Diarrhea in a kitten - what to do and how to treat diarrhea in a kitten at home

Small kittens suffer from stool disorders much more often than their adult relatives. There are many factors that provoke diarrhea in a small kitten. This can be either a simple disorder due to an incorrectly selected diet, or the development of a dangerous infectious lesion that can lead to death without timely assistance.

Symptoms of diarrhea in kittens

Every cat owner should understand what stool disorder is. Diarrhea is a pathological process that develops in the digestive tract against the background of disorders. Diarrhea is characterized by increased frequency of bowel movements, and the stool becomes watery. Each bowel movement is accompanied by painful sensations in the abdomen, frequent and uncontrollable urge to defecate.

Diarrhea is not an independent disease. This is a signal from the body indicating the development of a pathological process. Diarrhea is most dangerous for small kittens. This is due to fast metabolic processes compared to adult animals.

In the shortest possible time, small kittens become dehydrated and their water-electrolyte balance is disturbed, which leads to death.

It is not at all difficult to understand that a small kitten is suffering from indigestion and has developed diarrhea. The main symptoms of diarrhea in a kitten are:

depressed state;
lack of appetite or complete refusal to feed;
loose stools, long-lasting and painful;
frequent urge to urinate;
signs of dehydration (you can try to lift the baby by the scruff of the neck - if dehydrated, the skin takes a very long time to return to its place);
impurities of undigested food particles in liquid feces;
bloating and flatulence.

Visually, in addition to loose stool, the kitten’s condition is deteriorating sharply; the fur around the anus is wet, with particles of liquid feces stuck to it. The kitten is depressed and lies down more.

Symptoms requiring veterinary intervention

There are signs that, if you notice them in your pet, you should immediately consult a veterinarian, or better yet, call them at home, so as not to further aggravate the kitten’s condition:

blood in excrement;
frequent and profuse diarrhea;
a large amount of mucus in the stool;
constant meowing and restless behavior of the pet, which indicates the pain he is experiencing;
suspicion of poisoning, for example, insect control was recently carried out in the room where the kitten is located;
diarrhea continues for quite a long time (more than 20 hours), behavior has changed dramatically: lethargy has appeared, the kitten has stopped playing, sleeps a lot, etc.;
the occurrence of convulsions or vomiting associated with diarrhea.

Common causes of diarrhea in kittens

It is very important to understand what can cause diarrhea in a small kitten so that you know how to prevent such a disorder. The main factors that provoke stool upset in a small kitten are:

Stressful conditions. Little kittens are still very attached to their mother cat, so early weaning, a sudden change of place of residence and a change of owner can cause serious stress for the baby.
Diet disorder. When switching a kitten to adult food, diarrhea may occur. The reason may be not only a transfer to another type of food, but also an incorrectly selected diet. The kitten may be getting food from a human table or consuming too much food.
Intoxication of the body. Both poisonous plants and low-quality food products can provoke poisoning in kittens. Often the cause of intoxication is the licking of various medications or other chemicals.
A sharp decrease in blood sugar levels. A similar condition can occur in a small kitten due to eating too late or due to increased activity. Babies should receive food every 4 hours, in small portions.
Helminthiases. Often the body of small kittens is affected by helminths. Infection most often occurs from the mother herself, who has not received antiparasitic treatment.
Damage by protozoan microorganisms. Single-celled organisms infect the susceptible kitten’s body quite often. Common types of parasites can penetrate through infected water, food, and also the paws of a cat that cares for its offspring.
Viral infections. Diarrhea in kittens can also be caused by viral diseases, such as coronavirus enteritis or feline panleukopenia. From the moment kittens are born, their immune system is very weak and is not able to actively fight various pathogens. Therefore, viral infections develop quickly in children, causing serious changes and capable of causing death.

Main causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea is the rapid passage of food through the digestive tract. There are quite a few reasons for this phenomenon:

animal experience;
nutritional errors;
infection;
parasites;
allergy;
fur accumulated in the stomach;
sickness and poor health.

Let's look at each reason in more detail.

The emotional state of a small animal can tell on its digestion. This may be a reaction to a change of place of residence, the appearance of a new inhabitant or guest in the apartment, and especially gentle cats even react to a change in the tray and sleeping place that has become familiar.

Errors in diet planning definitely cause damage to health. Most often, owners worry about their pet and desperately overfeed it, especially by abusing cat treats. This also includes the kitten eating prohibited foods, such as smoked meats, spoiled food, or changing food.

Infections in the form of panleukopenia, coronavirus enteritis, toxoplasmosis and calicivirus can easily overcome a baby. But the stool will not tell you what exactly is to blame here; if an illness is suspected, the kitten is taken to the veterinarian.

The appearance of parasites in the body is also not uncommon. They can be brought in by people with food and land. Gradually there will be more and more of them, and the kitten will develop diarrhea as a reaction to intoxication of the body. Tape tapeworm and coccidia are especially guilty.

Allergies are also considered among the probable causes of loose stools. It could be your own fur or other irritants; it makes sense to visit a specialist at the veterinary clinic. Particular attention should be paid to kittens of the Somali cat, Pixie-Bob, Norwegian Forest, Maine Coon, Ragdoll: these long-haired beauties tend to swallow clumps of their fur.

When there are health problems, bowel dysfunction is the first thing that appears very often. These are viruses, chronic liver and kidney diseases, reduced immunity. This also includes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, erosion and tumors.

If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, mucus can often be found in the stool.

Poisoning and antibiotic treatment are also factors that affect the quality of a kitten’s stool. First, the intestinal microflora is restored, and then it is observed whether the loose stools have disappeared.

How long can diarrhea last in kittens?

Diarrhea in a kitten can last until it ends with sad consequences. If the cause of diarrhea is a viral infection or intoxication, stool disorder provokes dehydration. Thus, diarrhea 2-3 times a day, lasting 3 days, can cause death.

The owner’s task is to immediately contact a veterinarian at the first signs of diarrhea in a small pet. The specialist will prescribe treatment depending on the reasons that provoked the pathological process and based on the general condition of the little patient.

When is it necessary to contact a veterinarian?

In some cases, you can help the baby on your own, but if certain symptoms occur, you should contact a veterinary clinic:

the presence of blood or mucus in the stool;
duration of diarrhea more than 24 hours;
strong odor from stool;

Toilet paper for kittens

What color is diarrhea

Also, depending on the shade of the stool, you should run to the doctor:

green stale food with worm infestation;
brown with a strong odor; indigestion;
light or white stool liver disease;
with blood impurities, possible bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract;
black bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract;
yellow - poor digestion of food.

General condition of the pet

If the following manifestations are added to the symptoms of diarrhea, then immediately consult a doctor:

hyperthermia;
pale nose and gums;
plaintive meow;
convulsive and febrile conditions;
the presence of diarrhea and a gag reflex at the same time;
The pet drinks a lot of water.

Everyone loves to eat delicious food

Causes of a bloated belly and diarrhea in a kitten

A bloated abdomen and flatulence, accompanied by diarrhea, are observed in kittens with a poor diet. Less commonly, the cause of a bloated abdomen and diarrhea is overeating. An owner's mistake is to give his pet adult cat food that he is not used to.

The presence of helminths can also become a factor provoking bloating. Untimely treatment for worms often causes serious disorders in the body of small kittens. A kitten's weakened body is not always able to cope with the negative effects of worms, which ends in death.

If you notice a bloated tummy, gas and diarrhea in your pet, you should not self-medicate. The best solution is to visit a veterinary hospital.

The specialist will conduct a thorough examination and prescribe the necessary tests to rule out the presence of serious diseases.

In case of overeating, the little patient is put on a special diet with clearly marked portions. Parasitic infestations require the administration of special anthelmintic drugs.

Bloody diarrhea in a kitten

Diarrhea with blood in small kittens is diagnosed quite rarely. But if you have diarrhea with blood, you cannot hesitate. It is necessary to seek help from a qualified doctor at the clinic as soon as possible.

The presence of blood in the stool is caused by erosive damage, ulcerative lesions and perforation of the intestinal walls. Diarrhea with red blood indicates serious problems in the small intestine. If there are streaks of scarlet blood in the diarrhea, this indicates a pathological condition in the large intestine.

You cannot do without the help of a veterinarian. A sick kitten must be treated under the supervision of doctors in a veterinary clinic. A specialist will be able to monitor the development of the pathological process, taking timely measures to eliminate them. It is very important to change your diet and administer intravenous solutions to prevent the development of dehydration.

Diagnostics

To quickly cope with diarrhea and prevent the development of serious consequences, the veterinarian needs to find out the root cause of the pathological condition as accurately as possible.

For this, the following diagnostic techniques are used:

Stool, urine and blood tests.
Microscopic examination of feces and scrapings from the walls of the large intestine.
It would also not hurt to do an x-ray and ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity. If your pet has cancer or a similar pathology, the test will help identify it visually.

In addition, it is important for the veterinarian to collect a detailed analysis. The specialist will be interested in how and what the kitten has eaten recently, whether it could have been poisoned, whether it has not been vaccinated recently, etc. The more you can remember, the greater the chance of quickly healing the animal.

Diarrhea and vomiting in a kitten

Diarrhea in a small pet, accompanied by a symptom such as eruption of gastric contents, may indicate a pathology in the central nervous system. Inflammatory processes in the intestines and stomach can also be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, as well as pain in the abdominal area.

It is very important to distinguish attacks of coughing in a kitten from attacks of nausea. The cough is accompanied by chest work and rapid movements. But with nausea and subsequent eruption of gastric contents, a spasm occurs in the abdominal wall.

Vomiting and diarrhea in a small kitten can be treated at home. After this, you must urgently take your pet to a specialist for examination. Vomiting very quickly depletes the body, and in combination with diarrhea, there is a double blow to the body. The water-electrolyte balance is disturbed faster, dehydration occurs after 1-2 days and death. To stop vomiting, you can give your baby metoclopramide at a dosage of 0.1 mg per 1 kg. You can use the drug in the form of a solution, which is much more convenient, or in the form of injections.

Chronic diarrhea - secretory diarrhea

People say about secretory diarrhea: “like a clove” or “just water.” If a person with chronic diarrhea experiences pain, dizziness, weakness, nausea and dry throat, then rest assured that your cat is not feeling any better.

Changes in intestinal function occur due to impaired absorption and transport of water through its lumens. The water necessary for organizing the normal functioning of all body systems is simply excreted through copious loose stools. Rapid dehydration occurs, which can lead to the death of the animal.

Defecation with secretory diarrhea is painless, but brings only short-term relief, quickly replaced by pain due to accumulating gases and painful spasms.

Attention!
If watery stools turn brown-green or become deep yellow (to orange), this indicates a decrease in the contractile functions of the bladder walls and the absorption of bile secretions - hologenic diarrhea.

The appearance of white stool directly indicates the degeneration of liver tissue: jaundice, cirrhosis and cancer.

Bilirubin not processed by the liver provokes pathology of the intestines, expressed in random attacks of diarrhea, which owners mistake for an acute variant and try to find “the best cure for diarrhea for cats, because THIS no longer helps!”

Black diarrhea in a kitten

Normally, the color of feces, even slightly liquid ones, may be mustard-colored in a kitten. The danger is the appearance of black diarrhea. This type of feces is called melena and indicates serious disturbances in the functioning of internal organs.

The cause of black diarrhea in a kitten may be a large amount of raw meat in the diet or the addition of blood meal to the main meal. Black coloring of liquid feces can occur when iron supplements are added to the kitten's diet. The appearance of black diarrhea in a kitten is a reason to take your pet to the veterinarian.

What's the normal color?

Feces in cats, like in humans, can tell everything about their health. The cat poops in dense, well-formed masses that are brown or dark brown in color. The consistency of excrement depends on the content of liquid, fat, and mucous components. The smell of feces is not unpleasant, not strong, this smell is called feces. If the diet is dominated by dairy and fermented milk products, cereals, and vegetables, the mass acquires a light brown tint. When a pet eats mainly meat, the excrement becomes a more saturated dark color.

Yellow diarrhea in a kitten

During normal functioning of the digestive system, bile secretion saturated with bilirubin enters the intestinal tract. The substance turns stool yellowish. When passing through the intestines, bilirubin, under the influence of biochemical reactions, is converted into stercobilin, which colors feces brown. If a kitten has yellow diarrhea, the cause may be:

allergic reaction;
helminthiases;
milk protein intolerance;
infectious lesions.

This is due to disturbances in peristalsis and problems in the general digestive process. It is worth remembering that the appearance of yellow diarrhea in a small kitten may indicate dangerous liver problems. Yellow diarrhea appears due to the fact that bilirubin does not have time to convert into stercobilin, which means that a number of biochemical reactions do not occur.

Green diarrhea in a kitten

Green diarrhea is a sign of an imbalance of microflora in the intestines. An organism affected by pathogenic microflora suffers from a number of disorders. In a small kitten, fermentation processes develop very quickly in the intestinal tract, inflammation occurs, which is expressed in the coloring of liquid feces green.

Not only a bacterial infection, but also allergic reactions can provoke green diarrhea in a cat. Often, green diarrhea due to dysbacteriosis occurs while taking systemic antimicrobial agents.

Causes of diarrhea in a newborn kitten

Diarrhea that appears once in a newborn kitten does not require outside intervention. The breeder or owner of a small kitten need not worry. But the appearance of several more episodes of diarrhea within a short time requires consulting a doctor. The most likely cause of diarrhea in recently born kittens is feeding with cow's milk.

The body of newborn babies lacks an enzymatic substance that promotes the breakdown of carbohydrates. As a result, the development of disorders and diarrhea in small kittens occurs, even death.

Some babies experience allergic reactions to the intake of milk protein in the body. The immune system recognizes them as foreign and begins to actively attack, which leads to serious disruptions in the functioning of the entire body.

In this regard, experts recommend introducing special mixtures, cat milk substitutes, into the kittens’ diet, without replacing them with cow’s milk or infant formula. Newborn babies are unusually sensitive to nutrition.

In kittens, diarrhea is often accompanied by the eruption of gastric contents, and this is fraught with the development of dehydration. The reason for this is viral infections and bacterial lesions. Infections always pose a danger to newborn babies, due to the rapid metabolic processes in the body of kittens.

How to replace feedings with complementary foods?

There have been no rigorous studies on this topic, so it cannot be said that one technique is definitely better than another. Many doctors recommend giving complementary foods first, and then breast milk or formula, so that the child does not have time to get enough and is more willing to eat unusual purees.

However, sometimes it is advised to first give breastfeeding or a bottle so that the child is tuned in to eating, and not playing with it, then give complementary foods, then supplement with liquid nutrition. Maybe it will be more convenient for someone to do this at first, and when the child gets used to eating from a spoon, move on to the first option.

What an owner should do when a kitten has diarrhea

Frequent and loose bowel movements in a kitten are a cause for concern for the owner. The kitten's owner should be especially alert to the uncharacteristic smell of feces and their color. The absence of an increase in body temperature and foreign impurities in the stool in the form of blood or mucus can be treated at home. But the best decision for the kitten owner is to see a doctor. When visiting a specialist, it is very important to provide the most detailed information about the baby’s nutrition and possible disorders before the onset of diarrhea.

If the cause of diarrhea in a kitten is a sudden transition from one type of food to another, for example, during weaning from the mother and the introduction of cow's milk into the diet, it is necessary to give the baby a decoction of rice - the liquid in which the cereal was cooked. It is forbidden to give products that the owner considers tasty in the form of sausage, fish or meat to the kitten.

You can stop diarrhea in a kitten by putting the baby on a starvation diet, but for no more than 12 hours. This action is applicable for kittens older than 1 month. Enterosorbents can be administered if the owner suspects a mild degree of poisoning. It is important to provide your pet with proper care - to relieve stress by providing more time for quiet time. Excessive stress and physical activity will not benefit the animal.

Nutrition for diarrhea

If there are repeated episodes of loose stools, you should completely exclude the kitten from feeding.

The most optimal time to refuse food is 10-12 hours.

Throughout the “hungry period,” you need to make sure that the kitten always has a bowl of clean water nearby. If the animal is very weak and cannot drink on its own, it is given from a syringe or pipette in small doses at short intervals. This is done to prevent dehydration.

After 12 hours, feeding is resumed in small doses and low-calorie foods. Fermented milk products and milk are excluded from the menu.

Read the article about how long a cat can go without food.

How to help a kitten at home

Treatment at home for diarrhea in small kittens can only be carried out in cases where the owner is sure that the diarrhea was caused by a nutritional disorder. In any other cases, you must seek help from a veterinarian.

Normal kitten stool is yellowish, mushy, and may have a mustard tint. In newborn babies, defecation, due to the peculiarities of the functioning of the intestinal tract, occurs up to 4 times a day. The appearance of stool of a foamy consistency, black or red in color, with a foul odor is not normal and requires treatment.

If you suspect the presence of pathogenic bacterial microflora in a baby, a course of antibiotics is recommended. For a viral infection, accompanied by fever, abdominal pain and a depressed state, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Accordingly, if helminth eggs are present in the feces, antiparasitic treatment is carried out. But appointments should be made exclusively by a specialist based on the data obtained from laboratory and instrumental studies. You can give small kittens Smecta, Polysorb or Enterosgel to quickly remove toxic substances formed as a result of disturbances in the functioning of internal organs. Loperamide, a human anti-diarrhea drug, may be used as an emergency treatment. To water a kitten, you can use Ringer-Locke solution and saline. Dosages are determined strictly by a veterinarian.

Treatment of diarrhea depending on symptoms

There are several main reasons that cause diarrhea, and depending on them the choice of treatment tactics is made:

Diarrhea resulting from improper feeding and overeating. A small kitten should be given complementary foods very carefully, in small portions, since its digestive system is not yet perfect and vomiting and diarrhea may develop. If such reactions occur, it is worth eliminating the product to which such a reaction occurred and reducing the amount of food consumed.
Diarrhea with blood - the veterinarian prescribes medications to normalize the gastrointestinal tract, anthelmintics, and antibiotics. If foreign bodies that cause bleeding are detected, they are removed.
If diarrhea occurs as a result of intestinal dysbiosis, medications are prescribed to normalize the microflora.
In case of a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed, administered subcutaneously or intravenously.
An admixture of mucus in the stool indicates a helminthic infestation or the consequences of their treatment - if anthelmintic drugs have recently been given, since the mucus in this case is the undigested remains of helminths.

Diarrhea accompanied by refusal to eat in a very young kitten recently separated from its mother is a common occurrence. It occurs as a result of a stressful situation and does not require specific treatment.

For prolonged diarrhea that threatens dehydration, intravenous drip administration of detoxification drugs and parenteral nutrition agents is prescribed.

Depending on age:

The development of diarrhea in the newborn state and in the first month of life is most often associated with congenital developmental anomalies or intrauterine infection with infectious diseases. Bad milk in a cat can also cause diarrhea. Due to their early age and immaturity of the body, in most cases, kittens die. This is also due to poor absorption of drugs by an immature body.
At 2 months of age, diarrhea is most often associated with a change of place of residence. Most kittens are given to new owners, which is very stressful for them. Therefore, when you take your baby into your home, you should be very careful about organizing a place for him, give him the opportunity to get comfortable, and not get bored with games at first. At the same time, do not forget about proper nutrition and try to bring it as close as possible to your usual diet.
Three-month-old kittens are already grown-up creatures full of energy and curiosity. The main causes of diarrhea at this age are the following: overeating (they cannot yet dose the amount of food they need on their own), eating objects that are not suitable for this (associated with increased curiosity), and deworming.
At 4 months and older, the causes of diarrhea are the same as in adult cats: stress and diseases of the digestive tract. Having identified the cause of diarrhea, the veterinarian will prescribe treatment in accordance with it.

At home

If rare episodes of diarrhea occur while the kitten is feeling normally, and emergency veterinary care is not required, following simple rules will help your pet:

organize peace and not disturb the baby again;
refuse food for 24 hours, followed by dosed meals in small portions;
ensure constant access to clean water;
if there is a relationship between the appearance of diarrhea and eating certain foods, completely eliminate these foods from the diet;
drink a decoction of rice, flax seeds or oak bark;
in case of increased gas formation, give children's Smecta or Activated Carbon diluted in water, or any other adsorbent approved for use in kittens.

Treatment with drugs

The list of medications prescribed for kittens is not that extensive:

Activated carbon – used in the absence of additional symptoms other than diarrhea, while maintaining the pet’s good health;
Smecta - helps with increased gas formation, to consolidate stool. The dosage should be checked with a veterinarian depending on age and condition;
Enterosgel is a good remedy that helps with all forms of diarrhea;
Loperamide - should be given in exceptional cases, in accordance with the prescribed dosage;
Antibiotics are prescribed by the doctor, depending on the infectious agent that caused the diarrhea;
Enterofuril - approved for use in kittens; it is more convenient to use a suspension.

What medications are used to treat diarrhea in kittens?

You can stop your kitten's diarrhea with the help of medications. To eliminate loose stools, you can use the following medications:

Activated carbon. A substance with absorbent properties. It is used only in mild cases of diarrhea in a kitten.
Smecta is an excellent enterosorbent that cannot cause harm to the kitten’s body, but only with the correct dosage. It is worth noting that Smecta has adhesive properties. If you overdo it with the amount of the drug, you can cause constipation.
Loperamide. A medicine intended for the treatment of diarrhea in humans. It is not the number one remedy for treating diarrhea in kittens, since the dosage is quite difficult to calculate.
Enterosgel is a powerful enterosorbent developed specifically for humans, but has also found its use in veterinary medicine. The drug allows you to get rid of toxic substances during viral and bacterial infections, as well as a first aid remedy for intoxication of the body. An excellent effect can be expected at the very first signs of illness in a kitten.
Antimicrobial agents. It is recommended that serious medications be prescribed by a veterinarian. Antibiotics have an inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacterial microflora.

Additional "bells"

If loose stools appear, be sure to observe the cat.

If:

Diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting;
The cat often and forcefully licks its sides and belly;
Sits hunched over, head down to front paws;
Moans when changing position;
Shortened, careful movements appeared;
Does not respond to favorite food;
Drinks water often and greedily;
Reacts aggressively to attempts to pick him up;
Tries to find a place in the shade and coolness;
Urinates on himself;
He falls on his side, throwing his head back.

Don't hesitate! Call the vet immediately: “The cat has diarrhea! What to do? What to give before your arrival? Step by step, please!

The doctor should receive all useful information from you:

Age and sex of the animal.
When and with what was the pet dewormed.
When and what was vaccinated?
Feeding regimen and what kind of food.
What was treated for and with what (if any).
Were antibiotics administered?
When did the illness begin?
When did the diarrhea start?
What changes in the animal’s well-being have occurred over the last hour or two.

Your pet’s life is in danger, so do not hesitate to describe all the symptoms of the disease to the doctor in detail, including the color and quality of feces.

If the cat does not have such obvious signs of serious illness, then you can alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea using home methods.

Feeding a kitten with diarrhea

To stop diarrhea caused by improper nutrition in a kitten, it is necessary to keep the baby on a starvation diet. It is not recommended to keep your pet on a fasting diet for longer than 12 hours. A small and severely weakened animal must be fed by hand from a special bottle or pipette.

The owner’s main task is to prevent dehydration from developing. If the kitten is older, you can introduce low-fat food in the form of chicken broth and fermented milk products. It is allowed to introduce a boiled egg, rice porridge cooked in water, or minced chicken. Each dish should be introduced not in one day, but gradually.

The absence of positive dynamics in the animal’s condition requires immediate contact with a veterinary clinic.

Foul diarrhea

If the cat was treated with antibiotics, then there may be a side effect in the form of foul-smelling diarrhea. This is an indirect sign that the medicine was chosen incorrectly. The veterinarian should decide this.

Sometimes there are no antibiotics, but the diarrhea still smells bad. This means that the food is of poor quality; you need to help the baby with a little fasting.