Sickness and Diarrhoea in Cats: The Guide

There are many reasons to why your moggy may have diarrhoea and sickness. Cats are sticklers for routine and any change in their diet may cause sickness and diarrhoea. Especially if they’re introduced to new foods or are scavenging from bins or hunting for pray.

Food intolerances and allergies can also cause be the reason your cat is being sick. It’s common for intolerances and sensitives to develop over time and can often be stressful for your moggy. To help your feline enjoy their food, opting for a hypoallergenic diet can help relieve their diarrhoea and vomiting symptoms. Other common causes include, but are not limited to:

• Poisons plants to cats and toxins (food, plants, cleaning products)

• Gastroenteritis - inflamed stomach and/ or intestines

• Parasites - worms or other gut parasites such as Giardia

• Endocrine conditions such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes

• Pancreatitis

• Liver disease

• Kidney disease

• Hairballs

• Foreign bodies - especially linear ones such as string or thread

• Infections - bacterial, viral, fungal

• Cancer

Typical signs of vomiting and diarrhoea in cats can be generalized and non-specific so it is important to keep a close eye on your cat if you notice any of the following signs:

Signs your cat may be about to vomit include:

• Lip licking

• Excessive swallowing

• Drooling 

• Heaving or retching noise

• Lethargic/ being withdrawn

• Restlessness

• ·Discomfort/ unable to settle

When your cat is sick you will likely notice:

• Retching

• Strong abdominal movements

• Head moving up and down

• Partially digested food brought up

• Bile or clear liquid brought up

If your cat is chronically vomiting for a longer period, you may notice:

• Lethargy

• Being more withdrawn and quieter

• Abdominal discomfort

• Pale gums

• Reduced appetite

• Increase in thirst

• Weight loss

There are a few other things that can appear like vomiting but are completely different -

Regurgitation is often confused with vomiting. Vomiting is always associated with nausea, hypersalivation, and retching. Vomit can contain bile or partially digested food. Regurgitation is a passive process, there is no nausea, retching, or hypersalivation seen. Regurgitation results in undigested food being brought back up.

Coughing - If your cat is coughing, it can often appear as if they are about to vomit. Usually when coughing, cats will spread their 4 limbs out at a wide stance and stretch their neck out. This is not seen typically with vomiting. A cough may be productive, where there is phlegm, mucous or foreign material brought up but digested or partially digested food is almost never involved.

Healthy cats usually pass dark brown faeces which are firm and consistent. If your cat does not use a litter tray in the house, it can be difficult to assess if they are passing normal faeces or diarrhoea. There are a few telltale signs you can watch out for:

• Dried faeces stuck around the back end

• Smelly, matted fur

• Excessive cleaning of the back end

• Passing more wind than usual

• Swollen/bloated abdomen

• Increased thirst

• Changes in appetite

• Loud gurgling stomach noises

When your cat does pass diarrhoea, you may see:

• Brown/yellow/blood-tinged loose stools passing from bottom

• Squatting down frequently

• Straining

• Paying more attention to the back end

• Blood around bottom

Treatment of vomiting and diarrhoea in cats largely depends on the underlying cause and if it has been identified. In some cases, the symptoms need to be treated first while the diagnosis is being made. The main aim of the treatment initially is to rehydrate the cat and restore electrolyte imbalances (including chloride, potassium, and sodium). If dehydration is deemed to be severe, your feline will be placed on an intravenous drip line. If the underlying cause has been identified, other treatment options include:

• Anti-emetic drugs to stop the vomiting.

• Antibiotics if there is evidence of a bacterial infection.

• Gastrointestinal protectants to prevent the formation of painful stomach ulcers.

• Drugs to treat endocrine problems.

• Change of diet/ dietary trial or food elimination diets.

• Surgery if a foreign body or intussusception has been diagnosed.

If your cat is recovering from a vomiting or diarrhoea episode at home, it’s important to keep them well hydrated and rested. On some occasions, your vet will recommend missing a meal or withholding food for 8-12 hours.

It’s never recommended to withhold food for longer periods as this may cause a condition called hepatic lipidosis in your moggy. After the period of food withdrawal, slowly reintroduce bland easily digestible food (for example scrambled egg or poached chicken). You can eventually introduce their usual diet after symptoms have fully resolved. It’s important to note young kittens should not miss a meal.

How to Stop Chronic Diarrhoea in Cats

Chronic diarrhoea can cause your cat to feel overwhelmed and stressed with the illness. If your vet has discharged your cat and they are back home, there are a few things you can do to help them if they are suffering from chronic diarrhoea.

Change Your Cat's Diet

It’s not usually necessary to withhold food from cats with just diarrhoea. You can help them by feeding them good quality complete cat food. If you recently changed your cat's food and they had diarrhoea, change the food back and monitor them. It’s best not to feed them treats or scraps of human food whilst they’re getting back on their paws.

Reduce or Increase Dietary Fibre

Some chronic diarrhoea can improve with a low-fibre diet. Confusingly other types of diarrhoea can respond to an increase in the amount of fibre. Speak to your vet before changing the amount of anything in your cat's diet.

Ensure Your Cat Is Well Hydrated

Always ensure your cat always has access to fresh clean water. If they are not keen drinkers, make bone broth for them to entice them to drink. Some cats enjoy water fountains or will only drink from dripping taps. Changing your cat’s diet from dry to wet can increase their fluid consumption.

Introduce Probiotics

Probiotics for cats can be used to maintain a healthy environment in your cat’s gut. Diarrhea can disrupt the normal gut flora and probiotic supplements can aid in returning it too normal. Consult your vet before choosing a probiotic supplement and always ensure it is specifically for cats.

Anti-Diarrhoea Medication

There are some over the counter medications like the Johnsons Diarrhoea tablets that can be used at home for your cat. It is important to note that these should never be used without first consulting your vet to rule out any serious disease. These tablets can give relief from symptoms of mild bouts of diarrhoea brought on by causes such as changes in diet.

When to Seek Veterinary Help

Vomiting and diarrhoea can be mild and self-limiting in cats. There are, however, some circumstances where you need to seek veterinary attention. Seek help from your vet if:

• Your cat seems unwell or is lethargic.

• Your cat has had vomiting or diarrhoea lasting longer than 24 hours.

• Your cat is very young or very old.

• Your cat has underlying health issues.

• Your cat seems in pain.

• There is blood present in the vomit or diarrhoea.

• Your cat is passing profuse watery diarrhoea very frequently.

• Your cat is vomiting and unable to keep down water or food.

• You think there is a possibility your cat has eaten something toxic.

• You think there is a possibility your cat may have eaten a foreign body

Sickness and diarrhoea in cats are commonly encountered. Most cases of acute it can resolve rapidly after your cat has received supportive care such as rehydration. If their symptoms have no improvement within 24 hours, seek veterinary attention. For all the cat essentials you need, discover our range online and in-store.