Cat Food & Diarrhea

Some cat food can help diarrhea while others can make it worse.

Some brands and types of cat food can help cats suffering from diarrhea. However, depending on the cat and other circumstances, sometimes cat food can create feline diarrhea or make it worse.

Causes

Diarrhea can be caused by cat food that contains grains like corn, rice and wheat gluten. Some cats cannot properly digest these ingredients. Feline diarrhea can also be caused by generic or low-quality cat food. Cats can also be allergic to more common ingredients in cat food, like chicken or beef.

Feedings

Cats often get diarrhea from a change in diet occurring too fast. When a cat's digestive system is used to one type of food, new foods should be introduced slowly over a week.

Illness

Illnesses like diabetes and irritable bowel disease can cause diarrhea. These diseases, and the diarrhea they cause, can be treated with cat food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.

Treatment

Bland food allows the digestive system to heal. Feed the cat cooked chicken breast instead of their usual cat food for a few days. The diarrhea should subside and you can then introduce new food slowly.

Warnings

A cat that suffers from diarrhea for more than a few days should be seen by a veterinarian. The cat will also need to get extra fluids and moisture daily to guard against dehydration.

References

• Cat Info: Feeding Your Cat: Know the Basics