Kitten has Stinky/Squishy Poop (off and on)

It seems my kitten is getting diarrhea, but it's off and on. She poops a few times a day. In the mornings it's usually normal, brown, and firm--, but at night time she has the most horrible smelling, somewhat squishy poops. I'm wondering if her food (which she eats more of towards evening) is causing some intestinal problems or maybe she has a sensitivity. She eats Hill's Science Diet kitten food. When we got her from the shelter, she tested negative for worms and everything else.

She has a checkup and gets her last set of vaccinations this Friday, so I will ask the vet what he thinks... but what does everyone here think?

Is she an indoor-only kitty? If she's gone outside (or been exposed to animals who do), she could easily have picked up some worms... but it doesn't really sound like that to me.

What are you feeding her? If you're leaving dry food out at night, but giving her wet food during the day (as many people do), that would explain the difference in the poop.

Do you know how to check for dehydration? Pull up a little tent of skin at her nape and see if it slips back into place immediately. If it takes a moment to return, it could mean she's dehydrated, which would warrant a call to see if the vet can see her tomorrow instead of Friday...

She just eats the dry Science Diet food. I only leave out a little bit at a time, but she does seem to stuff herself a little more in the afternoons. I'm wondering if she has a sensitivity to something in it.

Should I be adding some water in with it to keep her from dehydrating?

And, yes, she's an indoor kitty only.

Kittens do eat a little bit more , because they are growing.. Are you feeding her enough?

If she'll eat it with water on it, that would be great! Otherwise, just watch her to be sure she's drinking a reasonable amount of water.

How much is reasonable? Gosh... I'm afraid that's a Hissy question...

Definitely! She's grown so much and she's getting so strong since we adopted her from the shelter! I let her free-feed during the night and part of the day (with the exception of a few hours where I keep her bowl on the counter).

I'm always with her (with the exception of going to the store once or twice a week for an hour), so I keep a close watch.

She actually loves wet food! The first week we had her I sprinkled it on her food (lightly) because she didn't seem so sure about the dry food. She's been eating dry food for about 2 1/2 weeks now though.

So wet food=a good thing right now then?

Yes wet food is very good for them... Was the shelter using SD?? if not likely she is just having a slow adjustment... Is she eating within the guidelines on the bag??

Originally Posted by sharky

Yes wet food is very good for them... Was the shelter using SD?? if not likely she is just having a slow adjustment... Is she eating within the guidelines on the bag??

Click to expand...

She might be eating just a little bit over, actually. I'm not completely sure because I haven't been using the measuring cup. We bought the Science Diet from the shelter, but when she got carsick on the way home and threw up (on the way home) it was something different (with coloured shapes and chunks--which I heard is not so good for kitties).

I'll add some moisture to her food and see what happens.

A little over is nothing to woryy about.. yes add some mositure

I just added a handful of water and she's chowing down!

Thanks, you guys! I'm such a worrywort! I'm glad I found this site! I'll keep everyone updated on the vet visit!

Thanks, you guys! I'm such a worrywort


Oh, so am I..

welcome to the worrywort club

Yay! At least I'm not alone!

How long has she been there since the shelter? When I brought my kitties home from the shelter they had severe coccidia from being in such close proximities with so many cats. That could be a possibility...