Effective Natural Treatments for Cat Diarrhea

How to Firm Up Your Cat’s Runny Stools Using Easy Home Remedies

Nov 3, 2009

There are several home remedies to treat cat diarrhea. These natural treatments are inexpensive, easy to use, and effective.

Cat diarrhea is often mild, uncomplicated, and treatable with home remedies. There are several natural treatments that can help your kitty recover from diarrhea quickly.

What Causes Cat Diarrhea?

The causes of cat diarrhea vary from mild to serious. Anything from cancer, to intestinal parasites, to a food allergy, to stress can cause your kitty to develop diarrhea. Most cases of cat diarrhea, however, are uncomplicated and can be treated easily at home.

Natural Treatments for Cat Diarrhea

At the first sign that your cat has diarrhea, it is best to take your kitty’s food away for 24 hours. However, be sure to have fresh water available for your pet at all times. Taking away your cat’s food will promptly stop his or her diarrhea and allow your kitty’s intestines time to rest.

After the fast, give your cat small portions of bland foods. Boiled chicken breasts are a good option. Note: Do not give your kitty milk, as this may upset your cat’s stomach.

Canned Pumpkin or Metamucil to Treat Feline Diarrhea

Fiber is often beneficial in treating cat diarrhea. Giving your cat about a half teaspoon of canned pumpkin at each feeding can help firm up your kitty’s runny stools. Pumpkin is very high in fiber, so it absorbs a lot of water in the intestines. The fiber supplement Metamucil might also prove useful in firming up your cat’s stools.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus or Yogurt to Treat Feline Diarrhea

Bacteria is naturally found in your kitty’s intestines. When bad bacteria takes over in your feline’s gut, the result is diarrhea. You can introduce good bacteria back into your kitty’s system by giving your cat a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement, available at a health food store. The Lactobacillus acidophilus organisms are also found in live-culture yogurt. You might try feeding your feline one to two teaspoons of non-flavored, plain, live-culture yogurt.

Slippery Elm to Treat Feline Diarrhea

The herb slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) might also prove useful in treating your kitty’s upset stomach and resolving his or her diarrhea. The herb helps soothe the intestinal tract, and it is also high in fiber. Purchase the herb as a tincture or in capsule form from a health food store. Dilute 20 drops of the tincture in one ounce of spring water. Fill a dropper with the mixture and give this to your cat three times a day. Or add a bit of powder from the capsules to spring water and then give this to your kitty with a dropper or add to your kitty’s food.

Warnings About Cat Diarrhea

The risk of dehydration is the biggest concern when cats have diarrhea. Make sure your kitty is drinking enough. If not, give your cat water in a dropper. You should take your animal to the vet if his or her case of diarrhea worsens, does not clear up within 24 hours, or is recurrent. If your kitty has other symptoms in addition to diarrhea, such as blood in the stool, fever, or difficulty walking, call the vet immediately.

Shojai, Amy D. (1999). New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats. Common Health and Behavior Problems (pp. 220-224, 316). NY: Rodale.

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