How to Treat Diarrhea in Cats

Cats can face digestive problems at any time, and diarrhea is not an uncommon condition. This typically lasts for about a day before resolving on its own. However, it can sometimes extend for several days, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and lethargy. If these symptoms appear, it’s important to treat your cat with medication and review their diet.

Recognize when it’s time to visit the veterinarian. If your cat experiences diarrhea for several days, along with vomiting or symptoms of lethargy (unusual tiredness), you should take them to the vet. Call ahead and bring a stool sample in case the vet needs to perform an analysis.

Take your cat to the vet. Don't forget to bring a fresh stool sample within 12 hours. If there’s blood, it’s generally not a serious problem. However, if the stool becomes black and sticky (similar to tar), this suggests internal bleeding from the stomach, possibly due to ulcers. The veterinarian will perform a variety of tests (blood work, stool analysis for parasites, X-rays, and ultrasound) and prescribe the appropriate medication.

• If the vet identifies parasites in the stool, they will provide a suitable treatment. If there are no parasites, the vet will likely prescribe medications to slow down the diarrhea, such as Metronidazole, Prednisolone, or Tylosin.

Give the medication to your cat. Place your cat in a small room and close the door. Hold the cat securely with your left hand (if you're right-handed), and wrap it in a towel like a cocoon if your cat is comfortable with this method. Use a syringe (or an empty eye dropper) to administer the medication into the side of the cat’s mouth, giving only small amounts at a time.

• The medication must be administered directly into the cat’s mouth without spilling. Vets often provide an extra syringe or empty eye dropper when prescribing liquid medication. It’s a good idea to ask for an extra syringe or dropper just in case.
• You can also place a small amount of warm water in the cat's mouth afterward to help wash away any remaining taste of the medication.

Watch for signs of recovery. You should ask the vet how long it will take for your cat’s condition to improve. Some chronic conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), require long-term medication, possibly for months or even the cat’s entire life. If the treatment is effective, the diarrhea should improve or completely resolve.

• Common signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats include weight loss, dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. The vet will run tests to determine if your cat has IBD, chronic diarrhea linked to intestinal cancer, or simply regular diarrhea.

Change your cat’s food. If diarrhea lasts for more than a day due to a food change or the introduction of a new diet, the cause is likely the change itself. You should return to the old food that didn’t cause any issues, and the cat’s stool will return to normal. Once the stool becomes firm again, you can gradually introduce the new food by adding small portions at a time.

Observe the symptoms of food allergies in cats. If you suspect that your cat is allergic to certain food, you should gradually introduce a new type of food. Food sensitivity (allergy) can occur in cats and may lead to diarrhea. Therefore, when switching to a new diet, ensure that the new food contains different ingredients from the old one; otherwise, the allergy issue will persist.

• Your vet might recommend feeding your cat foods high in fiber. This type of diet is usually prescribed and available only through veterinary channels, not pet stores. Pet food companies like Royal Canin, Hill's Prescription Diets, and Purina manufacture specialized foods for pets suffering from health conditions.

Introduce a new diet gradually. For some pets, it's important to slowly incorporate new food into their meals. A suitable ratio would be 90% of the current food and 10% of the new one. Gradually increase the amount of new food until the switch is complete within 10 days. Keep an eye on your cat to determine how long it will take to fully transition to the new food.

• For others, you might need to add 10% of the new food and maintain this ratio for 3-5 days before increasing to the next 10%. This is a process that takes time, not a race for speed.

Use Metamucil. Add half a teaspoon of flavorless Metamucil to your cat's food once or twice a day for 5-7 days to improve their condition. Alternatively, you can use canned pumpkin, which has a similar effect. Both Metamucil and canned pumpkin are high in fiber.

Add probiotics to your cat's food. Probiotics provide beneficial gut bacteria to support the digestive system and help balance out the system causing diarrhea. You can use FortiFlora, which is easy to digest and has a flavor that appeals to cats. Purina's product is readily available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies.

Ensure your cat stays hydrated. Dehydration can become severe alongside diarrhea, and your cat may be at risk of water deficiency. To check for signs of dehydration, gently pull on the loose skin at the back of their neck. If the skin immediately returns to its normal state, your cat is adequately hydrated. If the skin returns slowly or doesn't return to normal, your cat is dehydrated. You should take your cat to the vet immediately.

• If possible, you should try to identify the source of the diarrhea to prevent it from recurring. Hyperthyroidism, food allergies, kidney failure, cancer, poisoning (from houseplants, rodenticides, human medications, etc.), and parasites can all be causes of diarrhea. Your vet will need to run tests to pinpoint the cause.
• Stress can also contribute to diarrhea. Changes in the environment, such as a new owner, the arrival of a new pet, or moving to a new place, can make a cat feel depressed. Feliway, an OTC product, can help alleviate stress. In severe cases, your cat may require prescription medication. You should consult your vet for the best advice.
• If your cat goes outside, you should check if they are eating at a neighbor's house. Overeating or eating unfamiliar food can cause diarrhea.
• Check both your yard and your neighbor's for any poisonous plants your cat might have eaten. Your vet can provide a list of toxic plants to help you identify any dangers easily.
• You should use newspaper or absorbent pads to make cleaning easier.
• Keep your cat in a room without carpets and provide food, water, and a bed until they feel better. This will make cleaning up easier, but it shouldn't be done if it causes additional stress to your cat.

• Do not scold your cat when they are sick. They cannot control the situation, and extreme stress will only make things worse.
• Veterinarians now warn that Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate can be toxic to cats due to salicylate poisoning. You should consult your vet about the proper medications and dosage based on your cat's weight and age.
• If any member of your household has diarrhea, you should take your cat to the vet and ensure the person sees a doctor immediately. Certain parasites (like giardia and toxoplasmosis), which are invisible to the naked eye, can be transmitted to humans (zoonotic diseases) and are difficult to eliminate. These parasites can harm the health of young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.