Symptom · Cats
Cat diarrhoea: what it means and when to call the vet
Diarrhoea for a day in a bright, eating cat often settles on its own. Diarrhoea for more than a day or two, in kittens or older cats, or with vomiting, blood, lethargy or not eating needs a vet.
By Maya HartCommon causes
- Sudden diet change
- Milk and dairy treats
- Parasites such as roundworms, giardia and tritrichomonas
- Viral infections, including panleukopenia in unvaccinated cats
- Inflammatory bowel disease and food sensitivity
- Hyperthyroidism in older cats
- Stress
What you can do at home
- Keep fresh water available and consider a water fountain
- Offer small, frequent meals of their usual food
- Don’t withhold food from cats for long — it can cause liver problems
- Keep the litter tray clean and note what the stools look like
What the vet may do
- Faecal tests for parasites
- Blood tests, including thyroid in older cats
- Fluids for dehydration
- Diet trials and probiotics
Prevention
- Change food gradually
- Regular worming
- Vaccinations
- No milk or dairy treats
The details
Unlike dogs, cats shouldn’t be starved when they have an upset stomach: a cat that stops eating for more than a day or two can develop hepatic lipidosis, a serious liver condition, especially if overweight. Most vets prefer small meals of a bland or easily digestible food.
Chronic, soft stools are common in cats with food sensitivity or inflammatory bowel disease, and often improve with a carefully chosen diet.
Questions owners ask
Is cat diarrhoea an emergency?
Usually it is not an emergency, but your pet should see a vet within 24 hours. Go now if you see: kittens with diarrhoea and lethargy; diarrhoea with repeated vomiting; black, tarry stools or lots of blood; weakness, collapse or refusing food and water.
What causes cat diarrhoea?
Sudden diet change; Milk and dairy treats; Parasites such as roundworms, giardia and tritrichomonas; Viral infections, including panleukopenia in unvaccinated cats; Inflammatory bowel disease and food sensitivity; Hyperthyroidism in older cats; Stress.
What can I do at home?
Keep fresh water available and consider a water fountain. Offer small, frequent meals of their usual food. Don’t withhold food from cats for long — it can cause liver problems. Keep the litter tray clean and note what the stools look like.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts