Cats are extremely good at hiding their sickness, but with some extra effort, you can notice diarrhea and vomiting if you regularly clean their litter. It usually isn’t with any serious background, but when it lasts for a long period, it could signal a deeper health issue.
To discover your cat’s secret and find the answer to the question of why your cat has diarrhea, Maven Pet comes in handy. This smart pet collar can help you track symptoms, and changes in behavior, and can alert you to potential health problems.
Maven will help you stay ahead of your cat’s health because early detection is everything! It can save you from the headache of vet bills if detected on time!
Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea and Vomiting? Common Causes
Diarrhea and vomiting are very common in cats and are common symptoms of many diseases. Here are the most common causes of diarrhea and vomiting in cats:
Dietary Indiscretion
The most common causes are sudden diet changes, spoiled food, or toxic substances. It is important to make the transition from milk to solid food carefully to avoid any stomach upset. But also, be careful that your cat doesn’t dig through the trash. We know that this trait is most common for dogs, but cats do it too!
The most common symptoms of dietary indiscretion include:
- Mild diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach noises
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
To avoid this it is important to:
- Gradually transition to solid food
- Provide them with fresh water
- Give them high-quality food
- Monitor them
According to studies, cats with previous dietary indiscretion have higher chances of bacteria in their fecal exam, which shows the importance of monitoring your cat’s diet to prevent further complications.
Food Allergies or Sensitivities
Did you know that many cats are lactose intolerant? Besides this, they can be sensitive or allergic to other foods such as grains (wheat, corn, soy) and proteins (chicken, beef, fish, or eggs).
Diarrhea and vomiting are common symptoms, but you may also notice itchy skin, excessive licking, and scratching. The severity of symptoms depends on which system is more affected—sometimes the skin shows more signs, while other times, digestive issues are more prominent.
As soon as you notice this you can do the following things:
- Trying hypoallergenic or elimination diet trial
- Eliminate the known irritants
- Avoid dairy products
Parasites (Worms, Giardia, or Coccidia)
Parasites are everywhere and cats get infested in various ways. Here are the most common causes and infectious agents:
- Giardia from water
- Coccidia and roundworms from soil
- Tapeworms and hookworms from fleas or infected prey
Besides the common symptom of diarrhea, be aware that this stool can be mucusy and foul-smelling. You also might notice weight loss, compromised appetite, bloating, and scooting.
How to avoid parasites? Well, it is very simple, follow your vet’s recommendations for deworming and keep the litter hygiene at the highest levels.
Bacterial or Viral Infections
Raw diet, contaminated food, and unhygienic conditions can increase the chances of bacterial and viral infections in cats. The most common infections are the following:
- Feline Panleukopenia (FPV)
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) & Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Salmonella or Campylobacter
Besides vomiting and diarrhea, you might notice fever, lack of appetite, and lethargy.
In this case, veterinary care is essential, and some cats might even need hospitalization. But in this case, our pet smart collar Maven can be your best friend and let you know about any behavior or health changes in your cat.
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Stress or Anxiety
The way we deal with daily stress, our cats also have the same problem. While many cats are unbothered, they can be sensitive to the following things:
- Moving to a new home
- New pets or family members
- Loud noises (fireworks and thunderstorms)
- Traveling
- Vet visits
They show their stress in various symptoms, including:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Appetite changes
- Hiding
- Increased excitability
To avoid such situations, we advise you to comfort them the moment they get triggered and provide them a safe and calm space. Believe it or not, pheromone diffusers also help a lot in creating a calming environment. Loose motions in cats due to stress are common and need constant monitoring. The best way to do it is with Maven Pet!
Underlying Medical Conditions
Chronic illnesses can also affect digestion and lead to vomiting and diarrhea. The most common conditions that lead to this are:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
- Hyperthyroidism, which is an overactive thyroid gland that increases the metabolism
- Kidney disease, that leads to toxin buildup that affects the digestion
The most common symptoms of these diseases include an upset stomach accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, weight loss, and appetite changes.
And the solution to these problems? Your vet has it! You need to go for a veterinary evaluation and diagnostic tests, and you have to be a careful owner and pay attention to long-term management! If you want assistance, Maven can be your best friend and will notify you about anything new your cat has.
Home Remedies for Mild Cases
The most difficult question in these hard times is what to give a cat with diarrhea! Here are the best home remedies for mild cases of vomiting and diarrhea in cats:
- Fasting: Withhold food for 12 hours, but only in adult cats. Kittens and senior cats can be sensitive and fasting can lead to serious consequences.
- Hydration: Offer fresh water, electrolyte solutions, or wet food. If nothing from the recommended works, consult a veterinarian.
- Bland Diet: Feed plain boiled chicken and rice for 24-48 hours.
- Hydrolyzed Diet: A type of food where the protein is broken down into smaller fragments through the process of hydrolysis. This makes the protein less likely to cause an allergic reaction, food sensitivity, or serious chronic stomach issues. According to studies, cats that do not respond to a gastrointestinal therapeutic formula food can benefit from hydrolyzed diets.
- Probiotics: Help restore gut balance. Research shows that even after 7 days you can see improvement in the stool condition in your cat. To find the right probiotic for your pet, we suggest you consult with a veterinarian.
- Monitor Symptoms: If you see no improvement within 24-48 hours, seek help from a veterinary professional.
When to Call the Vet
Seek immediate vet care if your cat:
- Has bloody diarrhea or vomit
- Becomes lethargic or stops eating
- Has diarrhea for more than 48 hours
- Shows signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry gums)
Maven Pet helps detect health changes early by tracking activity levels, eating habits, and behavior shifts. This pet smart collar can help you spot many symptoms and signs of illness early.
The first obvious thing that something is wrong with your cat is the lack of activity, and that is exactly what Maven Pet can spot. It can alert you to these changes before something more serious happens.
Then, it detects the behavioral changes. Whether it is hiding behavior, unusual aggression, or simple ignorance, Maven Pet can spot all of these changes. And how will you know? Well, the AI app will flag the issue and contextualize it. You will be immediately informed so you can start reacting early.
Conclusion
Mild diarrhea or vomiting isn’t always serious, but persistent symptoms require attention, and early detection and preventative measures are the key! The reasons why your cat has diarrhea and vomiting can vary, and they all need a different approach. But one thing is sure – Maven can help you find the answer to many questions.
It is too serious to say, but consider Maven as your home veterinarian. It will inform you about anything that needs to be addressed. Maven Pet helps pet parents stay ahead of health issues by tracking key pet wellness indicators.
Did you have any recent issues with diarrhea and vomiting with your cat? We are curious, let us know!
Maven Pet focuses on improving the quality of life of our pets with technology, using artificial intelligence (AI) to enable proactive pet care. By accurately collecting and monitoring pet data 24/7 and flagging any irregularities, Maven Pet empowers pet parents and veterinarians to stay ahead of potential health issues, ensuring the well-being and longevity of our beloved companions.
