Cat Diarrhea Treatment
Treating the Cause

Cat diarrhea treatment will depend on the cause of the diarrhea. There are many causes of diarrhea and they range from a simple dietary issue to more serious viral, bacterial and systemic conditions.

Treating cat diarrhea is important as diarrhea is generally a sign of an underlying illness and this must be correctly diagnosed before treatment can commence.

initial treatment for feline diarrhea

First aid treatment can be given in certain conditions, but a visit to the vet should always be the first consideration.

Kittens with diarrhea must be taken to a vet immediately
The first step in treating diarrhea is to hold back all food for at least 12 - 24 hours until the diagnosis can be confirmed. This will give the gastrointestinal tract time to rest.
Water (not milk) should be provided and your cat should be encouraged to drink.
Never give your cat 'human medicine' or over the counter medicines unless indicated by the vet.
If the diarrhea subsides after 24 hours, food can be re-introduced.
Only feed small quantities of a bland diet consisting of boiled rice and chicken every 4 hours.
Isolate your cat from other kitties, keep your cat indoors and monitor it closely.
If the diarrhea stops, gradually re-introduce the cats normal diet by mixing it with the rice and chicken.
If your cat's diarrhea persists visit the vet immediately.

cat diarrhea treatment

Treatment will be based on the cause of the diarrhea. As there are so many causes of feline diarrhea, treatment may vary considerably.

Dehydration will be treated by replacing fluids using an intravenous or subcutaneous drip
For a food allergy switch to an alternative diet.
Avoid over-feeding cats and kittens and adhere to the feeding instructions on the label.
Lactose intolerance causes diarrhea - remove cow's milk from your cat's diet
If your cat is suffering from stress related diarrhea withhold food for 24 hours and offer water only.
Keep the cat or kitten calm and provide a peaceful and stress-free environment.
Hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms will be treated with a course of deworming medication specific to each parasite.
Protozoa will be treated with the relevant antibiotic, antiprotozoal and antimicrobial agents
Bacterial infections will be treaded using antibiotics
Intestinal obstructions will need to be removed via surgery
Tumors will be removed via surgery and in the case of malignant tumors, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be indicated. (In some instances the only option is euthanasia).
In non-bacterial cat diarrhea, the veterinarian may prescribe drugs that decrease gastric and intestinal motility. This allows fluids to be reabsorbed via the intestinal wall thereby reducing the amount of water in the stool.
Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain and inflammation
Drugs to reduce anxiety may be prescribed if the cat is stressed
If the diarrhea is caused by underlying feline diseases (viral or systemic disease), the vet will treat the underlying disease and control the diarrhea accordingly.

natural or homeopathic medicine

We recommend that you discuss natural or herbal remedies for cat diarrhea treatment with your veterinarian. Many herbs are toxic to cats.

There are various homeopathic remedies and herbal medicines which we believe can be used for diarrhea:

arsenicum album
nux vomica
podophyllum
Slippery elm

Please confirm with a vet with an interest in natural remedies / homeopathy if the above remedies are suitable for cat diarrhea treatment.

Treating cat diarrhea with human medicines is also not advised unless instructed by a veterinarian.

Your vet will be the best person to prescribe cat diarrhea medicine.

preventing cat diarrhea

Here are a few precautionary measures that may assist in reducing the chances of your cat getting cat diarrhea:

Kittens should remain with their mother until they are 12 - 14 weeks old. (They need those life-saving antibodies)
Always have your new kitten examined by vet to ensure a clean bill of health
Feed your cat a healthy, well balanced diet of the highest quality that you can afford
If your cat is doing well on a specific diet, do not change it
Limit treats and do not feed your cat table scraps
Do not over-feed your cat
Ensure that your cat receives all its cat vaccinations and booster shots
Deworm your cat regularly
Groom your cat frequently and keep your pet tick, flea and mite free
Keep your cat's environment clean - this includes its litter box, bedding and food bowls
Indoor cats are less likely to be exposed to those organisms responsible for causing cat diarrhea
Your cat should visit the veterinarian annually for a general check-up