Homemade food for cat with diarrhea

Cats are wild animals that can adapt to domestic life without any problems. However, despite their natural resilience, they are susceptible to certain health problems and it is not difficult for these animals to manifest digestive disorders.

As owners, you must be informed about the most common diseases that affect your feline, because then you will know the appropriate course of action in order to maintain their health and well-being.

Many common diseases in cats have diarrhea as a symptom, which should be treated as soon as possible; in order to help you, this AnimalWised article will go over a soft diet for cats with diarrhea.

Contents

1. Symptoms of diarrhea in cats
2. Causes of diarrhea in cats
3. A soft diet for cats with diarrhea
4. Transition back to a normal diet

Symptoms of diarrhea in cats

The main symptoms warning you that your cat has diarrhea are primarily more frequent and more liquid feces. However, other symptoms may also arise, especially in chronic situations:

• Flatulence
• Blood present in feces
• Lethargy
• Signs of pain when defecating
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Urgency to defecate

Causes of diarrhea in cats

Diarrhea in cats may be caused by various disorders:

• Intolerance to dairy or certain foods
• Food poisoning
• Ingestion of hairballs
• Dietary changes
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Allergic reactions
• Intestinal parasites
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Tumors in the digestive tract
• Hyperthyroidism
• Colitis
• Medications

Given the multiple causes of diarrhea in cats, if it lasts more than a day, it is essential that you go to the vet. Although it is true that dietary treatment through a soft diet is necessary, sometimes it must also be accompanied by medical treatment.

A soft diet for cats with diarrhea

In a soft diet for cats with diarrhea, two foods are mainly used:

• Chicken: Well boiled and free of skin, bones and fat. It will provide the necessary proteins.

• Rice: In addition to providing easy-to-use energy, boiled rice absorbs water in the digestive tract and increases stool consistency, so it is very important that your cat eats it, even if it is not its favorite food.

Hydration will be essential in maintaining an adequate level of electrolytes in your cat's body. For this, you should give it water and isotonic drinks.

Before starting a soft diet, you can let your cat fast for 24 hours, only giving it liquids. The soft diet should be maintained for a minimum of three days.

Transition back to a normal diet

After three days of a soft diet to combat the diarrhea, you can start gradually mixing in the boiled chicken with rice with the cat food. Beforehand, you should review what type of balanced diet you are providing your cat, since poor quality cat food can be the cause ogf the diarrhea in the first place.

It is recommended that you ask your veterinarian for advice about probiotics for cats; they will restore your pet's intestinal flora and prevent a new episode of diarrhea.

If you want to read similar articles to Soft Diet for Cats with Diarrhea, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.

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When your kitty makes frequent, fragrant trips to the litter box, it's a cry for help in getting over a case of the runs. If your cat's bowels are working overtime, preparing a special meal or two to get her system back on track should do the trick.

Make it Bland

Bland food that is easy to digest will calm your kitty's digestive system. A mixture of two parts cooked white rice and one part hamburger or shredded chicken that has been boiled will be easy on your cat's tummy and settle her irritable bowels. Give this special food to your cat in small portions three or four times a day for a day or two until everything in the litter department starts firming up, then gradually switch her back to her regular kibble.

Focus on Fat and Fiber

A diet high in fat can sometimes be the culprit when it comes to diarrhea in cats. It causes swelling and irritation of your kitty's intestinal lining, interfering with proper digestion of her food. Insufficient fiber can be another cause of diarrhea as fiber binds things together for a more solid outcome. When putting together special meals to help with your cat's diarrhea or even when reading labels while selecting cat food, stick with low fat and high fiber for your feline's digestive tract health.

Eliminate Dairy

Special meals for your diarrhetic cat should never include milk products. Your kitty doesn't have the right enzymes to digest milk, so an innocent dish of cream can turn into a mess for you both. If you're in the habit of letting your kitty lick leche, stop immediately; if she isn't already hooked on dairy, don't let her start. Preventing a case of diarrhea in the first place is easier than dealing with the aftermath of a milk binge.

Start With a Clean Slate

Before serving your cat special food for disruption in her digestive tract, a mini-fast can calm things down a bit and push her digestive reset button. Obnoxious things will stop coming out the back end if you quit putting food in the front end. Withhold food for at least four hours and up to 24 hours when your kitty first gets the runs, then give her a small serving of the special bland meal. Don't keep her from drinking water, though. Diarrhea can quickly dehydrate a cat, so she'll need access to as much water as she'd like to drink during and after her fast.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.

References

Writer Bio

Elle Di Jensen has been a writer and editor since 1990. She began working in the fitness industry in 1987, and her experience includes editing and publishing a workout manual. She has an extended family of pets, including special needs animals. Jensen attended Idaho and Boise State Universities. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications.

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