Causes of diarrhea in cats. Causes of diarrhea from dry food in cats Yellow stool in a cat causes and treatment

It is not uncommon for pets to experience all sorts of digestive disorders for a variety of reasons. If a cat has diarrhea, what should the owner do in this situation in order to competently help the animal restore digestive function? The first step is to establish the cause of the disruption of normal intestinal function and provide first aid to the pet.

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Causes of the disorder

There are many reasons for the development of gastrointestinal tract disorders: from a pet eating stale food to a dangerous viral infection that threatens the animal’s life. Diarrhea (diarrhea) is most often observed in the following cases:

Short-term diarrhea in a cat can be caused by a stressful situation, an allergic reaction, disruptions in the endocrine system, or tumor pathologies. Timely identification of the cause of indigestion will allow the owner to provide the animal with the necessary help as soon as possible.

What does the color of feces tell you?

Analysis of your pet's feces is important in diagnosing the causes that led to diarrhea. The owner is able to independently determine the severity of the pathological process and its danger to the health of the animal. To do this, you should take a closer look at the nature of the bowel movements:

• Diarrhea without change in color, odor, without any inclusions in the feces indicates a malnutrition of the animal. Often the cause of such diarrhea is overeating the pet.

• Light yellow color of feces indicates a nutritional disorder, poor digestion of food, and consumption of low-quality products.

• Intense yellow feces may indicate liver pathology, a violation of bilirubin metabolism in the body. Clay-colored stool is possible when the gallbladder is not functioning properly.

• Diarrhea with mucus should alert the animal owner, since such a symptom indicates the proliferation of pathogenic organisms in the intestines. Feces mixed with mucus are often observed during inflammatory processes in the large intestine, the presence of polyps, and tumors. Diarrhea with mucus and foamy discharge may be a symptom of infectious intestinal inflammation.

• Greenish stool indicate intestinal irritation from indoor plants, which are often eaten by cats. If at the same time there is weight loss, then such diarrhea may be the cause of inflammation of the pancreas.

• Black diarrhea, tar-like consistency with the presence of vomiting, the apathetic state of the animal indicates helminthic diseases, and can also accompany a stomach ulcer.

• The owner should be alerted to the situation when the cat bloody diarrhea. This symptom indicates the development of helminthiases, including a dangerous disease for humans -. Bloody diarrhea is often observed when a cat is infected with protozoa (giardia, coccidia). Foreign bodies and tumor processes can lead to bloody diarrhea.

• Stool with mucus, blood, and unpleasant odor are a sign of both inflammatory bowel diseases of various etiologies and symptoms of oncological pathologies in the animal’s body.

Diagnosis by the type of fecal matter in case of diarrhea in an animal will help the owner to determine the danger of a developing pathology and provide the pet with the necessary assistance in a timely manner.

First aid for an animal

If such an unpleasant phenomenon as diarrhea is detected, the owner should take a number of measures recommended by veterinary specialists in such cases:

• Without following a starvation diet, it is almost impossible to cure diarrhea in a cat.. If diarrhea is observed in an adult animal, then therapeutic fasting can last a day. If diarrhea affects a kitten under 6 months of age, the period of abstinence from food should be no more than 12 hours. A fasting diet will free the intestines from food masses and reduce intoxication of the body.

• Many owners ask veterinarians what to give their cat for diarrhea so as not to harm the animal. Helps against diarrhea caused by feeding errors Activated carbon. The drug helps cleanse the intestines of toxins, binds them and removes them from the body. Activated carbon is given 2-3 times a day at the rate of 500 mg per 1 kg of animal weight. In addition, you can offer your pet chamomile decoction, which has a disinfectant effect. Can be given to a cat “Smecta” powder, having previously dissolved the contents in boiled water. However, it should be understood that neither activated carbon nor Smecta are medicines and cannot help with serious causes of diarrhea.

• An upset stomach in an animal leads to dehydration, so the owner should focus efforts on preventing this phenomenon. The pet should have fresh boiled water freely available. If the cat is not thirsty, you can force-feed water using a syringe without a needle or a small syringe.

• Compliance with hygiene standards. During diarrhea, the owner should thoroughly wash and disinfect water dishes, trays and other items.

Useful video

To learn about the causes of diarrhea in cats, how to treat diarrhea at home and what the veterinarian will suggest, watch this video:

Helping an animal at home is possible only if there are no blood or mucus in the feces, and the frequency of bowel movements is no more than 3-4 times a day. Therefore, a veterinarian should decide how to treat diarrhea in a cat after a clinical and laboratory examination.

Restoring the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

After a starvation diet due to diarrhea in an animal, it is necessary to restore the functioning of the digestive system and prevent another failure. The exit from therapeutic fasting should be gradual. The pet should be fed in small portions, and in the first 2 - 3 days it should be underfed by about 30% of the normal diet. If there are no signs of diarrhea, after 3-4 days you can return to the usual amount of food for the animal.

The owner should have an idea of ​​what to feed a cat with diarrhea. In the first days, it is not recommended to give the animal dairy products, uncooked meat, or dry food that can irritate the intestinal mucosa. Preference should be given to porridge with water or feed the animal with special medicinal food developed for indigestion.

If diarrhea is observed after antibiotics, then after consultation with a veterinarian, a course of treatment for dysbacteriosis should be carried out. For this purpose, special probiotics are used to restore normal intestinal microflora.

When to see a doctor

It is possible to help an animal with the development of diarrhea at home only if the cause of the diarrhea is not a serious pathology. If you notice loose and frequent bowel movements in your cat, you should seek veterinary help and do not self-medicate.

You should not delay your visit to the doctor if blood, mucus, or other signs of the animal’s illness are found in the feces. Fever, vomiting, lethargy, refusal to feed, apathetic state, convulsions are reasons to immediately contact the clinic. The veterinarian will determine not only the cause of the indigestion, but will also give advice in each specific case on how to treat diarrhea in a cat.

The variety of causes for the development of diarrhea in a pet makes it difficult to independently diagnose the underlying disease. Analysis of the animal's fecal matter helps determine the severity and danger. The main condition for treating diarrhea is following a fasting diet, preventing dehydration and detoxifying the body. Only a veterinarian can prescribe effective treatment for diarrhea based on clinical and laboratory diagnostic methods.

Not only people, but also pets, including cats, suffer from intestinal disorders from time to time. How to treat diarrhea in a cat at home depends on the severity of the disease and its course. Owners of furry pets use both medicinal drugs and traditional medicine to treat them, relying on the advice of a veterinarian and their knowledge.

One of the most common problems seen in veterinary medicine is gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea) in pets. Below we will look at the reasons why cats have diarrhea.

Diarrhea is not a disease, but a clinical sign that reflects a problem. In most cases, this condition is associated with inflammation of one or more parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, coccidia, intestinal worms) or non-infectious irritants (chemical toxins or poisonous plants) are among the most common causes of inflammation. Food intolerances or allergies to certain diet ingredients can also cause loose stools.

Why does a cat have diarrhea?

Knowing clearly the reason that caused diarrhea in a cat and how to treat it at home, his owner will make the most correct decision for the fastest recovery of his pet.

By observing your pet's symptoms and behavior, treatment for diarrhea will be timely and effective.

• Frequent and loose stools.
• Lack of appetite.
• Possible vomiting and fever.
• Change in color of stool.
• Lethargy and inactive state.

Diarrhea may be occasional or continuous. The first of these does not cause much concern for the pet’s health, but the second case requires the intervention of a veterinarian.

Treatment of diarrhea in cats with drugs

Of course, if a cat experiences diarrhea, it is better to contact a veterinarian, but if it is not possible to visit a veterinary clinic, then you can take measures to treat the diarrhea yourself.

1. Drugs that can provide first aid for diarrhea in adult cats and kittens - Vetom, Smecta, Baktisubtil, Enterosgel and Bifidum. When taking these medications, remember that they cannot be mixed and must be given separately.
   — Smecta Give it to kittens with caution, as not all animals tolerate it well. It is better to use children's smecta (¼ sachet twice a day).
   — Baktisubtil It is more easily tolerated by cats (a quarter of the capsule is diluted in water and given to the pet twice a day).
   — Enterosgel Among the listed drugs, it is the most effective, as it helps remove toxins from the body.
2. In addition to medications that have therapeutic effects, it is necessary to give your cat probiotics. The use of probiotics will help regulate the gastrointestinal tract, alleviate the cat's health, absorb fluid, and restore normal intestinal bacterial flora.
   — Bifidum(5 doses in a bottle, give to your pet once a day) or Bifidumbacterin.
   — Activated carbon can be injected inside the cat using a syringe, after first removing the needle from it. The drug will collect unnecessary bacteria.
   — Chamomile and St. John's wort decoction have an astringent effect.
3. If your pet has worms, special medications should be given. Intraconazole It will help with fungal infections, but remember that it is contraindicated for pregnant cats.

Attention! If diarrhea does not go away within 2-3 days and the cat does not get better, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

How to treat diarrhea in a cat at home

Practice shows that there are many different causes of loose stool in cats. You should consult your veterinarian before starting treatment. Specific or supportive therapy helps relieve diarrhea symptoms in most cases.

For years, veterinary experts have said that diarrhea can be treated with fasting or a gentle diet, while giving the intestines a kind of rest. This method is considered effective for vomiting, and for diarrhea, as numerous studies show, the animal’s intestines require food for subsequent healing. Therefore, keeping an animal from eating does not mean a positive outcome. Although in some cases, fasting for a day will help achieve a positive effect and cure diarrhea.

One of the options is to increase the consumption of foods that are rich in fiber, because it is not without reason that it is recognized as an excellent “equalizer.” It is advisable to feed your cat easily digestible foods in small portions 4-5 times a day. The best option would be a carbohydrate diet using rice, potatoes, pasta, combined with a small amount of dietary meat. Low-fat cheese and yogurt should be included in the diet. Many pet fluffies prefer meat-based baby food.

If there is no improvement within two or three days, the pet does not drink water or its health deteriorates, then you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic for specialist help. Your cat may require more aggressive treatment based on the results of in-depth clinical work. Various medicines and herbs are used against diarrhea on the recommendation of a veterinarian.

Attention! Fluid loss is one of the most serious aspects of severe or prolonged diarrhea. In some cases, intravenous or subcutaneous medications may be required.

Chronic diarrhea that lasts longer than two to three weeks may be more difficult to diagnose and treat. Even extensive treatment does not always give a positive result in solving the problem in such cases. However, most often, careful clinical preparation, including dietary changes, can lead to successful treatment of diarrhea.

By receiving professional veterinary care, you can quickly deal with this problem. Eating foods with fewer allergens and proper treatment of the disease can reduce symptoms and eliminate diarrhea.

What to do if your cat has diarrhea at home:

• limit your cat's intake of dairy products;
• provide the cat with the necessary amount of water (preferably boiled);
• try to exclude food for 24 hours (no need to be scared, this will only benefit the cat);
• exclude canned cat food (it is better to give boiled rice and boiled meat, in some cases - meat puree);
• if the condition has returned to normal, you can switch to normal mode

Diarrhea in a cat: what to do at home

Preventing diarrhea in cats

In order to avoid diarrhea in your cat in the future, you should follow simple rules:

1. Maintain hygiene - wash your pet’s tray, dishes, brush your teeth more often, and try not to let him go outside.
2. Regular visits to the veterinarian. Often, pet owners skip this point and go to a specialist when the situation has worsened and the pet has serious health problems. But it is still recommended to visit a specialist once every six months for routine examinations, even if nothing bothers the animal.
3. Monitor your pet's diet. Limit the intake of dry food, canned food, and do not overfeed the cat.
4. Carefully monitor your pet in order to promptly identify the appearance of fleas, which can subsequently cause helminthic infestation and, as a result, diarrhea.

If your pet is sick and you don’t know how to treat diarrhea in a cat at home, contact experienced specialists to promptly determine the cause and begin effective treatment. This will help avoid serious consequences and complications of the animal’s health.

Digestive disorders in animals manifest themselves in the same way as in humans - vomiting or upset stool. Stool disorder, in turn, can be in the form of diarrhea ().

Sometimes diarrhea can be the only symptom, and sometimes it can occur in combination with other manifestations of disorders of the body.

Digestive disorder in a cat is a serious disease!

You need to understand that diarrhea can have very serious causes, and in case of untimely or improper treatment, the consequences can be very serious. Along with diarrhea, the body loses fluid, and if the diarrhea is prolonged, it... It is important to recognize this condition in time, as it can lead to disturbances in other body functions.

At the same time, different owners may convince that their cat eats this product normally, but this does not mean that it should be given to their cat.

The cat has bloody diarrhea

If your cat's stool has changed color or has a foul odor, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Infectious nature

Diarrhea can be the result of a viral disease in combination with any set of the following symptoms: fever, sour eyes, nasal discharge, refusal to feed, vomiting, etc.

Severe diarrhea in this case indicates, and it most often has.

Fever is one of the symptoms of diarrhea.

Enteritis is accompanied by most known viral diseases of cats: coronavirus infection, immunodeficiency of cats, sometimes.

Diarrhea with vomiting

Diarrhea with vomiting can also be non-infectious in nature - for example, diseases of the pancreas or liver can also manifest themselves this way. In this case, it will be caused by a violation of the digestive processes.

To find out the cause of diarrhea, contact your veterinarian and he will prescribe treatment.

To determine the exact cause of diarrhea in a cat, you should consult a veterinarian, as this will allow you to start the right treatment in time.

Treatment of diarrhea

Traces of diarrhea in a cat's litter box

Treatment depends on the cause of the diarrhea. If diarrhea is caused by a sudden change in food, monitoring the condition, perhaps for a while, may be sufficient.

When changing food, you should simply follow the rule - transfer the animal to the new food, mixing it with the old one.

Start with a small amount of new food in the total weight of the old, and gradually increase the ratio in favor of the new. If no disorder is observed, then everything went smoothly.

If your cat's diarrhea is caused by a change in food, feed it rice.

If the animal has access to the street - at least once every 2-3 months, if it is kept only in an apartment, it can be done a little less often.

If problems with stool occur (without any other symptoms), you can give the animal an anthelmintic, but if the problem persists over the next two days, you should still consult a doctor.

The presence of helminths in an animal will not always be obvious, although very often in such cases they can be found in the feces or near the cat’s anus. But to accurately determine the presence, you will need a stool analysis.

Often helminths can be found in a cat's feces.

Besides, if the problem is related to protozoa, this can only be identified through analysis. It is prescribed, if necessary, by a veterinarian after examination.

Fleas and helminthic infestation

Very often helminthiasis is associated with. Fleas can carry helminth eggs within themselves and infect cats with them during their bites. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out treatments in parallel against both fleas and worms. There are complex preparations - drops on the withers, which fight both of these problems at once. But it can be used separately and against worms.

Diseases of the pancreas and liver

Diarrhea may cause your cat to vomit.

Diarrhea can cause your cat to become severely dehydrated and may require an IV drip.

If diarrhea lasts for a long time, the animal may become dehydrated and...

The veterinarian will check the degree of dehydration, and in some cases of minor dehydration, subcutaneous injections of solutions (saline, Ringer's, glucose, etc.) can be done.

Diarrhea due to viral infection

In the case of a viral infection, everything is very serious.

Since there is no specific drug that would act on viruses, treatment should be symptomatic.

Only a veterinarian can prescribe complete and correct treatment.

In case of a severe illness, the cat should be admitted to hospital.

It is important to understand that viral infections in cats can be fatal if treated untimely or incorrectly. There is a certain risk if you go to the clinic in a timely manner, so in the case of viral diseases it is better to prevent them than to treat them.

Prevention of viral diseases is an annual comprehensive vaccination.

Unfortunately, Vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee that the animal will not get sick, but it significantly increases the animal’s chances of survival.

Vaccinated animals suffer mild viral infections.

Vaccination does not provide a complete guarantee, but still the likelihood of getting sick becomes lower.

Prevention of diarrhea

To prevent a variety of health problems in cats, including diarrhea, it is important to carry out in a timely manner:

1. Flea treatment.
2. Treatment for worms.
3. Vaccination.

These three points will avoid many difficulties, and during the differential diagnosis of diarrhea will help narrow the circle of “suspects”.

Cat vaccination

Treatments most often begin at the age of two months (can be started from three weeks of age if necessary), first against fleas and worms, and after a week (ten days) the first vaccination.

The first treatment against fleas and worms should be carried out at the age of two months.

Revaccination must be carried out after 3 weeks. The first vaccination does not contain the rabies vaccine, but during revaccination it is also included. Then every year. If an adult cat is vaccinated, it is immediately vaccinated once with a complex one, and revaccination is carried out annually at approximately the same time.

In addition to everything described above, The cat should eat what cats are supposed to eat. Not from the table, but your own personal porridge, without salt, seasonings, etc., consisting of porridge (buckwheat/rice/oatmeal) and meat (not pork, it is very fatty, you can rupture the pancreas).

The cat should have its own food; you do not need to feed it food from the table.

Dry food

If a cat is fed dry food, it should be food no lower (economy class food can cause health problems, including those accompanied by diarrhea, even if the neighbor’s cat lived for 20 years on Whiskas). There is no need to feed the cat from the table, no need to give scraps of fish, leftovers from dinner, bones, skins.

There is no need to treat her with cucumbers, grapes, or anything else she suddenly wants.

The cat should eat properly (at least a cat, since people don’t always succeed).

By observing all of the above - vaccinations, treatments, nutrition - there is a greater chance that the cat will never have problems with stool or any other problems, will not need any treatment, and will live a long, healthy life.

Video about symptoms and treatment of diarrhea in cats

Diarrhea is defined as frequent bowel movements of a liquid consistency. This condition can be caused by various reasons: overeating, helminthic infestations, intestinal disorders, infectious diseases and other problems. Loose stool in a cat can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly, or it can last for several days or even months. With a one-time attack of diarrhea, there is no particular cause for concern, but if the animal’s diarrhea persists for more than a day, this can lead to dehydration, so in this case it is worth visiting a specialist. Also contact a veterinarian if various impurities appear in the stool: blood, pus, mucus, etc.

Loose stools in a cat: reasons

The most common causes of loose stool in cats are intestinal disorders. They, in turn, can be caused by eating spoiled or low-quality food, carrion, spices, inedible items (pieces of paper, rags, plastic, etc.), poisonous and toxic substances, and sick rodents. Also, the cause of diarrhea in an animal can be excessively fatty foods or severe overeating.

Sometimes diarrhea can be caused by food that is not suitable for your cat. Often people feed their pet the same thing they eat themselves. Many vegetables, fruits and even types of meat can cause loose stools in an animal. Stressful situations are considered another cause of diarrhea in cats. Loose stools can occur with a sudden change in the usual diet, severe fear, change of place of residence, and in other similar situations.

Loose stool with blood in a cat

The appearance of a small amount of blood in an animal’s stool, if it happens once, is not dangerous in most cases. This condition can occur with constipation or intestinal disorders. But if a cat’s loose stool with blood is repeated several times or the volume of blood is large enough, then this most likely indicates the presence of a serious disease.

If you notice a large amount of blood in the stool, severe diarrhea mixed with blood, or the reappearance of loose, bloody stools, you should seek help from a veterinarian.

The cat has loose stools with mucus

In addition to helminthic infestations, there are other possible reasons for the appearance of watery stools with mucus; these can be inflammatory and infectious diseases. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is worth visiting a specialist and consulting about the causes of defecation disorders.

Loose stools, vomiting in a cat

If diarrhea and vomiting occur, you should limit the animal's access to food and give it more water. If the pet's condition does not improve after this, then it should be shown to a veterinarian.

Black loose stool in a cat

The causes of black loose stool in a cat can be quite harmless. This phenomenon is observed when feeding an animal predominantly raw meat or blood meal, as well as when taking iron supplements or vitamins with a high content of this substance.

If your pet has black stools, it should be taken to the veterinarian. In such cases, a stool test is usually prescribed to reveal the hidden presence of blood. Other diagnostic measures can also be carried out: tests, X-ray or ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, gastroscopy, etc.

My cat has loose stools, what should I do?

Isolated cases of diarrhea in an animal are not a cause for concern. If your cat’s loose stool persists for two days or more, your pet experiences vomiting, loss of appetite, noticeable weight loss, fever, black feces or the presence of impurities in it, you should definitely contact a specialist. The veterinarian will conduct the necessary diagnostics and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

It is recommended not to feed the animal until you see a veterinarian. In case of diarrhea, the cat is left hungry for about a day, and it should be given small amounts of water frequently. After a day of hunger, light food is introduced into the animal’s diet: boiled rice and boiled chicken. If diarrhea does not occur again, then you can gradually transfer the cat to its usual diet.

Treatment of loose stools in a young cat

In cases where loose stools in a cat are caused by bacterial diseases, the animal is prescribed a course of antibiotics. Similar treatment is prescribed for damage to the intestinal wall to prevent blood poisoning.

The animal may also be prescribed medications that slow down intestinal motility. If severe dehydration occurs, subcutaneous or intravenous fluids may be given. Such treatment methods should only be selected by a veterinarian.

Diarrhea, also scientifically known as diarrhea, is a symptom of many diseases, often fatal, and should be taken seriously. Abnormally frequent and unformed stools with or without discoloration can occur as a result of simple overeating, viral or bacterial infection, accompanied by increased intestinal motility.

Normal cat stool is brown. With diarrhea, the frequency of bowel movements, color, consistency and smell of the discharge changes. Using these indicators, the localization of the disease can be determined.

Frequency

Defecation several times an hour in small portions, with straining, suggests inflammation of the colon (colitis);

Color

1. Yellow or greenish diarrhea indicates rapid passage, the cause may be damage to the small intestine.
2. Black tar-like stool indicates bleeding in the upper digestive system.
3. Bloody stool(or streaks) indicates bleeding in the large intestine.
4. Light dough-like indicates liver disease.
5. Gray discharge with a rancid odor indicate impaired digestion or absorption of food.

Consistency

1. Large volume soft stool indicates overeating or too much fiber in the food.
2. Watery stool indicates irritation of the walls of the small intestine by toxins or infection (for example, acute enteritis).
3. Foamy bowel movements suggest a bacterial infection.
4. AND rich chair suggests malabsorption and damage to the pancreas (malabsorption).

Smell

The more watery the stool, the more unpleasant the odor:

1. The smell of sour milk or rancid food occurs when an animal is overfed.
2. The smell of rot is usually accompanied by infections, such as panleukopenia.

Duration of diarrhea

A single unformed stool caused by overfeeding does not require treatment, but a starvation diet for 24 hours and a reduction in food portions subsequently.

Diarrhea that lasts more than a day requires emergency veterinary attention, as it causes a large loss of moisture and dehydration of the body.

Treatment at home

The usual one-time diarrhea caused by overeating is stopped by a daily fast, after which the amount of food must be reduced by approximately 2 times over the next 3 days.

Watery stools, indicating a bacterial infection, require immediate consultation with a veterinarian, testing, after which appropriate therapy will be prescribed.

Diarrhea with simultaneous vomiting usually indicates poisoning and requires professional treatment.

Diarrhea with blood or mucus can be caused by irritation of the large intestine from eating plants, inappropriate foods, other irritants, as well as serious chronic diseases. If there is a small amount of blood, you can change the diet with a preliminary daily fast.

If there is a large amount of blood (black diarrhea), the help of a specialist is necessary to determine the cause and prescribe treatment.

Yellow diarrhea indicates increased bilirubin levels, orange diarrhea indicates problems with liver function and jaundice. Yellow one-time diarrhea can be caused by overeating or drinking milk, in which case a starvation diet is indicated.

Orange diarrhea for several days requires checking the condition of the liver and prescribing treatment at a veterinary clinic.

White diarrhea indicates a lack of bilirubin in the stool - a blockage of the bile ducts and problems with the formation of bile in the liver, which indicates a serious chronic disease that requires professional help.

Diarrhea with greens indicates putrefactive processes and fermentation in the intestines after eating carrion or stale food. In this case, for treatment, it is advisable to induce vomiting and give the cat a hepatoprotector, and then take it to an appointment with a veterinarian before the animal begins to become intoxicated.

After a daily fast, before returning to the usual diet, it is recommended to feed the cat wet diet food for a couple of days, and increase the number of feedings to 3-4 times.

Emergency medications

Feeding during diarrhea

There is no need to feed the animal on the first day if diarrhea occurs; you just need to stimulate fluid intake and give some kind of enterosorbent. If the diarrhea has stopped, gradually switch the cat to its usual food.

If diarrhea is caused by an allergic reaction, after fasting for a day, you need to switch to a special hypoallergenic food; with natural feeding, give dietary meat - lamb, rabbit or turkey.

It is very good to feed an animal with diarrhea rice water, add boiled rice to food, and give egg whites. For food in the first days, wet diets are preferable for dietary nutrition.

Kitten has diarrhea

Diarrhea in a kitten can be caused by the same reasons as in an adult animal, plus the transition to adult food or artificial feeding.

If you pick up a kitten on the street with foul-smelling diarrhea and a swollen belly, it is most likely due to helminthic infestation plus panleukopenia. In this case, an urgent consultation with a veterinarian is required, who will assess the condition of the underbelly and prescribe urgent treatment.

Antibiotics and anthelmintic drugs will be required, but whether they can be prescribed at the same time is decided by a specialist. The use of such folk remedies as drinking vodka will bring nothing but a burn to the kitten’s mucous membranes.

When purchasing a purebred kitten, its age should not be less than 3-4 months, he must have a veterinary passport with vaccination marks against viral diseases and rabies.

However, even vaccination does not provide a 100% guarantee against subsequent infection with enterovirus, therefore, at the first signs of illness - grayish watery diarrhea with a disgusting odor, refusal to drink water, weakness and dehydration, it is necessary to give an absorbent, drink a glucose solution and inject calcium chloride to maintain hydration balance of the body and immediately consult a doctor.

Causes of diarrhea

The most common causes of diarrhea are:

• intestinal diseases;
• infection;
• stress;
• allergy;
• binge eating;
• eating irritants;
• poisoning;

Bowel diseases

Diarrhea in a cat can be caused by three different diseases accompanied by intestinal inflammation - eosinophilic ecterocolitis, lymphocytoplasmic enterocolitis and granulomatous enterocolitis.

All these diseases are chronic and lead to weight loss, anemia and decreased appetite. They can be diagnosed using a biopsy; treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian; recovery is problematic.

Infections

Acute enteritis or infectious diarrhea is most often caused by parvovirus, the cause of feline panleukopenia. Kittens and young animals under the age of one year are especially seriously ill; the mortality rate among them reaches 90%.

It must be borne in mind that the best vaccines protect against 3-4 different viruses that cause diarrhea, but more than 40 of them circulate in nature, and therefore even the best vaccine will not provide a 100% guarantee against the disease.

Stress

Stress that occurs in an animal as a result of finding itself in an unfamiliar environment or uncomfortable conditions (exhibition, change of owner or place of residence, travel, appointment with a veterinarian) can also cause diarrhea.

Allergy

Intolerance to certain products of animal or plant origin, such as beef, pork, chicken (especially skin), horse meat, eggs, spices, soy, corn, wheat can cause allergic reactions not only to the skin, but also in the form of diarrhea.

The cause of diarrhea in an adult cat can be regular milk, since after 4 months of age they stop producing the enzyme lactase, which curdles milk and helps the body absorb it normally.

A sudden change in food or food that is unsuitable for a particular animal can also cause diarrhea.

Binge eating

Overeating after a long fast or as a result of improper eating habits of the cat causes accelerated passage of undigested food (chyme) into the lower parts of the colon and increased peristalsis, as a result - unformed loose stools.

Eating irritants

For free-ranging cats, carrion, rodents, birds, garbage and spoiled food can become dangerous.

For domestic cats - fatty foods, table food, spices, salt, sauce, vegetable oil or animal fat. For any cats - wood chips, rags, fur, grass, paper or plastic, some types of indoor plants.

Poisoning

Toxic to cats are:

• petroleum distillation products;
• coal tar derivatives;
• cleaning liquids containing acid and alkali;
• refrigerants;
• insecticides and pesticides;
• chlorine compounds (found in bleaches and cleaning products);
• building materials (paints, putties, primers, varnishes, lime, cement);
• some ornamental and wild plants;

Plants dangerous to cats:

• Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis, hippeastrum, etc.); Rhododendron;
• Dieffenbachia;
• Sanseviera (pike tail);
• Asparagus;
• Tulips;
• Geranium;
• Violets;
• Wisteria;
• Ficus (different types);
• Delphinium;
• Philodendron;
• Jasmine (some types);
• Chrysanthemums;
• Iris;
• Hellebore;
• Calendula (marigold);
• Cyclamen;
• Callas;
• Cyperus;
• Clematis;
• Amaranth;
• Crocus;
• Periwinkle;
• Lily of the valley;
• Henbane;
• Hyacinth;
• Hemlock;
• Lily;
• Wolf's Bast;
• Lupine;
• Buttercups;
• Euphorbiaceae (all types, including poinsettia);
• Digitalis;
• Monstera;
• Mistletoe;
• Daffodils;
• Ferns;
• Oleander;
• Ivy;
• Primroses (primrose);
• Boxwood evergreen;
• Nightshades (pepper, physalis, green potato tubers);
• Yew berry;
• Petunias;
• Cicuta;
• Rhubarb;
• Lily of the valley (wild);

Conclusion

Treatment of different types of diarrhea requires a different approach, often the help of a specialist, but first of all, the composure of the owner.

Compliance with the rule of the first fasting day will help determine whether an adult animal has one-time simple diarrhea or a serious illness. For diarrhea that lasts more than a day, only a special examination and a veterinarian can help.