Another cat diet question, cat has chronic loose stools / diarrhea

[xenabean]

I love this thread! I have been struggling for almost a month now to find out why my kitten is having diarrhea. He was tested for parasites and worms, all of which were negative. He is currently almost 10 weeks old. I got him at 6 weeks which is obviously VERY young to be on his own but I was up for the challenge. He was perfect for the first 4 days with me and then the diarrhea began. Not large amounts or explosive but very liquidy, smelly, and frequent. The vet treated him for worms anyways just in case. He was on Albon first which did nothing. and then generic Flagyl which changed the consistency of his poop from liquid to mush (which was better). He has been off that medication for almost a week and its still mushy and he's still getting it stuck on his bum. The vet just called me today and suggested a probiotic since he's been on a couple antibiotics so I am hoping that will help. It has not gone back to diarrhea thank god!

Other than the poop issue, he is a very normal kitten. He doesn't throw up, he eats plenty, and he is super playful and he's gaining weight and growing. I currently have him on Science Diet which he likes, but he eats anything I give him pretty much and I hate to keep switching his food around cause I did a few times when the diarrhea started.

ALSO, canned pumpkin helps -- no pie filling, just fresh canned pumpkin

 

[4pawsx5]

Could it be a food allergy causing the poop issue?  I had a similar problem and found out Puma was allergic to turkey and grains.  I switched food and within 3 days his poop was firm and normal ever since (2yrs ago).  The problem is it's hard to find a single protein cat food. 

 

[cats5]

Definitely stay on a good quality food, sometimes you have to do trial by elimination to find out what would be the best food. The less ingredients the better, you do not want to pick a food that has a lot of additive & fillers & ingredients you have no idea what that is. Wet food plus dry food is best as they do need the wet food for the moisture content & to help alleviate any UTI's. Go to a website called Native Remedies (Pet Alive) as they have a lot of good products for pets that have all sorts of issues, as well as Pet Wellbeing. You might be able to find a supplement that you can give him that will assist his issues. I have ordered many products from them thru  the years that have  definitely worked for my cats.

 

[animalpal2014]

I see this is an old post.  And, you've gotten some good advice.  But, this info may still be helpful to Poster - and others.

1.  Has vet checked for Giardia and Coccidia?    (Haven't read all posts - so, I don't know)  Both tend to cause diarrhea and very smelly poops.

*2.  Please avoid feeding any foods containing CARRAGEENAN.   This is known to cause damage to the digestive tract.  (Also, it's extremely

       carcinogenic).  It is in most canned pet foods (and some yogurts) - even in premium brands.  (It is also found in many people foods.)

      If you get info from the pet food companies - they will tell you that they use the "safe" form.  But, NO form is safe - as - the "safe" form converts to the

      unsafe form when it encounters stomach acids.

3.  I have used Pumpkin added to food to help normalize poops.  And, cats seem to like it.

4.  I have IBD/IBS problem with several of my cats.  And, feeding them raw beef with baby rice cereal added - - has helped a lot.   (rice is a binder).

     You need to be careful with raw meats, though.  Especially if they are from warm regions - as they can contain carry worms eggs/larvae (Fluke

     worms are common in warm climates.  I even had a cat in New York who was "infested" with Fluke Worms.

     I believe this can be avoided if meat is frozen first - but - check this out with your vet or on the internet.

     Also, when I feed straight meats (Raw or Cooked) - I add some powdered Calcium Citrate - because the meats contain a lot of phosphorous - 

     which need to be balanced with calcium.  Otherwise, the overload of phosphorous can cause calcium to be pulled out of the bones.  Check with

     your vet or on the internet for dosages.

RE: Worms:  There are many worms which cannot be detected with the traditional flotation test (which misses worms often, anyway).  These are Fluke Worms, which can be devastating. 

You may want to ask your vet to test for Flukes (which require a Sedimentation Test - and sometimes, repeat testing - as the weird life cycle of flukes - will not show eggs at certain times). 

GOOD LUCK, Jackie Page

 

[czois]

Please do not feed your cat dry food. That is the cause of the pooping problem. Look at the ingredients, corn, wheat, soy, and gluten or any one of these can disrupt the proper digestion in felines (and canines).

We learned a very harsh lesson here, $1500 later in testing, and finally came to understand, what COMES OUT, must GO IN FIRST.

You should switch to Friskies Classic Pates, Poultry Platter or Turkey and Giblets, Supreme Supper and Liver & Chicken are the flavors that do not contain the infamous 4 no no's. We add a bit of water to make

a gravy.

For sure, once the initial changeover takes affect, your cat will be healthier and happier than ever.

Let me guess, your vet sells Royal Canine and Science Diet.

 

[xenabean]

Please do not feed your cat dry food. That is the cause of the pooping problem. Look at the ingredients, corn, wheat, soy, and gluten or any one of these can disrupt the proper digestion in felines (and canines).
We learned a very harsh lesson here, $1500 later in testing, and finally came to understand, what COMES OUT, must GO IN FIRST.

You should switch to Friskies Classic Pates, Poultry Platter or Turkey and Giblets, Supreme Supper and Liver & Chicken are the flavors that do not contain the infamous 4 no no's. We add a bit of water to make
a gravy.

For sure, once the initial changeover takes affect, your cat will be healthier and happier than ever.

Let me guess, your vet sells Royal Canine and Science Diet.

He did suggest those two brands but i actually cleared up the issue on my own anyways. I researched a ton of food and settled on the Nature's Variety Instinct Raw Boost dry food which has a probiotic in it and ever since i switched, theres been no bathroom issues and he loves it

 

[czois]

SCIENCE DIET WILL KILL YOUR CAT and if  your vet sells this, I would highly recommend you find another vet.

Cats are not genetically programed to be able to digest dry food, let alone corn, wheat, soy, or gluten.

Please read the ingredients on the bag. They are carniverous by nature. Dry food is the equivalent of humans

being fed only McDonalds.

We learned the hard way, and you need to immediately switch the kitten to wet food, we use the classic Friskies Pates,

Poultry Platter, Turkey Giblets, LIver & Chicken, and Supreme Supper and we add a bit of filtered water to make a gravy.

People really need to educate themselves better on the topic of feline nutrition, most vets only complete 10 hours which is nothing.

And are completely clueless when it comes to appropriate foods to feed felines and canines.

We do not even consider adopting cats out to anyone who feeds dry food and is unwilling to change over to a proper dietary regimen of wet only.

 

[czois]

Hopefully it does not have corn, wheat, soy or gluten in it.

But even the worst quality wet food, is better than the best quality dry.

The face of Feline Nutrition is starting to change as people become more saavy.

 

[czois]

If you were feeding the cat dry food his entire life, that very well was the cause of his enlarged heart issues. Humans ingesting McDonalds type foods, including corn, wheat, soy, and gluten

will also face the grim reaper when cancer, heart  disease, or diabetes sets in. This is the same for cats. They should NEVER be fed dry food and any vet that sells Royal Canin or Science Diet

is doing so for one reason and one reason alone, $$$$$.

Please please educated yourself on feline nutrition. Your pet's life depends on it.

Funny how physically fit people seem more understanding of the proper nutritional principles for companion animals, more so than people who are not

in optimum physical condition. There is a direct correlation sadly.

 

[czois]

I'm yet to read a Royal Canine label that has ingredients appropriate for a cat.

 

[czois]

I have come to understand why the common vets do not understand that dry food is the CAUSE of the intestinal issues everyone on these threads is describing, loose bowels and diarrhea in cats.

It is really astounding that people are naive enough to not realize, as the vets chin ching and continue with testing and raking in the $.

And then have the audacity to put the cherry on the cake and try to sell you all the prescription dry foods Royal Canine and or Science Diet.

Please people, educate yourselves, the top veterinary facilities and most highly accomplishted vets in this country will NEVER EVER recommend dry food. NEVER.

Do your research unless that is, you are all part of the 75 % of the human population who will be stricken by cancer, heart disease, and or diabetes by the hear 2020.

T

 

[cats5]

Well, first not all dry food is bad plus feeding some dry is good for their teeth, too. Most of my cats eat mainly wet food (Wellness) but they do like their dry food, too. I have worked for a vet for 40 yrs & as far as Science Diet is concerned, its not one of the best by no means but sometimes you have to give them Prescription Food depending on what issues they may have. I have a cat that has UTI's & since she has been on Feline C/D, she no longer has any UTI's. Feeding wet food, also helps prevent UTI's as well. My newest addition, Cami, will not eat any wet food, no matter what brand or what flavor so she is on a dry food diet. I spoke to my vet in Oregon & he recommended ACANA & so that is what she eats plus she does drink plenty of water. Not all food is created equally & you do have to do your own research & read the ingredients. The less ingredients the better & also being able to understand what the ingredients actually mean. My oldest cat will be 21 yrs old in May so with the good food & supplements she gets every day has kept her in very good health. None of my cats never have had chronic loose stools or diarrhea & most of my cats are Seniors now.

 

[mscatmom]

This has been a very interesting - and relevant - thread. I have been dealing with a diarrhea situation with one of my kids off and on for a year. She is 12 years old, and other than this nasty problem she is active, alert and seemingly in good health. Her last senior exam did not reveal anything out of the norm. She is extremely finicky, so the suggested dietary changes have been a challenge. I have been cutting down on the amount of dry food, as I understand the potential problem with that, however she is a good drinker and uses the fountain regularly. The only canned food she will eat is Fancy Feast Classics. I have purchased dozens of other brands and ended up throwing most away. Lately I have been supplementing her Fancy Feast with cooked chicken as eventually I'd like to convert them to a homemade diet.....but I want to get her diarrhea issue resolved first. However, perhaps the homemade diet will do that? Sigh.

As others will attest to, this is distressing but I will not give up as she is my daughter and I want to do right by her. I do plan on getting the test for TF done, as well as trying yet another dry food. Right now I am feeding Taste of the Wild, but after I found out they are a product of Diamond Pet Foods I am concerned about this brand. Actually, I may end up tossing the rest of the bag. 

I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions - especially those from parents of senior cats! 

Karrie

 

[stephanietx]

@MsCatmom, since this is such an old thread, I would recommend you start a new thread with your questions.  That way, people won't get bogged down in this thread's length.

 

[mscatmom]

Thank you for the suggestion - will do! 

 

[sandz]

I have had the same Problem, but as one is elderly it was put down to that. The second cat was ok when disruption we had at the time finished . I  was told cats will get very stressed if any disruption to normal life..you said you had moved House ?

One cat is now ok ,  older one still runny poo.

Suggested we put her on wet/dry foods for Sensative stomachs , also try her on fresh fish & fresh chicken  cooked on its own, boiled rice can be mixed up well ..Otherwise told it could be IBS , Irritable bowel Disease, but not gone into that yet ..

sandz

 

[czois]

Dry food with corn, wheat, soy, and gluten is about as good for cats as McDonalds and the same ingredients are for people.

The reason their teeth get tartar is due to the build up of those exact  ingredients. But it's better if your vet can charge you $500 to

do a dental than to tell you this. Placque off which can be purchased on Amazon will clean the teeth as well if no other dental issues

are present.

We obviously subscribe to different nutritional studies on Feline Nutrition. But in the next years as more vets educate themselves beyond

their required minimal hours of nutritional studies required to receive their veterinary license, and more people realize how detrimental this

invention of the 60's is for their pets' health, perhaps the dis-ease rates for companion animals will begin to reverse themselves. Until then, the

poor animals will suffer with kidney issues, diarrhea, diabetes, and worse, and the vets will continue to make lots of money.

As they do with vaccinations and selling the foods that bring in a small fortunte into their practices and promote ill health requiring continued

veterinary care.

 

[czois]

The poor cat is obviously allergic to something in the food. Look at the ingredients, could be the corn, wheat, soy or gluten or anyone of the other unidentifiable ingredients listed on the label that

would probably cause your own stomach to be upset if that was all you were forced to eat.

 

[rexinminn]

Peanut has a chronic loose stool problem. She chooses to eat the wet food we put out for her four times each day. She's ten now and the bowel condition hasn't changed much since we've had her. She had a bad allergic reaction to Frontline seven years ago which didn't help; her sister did not have that reaction. Her sister, Punkin, is not a big fan of the wet food, although we realize cats are obligate carnivores and eating only meat is really best for them. But she will eat it. We were so frustrated with her lack of eating we decided to buckle under and feed her a high quality NON-GRAIN dry food which allows her to graze. We're happy if she's happy. Peanut barely touches the dry food, so she has an instinct that she knows what's best for her body. So I wonder if your cat might have an allergy to something, maybe even something in the litter pan. Punkin showed an allergic reaction to the dry food with wheat we were giving her last winter. We figured out that it was the wheat that was causing various problems for her. So both cats have had somewhat hard-to-diagnose allergies, which makes me wonder if that could be the case with your cat, knowing how susceptible to allergies they can be. Also, some years ago Peanut, the especially sensitive one, got really bad diarrhea after we'd giver her milk, even though we'd only give her a very small amount, knowing it's not good for cats generally, but knowing also how much she enjoyed it. We dont' offer her anything with dairy now, in fact, we rarely eat it ourselves. Good luck, and keep doing your research on this. You're bound to come up with something. Do you know the Facebook page Little Big Cat?

 

[sukis1mom]

I have gone through this also.  After putting 4 kitty boxes in the halls, getting the carpets cleaned weekly, etc.  I had also gone to my regular vet, tried the metronystol   (sp), steriods etc.  Then to the specialist for a colonoscopy blood tests etc. Lots of $$$ costs and discomfort for her.  We ended up putting her on a constant dose of oral steroids for a while and reduced it after a few months.  She was on the special diet of rabbit, venison and duck from the vet office and that seemed to help for a while until my kitty would not eat it anymore.  I go to a feed store locally to get birdseed etc and the owner recommended  "almo nature"  My kitty loves it!  She has had regular stools for the past 6 months and I still give her a very small dose of her steroids every other day.  I am going to reduce it again and hopefully we never have to look back on the 9 months of her horrible bouts of stomach pain and diarrhea!

Good luck with your kitty.  

M and Yaki