Our feline friends hide disease and injury incredibly well, so cat parents should be aware of subtle signs of illness. As a cat parent, you need to pay attention to your cat’s circadian rhythms, energy levels, eating and drinking interest, and urination and defecation habits.
And if your cat has diarrhea, you should definitely take notice. Here’s what you need to know about diarrhea in cats.
Is Cat Diarrhea Normal or Serious?
Diarrhea in cats is a common symptom of many diseases, and it is never normal. The causes range from harmless to deadly.
Kittens, senior cats, cats with chronic disease, and pregnant cats are all at increased risk of death-related to complications from untreated diarrhea.
Stool consistency suggests the degree of severity to your veterinarian. Liquid diarrhea is concerning because it dehydrates and malnourishes an animal quickly. Soft, formed stool is generally less severe but should still be assessed by a veterinarian.
What Causes Diarrhea in Cats?
Cat diarrhea can be acute or chronic, and there are different sets of possible causes for each.
Acute means that the diarrhea just happened suddenly or doesn’t go on for long period of time. Chronic diarrhea is characterized as lasting for two to three weeks or longer.
Acute Diarrhea in Cats
There are six main categories when it comes to the cause of acute diarrhea in cats:
Infectious (parasitic, protozoal, bacterial, fungal, or viral)
Inflammatory (such as food allergies)
Metabolic or endocrine (such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism)
Treats or new foods (canned or dry) can cause diarrhea if they are contaminated, are suddenly introduced, contain ingredients that are toxic to cats, or contain ingredients that cats are allergic to.
Chronic Diarrhea in Cats
Causes of chronic diarrhea include:
Resistant infections
Chronic inflammatory disease
Poorly managed metabolic or endocrine disease
Congenital disease
Chronic diarrhea is of particular concern because it can cause life-threatening complications. Long-lasting diarrhea that is resistant to treatment can often be multifactorial, with multiple treatments needed for complete resolution.
