Kitten has diarrhea: Causes & treatment
If your young cat's stomach is rumbling and her still sensitive gastrointestinal tract reacts with →diarrhea (diarrhea) you’re probably worried. It’s not always clear where the diarrhea is coming from or when it’s time to grab your kitten and take her to the vet for an examination. What you need to watch out for when your kitten has diarrhea and where the →common kitten illness comes from, you’ll find out here.
Causes: Why do kittens have diarrhea?
Diarrhea itself is only rarely a disease on its own, as it is often just one of many symptoms of a specific illness. Especially in young cats, diarrhea occurs more frequently because the digestive system is not yet fully developed and reacts very quickly to an unstable fluid balance. Various causes play a role here:
Diet change: When your young cat moves into her new home, she has to get used to many new impressions in a short time. Often, the →diet change happens too quickly and your kitten reacts with diarrhea. It’s important that your cat continues to receive the old food for a few days before a slow transition can take place.
Parasites: Depending on where you buy your kitten, breeders unfortunately do not always ensure a regular deworming. Because kittens can become infected with →worms even before birth or later through their mother’s milk, it is important to have a →deworming treatment early on. If this hasn’t happened, your kitten may have picked up a worm or →giardia. Diarrhea is then a common symptom. But even a deworming treatment itself can cause a mild stomach upset with diarrhea.
Poisoning or ate something bad: Not everything that’s healthy for us humans belongs in a cat’s stomach. Has your feline friend snatched something from the table like →chocolate, onions or →raw ground meat? Then you need to act quickly, as there is a risk of →poisoning, which can even lead to organ failure.
Stress: When everything is new, your kitten is working physically and mentally at full speed. Every cat processes the separation from siblings and mother at a different pace. Sometimes all the new impressions lead to stress and this in turn causes diarrhea.
Allergies and intolerances: Sometimes an allergy to a specific food shows up early in kittenhood and itching, vomiting, and diarrhea can be the result.
An infection with parasites such as giardia is indicated by symptoms like diarrhea, loss of appetite, apathy, and weight loss.
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My kitten has diarrhea but seems fine. What should I do?
If your kitten has diarrhea and is still running around the house as usual, at first glance it may not seem like medical advice is necessary. However, young cats can dehydrate very quickly when they have diarrhea and their condition can change suddenly. Weight loss with nutrient deficiency can also occur, which can be life-threatening for young cats. That’s why it’s so important to react early if your kitten has persistent diarrhea .
When should you take a kitten with diarrhea to the vet?
The rule here is: If the diarrhea lasts all day, you should take your kitten to the vet that same day for safety. If the diarrhea starts suddenly and your kitten seems lethargic and tired or is also vomiting, see your vet immediately. If you know your kitten has eaten something poisonous, contact the clinic right away. Poisonings are always emergencies and must be treated immediately.
Diagnosis: How to find out why your kitten has diarrhea
During an examination, the vet will ask detailed questions to find out what’s wrong with your kitten. Ideally, you’ll have a stool sample with you, as it can be tested on site to see if there are possibly worm larvae or other parasites present. At the clinic, you’ll also be asked if there’s been a new food recently and whether your kitten is showing signs of stress. A blood test is also possible to check more precisely what’s wrong with your kitten.
If your cat has swallowed something , an additional step may include an X-ray or ultrasound to check for foreign objects.
Treatment: What to do about diarrhea in kittens?
Once the cause is determined, the vet can act accordingly. In the case of a parasite infestation your kitten will be prescribed a medication (antiparasitic) to kill the worms. Depending on how much fluid your kitten has lost due to diarrhea, she may also receive an infusion. This way the fluid balance is restored and circulation is stabilized. Depending on the cause and other symptoms such as vomiting and pain your kitten may also be prescribed painkillers and anti-nausea tablets.
In practice, the veterinarian will examine your kitten more closely to find out what is causing the diarrhea. Based on this, medication and, if necessary, an infusion will be administered.
Vets also often recommend a light bland diet, where you can get cooking and prepare your kitten a soup of chicken with a small portion of rice and carrots. Remember to keep the portions small and as part of the →proper kitten nutrition it’s better to feed 5-10 portions throughout the day rather than serving your young feline a whole bowl of soup at once.
We’re by your side when your young feline’s stomach is rumbling. In good times and bad – and during the phase of illness we support your cat alongside treatment with our VET wet food. Our →Stomach & Digestion Fit provides delicious rice, easily digestible chicken and a tasty broth, to restore fluid balance and relieve the digestive system.
