Stools

OK sorry for the TMI, but I figured, where else could I ask about cat poop and no one would think I was a crazy lady?

Anyway, Napoleon is a very healthy kitty. He has a hearty appetite and is very active with the many toys we have for him and Cassie (sometimes he and Cassie think *they* are the "toys" LOL).

Recently, I've noticed that his stools have been...well...soft. He's had some bouts of runniness...not all the time, once a day at MOST (this has been noticed in the last few days)...but they are not firm as they normally are.

When this would happen to him, I could usually back it up with a diet change or something new he might be eating, but nothing has changed in the recent weeks. In fact, I specifically DON'T give him food because I think he has a sensitive tummy (no barfing though, thank goodness).

Now here's the kicker -- though there is no change in his diet I wrote on the boards a few days back about how he will eat Cassie's food in boredom. Since my BF and I are not home about 9 hours per day, they are left to their own devices a lot...which means I can't really limit food or my house will be eaten LOL. BUT i also don't "free feed," meaning I give them a set amount in the morning, then a set amount at night, maybe a few snacks in between (nothing has changed in that routine either)...

Could that be causing the runniness? The overeating? He is fine otherwise.

This morning I was a little proactive, when Cassie was finished with her "first round" of food (she eats in installments), I put it up on the shelf where he can't get to it. It worked, he had no where else to eat but his own bowl. So I'm thinking the overeating may have definitely contributed to his runnier stools. Thoughts?

Runny stool can be caused by a diet that is to rich for the cat to handle, overfeeding, health issues or parasites. You can always run a fecal to the vet to rule out a health issue, and then go from there. Try also adding a small amount of canned pumpkin to his food to see if that doesn't help a bit. Be sure he is not dehydrating on you- pinch his neck lightly then release, does the skin fold back in seconds or stay tented up? If it stays tented up, then he needs a vet quickly.

It could also be a sensitivity to an ingredient in the food. Most cat foods have a certain amount of grains. Lots of cats don't digest them well. Rocket gets pudding poop if he eats cat food that contains corn. Then too there's the possibility of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Originally Posted by coaster

It could also be a sensitivity to an ingredient in the food. Most cat foods have a certain amount of grains. Lots of cats don't digest them well. Rocket gets pudding poop if he eats cat food that contains corn. Then too there's the possibility of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

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"Pudding poop!" Oh that's a good one. That's a good way to describe Napoleon's poops. They are not firm but not entirely "splattery." Yick! LOL

Originally Posted by hissy

Runny stool can be caused by a diet that is to rich for the cat to handle, overfeeding, health issues or parasites. You can always run a fecal to the vet to rule out a health issue, and then go from there. Try also adding a small amount of canned pumpkin to his food to see if that doesn't help a bit. Be sure he is not dehydrating on you- pinch his neck lightly then release, does the skin fold back in seconds or stay tented up? If it stays tented up, then he needs a vet quickly.

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I have been checking his hydration with the "skin" method and everything is A-OK. He doesn't seem to be lethargic or anything so I don't think it's a virus or anything like that.

I think the reason is that he might eat too much. I've been limiting his food and hiding Cassie's when I see she is done with her "installment" LOL. He's been better but I am still keeping an eye on him. Thanks Hissy