Cat diarrhea is often mild, uncomplicated, and treatable with home remedies. There are several natural treatments that can help a kitty recover from diarrhea quickly.
What Causes Cat Diarrhea?
The causes of cat diarrhea vary from mild to serious. Anything from cancer, to intestinal parasites, to a food allergy, to stress can cause a kitty to develop diarrhea. Most cases of cat diarrhea, however, are uncomplicated and can be treated easily at home.
Natural Treatments for Cat Diarrhea
At the first sign that a cat has diarrhea, it is best to take the kitty’s food away for 24 hours. However, be sure to have fresh water available for the cat at all times. Taking away a cat’s food will promptly stop his or her diarrhea and allow the kitty’s intestines time to rest.
After the fast, give the cat small portions of bland foods. Boiled chicken breasts are a good option. Note: Do not give the kitty milk, as this may upset the cat’s stomach.
Canned Pumpkin or Metamucil to Treat Feline Diarrhea
Fiber is often beneficial in treating cat diarrhea. Giving a cat about a half teaspoon of canned pumpkin at each feeding can help firm up a kitty’s runny stools. Pumpkin is very high in fiber, so it absorbs a lot of water in the intestines. The fiber supplement Metamucil might also prove useful in firming up a cat’s stools.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Yogurt to Treat Feline Diarrhea
Bacteria is naturally found in a kitty’s intestines. When bad bacteria takes over in a feline’s gut, the result is diarrhea. Introduce good bacteria back into a kitty’s system by giving a cat a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement, available at a health food store. The Lactobacillus acidophilus organisms are also found in live-culture yogurt. Try feeding a feline one to two teaspoons of non-flavored, plain, live-culture yogurt.
Slippery Elm to Treat Feline Diarrhea
The herb slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) might also prove useful in treating a kitty’s upset stomach and resolving his or her diarrhea. The herb helps soothe the intestinal tract, and it is also high in fiber. Purchase the herb as a tincture or in capsule form from a health food store. Dilute 20 drops of the tincture in one ounce of spring water. Fill a dropper with the mixture and give this to the cat three times a day. Or add a bit of powder from the capsules to spring water and then give this to a kitty with a dropper or add to a kitty’s food.
Warnings About Cat Diarrhea
The risk of dehydration is the biggest concern when cats have diarrhea. Make sure the kitty is drinking enough. If not, give a cat water in a dropper. Take the animal to the vet if his or her case of diarrhea worsens, does not clear up within 24 hours, or is recurrent. If the kitty has other symptoms in addition to diarrhea, such as blood in the stool, fever, or difficulty walking, call the vet immediately.
Sources:
Shojai, Amy D. (1999). New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats. Common Health and Behavior Problems (pp. 220-224, 316). NY: Rodale.
Home Remedies for Cats, HowStuffWorks.com
Aimee Larsen Stoddard - Aimee is a professional writer/editor. She has a BA in English and is currently completing an MS in Theology.
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