Cat Diarrhoea Symptoms and Treatments

Diarrhoea is generally uncommon in cats unless they are suffering with an internal problem, and a short episode of it is unlikely to be of concern. It may simply be that your cat has managed to steal something from the food cupboard or from next door which hasn't agreed with him, and it has given him the runs. If you give your cat milk it may not agree with him although he likes it so much, and in general it is unwise to give milk to cats. Water is far healthier and natural for him to drink. There are 'cat milks' now available should you want to continue giving him milk but because it is a different formula to cow's milk it won't affect his digestion.

Any other reason for diarrhoea on a persistent basis is likely to warrant veterinary intervention, as continually losing fluid in this way will lead to a huge loss in vital salts and minerals which will lead to a deterioration in your cat's health and strength.

There are many reasons for diarrhoea in cats and it's important to have its cause diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. If you can, take a sample of the diarrhoea with you to the veterinary surgery. This is extremely helpful in aiding diagnosis and will speed up the process so that treatment can start. You should also take details of how often your cat has diarrhoea and how long he has had it. If the diarrhoea seems to be persistent but your cat is otherwise quite happy the vet will want to check for parasites in the stomach or the gut, otherwise the possibilities are gastric or intestinal infections. It would also be important to determine whether there is an underlying illness or stress-induced condition present for which the diarrhoea may be the first visible symptom.

You should maintain good hygiene levels if your cat has diarrhoea, and wash your hands after handling him. If your cat's diarrhoea is caused by an infection he should be looked after in isolation and all his food bowls, bedding, litter trays etc washed and disinfected scrupulously and you should protect your hands with gloves when emptying the litter tray. It's advisable to keep him indoors for a good 2-3 days to allow the symptoms to settle and to prevent him wandering off and infecting other cats or spreading it round the neighbourhood.

Your vet will prescribe all the treatment and helpful things that you can do to support your cat through illness. You will probably be advised to build up his fluid levels again and to add supplements to boost his mineral levels and to introduce food slowly and in small quantities over the time that you nurse him until he is fully recovered.