The magic pumpkin...

So after reading loads about diarrhea and the magic pumpkin cure? I got pumpkin today to try and firm up my little man's poop until he gets over this sickness - and then I can try removing the pumpkin. He ate about a half teaspoon (I put 1 teaspoon in his dish and he gobbled it up willingly, but only about half ) is this enough to help or should I offer another half later tonight?

I sure as heck hope it helps!

I would go ahead and do it twice a day.

Ok so here is where we are at - so far....

Yesterday afternoon I gave my lil one some pumpkin - he did not poop immediately after which I took as a good sign because for a week every time he ate he had to mad rush for the litter box. He then had his dinner and meds and ran for the box

His poop was all over his fur and I couldn't wet wipe it off... I guess they didn't shave close enough so I had to trim the hair off he was NOT impressed and I could never have done it if mom wasn't here to help hold him.

I went up and down on it "crud did the pumpkin make it WORSE!?" I began to second guess it since it can ALSO cause loose stools lol I went into his litter an hour later and it was still liquid (( usually it'll solid up a bit in the litter if you let it sit so you can scoop it nearly but not this time )). I scooped it out and put it in a baggie to toss it. I decided to try another dose of pumpkin before bed.

After going up and down on my decision all night I decided to sit up with him all night (( well with him sleeping lol on me... )) so if he went to the litterbox I Could follow and check before burried... he did not go in the night.

We woke this am and I gave him his soft food, pumpkin and meds - and he did not TEAR DOWN to litter instantly! He was able to wait about 5 minutes before the need to poop hit!

He went and came out and I checked his bum? NO POOP ALL OVER!

His poo is still gel/toothpastey soft though. So I thought "maybe just a fluke".

As I sat here typing this? He went to poop again - same consistency but! AGAIN no poop all over fur/bum! that is 2 poops without mess.

I will be giving him another teaspoon full mid afternoon so it has time to be in there just before dinner/meds.

There is light at the end of the tunnel I think!
Will post again when I see the next few poos... but so far a bit better...

His meds could be causing diarrhea too as a side effect. So hopefully magic pumpkin keeps working!

Well he had the diarrhea for a week - he has only been on the meds since Friday - but yea it could be contributing but it isn't the original cause..... either way I hope we are on the right track

Originally Posted by Ummm

His meds could be causing diarrhea too as a side effect. So hopefully magic pumpkin keeps working!

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I've discovered that baby food yellow squash is just as good as pumpkin and there is less waste and cheaper to buy 1 little jar than a whole can.

He's on flagyl for the diarrhea, right? that can take a couple of weeks to make a difference. I'm glad he's eating the pumpkin. I use probiotics, I've never had a cat who would eat pumpkin.

Just for general clarification to anyone reading who might not know, the pumpkin being discussed is pure pumpkin, no added spices or anything else, not pumpkin pie filling.

Originally Posted by otto

He's on flagyl for the diarrhea, right? that can take a couple of weeks to make a difference. I'm glad he's eating the pumpkin. I use probiotics, I've never had a cat who would eat pumpkin.

Just for general clarification to anyone reading who might not know, the pumpkin being discussed is pure pumpkin, no added spices or anything else, not pumpkin pie filling.

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Exactly, which is why I prefer the baby food squash. It is also pure.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

Exactly, which is why I prefer the baby food squash. It is also pure.

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I find squash is often more to my fur kids liking... though I keep both

Cleo didn't like squash or pumpkin, but gobbled up babyfood peas (also good source of fiber.) Just keep looking until you find something that works. My vet also suggested Benefiber or plain Metamucil mixed into her wet food if she didn't eat pumpkin, squash or peas.

Originally Posted by Dusty's Mom

I've discovered that baby food yellow squash is just as good as pumpkin and there is less waste and cheaper to buy 1 little jar than a whole can.

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Thanks for the tip! We actually froze teaspoon portions so I can just pop one or two out a day

Originally Posted by otto

He's on flagyl for the diarrhea, right? that can take a couple of weeks to make a difference. I'm glad he's eating the pumpkin. I use probiotics, I've never had a cat who would eat pumpkin.

Just for general clarification to anyone reading who might not know, the pumpkin being discussed is pure pumpkin, no added spices or anything else, not pumpkin pie filling.

Click to expand...

No, he is not on flagyl - we are trying to see if we can calm it down with more natural means first.




heh yea my boy loves the pumpkin - plain or in with food Laps it up.


Well I went and did the litter and examined both poops, still toothpastey but more solid than they have been for a good week! SO we will continue with pumpkin tomorrow

If he makes it to bedtime with a clean bum we will both snooze in my bed tonight

Another soft poop today but clean bum! The pumpkin is a sanity saver!

So glad I found this tip on the net/forum. And so is Kismet. So anyone who has a kitty with diarrhea and poopy bum, see the vet - find the source and then treat it with canned, plain pumpkin while you fix the cause. Its awesome.

Will work on fixing cause in 7 days when biotics are done.

Ok so I started the pumpkin Sunday and it is now Wednesday. Monday - he pooped twice - clean bum but stool still way too mushy. Tuesday he pooped twice - stool semi formed finally! and clean bum! Today - stool even slightly firmer

I will go ahead and 100% call the pumpkin treatment a full success. 5 days of meds left - I will continue to monitor when he comes off the meds to make sure he doesn't end up on the other end of the scale but we are quite happy.