Occasional Diarrhea

My 4 year old DSH has problems with occasional diarrhea. It usually occurs once a month and lasts for a few days. It is normally just runny accompanied by a bad smell. I have taken stool samples to the vet in the past and they have ruled out bacteria and parasites. He is given Purina Indoor Formula and has been eating this for the past 3.5 years. He eats, drinks, and acts normally. There have been no recent changes except for us setting up a nursery for our baby that is due in a month, but the diarrhea started before this. The litter box is in our bathroom. During the episodes of diarrhea he would poop on our bathroom rug that was next to the tub but we solved this by hanging it up at night. Now he is occasionally pooping on the floor where the rug was.

Some background: He was adopted from the shelter as a kitten and was a stray before that. He is a nervous cat and will run and hide from most people when they first enter our house. We are wondering if this could be a nervous stomach issue. We have one other DSH that is the same age but she shows no sign of any of these problems.

I have talked to my vet about the problem but wanted to come here for advice before we spent anymore money on possibly unnecessary tests.

Thank you in advance.

It could very well be stress related. Try keeping a journal of what's going on in your home when you notice the diarrhea starts. You could also try using a Feliway diffuser to help decrease stress.

I agree - keep a diary to go over with the vet - my boy also develops soft bowels when stressed. I think he's probably pooping outside the box to 'tell' you something's not quite right. I wonder....maybe ask your vet about Talin powder....it's a mild antibiotic in powder form that is often used for symptoms of IBS. My vet gave it to Dante when he was having a course of intermitten pooing outside the box - I believe that was a big help. I also added a box for him (just in case part of the problem was having a problem getting to the other boxes fast enough, and use Cat Attract litter). Knock wood, we've been good.

I know it's tough, especially when waiting for the new baby, but try to keep telling him you love him, he's not being displaced, and you know it's not his fault....I swear cats can pick up on our distress and anxiety before we're even aware how upset/nervous we are.

FWIW, my girl apparently has a cast iron digestive tract - once in a while a hairball, and tossed her cookies when on Clavomox - but it's my boy who's th sensitive one. They were both adopted as adult strays.

oops it's Tylan powder.

I agree with the journal to look for patterns. It could be hairball related. My Tolly gets terribly sick (with diarrhea) when he has trouble with hairballs. The diarrhea starts and goes for several days before he starts passing the mats of fur in it.

On the other hand a fecal float at the vet does not always show everything. A two week course or even a month on flagyl (metronidazole) is often prescribed for unexplained diarrhea.

Also a probiotic such as fortiflora (made by purina) or one of the gel ones during his bouts will help get him back on track.

Ask your vet about putting him on this medication.

He poops on the floor because he blames the box for his discomfort.

And install some Feliway plug in diffusers before Baby gets there! (congratulations!)

Welcome to TCS and please keep us posted.

Also, if you don't already have 2 boxes, add a 2nd or 3rd box to your home. Generally, you should have 1 more box than kitties. Some kitties are weird and they like to poop and pee in different boxes.