Home Remedies

[clafoutis]

Hi again!
One of my younger cats (1 year old) decided he wants some attention and started to have diarrhea, I know its not the change of food since I havent changed it, I think it may be because he went in the garbage... Either way I was wondering if there was a remedie to help him slow down in the diarrhea, his lil butt is turning red so I know his start to have some pain. Is there something I can give him to help?
thanks

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Sometimes, a small amount of vinegar mixed with the water (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) is more effective than water alone.

Glad to hear he may be doing better!

[zodiacqueen]

Your more than welcome, hon!!  PLEASE, let us know if the ideas worked and how kitty is doing.

And, OH YEAH, there are some weirdo cats out there who like water.  My friend had a cat that would get IN the tub with her.  LOL.  Since the water won't work, why not try a whistle or clap your hands together.  I think that anything to startle your cat will work.

Let us know, okay??

[clafoutis]

oh thank you both i will have to try that
for his dearrhea it may have slowed down but ill still try your advice =)
Im going to change there food and put the garbage in a safe place, i do have to admit i would d the squirt bottle but he likes water lol but thank you again

[zodiacqueen]

Hi, I agree with Tom-he's given you excellent advice.  I would like to add that dehydration might start to be a concern depending on how often your cat has diarrhea episodes a day.  To check, pull up the scruff of the neck-normally it'll snap back quickly.  If the skin goes down slowly or stays up, then ya got a dehydrated cat on your hands.  If you ever see this, the cat will need syringes of water until you can get the cat to the vet.  You can get syringes from the vet or your local pharmacy.  All pet owners should have one on hand.

Here are some suggestions on keeping nosey kitty out of the trash.  Put something heavy in the bottom of the trash-harder to knock over.  Also, you can get a squirt bottle and spray the cat every time he gets near the trash.  This works, since cats hate water.

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

The easiest thing to do is to set him up in a room on his own, with a litterbox and a source of water.   Since he only needs to be separated for 12 hours, that shouldn't be too difficult for him.  

How is the diarrhea today?

I would definitely consider an upgrade on food...find a premium brand like Pro Plan, Iams or Science Diet.   You will find that the cats won't eat as much of it and there will be less stool in the litterbox.  Many of these low cost brands of food are constantly changing their ingredient sources in an effort to keep costs down.  So, even though you didn't change the cat's food, the source of nutrients may have changed, even slightly, and caused him to get diarrhea.

If his diarrhea is continuing, please take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible.  

Tomcat

[clafoutis]

he is on Alley cat dry food, and no i havent seen any blood.
i do have other cats so how do i take away the food from just him?

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Hello...I am sorry to hear that your cat is having some problems.

First question:  What kind of food is he currently on?

Next:  Are you seeing any blood in the diarrhea?  If you are, please take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam and possibly xrays.

If you are not seeing any blood, you can try to prepare a bland diet for your cat using white rice and chicken.  Try to not give him any food for about 12 hours, only water, and then give him some small amounts of cooked white rice and boiled chicken.   It is important that he only take a small amount (a couple of spoon fulls at most).  If the diarrhea appears to be resolving, feed him the bland diet every 3-4 hours, increasing the amount fed slowly.  After 2-3 days, if his stools are firmer, you can switch him back to his old food.  Alternatively, your veterinarian might have Hill's i/d or Purina EN.   These are good bland diets as well.  Be sure to let your veterinarian know about his condition.

Has he seen a veterinarian recently?   Intestinal parasites are certainly a possibility that could cause diarrhea.

Keep us posted...we like to hear how things progress...

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

Hello...I am sorry to hear that your cat is having some problems.

First question:  What kind of food is he currently on?

Next:  Are you seeing any blood in the diarrhea?  If you are, please take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam and possibly xrays.

If you are not seeing any blood, you can try to prepare a bland diet for your cat using white rice and chicken.  Try to not give him any food for about 12 hours, only water, and then give him some small amounts of cooked white rice and boiled chicken.   It is important that he only take a small amount (a couple of spoon fulls at most).  If the diarrhea appears to be resolving, feed him the bland diet every 3-4 hours, increasing the amount fed slowly.  After 2-3 days, if his stools are firmer, you can switch him back to his old food.  Alternatively, your veterinarian might have Hill's i/d or Purina EN.   These are good bland diets as well.  Be sure to let your veterinarian know about his condition.

Has he seen a veterinarian recently?   Intestinal parasites are certainly a possibility that could cause diarrhea.

Keep us posted...we like to hear how things progress...