Causes of diarrhea in cats, what does the color and frequency of stool mean? Treatment at home. What can you give a cat for diarrhea at home: medicines and folk methods

Diarrhea, or diarrhea, in cats is a problem that is usually characterized by frequent defecation of liquid stool. This phenomenon is often observed in animals, but is not at all normal, and therefore it is important for owners to know how to treat diarrhea in a cat at home - and under what circumstances it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Why does diarrhea occur?

Diarrhea is not just loose and frequent bowel movements, but also abdominal pain, often nausea and weakness. It is often accompanied by a lack of appetite, fever and other unpleasant symptoms, the worst of which is dehydration, which can lead to the death of the pet.

Sometimes a cat can get diarrhea, even if he lives in good conditions and is completely healthy. Typically, diarrhea (it can be easily treated at home) is caused by everyday, completely harmless reasons:

Incorrect nutrition, exotic food for the cat, changing water or food, overeating - in these cases the cat has indigestion.
Consumption of low-quality feed or spoiled food, food poisoning.
Kittens may experience diarrhea during the period of weaning from mother's milk - usually in this case the disorder does not require treatment and goes away on its own.
Motion sickness in transport during a long trip.
Stress.

Household causes are not dangerous to the health of the animal. In this case, you can safely treat your cat’s diarrhea at home if it:

repeats no more than 3-5 times per day;
has no impurities in the form of mucus or blood, or a sharp unbearable odor;
has a “normal” color – i.e. brown.

In other cases, as well as in cases where diarrhea affects a pregnant cat or kitten, it is necessary not to treat your pet on your own, but to contact a veterinarian so that he can prescribe the correct treatment, which you will carry out at home - and as soon as possible! The doctor's recommendations must be followed strictly.

How to help a cat yourself

First of all, during the treatment process, it is necessary to put the pet on a fasting diet for 1 day (for kittens, the maximum period of fasting cannot exceed 12 hours), but provide access to clean drinking water, as well as complete rest. In case of mild intestinal disorders, this treatment at home is sufficient - the cat should feel better the next day.

If there is a possibility that diarrhea is caused by poisoning from a spoiled product, you can induce vomiting in the cat yourself or take it to the clinic for gastric lavage.

You also need to ask yourself what could be causing your cat's diarrhea.

Treatment of diarrhea in cats at home should include the following::

It is necessary to return the cat to its usual water (if it has recently been changed), and also to exclude unusual or inappropriate foods from its diet, for example, milk (in adult cats it often causes diarrhea due to the lack of enzymes necessary for digestion), fatty foods, fish and etc.
If deworming was carried out more than 3 months ago, the cat should be given an anthelmintic drug.
To reduce intoxication of the body twice a day, it is necessary to give the cat activated carbon dissolved in a small amount of water (the dosage is calculated in the same way as for a person - 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight), give Enterosgel (1 tsp 2 times a day). day) or drink “Smecta” according to the instructions.
To avoid dehydration, you need to give your cat a drink (or instead of water) with Regidron solution (strictly according to the instructions!). You can also use warm, slightly salted water (no more than a teaspoon per liter) or slightly salted chamomile infusion. In more severe cases, it will be necessary to inject the cat with Ringer's solution. It is best to drink a cat through a syringe without playing - you need to inject the liquid little by little, inserting the nozzle of the syringe into the cat’s oral cavity through the corner of the mouth.
To relieve your cat of abdominal pain, you can offer her antispasmodics - for example, a quarter of a tablet of No-shpa or Papaverine once a day.
Once your cat's condition improves, she can be gradually introduced to soft, low-carbohydrate foods. Boiled chicken or, for example, canned meat for children is suitable. It is important to feed your pet often, but in small portions - and not give the usual amount of food. Maximum - half, otherwise it may re-provoke diarrhea.
You can give medications that will help restore the intestinal microflora - for example, Linex or Furazolidone (1/6 tablet 2 times a day for 3 days). However, to treat a cat for diarrhea, it is better to use such drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
To help the intestines start working correctly, it is best to give the cat rice water for the first time after the cat’s condition has eased - it will help establish peristalsis.

If a cat’s stool contains impurities (mucus, blood), they have an unusual color, smell, the cat is lethargic and its mucous membranes are pale, if treatment of diarrhea in a cat at home does not bring results for more than three days, it is necessary not to risk the pet’s health and go immediately see a doctor!

Correct prevention

Preventing diarrhea will help avoid such an unpleasant problem as diarrhea in cats. Prevention includes keeping your cat’s bowls, tray, beds and toys clean, following a feeding schedule, selecting a balanced diet (dry food or natural food), annual vaccinations, and most importantly, regular deworming of your pet!

Normal cat stool should be formed, moist, slightly soft, brown in color, without any red or other inclusions. Diarrhea is a gastrointestinal disorder in cats. In addition to the fact that this causes physical discomfort to the pet, diarrhea signals severe poisoning of the body, and prolonged release of loose stool leads to dehydration. Diarrhea is accompanied by abdominal pain and itching in the anus, causing even greater discomfort for the cat.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea and abdominal pain are symptoms of rather unpleasant changes in the body. Most often, loose stool appears after the cat has eaten fatty food, or the owner has given more than necessary portion.

But there are other problems that cause diarrhea, and they are much more dangerous. In this case, treatment should not be postponed under any circumstances.

Here is a list of the main reasons that cause diarrhea in cats:

Can diarrhea be cured at home?

Diarrhea in many cases can be treated at home, unless it is a tumor, internal bleeding or poisoning with toxic substances. In these cases, you need to urgently consult a doctor for tests and a thorough examination; a person without veterinary education, medications and medical equipment will not be able to cope with such a problem on his own!

Cats are considered aristocratic gourmets, as they are particularly picky and characterful. That is why, if the animal does not have chronic diseases, such a symptom as diarrhea appears extremely rarely. If it develops, the owner is obliged to pay maximum attention to the pet to help him. It is not very wise to start self-medication, since...

Diarrhea in a cat is not difficult to identify - it is usually frequent bowel movements.

Diarrhea is stool that has a liquid consistency.

Diarrhea is generally associated with frequent bowel movements, however, this is a misconception. Many cats drink too much water, causing water to pass out in their feces. In simple words, the consistency of stool in cats can be mixed and liquid, but the constant indicator is the number of these feces. The cause of diarrhea in cats is an excess amount of water in the stool, and this already indicates a problem related to the functioning of the intestines.

Main causes of diarrhea

If your pet develops diarrhea, it is important to remember that it is an acid-base disorder and also causes electrolyte imbalance.

In this situation, you should understand the reason for the cat’s poor health, then begin treatment in consultation with a veterinarian.

What to do if your cat has diarrhea at home

Proper treatment of diarrhea will allow your pet to quickly forget about its problem.

If such a situation affects your pet, you should take all necessary measures to eliminate it. First, you need to remove all food from the cat and water it more often.

The optimal solution for drinking in case of diarrhea is a five percent glucose solution. It is injected into the pet's mouth using a syringe, but without a needle.

As for folk remedies, the walls of chicken stomachs, previously crushed and dried, are excellent. This is due to the fact that such walls contain digestive enzymes that can stop diarrhea in cats.

Diarrhea with blood

Fresh quail eggs are an excellent folk remedy for diarrhea.

The best folk remedies for diarrhea in cats:

chamomile decoction;

fresh quail egg, beaten with a little sugar;

herbal teas, as well as black sweet tea;

decoction of yarrow, chokeberry;

decoction of flax seeds or oatmeal.

In addition to folk remedies, there are special medicines that can help resolve a delicate situation.

If you do not have the opportunity to use such products, they sell them at the pharmacy Enterosan. This powder is diluted in water, then given to the pet to drink.

What to give a cat for diarrhea

Before giving your cat any medications, you should consult a veterinarian.

Ordinary and Smecta. If all of the above methods do not help, you should give the cat medicine, otherwise take it to the veterinarian.

Phthalazole and other drugs

Diarrhea tablets

Considered an excellent remedy for diarrhea Phthalazole in tablets. Dosage ¼ of one tablet twice a day. The following drugs to restore intestinal microflora can cope with this delicate problem:

Lactobacterin;

Bificol;

Probifor.

If an infection is found

If the cause of this disorder in a cat is an infection, then antibacterial and antimicrobial agents cannot be avoided. These include:

Linux;

Nifuroxazide;

Furazolidone.

It is not recommended to treat a cat yourself with antibiotics, as it can be significantly harmed. As for the tablets Furazolidone , then one piece is divided into six equal parts and given to the pet twice a day for three days.

More serious medications

Metronidazole can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. Using it incorrectly can harm your cat!

There are more. They can only be prescribed by a veterinarian, as they have many side effects. These medications include: Levomycytin, Metronidazole.

In the video, a veterinarian gives advice on how to treat diarrhea in a cat at home.

Conclusion

As you know, it is much more difficult to give a cat medicine than a child. The cat perceives such treatment as a manifestation of aggression on the part of the owner. As for available means, a syringe without a needle can help you. If you cannot get the medicine into your pet's mouth, take him to the vet immediately.

Digestive disorders in pets are not a rare occurrence. Veterinarians confirm that at least a quarter of calls are related specifically to diarrhea. This does not take into account the fact that most owners do not ask for help, but wait until the problem resolves itself.

The duration and intensity of the disease depends on the causes that caused it. And they can be very serious. For example, viral enteritis kills an animal in a matter of days. Therefore, at the first symptoms you need to consult a doctor. It is very difficult to confuse them with something: the cat begins to run to the litter box several times a day, and his bowel movements are watery or mushy. Before deciding what to give your cat for diarrhea, let's first understand what is behind this phenomenon.

Warning signs

If diagnosing constipation can be difficult, then everything is very clear here. Frequent loose stools are difficult to interpret in any other way. In addition, additional symptoms may be present:

urge to defecate;
flatulence;
mucus or blood in the stool.

Usually in such cases, the owners only go through the home first aid kit, wondering what to give the cat for diarrhea. If the pet is cheerful and active, then such behavior can be considered justified. It’s another matter when other symptoms appear:

loss of appetite;
weight loss;
dehydration;
fever;
lethargy;
vomit.

In such cases, you can no longer hesitate. Especially if you see that the diarrhea is an unnatural color: red, green or black.

Duration of symptoms

If diarrhea started today, you can call your veterinarian and ask what to give your cat for diarrhea. An isolated case is not a cause for alarm, and the doctor may recommend some mild remedy that may help. If after two days there is no visible improvement, then this already indicates a more serious and advanced problem.

Conventionally, diarrhea in cats is divided into three types:

Acute - ends in a few hours or days.
Chronic - if diarrhea lasts more than a week.
Intermittent - if it periodically bothers you for a month or more.

You definitely need to remember what happened in recent days. Perhaps you changed your pet's diet or treated him to something new, previously unfamiliar. If the reason was improper feeding, then you don’t even have to worry too much and don’t rack your brains over the question “what to give a cat for diarrhea.” If you follow a diet and drink enough fluid, all symptoms go away on their own, and quite quickly.

Causes of the disease

Very often, veterinarians are faced with the fact that owners begin treatment at home, without thinking that the situation may be much more serious than it seems at first glance. So let's talk about what may be underlying this phenomenon.

Poisoning is the first thing owners think about.
Overeating. This is also a very likely reason. Especially if the cat was fed food that was too fatty and unsuitable for it.
Poor nutrition. This has already been touched upon above. Often the mustachios are fed with soup or milk. In fact, cats are predators. They need meat and fish.
Worm diseases. Every 6 months it is necessary to carry out prevention, namely: give your pet special medications for worms.
Food allergies. Most often it is for chicken, buckwheat, and sometimes fish. But such a reaction rarely occurs suddenly. But if you gave a new product for the first time, then such a result is quite possible.
Infectious disease.
Intestinal disease.
Psycho-emotional disorder. This may be due to relocation, intense employment of the beloved owner, and a number of other factors.

When to start treatment

This is a question that seriously worries every owner who does not have a medical education. If diarrhea is complicated by other symptoms, that is, vomiting, fever and dehydration, a fasting diet for one to two days is the most appropriate treatment for your furry pet. It is advisable to reduce the amount of water you drink and provide the patient with complete rest.

If diarrhea continues for a week or more, then this is a reason to consult a veterinarian. In this case, it is necessary to conduct research, because the body becomes severely dehydrated, which only aggravates the animal’s condition.

If diarrhea occurs without complications

First of all, let's talk about what you can give your cat for diarrhea if his condition is quite satisfactory. Activated carbon is great for this step. Do not try to stop diarrhea with antibiotics - it is necessary in order to remove toxins from the body. Another question is how they got into it.

It is one thing if it is food poisoning, and quite another if the cause lies in helminthic infestations, pathologies of internal organs and other disturbances in the normal functioning of the body. It is also necessary to take into account that each cat is individual, and the same symptoms may indicate different ailments. Therefore, to find out the reasons, you need to contact specialists.

You must be prepared to seek qualified help in case of any complication. If the feces have acquired an unusual appearance, smell or color, and the diarrhea does not stop for several days, know that you will not be able to cure your pet on your own.

Diarrhea with water

Quite often, owners are frightened by this phenomenon, and they begin to frantically figure out what pills to give their cat for diarrhea. In fact, copious watery discharge indicates a minor, one-time problem. However, this may also be the first symptom of a developing disease. Therefore, it is better to contact a veterinarian. If this is not possible, do the following:

If only diarrhea is observed, without vomiting, then give your pet boiled water. This will prevent dehydration.
It is better not to give food at all until the condition improves.
Now it’s time to talk about what to give your cat for diarrhea at home. At this stage, it is permissible to begin treatment with adsorbents. An excellent choice would be "Smecta".

In what cases does an adsorbent help?

First of all, let's find out what this substance is. As we have already said, Smecta is perfect for relieving symptoms, since it is the strongest adsorbent. The substances included in its composition help the body get rid of toxins. It is recommended to be used in the following cases:

If there was a sudden change in feed.
After eating fried and smoked foods.
In case of poisoning with a low-quality product.
For stress that affects intestinal motility.
When toxic substances enter the body. "Smecta" ties them up and takes them out.
The presence of substances in food that cause an allergic reaction.
After motion sickness in transport.

How does Smecta act on a cat’s body?

Veterinarians know well how important it is to stop the absorption of toxic substances in time. Therefore, they answer in the affirmative the question of whether it is possible to give a cat “Smecta” for diarrhea. The active ingredient of this drug is diomexit. It is a clay mineral that consists of aluminum oxide and silicon. It has a strong adsorbing effect.

Experts especially note the high fluidity of the drug, which helps coat the mucous membranes of the digestive organs. If you are thinking about what medicine to give your cat for diarrhea, then there is no better option. "Smecta" does not harm the body because it is not absorbed into the blood, but acts only in the intestines. The drug has the following effects:

Protects the intestinal walls from bile and acid, as well as toxins.
Stimulates the production of mucus in the stomach and intestines.

How to give Smecta to a cat with diarrhea

The dosage will be prescribed individually, but there are general recommendations, which we will discuss below. A suspension is used to treat animals. Thanks to its natural composition, it has no contraindications and does not interfere with intestinal motility. For any intestinal pathology, you can safely give your pet Smecta. If there is no improvement, you need to go to the veterinarian. But it definitely won't get worse.

To prepare the medicinal solution, you will need boiled water (50 g) and a bag of Smecta. Each contains 3 g of the drug. To eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea, you also need to prepare a syringe and a towel. Dilute the powder in water and stir vigorously.

Age and individual characteristics

These are the factors that need to be taken into account. Of course, a one-month-old kitten and an adult cat weighing 8 kg require different amounts of the drug. Therefore, how much Smecta to give to a cat for diarrhea can only be determined upon examination of the animal. However, there is a general formula for kittens that recommends giving 2 ml of solution for each kilogram of body weight. It should be taken into account that the animal will definitely spit out part of the solution. For an adult cat, the dosage should be at least 5 ml per kilogram.

Introduction Features

Now comes the hard part. Let's look at how to give Smecta to a cat with diarrhea. To cure your pet, you will need to use a regular 2 cc syringe. see. Fill it with slurry and release excess air. After this, you can proceed directly to the introduction:

Wrap the animal in a towel so that it does not resist.
You should not force him to unclench his jaws, as this can injure your pet. It is enough to raise your upper lip.
Now carefully insert the syringe through the teeth.
After a successful infusion, hold your head up.
Stroking the neck will help the swallowing process.
Only after this can you begin to administer the next portion.

Contraindications

In what cases should you stop using this drug? Veterinarians say that contraindications are very rare, but they cannot be completely excluded. So, “Smecta” cannot be used in the following cases:

The pet is highly sensitive to the components of the drug.
The pet suffers from constipation. "Smecta" slows down the movement of feces through the intestines.
If the animal suffers from intestinal obstruction.
If your pet has a high temperature.

Before giving Smecta, check the temperature. To do this, insert the thermometer into the anus. Normal values should not exceed 38.5 degrees.

Use of "Loperamide"

It is a popular medicine for treating diarrhea. It is sold in a regular pharmacy and is inexpensive. But veterinarians rarely prescribe it to cats. It is necessary to first find out the reason why the animal suffers from diarrhea. If it is helminthic infestation or colitis, the patient needs complex treatment. The important thing here is not just to prevent dehydration, but to eradicate the cause. Diarrhea can be deadly.

How does Loperamide work?

So, is it possible to give a cat Loperamide for diarrhea? To understand, you need to have a good understanding of how this medicine works. In fact, its spectrum of action is quite narrow. The drug stops peristalsis. That is, it will not cure diarrhea, but simply stop the removal of intestinal contents from the body.

The option is not the best, because if feces are not excreted for a long time, the animal begins to become intoxicated. This means that harmful substances from the feces are gradually absorbed into the blood and spread throughout the body, poisoning the animal from the inside. So you can’t get carried away with this drug. You can give your cat "Loperamide" for diarrhea solely for hygienic purposes, for example, if you need to get to the veterinary clinic on public transport. But this is an emergency measure that does not provide anything to cure your animal.

Instead of a conclusion

Thus, we can conclude that there are not many resources to help your pet. First of all, this is therapeutic fasting and gentle nutrition during recovery. For a single case of diarrhea, you can give activated charcoal. If the situation does not improve, then change it to Smecta. You can observe your pet for two days. If he feels better, he eats and plays, then we can finish the course of treatment. Any of the additional symptoms (vomiting, fever, lethargy) should be a reason to refuse self-treatment and contact a veterinarian.

Separately, I would like to say about such drugs as “Loperamide” and “Cerucal”. Both are designed to slow down the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The first is prescribed to block vomiting, and the second to stop diarrhea. They have a huge disadvantage. Both vomiting and diarrhea do not start just like that, but serve as a way to cleanse the body of toxins. When they are artificially blocked, intoxication progresses.

That, in fact, is all that can be given to a cat for diarrhea at home without harm to its body. An antibiotic, including the beloved Levomycytin, should be prescribed strictly according to indications. Such drugs also have harmful effects on the body. And if the cause of diarrhea is a viral infection, then you further weaken the body’s defenses and hasten the death of your pet. Don't ignore the need to see a veterinarian. A specialist is more competent and knows exactly what can be given to a cat for diarrhea.

Diarrhea in cats and cats is common. But this does not mean that you can lose sight of the situation and wait for it to go away on its own. Diarrhea in a cat may indicate the presence of serious illnesses. If your pet has regular, unformed stools, he may have simply overate or contracted an infection.

The disorder is easy to identify. The pet often performs defecation, and the feces can be liquid, watery or pasty.

The color and smell will also differ from the norm. The owner should definitely contact a veterinarian with a similar problem. The cat is very picky and capricious in choosing food, so stool upset should alert you.

Problems with stool occur for various reasons. It could be simply overeating or a dangerous infection that poses a threat to the cat's life.

Diarrhea occurs when:

Sometimes short-term diarrhea appears if the cat experiences a stressful situation. Regardless of what caused the stomach upset, your actions when your cat experiences diarrhea should be immediate. Call a veterinarian or take your pet to the clinic yourself.

Main symptoms

We often do not attach importance to such things as stool upset or vomiting in animals. This can cause serious complications and even death. Treatment of diarrhea in a cat requires a special approach and compliance with all recommendations of specialists.

The owner should be wary if he notices such manifestations in his pet:

Unshaped chair;
Frequent attempts to defecate;
Unusual color and smell of feces;
Blood in the stool.

Concomitant signs of the disease may also appear. Lack of appetite, vomiting, fever, sudden weight loss, lethargy, drowsiness, etc.

If you notice green or black stools with blood in them, contact your veterinarian immediately. In such a situation, you cannot waste time, so as not to worsen the pet’s situation.

Treatment at home

If a one-time disorder occurs caused by stress or overeating, it is necessary to put the cat on a one-day diet. Over the next few days, reduce the portions and soon your pet will quickly get rid of the disease at home.

The veterinarian prescribes the necessary medications to eliminate the problem.

The presence of mucous discharge and blood during bowel movements indicates damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The cause may be poor quality food, expired food or plants that cause irritation. If there is little blood, it is enough to keep your pet on a one-day fast.

In case of heavy black discharge, you should urgently go to the doctor.

The presence of green feces indicates a putrefactive process that develops in the cat’s body. This happens due to the consumption of carrion or expired products. In this case, you need to induce vomiting in the animal, give a hepatoprotector and take it to a veterinary clinic.

White, yellow or orange diarrhea indicates a malfunction of organs, a deficiency or excess of certain substances. In this case, a thorough examination and drug therapy will help.

Drug treatment

To help your cat get rid of diarrhea, you can give special medications. But it’s better not to get carried away with them yourself. It is better to discuss any means with your doctor first. If similar situations have already arisen, it is worth keeping tablets and drops in your medicine cabinet in case of relapse.

Among the effective medications that a veterinarian prescribes to treat diarrhea are the following:

In severe cases, chemotherapy may be necessary.

Diet for diarrhea in cats

On the first day, go on a fast. But it is necessary to give a lot of water. In the future, eliminate dairy products from your diet and limit your consumption of starch. For several days, the animal’s menu contains only light, low-fat food. The number and size of portions also need to be reduced.

Feed your cat 4-5 times a day. You can immediately add medications to your food. During this period, it is best to give your pet boiled chicken meat, yolk and porridge. To diversify your pet's diet, use special canned food.

Returning to a normal diet is possible only after complete recovery with the consent of the doctor. This usually takes a week.