What to feed a cat with diarrhea: best food choices

For pet owners with cats, it is inevitable that they will encounter cat diarrhea. How should you handle your cat’s diet when your cat has diarrhea? The specific treatment usually depends on the cause of the cat’s diarrhea and the presence of other health conditions. HsViko has reviewed relevant information and consulted with veterinarians to compile a list of dietary treatments for cats with diarrhea for you.

Causes of Cat Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common health problem in cats and can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, infection, intestinal problems, and stress.

Dietary issues: food allergies, food intolerances, eating expired or spoiled food, and eating human food can cause diarrhea in cats.

Infections: Viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other infections may cause diarrhea in cats. Common viruses include feline coronavirus, adenovirus, etc.; bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, etc.; and parasites such as whipworms and coccidia. In addition to altering the consistency of cat feces, these bacterial infections can lead to bloody or tarry diarrhea, weight loss, and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.

Intestinal problems: Inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal tumors may also cause diarrhea in cats.

Stress reaction: environmental changes, vaccination, deworming, special times, etc. may cause stress reactions in cats, leading to diarrhea.

Should I starve my cat with diarrhea?

You may have heard, “It is recommended that animals with diarrhea be starved for 24 to 48 hours to give their intestines a break from working.”

Nowadays, it is more recommended to continue feeding your cat without stopping. Feeding your cat food properly will allow their digestive system to function properly, as well as provide them with the nutrients they need to function properly and return to normal function. Consistent feeding is especially important for cats; cats that do not eat for 3–4 days can suffer from impaired liver function, which can be extremely damaging to your beloved pet!

Is wet or dry food better for cats with diarrhea?

Typically, wet food is friendlier for cats with diarrhea. This is because wet food contains more water than dry food, and since cats are inherently non-drinkers, feeding wet cat food to cats with diarrhea helps to hydrate them. Is wet cat food good for cats?

What is the best food for cats with diarrhea?

For most cats suffering from diarrhea, your veterinarian will prefer to recommend feeding your cat a light diet. Because cats have a lower tolerance for dietary fiber and a higher need for protein and fat, it is often recommended to feed your cat boiled chicken breasts. This is because chicken breast has a limited nutrient profile, even though it does not meet all of your cat’s nutritional needs. However, for one or two days, this is not too much of a concern for your cat’s health. Below are some suitable, light diets for cats with diarrhea:

Easy-to-digest foods: such as white rice, cooked chicken breast, or fish, can reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines and help relieve diarrhea.

Low-fat food: High-fat food may aggravate the symptoms of diarrhea, so it is recommended to choose low-fat food.

Probiotic supplements: Probiotics have a positive effect on relieving cat diarrhea symptoms, improving the intestinal environment, boosting immunity, and promoting digestion.

Electrolytes: Cats with diarrhea can lose a lot of water and even become dehydrated. Electrolytes are nutrients such as sodium, potassium, and chloride that help your cat’s body regulate chemical reactions and maintain a balance between fluids inside and outside the cells.

Metamucil: Metamucil is a safe dietary supplement for cats that increases stool quality and can be used to treat or prevent diarrhea.

Water: Providing fresh water and encouraging your cat to drink enough will keep your cat hydrated and prevent dehydration.

Anti-diarrhea medications: These medications are designed to relieve your cat’s symptoms of indigestion and shorten the duration of diarrhea episodes. While some medications can be purchased at pet stores, we strongly recommend consulting your veterinarian before giving them to your cat.

For some pet owners who don’t want to manually cook chicken breasts for their cats or have limited access to making food for their cats. You can also opt for a purely formulated chicken breast Treats for cats. Or seek help from your veterinarian to formulate a prescription diet for your cat that is full of nutrients, easy to digest, and with nutrients that are easily absorbed.

What shouldn’t I feed my cat with diarrhea?

Dry food: the high fiber and protein in dry food may irritate the intestines and aggravate your cat’s diarrhea symptoms.

Raw meat and fish: raw meat is usually not safe. It can carry a lot of bacteria and viruses and may make diarrhea worse if you feed your cat raw meat.

High-fat foods: such as eggs, have a high concentration of fat in egg yolks, which can cause diarrhea to worsen. In addition, they are not easily digested and should be avoided during diarrhea.

Dairy products: Most adult cats are lactose intolerant, lacking the enzyme needed to digest lactose (the main sugar lactose). Cats have difficulty digesting dairy products. Feeding your cat milk may cause diarrhea to become more severe.

Caffeinated foods and beverages: caffeine may irritate your cat’s intestinal tract and worsen diarrhea symptoms.

Human foods: especially those containing additives, preservatives, flavorings, and other ingredients that may adversely affect your cat’s intestines.

When should I take my cat to the vet?

You should take your cat to the veterinarian if your cat has the following conditions in addition to diarrhea:

Prolonged diarrhea: If your cat’s diarrhea persists for more than 2-3 days and shows no signs of resolving on its own, it’s a good idea to take them to the vet.

Accompanied by other symptoms: If the diarrhea is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, fever (body temperature over 40 °C), dehydration (loss of skin elasticity, sunken eyes, etc.), significant weight loss (over 10%), obvious abdominal pain or discomfort, etc., these are all indications for urgent medical attention.

Severe diarrhea: If the cat’s diarrhea is very severe, with blood or mucus in the stools, or the stools are very thin and frequent, this may indicate that the cat’s intestinal tract has been seriously damaged and requires immediate medical attention.

Cat in poor condition: If the cat is depressed, has lost its appetite, is unable to move normally, or shows obvious pain, these are all signs of urgent medical attention.

Unresponsive to treatment: If you have tried some home remedies (e.g., dietary adjustments, electrolyte supplementation, etc.) but your cat’s diarrhea symptoms have not significantly improved or have even worsened, then you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

FAQs

Is wet food good for cats with diarrhea?

Wet food is usually good for cats with diarrhea. Wet food has a high water content, which helps to replace the water lost due to diarrhea and prevent dehydration. At the same time, wet food is softer and easier to digest, which reduces the burden on the cat’s stomach and intestines and helps to alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea.

References:
https://www.petactivelife.com/what-to-feed-a-cat-with-diarrhoea/
https://www.veterinarians.org/what-to-feed-a-cat-with-diarrhea/