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Diarrhoea is certainly one of the most common signs of illness that cat owners encounter. But what can cause diarrhoea in cats, and when should you start to worry? We’ve summarised the key information for you in this article.
Diarrhoea is not uncommon and in most cases it isn’t dangerous either. However, there can also be more serious causes of diarrhoea in cats. That’s why you should never take this symptom lightly.
In addition, diarrhoea, especially in kittens and senior cats, but also in other age groups, can lead to fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances and potentially be life-threatening if treatment starts too late.
Causes: What Makes a Cat’s Stool Soft?
If the diarrhoea originates in the gastrointestinal tract, it is divided into small and large intestinal diarrhoea. In addition, diseases of other organ systems or various environmental triggers can also lead to diarrhoea in cats.
Why is My Cat’s Poo Soft and Smelly?
The following are the most common triggers of diarrhoea in cats:
Diet-Related Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea in cats is very often the result of feeding mistakes, food intolerances and food allergies. In most cases, however, spoiled food or very sudden changes of food are also related to diarrhoea.
Infectious Causes
Infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses or parasites also often play a major role in the development of diarrhoea in cats. The most common infectious causes include:
Toxins and the ingestion of certain medications (for example antibiotics) can also cause diarrhoea in cats. To avoid serious side effects, you should only give medication after consulting your vet or another qualified professional.
Metabolic and Tumour-Related Causes
Certain underlying conditions, such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) or thyroid disorders, often lead to severe diarrhoea in cats. Intestinal tumours or tumours of other organs (paraneoplastic syndrome) also frequently trigger diarrhoea.
Structural Changes in the Intestine
In some cases, severe constipation (obstipation), for example due to foreign bodies or positional changes within the intestine (kinks or intussusceptions), can lead to diarrhoea in cats. In this case, affected cats usually show additional clinical signs. These include, for example, a rapidly worsening general condition or vomiting if treatment is started too late.
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Just like humans and dogs, cats can also suffer from chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This is an autoimmune disease that is often accompanied by numerous other symptoms such as tiredness and dull, scruffy coat.
Other Causes of Diarrhoea in Cats
Sometimes external factors can also lead to digestive problems. For example, heat can cause cats to develop diarrhoea. So, especially in the summer, make sure your cat has enough water and doesn’t suffer from heatstroke. In addition, diarrhoea can be triggered by stress. A house move, a new family member or arrival of another cat can stress sensitive felines so much that they develop diarrhoea.
Symptoms: Other signs of Illness
Diarrhoea in cats can occur suddenly (acute) or over a longer period (chronic). There are also significant differences in accompanying symptoms.
Why Does my Cat Have Diarrhoea but Seem Fine?
While a mild food intolerance usually runs its course without any other symptoms, severe infectious diarrhoea is generally accompanied by additional signs of illness. These can sometimes severely affect the cat’s overall condition.
The following symptoms are particularly common:
altered stool consistency: watery, runny to mushy
problems/pain when passing stools
general symptoms such as weakness, tiredness and fever
further gastrointestinal complaints: loss of appetite and weight loss, nausea and vomiting, pain in the abdominal area
muscle weakness due to electrolyte loss
Diarrhoea can therefore lead to numerous additional complications in cats. That’s why you should always take persistent or particularly severe diarrhoea seriously.
When a cat has diarrhoea, it may also develop other symptoms, such as tummy pain.
Diagnosis: When Should I Take My Cat to the Vet for Diarrhoea?
You should not underestimate diarrhoea in cats. If the symptoms last longer than 24 hours or if other signs of illness appear, you should consult your vet. Significant fluid and electrolyte loss can quickly become life-threatening.
What Does the Vet Do?
For targeted treatment, a detailed discussion with you (medical history) is extremely important. Key information such as a rapid change of food, the ingestion of potentially toxic substances or the duration of the diarrhoea so far helps to make the correct diagnosis.
After taking the history, assessing the cat’s general condition is crucial. An unstable circulation must, for example, be stabilised before the vet carries out further diagnostic measures.
Special Examinations for Diarrhoea in Cats
If the cat’s circulation is stable, the vet can begin specific tests. A blood test – based on the concentration of various immune cells – reveals a great deal about the possible cause. For example, an increase in eosinophils (eosinophilia) is a sign of parasitic infestation or an allergic reaction if treatment is started too late.
In addition, a stool sample can be used to initiate parasitological, bacteriological and virological tests.
Getting to the Bottom of the Cause
Imaging procedures such as X-rays or ultrasound may also be used. This can make swallowed foreign bodies or organ changes visible. If infectious causes and poisoning are ruled out, diet-related chronic diarrhoea can be diagnosed using an elimination diet.
Treatment: What Should I Feed a Cat with Diarrhoea?
If diarrhoea starts suddenly, you should initially feed your cat a bland diet . This can consist of boiled chicken and plain rice, for example. Divide the food into several small portions, which you offer your cat throughout the day. Together with the easily digestible bland diet, this relieves the gastrointestinal tract of your cat.
What To Do if Your Cat Has Diarrhoea?
You should only use other home remedies after consulting a professional. If the diarrhoea does not improve with a bland diet within 24 hours, you should definitely see your vet.
How Can I Stop My Cat’s Diarrhoea?
Further treatment of diarrhoea in cats can then be divided into symptomatic and specific therapy.
Symptomatic Therapy:
fluid therapy (infusions) with added glucose and potassium (the latter only in severe cases after a blood test)
pain relief medication
medication against nausea (antiemetics)
assisted feeding via a tube or bland diet
medication to protect the stomach
Specific Therapy (depending on the cause):
diet-related trigger: administration of easily digestible food
infections: if necessary, antibiotics or worming treatment
poisoning: if necessary, medication to induce vomiting
positional changes: surgical measures
Prognosis: What Are the Chances of Recovery From Diarrhoea?
The prognosis for diarrhoea in cats is heavily dependent on the cause as well as the treatment. Diet-related diarrhoea usually occurs without further clinical signs and can generally be treated quickly. Acute poisoning or unfavourable positional changes of the intestine, on the other hand, can be fatal if treatment is started too late.
Prevention: How Can Diarrhoea in Cats be Avoided?
Unfortunately, you can’t prevent every cause of diarrhoea in cats. However, to minimise the risk, the following preventive measures are recommended:
regular worming or stool tests for worm infestation
change food as rarely and as gradually as possible
regular check-ups with the vet and ensuring recommended vaccinations
Conclusion: What Does Loose Stool Mean in Cats?
Diarrhoea in cats can have comparatively harmless but also serious causes. To find out what will help, you should take your feline friend to the vet. At the latest, if the diarrhoea lasts longer than 24 hours and/or additional symptoms such as tiredness appear, it’s time to visit the surgery.
Important Note: The content provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet's health, please always consult a licensed veterinarian.
At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene.
Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future.
Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.
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