Diarrhea in cats is a fairly common symptom .Generally, it is a temporary disorder, the expression of banal conditions, which resolves in a few days; more rarely, it is the consequence of more serious problems, for which it is advisable to consult the veterinarian.

What is meant by diarrhea?

Diarrhea refers to frequent emission of watery , soft and unformed stools .

Diarrhea is the result of more rapid passage of fecal material through the intestine , combined with reduced absorption of water, nutrients , and electrolytes .

Diarrhea is a symptom and not a disease.

It can occur as a single sign or together with other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying pathology.

What are the causes?

The most common causes of diarrhea in cats are:

• Sudden changes in diet. Changing a cat’s diet suddenly can cause transient episodes of diarrhea;
• Intestinal worms(e.g. hookworms, roundworms , whipworms);
• Other intestinal parasites, such as giardia , cryptosporidium or tritrichomonas;
• Pancreatitis. It is inflammation of the pancreas . In cats, this condition is often due to unrecognizable causes;
• Food intolerancesand ingestion of foods not suitable for cats .

Furthermore, less frequently, diarrhea in cats can be due to:

• Intestinal bacterial infections, such as salmonella and campylobacteriosis (supported by Campyobacter );
• Viruses, such as feline parvovirus (which causes feline panleukopenia), feline leukemia virus(which causes FeLV), and FIP virus (which causes feline infectious peritonitis );
• Ingestion of substances irritating, but not infectious, to the digestive system ;
• Poisoning or intoxication(e.g. ingestion of poisonous plants, toxic chemicals, etc.);
• Inflammatory bowel disease;
• Intestinal blockage;
• Nephropathy;
• Tumors of the digestive system.

How to understand if your cat has diarrhea?

If a well-trained cat suddenly begins to defecate outside the litter box and if his feces are liquid , he is most likely suffering from diarrhea .

Spotting the problem is more difficult if:

• The cat also spends many hours outdoors;
• The cat still manages to reach the litter box and use it, covering the feces.

If your long- haired cat suffers from diarrhoea, it tends to dirty its rear end , which can help you notice the problem even if the animal lives outdoors and uses the litter box regularly.

Having said this, it should also be noted that, in healthy cats , variations in the consistency of the feces regularly occur : these are phenomena that last 1-2 days and should not be excessively alarming.
You should consider contacting the vet, however, if the presence of liquid or semi-liquid stools lasts more than 2 days.

Finally, it remains to be clarified what to do if you have multiple cats and you realize, from reports that have been made around, that at least one of them is suffering from diarrhoea; in such situations, using some strategies (e.g. isolation), it is necessary to understand which animal is affected and evaluate whether or not a veterinary consultation is needed.

Diarrhea in Cats: what symptoms and signs help to recognize it?

• More frequent use of the litter box;
• Dirty, smelly and sometimes painful hindquarters;
• Stomachsounds ;
• Flatulence;
• Swollen belly;
• Tendency to groom the hindquarters frequently.

What other symptoms is it associated with?

In cats, diarrhea can be an isolated symptom or part of a more complex symptom picture; generally speaking, if the cat presents other symptoms in addition to diarrhea, it is likely that the animal is suffering from a serious problem or one that deserves a veterinary consultation.

Symptoms and signs that, in addition to diarrhea, should cause concern are:

• Blood in the stool;
• Weakness;
• Fever;
• Vomit;
• Abdominal pain;
• Dehydration;
• Loss of appetite;
• Ugly and unkempt fur.

A cat with diarrhea may exhibit only some of these associated symptoms; in any case, it is always advisable to call the vet.

What tests should be done for diagnosis?

When dealing with a cat that has diarrhea, the veterinarian works to trace the causes of the disorder.

Identification of the causes requires an accurate medical history , a thorough physical examination and, sometimes, laboratory tests on feces ( rectal swab for parasites , bacterial culture, etc.) and on a blood sample .

The owner of the animal has a decisive role in the correct diagnosis of the causes; In fact, the vet uses him to find out what concerns:

• Onset of diarrhea;
• Frequency of discharges;
• Appearance of stool;
• Changes in diet;
• Changes to the environment in which the animal usually lives;
• Cat habits.

If diarrhea is a persistent disorder, your veterinarian may also use radiological tests , ultrasounds and/or endoscopic examinations .

How is it treated?

Treatment varies depending on the cause ; this is why, in the diagnostic phase, it is very important to correctly establish what triggered the symptom.

Having said that, here are some example situations, which explain what an antidiarrheal therapy could look like :

• Diarrhea aside, if the cat is healthy, abstention from food for 24 hours or the use of a specific diet for gastrointestinal problems for a few days may be sufficient; generally, it is the vet who indicates what is best to do.
  These temporary countermeasures allow the cat to recover from something that has altered its intestinal balance.
• If the cat is healthy, but the disorder persists, it may be useful to adopt an anti-diarrhealdrug or a probiotic, which supports gastrointestinal health; There are some doubts about the effectiveness of probiotics , which is why it is best to ask your vet for advice before using them.
• If the diarrhea is due to intestinal worms, treatment with dewormingdrugs is needed .
• If the diarrhea is due to a food intolerance, it is necessary to change the food plan, giving the animal only the food suitable for it; this change may require several attempts, in order to discover which food toeliminate from the diet.
  In these situations, dietary therapy must last a lifetime.
• If diarrhea has been ongoing for several days and the cat is unwell, the animal requires admission to a veterinary clinic to receive all appropriate care (intravenous fluids, ).

What do diets for gastrointestinal problems contain?

Diets for gastrointestinal issues are specifically formulated with a balance of fiber , which feeds the good bacteria in your cat’s gut, and some antioxidants , which support your cat’s immune system during recovery.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis depends on the severity of the diarrhea , the cause of the disorder, and the cat’s response to treatment .

Most cases of simple diarrhea (where the cat is healthy) recover completely , while cats with chronic diarrhea (due to more serious causes) may require dietary management or medications to keep the condition under control.

What to prevent it?

It is possible to reduce the risk of diarrhea in cats by taking some precautions:

• Vaccinate the animal against intestinal worms. This vaccineshould be administered when the cat is completely dewormed.
• If you decide to change your pet’s diet (even just the type of kibble), it is essential to do so gradually.
• If the cat lives outdoors, it is important to eliminate anything that could be toxic from the environment.