Katzendurchfall: Alles, was Sie wissen müssen

Decoding Cat Diarrhea

At SnuggleSouls, we understand that seeing your beloved feline companion experience diarrhea can be incredibly distressing. It’s a common issue, and we want to assure you that you are not alone in navigating this challenge.

Our mission is to empower you, our cherished cat parents, with the knowledge and confidence to understand, manage, and prevent this condition.

We believe that with the right information and a proactive approach, you can transform moments of concern into opportunities for proactive care, ensuring your cat lives a comfortable and healthy life.

Understanding your cat’s digestive health is paramount to their overall well-being. Diarrhea is more than just an inconvenience; it is often a significant signal from your cat’s body, indicating that something within their delicate digestive system, or even their broader health, is out of balance.

A healthy feline digestive system efficiently processes food, absorbs vital nutrients, and maintains a balanced gut microbiome. When this intricate system is disrupted, it can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, affecting their comfort, energy levels, and nutrient absorption.

Our aim is to provide practical, actionable advice that you can use immediately to support your cat.

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse:

· Identify diarrhea early: Loose, watery stool in your cat is never “just normal.” We explain why it happens and when it’s serious.

· Watch stool color: Yellow, green, bloody or mucous-covered poop can signal specific problems (liver, infection, bleeding).

· Common causes: Diet changes, parasites, infections, toxins, stress or chronic illnesses (IBD, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease) can all cause diarrhea in cats.

· Kitten diarrhea: Kittens get diarrhea easily (sensitive stomachs). Avoid cow’s milk, introduce new food gradually, and deworm regularly.

- Home care: We recommend gentle remedies—bland diet (boiled chicken & rice), canned pumpkin (fiber), probiotics, and plenty of fresh water. Always introduce diet changes slowly to prevent upset.

· When to see a vet: Seek veterinary care if diarrhea lasts >24–48 hours, or if it’s bloody, yellow, contains mucus, is accompanied by vomiting or lethargy, or if your cat is very young, old or ill.

- Chronic issues: Chronic diarrhea (lasting weeks) often means a deeper problem requiring diagnosis (inflammatory disease, organ issues or cancer). Your vet may run tests, prescribe a special diet or medications.

- Preventive steps: Keep routines steady—transition food slowly, avoid table scraps or toxins, maintain parasite control and ensure regular vet check-ups to prevent recurrent diarrhea.

Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea?

Diarrhea in cats is never normal—it’s a symptom, not a disease. We know as pet experts how worrying it is to see your cat with loose or watery stool.

Many factors can cause it, ranging from something harmless to a life-threatening illness. For example, a simple upset stomach might clear up on its own, but persistent or severe diarrhea needs attention.

Kittens, elderly cats, pregnant cats, and cats with chronic diseases (like kidney or heart problems) are especially vulnerable. In these pets, diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration or malnutrition. We always tell cat parents: if diarrhea isn’t better in about a day (24 hours), call your vet.

Also watch for vomiting plus diarrhea. Vomiting together with loose stool is a red flag. That combination is never routine – it could mean an obstruction, poisoning, organ failure or other serious disease.

In short, we urge you to take note: if your cat’s stool is watery or has changed dramatically, and especially if your cat seems unwell, reach out to a veterinarian promptly.

What is Cat Diarrhea? Defining the Basics

Recognizing the signs of diarrhea in your cat begins with understanding what constitutes normal stool. Typically, a healthy cat’s stool is well-formed, moist, and brown. It should hold its shape when picked up and not leave excessive residue.

Any significant deviation from these characteristics, such as loose or liquid consistency, an increased amount or frequency of bowel movements, or unusual coloration, indicates diarrhea.

We encourage you to pay close attention to these changes, as consistency is a primary indicator of your cat’s digestive health.  

Acute vs. Chronic Diarrhea: What’s the Difference?

Diarrhea in cats can manifest in two primary forms based on its duration: acute or chronic.

- Acute diarrhea comes on quickly and often resolves in a few days. Common acute causes are diet changes, a transient infection, or a one-time ingestion of something bad.

Often the cat will still act okay otherwise (eating and playing), and with simple home care it can clear up. For example, if Fluffy got into some people food at a picnic, we might treat it as a short upset.

· Chronic diarrhea is diarrhea lasting more than 2–3 weeks. Chronic cases are usually a sign of underlying disease (like IBD, organ dysfunction, or chronic infections). Chronic diarrhea should prompt a vet visit for diagnosis (stool tests, bloodwork, imaging).

Veterinary guidelines say that most acute diarrhea can be managed at home initially, but if it doesn’t improve in 2–3 days, call the vet (to rule out complicating factors). Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, always needs professional assessment and possibly long-term management.

We emphasize: don’t ignore a 3-week run of diarrhea. It could be breaking down your cat’s body through dehydration, malnutrition or toxin absorption.

The Fecal Scorecard: A Visual Guide to Your Cat’s Stool

We believe that observing your cat’s stool is one of the most direct and informative ways to monitor their digestive health. Using a standardized fecal scoring system can help you communicate your observations accurately and objectively to your veterinarian, moving beyond subjective descriptions like “really runny” to precise assessments.

This objective assessment is crucial for accurate diagnosis and for monitoring the effectiveness of any treatment plan.

Here is the SnuggleSouls Fecal Scorecard for Cats, adapted from veterinary guidelines, to help you evaluate your cat’s stool:

Note: When the consistency of the stools is not homogenous, always record the higher (more liquid) score.  

Common Causes of Cat Diarrhea

Diarrhea in cats can stem from a wide array of causes, ranging from simple dietary upsets to more complex underlying health conditions. Understanding these potential triggers is the first step toward effective management and prevention.

Dietary Factors: The First Suspect

Often, the simplest explanation for a sudden bout of diarrhea lies in your cat’s diet.

Sudden Diet Changes and Overeating

A common and frequently self-limiting cause of acute diarrhea is an abrupt change in your cat’s food or overeating. The delicate balance of their intestinal environment can be easily upset by rapid transitions between different food formulations.

To prevent this, we always recommend a slow, gradual transition from the old food to the new over a period of 7 to 10 days, gradually increasing the new food and decreasing the old each day.  

Dietary Indiscretion

Cats, despite their reputation for pickiness, can sometimes ingest things they shouldn’t. Eating table scraps, spoiled food, rummaging through trash, or even consuming other pets’ food can lead to significant digestive upset.

While typically mild and resolving within 24-72 hours, such indiscretions highlight the “Dietary Domino Effect” – where one dietary misstep can trigger a cascade of gastrointestinal issues.

This emphasizes the profound impact of diet on feline digestive health and positions careful feeding practices as a crucial preventative measure.

Food Sensitivities or Allergies

Chronic adverse reactions to specific food ingredients can emerge at any time, even if a cat has been on the same diet for years.

These are distinct from acute indiscretions and often require a more targeted approach, such as a hypoallergenic or low-antigen diet trial, often available through your veterinarian.  

Infections: Unwanted Guests in the Gut

The feline gastrointestinal tract can be a welcoming host for various infectious agents, leading to diarrhea.

Parasiten

Common culprits include intestinal parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, Giardia, and Coccidia. These microscopic invaders disrupt the normal digestive process, leading to symptoms like diarrhea.

Giardia, in particular, is highly contagious and can cause serious illness, especially in vulnerable populations like kittens, older cats, or those with compromised immune systems.

Bacterial and Viral Infections

An overgrowth of intestinal bacteria, or specific pathogenic strains like Salmonellen, Campylobacter, oder Clostridium, can cause diarrhea.

Similarly, various viruses, including feline distemper (panleukopenia), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and coronavirus, can manifest with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea. Kittens are often more severely affected by these infections due to their developing immune systems.  

The presence of these infectious agents reveals a critical aspect we call “The Silent Spreaders and Vulnerable Populations.”

Even seemingly healthy cats can harbor and shed contagious pathogens, posing a risk not only to other pets in the household but also to vulnerable individuals such as kittens, senior cats, or those with weakened immune systems.

Some of these infections, like certain parasitic causes, also carry a zoonotic risk, meaning they can potentially be transmitted to humans.

This underscores the critical importance of regular fecal testing, especially for newly adopted or shelter cats, and the need for strict hygiene practices to prevent the spread of these pathogens within your home.

Stress and Anxiety: The Powerful Brain-Gut Connection

It might surprise some, but your cat’s emotional state can directly impact their digestive health.

The Brain-Gut Link

Your cat’s brain and gut are intimately connected through a complex network of neurons. When a cat experiences a stressful situation, their body instinctively releases “fight or flight” hormones, such as norepinephrine.

This physiological response can, in turn, speed up intestinal emptying time, leading to sudden bouts of diarrhea. This is an involuntary physiological reaction, not a conscious choice by your cat.

Common Stressors

Various factors can trigger stress-induced diarrhea in cats, including veterinary visits, car rides, significant changes in their environment (like moving to a new home, the introduction of new pets or people), loud noises, or even subtle disruptions to their daily routine.

This connection highlights a crucial aspect: addressing your cat’s emotional well-being is vital for their gut health. True holistic care for diarrhea, especially when it is chronic or recurrent, must extend beyond just treating physical symptoms to encompass their mental and emotional state.

This understanding empowers you to implement proactive “Fear Free” strategies, demonstrating that managing stress is a fundamental component of maintaining digestive stability.

Underlying Health Conditions: Deeper Medical Issues

In some cases, diarrhea is not merely a standalone issue but a symptom of a more serious, systemic health problem. This is what we refer to as “Diarrhea as a Systemic Alarm Bell.”

Persistent diarrhea can be a secondary symptom of a larger, underlying illness, emphasizing the critical need for veterinary investigation in chronic cases.

Treating only the diarrhea without addressing the root cause will be ineffective and could delay the diagnosis of potentially life-threatening conditions.

Here are some of the more serious conditions that can manifest as diarrhea:

- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): This is a chronic condition characterized by persistent inflammation in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which impairs proper digestion and nutrient absorption. While there is currently no cure for IBD, it is often manageable with a combination of dietary changes and specific medications.  

- Kidney or Liver Disease: Dysfunction in these vital organs can lead to metabolic imbalances and toxin buildup, which can manifest as gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea.  

· Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid gland, particularly common in older cats, can significantly speed up a cat’s metabolism and intestinal transit time, leading to chronic diarrhea.  

· Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, an organ crucial for digestion, can cause significant digestive upset, including vomiting and diarrhea.  

· Cancers: Malignancies, such as lymphoma affecting the intestines, can cause persistent and often severe diarrhea.  

· Vitamin Deficiencies: Deficiencies in essential vitamins, notably B12 and folate, can contribute to chronic diarrhea and malabsorption issues.  

Toxins, Poisons, and Foreign Objects: Hidden Dangers

Cats are naturally curious, and sometimes this curiosity can lead them into dangerous situations, resulting in severe gastrointestinal distress.

Ingestion of Toxic Substances

Exposure to various toxins found within or near the home can cause acute and severe diarrhea, often accompanied by other serious symptoms.

These include household cleaning agents (like bleach), human medications (such as aspirin, acetaminophen/Tylenol, ibuprofen), certain plants (lilies are particularly toxic, causing kidney failure even in tiny amounts), rodenticides, fertilizers, and chemical hazards like ethylene glycol antifreeze.  

Ingestion of Foreign Objects

Cats may also ingest non-food items like small toys, fabric, or string. These foreign objects can cause blockages or irritation in the digestive tract, leading to vomiting, straining, and diarrhea

The potential for such ingestions highlights “The Urgency of Environmental Vigilance.” This underscores the critical role of proactive environmental management and “cat-proofing” your home to minimize these preventable dangers.

It shifts the focus from merely treating symptoms to actively preventing exposure. If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic substance or a foreign object, immediate veterinary care is not just recommended, but critical, as time is often of the essence.

Nebenwirkungen von Medikamenten

While medications are often necessary for treatment, some can inadvertently cause diarrhea as a side effect. Antibiotics, for instance, are a common culprit because they can disrupt the natural, beneficial balance of bacteria within your cat’s gut. This is why veterinarians often recommend probiotic supplements to help restore healthy gut flora when a cat is undergoing antibiotic therapy.  

Special Focus: Kitten Diarrhea and Vulnerable Cats

Kätzchen und sehr junge Katzen haben einen noch empfindlicheren Magen als erwachsene Katzen. Wir warnen neue Kätzchenbesitzer oft: Kitten diarrhea is common but can dehydrate them dangerously fast. Some specific points:

Kittens frequently catch parasites wie Spulwürmer oder Kokzidien, die Durchfall verursachen. Deshalb entwurmen Tierärzte die Kätzchen ab einem Alter von 2 Wochen und wiederholen die Entwurmung regelmäßig. Stellen Sie außerdem sicher, dass sie geimpft sind (die Panleukopenie-Impfung schützt vor einem tödlichen Durchfall verursachenden Virus).

Diet transitions: When adopting or fostering kittens, people often switch food too fast. Purina notes that suddenly changing a kitten’s diet can cause diarrhea. We always advise to mix the new kitten food with the old one, slowly increasing over 7–10 days (similar to adult cats).

Kittens should also NOT have cow’s milk – cats are lactose intolerant. Milk is number one cause of diarrhea in kittens. Instead, use kitten-formulated formula if needed.

Special treatment: For kittens with diarrhea, monitor hydration very carefully. They may need frequent small drinks, or even veterinary fluid therapy. In many cases we recommend bringing a sick kitten to the vet right away rather than waiting.

Senior cats also need special mention. Age-related conditions (like kidney or liver disease) often start with diarrhea as a symptom. We say: Don’t assume it’s just “old age.” A senior cat with new diarrhea should see a vet, who may adjust medications or diet for their condition.

When to Act: Recognizing Warning Signs and Seeking Veterinary Care

Knowing when to seek professional veterinary attention is crucial for your cat’s health and safety. While a mild, single episode of diarrhea might resolve on its own, certain symptoms and combinations of signs warrant immediate action.

Key Symptoms to Watch For

Beyond just loose stool, observe for these specific characteristics:

- Stool Consistency and Frequency: Look for stool that is consistently loose or liquid, an increased amount of feces, or an increased frequency and urgency of bowel movements.  

- Visible Mucus: The presence of visible mucus within the stool can indicate inflammation in the intestines.  

- Abnormally Colored Stool: Any deviation from the normal brown color is a red flag. Yellow, orange, gray, or green stools may indicate various digestive issues. Black and tarry stools are particularly concerning, as they can be a sign of internal bleeding in the upper digestive tract and require immediate treatment. Bright red streaks indicate fresh blood, usually from the lower GI tract.  

- Gas and Abdominal Discomfort: Increased gas (flatulence), cramping, or signs of abdominal pain and discomfort (such as stretching, meowing, or abnormal behavior) can accompany diarrhea. You might also notice abdominal bloating or swelling.  

- Straining to Defecate: If your cat is straining excessively to pass a stool but only producing small amounts of watery diarrhea, this could be a sign of a serious blockage, potentially caused by ingesting a foreign object, and requires immediate veterinary intervention.  

Urgent Red Flags: When Immediate Veterinary Attention is Crucial

We emphasize the concept of a “Triage Matrix” for cat parents, where a combination of symptoms and the cat’s vulnerability dictates the urgency of veterinary care. Acting quickly in these situations can prevent severe dehydration and other life-threatening complications.

Contact your veterinarian immediately or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital if you observe any of the following:

- No Appetite or Stopped Eating: A cat refusing to eat, especially for more than 24 hours, is a serious sign.  

· Concurrent Vomiting: If diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance significantly increases.  

· Blood in Stool: Any presence of blood, whether bright red or dark and tarry, is a critical red flag.  

· Diarrhea Persists or Worsens: If diarrhea continues past 24 to 48 hours, becomes more frequent or severe, or changes to a more alarming color, professional help is needed.  

· Weakness, Lethargy, or Decreased Energy: A cat that is unusually weak, lethargic, or has significantly decreased energy levels alongside diarrhea is a cause for immediate concern.  

· Signs of Dehydration: Look for sunken, dry-looking eyes, a dry nose, or dry, sticky gums. Dehydration can rapidly become life-threatening, especially with ongoing fluid loss from diarrhea.  

- Vulnerable Cats: Very young kittens or older cats, as well as those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing underlying illnesses, can become critically ill much more quickly. They are highly susceptible to rapid dehydration and dangerous blood sugar or electrolyte imbalances. For these cats, even minor symptoms warrant prompt veterinary attention.  

· Unusual Drooling: This can sometimes be a sign of nausea or a more serious underlying issue.  

Early intervention is vital because diarrhea leads to significant fluid and electrolyte loss. This makes dehydration a serious and rapidly developing concern, particularly in vulnerable cats. Prompt veterinary care can prevent severe complications and ensure a much better outcome.

Practical Home Care and Management Strategies

While professional veterinary care is paramount, there are many practical home care strategies you can implement to support your cat’s recovery and long-term digestive health. These strategies are designed to be actionable and directly address common issues, embodying our commitment to helping you solve practical problems.

Dietary Adjustments: Nurturing a Sensitive Tummy

When your cat has diarrhea, dietary management plays a critical role.

· Do Not Stop Feeding: Contrary to some older advice, withholding food from a cat with diarrhea can actually delay the natural healing of the intestinal tract and, more severely, can lead to hepatic lipidosis, a serious and potentially fatal liver condition.

· Simplify the Diet: During a bout of diarrhea, it is best to eliminate all treats and table scraps. Focus on providing a nutritionally complete cat food daily.

- Bland Diet: Your veterinarian may recommend a bland, low-fat, low-residue, and easily digestible diet to help alleviate gastrointestinal inflammation and allow the gut to rest and heal.

- Fiber Supplementation: For certain types of diarrhea, particularly when cats eliminate frequently but produce only small amounts of feces (often indicative of large bowel diarrhea), fiber supplementation can be beneficial to help firm stools.

Unflavored psyllium and canned pumpkin are readily available fiber sources. A reasonable starting point is 1-2 teaspoons mixed into your cat’s food throughout the day. Conversely, for other types of diarrhea, a low-fiber, highly digestible diet (with around 3% crude fiber) may be more appropriate.

- Reverting to Previous Diet: If the diarrhea began shortly after you changed your cat’s food, switching back to their previous diet for a few days can often help resolve the symptoms

- Hypoallergenic/Low-Antigen Diets: For suspected food sensitivities or allergies, your veterinarian may recommend a trial with a hypoallergenic or low-antigen diet. These are often prescription-based, but some over-the-counter options made from novel protein sources (like duck or rabbit) can also be effective for certain cats.

To make dietary choices easier, we’ve compiled a quick reference:

The Critical Role of Hydration

Diarrhea causes significant fluid and electrolyte loss, making dehydration a rapid and serious concern for cats. Ensuring your cat has constant access to fresh, clean water is paramount.

1. Here are some tips to encourage sufficient fluid intake:

2. Regularly refill their water bowls with fresh water.

3. Consider using a cat water fountain, as many cats prefer flowing water.  

4. Offer diluted chicken or beef broth (unsalted) to make water more appealing.  

5. Switching from dry kibble to a canned diet can significantly increase their water consumption.  

6. Temporarily add a tablespoon of warm water to your cat’s canned food to boost fluid intake.

Supporting Gut Health: The Power of Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria that can play a significant role in restoring balance to your cat’s gut microbiome, especially after disruptions caused by stress, illness, or antibiotic therapy. These “good” bacteria can improve digestion, boost immunity, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, and enhance nutrient absorption.

Choosing the right probiotic is essential. Here’s what veterinarians recommend looking for:

Managing Stress-Related Diarrhea: Creating a Calm and Secure Environment

As we discussed, the brain-gut connection means that stress can directly trigger diarrhea. This highlights the importance of a “Behavioral Prescription for Digestive Health,” where effective management often requires a multi-faceted approach that includes environmental enrichment and stress reduction techniques.

Identify Stressors: The first step is to pinpoint what triggers your cat’s anxiety. Observe their behavior closely to understand specific situations or changes that lead to stress-related diarrhea.  

Positive Trägerassoziation: Many cats dislike their carriers, associating them with stressful vet visits or car rides. Leave the carrier open in the house with a soft blanket, occasionally placing tasty treats, special toys, or catnip inside to encourage positive associations and exploration.  

Pre-emptive Measures for Stressful Events:

- Medication: Consult your veterinarian about administering anti-nausea or anti-anxiety medications before ein bekanntes stressiges Ereignis, z. B. eine Autofahrt oder ein Tierarztbesuch. Diese Medikamente müssen im Voraus verabreicht werden, um wirksam zu sein. Besprechen Sie daher den optimalen Zeitpunkt mit Ihrem Tierarzt.

- Pheromone Products: Use feline pheromone products like Feliway sprays on a towel placed in the carrier or in travel spaces a couple of hours before the event. The calming effects typically last for four to five hours.

- Meal Skipping: With your veterinarian’s approval, consider skipping your cat’s breakfast or even the evening meal the night before a stressful event. The principle of “less in means less out” can help reduce the likelihood of accidents.

- Fiber: Die Zugabe von Ballaststoffen, wie z. B. Kürbis aus der Dose, zu ihrem Futter kann helfen, den Stuhlgang zu festigen.

Preventing Future Upsets

While addressing diarrhea when it occurs is essential, the most effective approach to your cat’s digestive health is proactive prevention.

This embodies “The Value of Proactive Wellness vs. Reactive Crisis Management,” encouraging a mindset shift towards continuous care rather than just addressing symptoms as they arise. Investing in preventative measures can ultimately save you stress, time, and potential veterinary costs.

Safe Feeding Practices and Gradual Diet Transitions

Gradual Diet Changes: Always transition your cat to new foods slowly over a period of 7 to 10 days. This allows their digestive system to adapt without upset.

Avoid Unsafe Foods: Refrain from feeding table scraps, fatty foods, or any human foods that can upset their stomachs or be toxic. Many common human foods are dangerous for cats.  

Proper Food Storage: Store cat food properly in airtight containers to prevent spoilage and contamination, which can lead to digestive issues.  

Environmental Hazard Control

Cat-Proof Your Home: Keep all household cleaners, human medications (especially common ones like Tylenol and aspirin), toxic plants (such as lilies), rodenticides, fertilizers, and antifreeze securely out of your cat’s reach.  

Secure Trash Cans: Ensure all trash cans are securely covered or inaccessible to prevent your cat from engaging in dietary indiscretion by rummaging through spoiled food or other hazardous items.  

Monitor for Foreign Objects: Be vigilant about small toys, string, fabric, or other non-food items that your cat might be tempted to ingest, as these can cause serious blockages.  

Regular Veterinary Check-ups and Parasite Prevention

Annual Fecal Exams: Regular fecal examinations are crucial for detecting internal parasites, even in seemingly healthy cats who may be asymptomatic carriers. These tests can identify worms, Giardia, and other microscopic organisms before they cause severe symptoms.

Routine Deworming: Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for a regular deworming schedule. This is vital for preventing parasitic infections and protecting both your cat and potentially other household members from zoonotic diseases.

Wellness Exams: Routine wellness examinations allow your veterinarian to conduct a thorough assessment of your cat’s overall health, identify any subtle changes, and detect underlying health conditions early, before they progress to cause symptoms like chronic diarrhea. Early detection often leads to more effective and less invasive treatment.

By implementing these proactive steps, you are not just reacting to problems but actively building a foundation for your cat’s long-term digestive health and overall well-being.

We’re Here to Help

Remember, you’re not alone. We, the SnuggleSouls team, are here to help guide you through your cat’s health issues. You can use this information to make informed decisions, to comfort your pet, and to know when expert help is needed.

Each cat is unique, so if something feels off or the advice here doesn’t improve the situation, trust your gut (and your vet). Early intervention can make all the difference.

Diarrhea can be scary, but with prompt care—home remedies for mild cases, and professional treatment when needed—most cats recover fully. Keep close watch, stay calm, and do reach out to your veterinarian when needed. Our shared goal is your cat’s happy, healthy life.

FAQ

Why does my cat have diarrhea?

There are many reasons your cat may have diarrhea, including sudden diet changes, parasites, food intolerances, infections, or stress. Chronic diarrhea can also point to underlying conditions like IBD or thyroid disease.

What should I feed a cat with diarrhea?

Start with a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice or canned pumpkin. Avoid fatty foods, milk, or new treats. Gradually reintroduce regular food after stool consistency improves over a few days.

Wann sollte ich mit meiner Katze zum Tierarzt gehen, wenn sie Durchfall hat?

Call your vet if diarrhea lasts over 24–48 hours, or immediately if it includes vomiting, blood, mucus, lethargy, or affects a kitten or senior cat. These signs can indicate serious health issues.

What does yellow or bloody cat diarrhea mean?

Yellow diarrhea may signal liver or bile problems, while bloody stool can indicate inflammation or internal bleeding. Mucus in the stool often means gut irritation. All require veterinary attention.

Can I treat my cat’s diarrhea at home?

Yes, mild cases may improve with hydration, bland food, and rest. Avoid human medications and monitor symptoms closely. If there’s no improvement in 1–2 days, or if other symptoms appear, see your vet.

Is diarrhea in kittens dangerous?

Yes. Kitten diarrhea can cause dehydration quickly. It’s often due to parasites, diet issues, or viral infections. Seek vet care promptly, especially if vomiting, lethargy, or blood is present.

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