with healing, are also sometimes the cause of cat diarrhea. In this case, however, the cause is found very quickly and can be changed accordingly.
Causes of cat diarrhea: stress
Not only the cat's stomach and digestion are sensitive. The animal senses even the smallest changes in its environment and some can cope with these factors. Stress is therefore a fairly common cause of cat diarrhea. A move, a new family member or simply a change in the cat's environment can be the first triggers for stress. In this case, you can sit out the situation or support your cat with Bach flower remedies. To support the animal, elm bark powdercan be used and sufficient fluids should be available at all times. This positively supports digestion and ensures that the cat's diarrhea subsides.
Preventing cat diarrhea
In principle, cat diarrhea can be prevented with appropriate natural remedies and the right food. If the cat is fed a healthy and, above all, species-appropriate diet, the body will function well in harmony. However, it can never be completely avoided that the animal may develop cat diarrhea. The causes are simply too wide-ranging for owners to be able to cover them all. However, it is important to observe the animal during cat diarrhea. In most cases, this discomfort disappears all by itself after a short time. For more information about your cat's diet and health, you can subscribe to our newsletter.