Feline Diarrhea
Treating Diarrhea in Cats Naturally
Oct 20, 2009 Leigh A. Peterson
When not due to a parasite or a serious illness like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), diarrhea in cats can be caused by less serious culprits. Stress, a new food, a trip to the vet, or changes in environment can cause a bout of diarrhea in cats. A cat's struggling digestive system can often get a safe and affordable boost with alternative remedies.
Grain Free Foods
More pet food companies now make grain-free cat food. This is because cats are carnivores, designed to eat meat. Many cats cannot digest inexpensive grains added to foods as fillers, like rice and corn. Try slowly switching your cat over to a grain-free diet like Wellness, EVO, or Nature's Variety Instinct. Mix the food into your cat's current food gradually over a week.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin contains vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. The high fiber content of pumpkin will assist a cat's digestive system with both diarrhea and constipation. Not only does the fiber help create firmer stools and slow the passage of waste through the digestive tract, it will also soften stools that are too firm to pass through comfortably.
Pumpkin is a tasty treat that is easily accepted by cats. Some cats will eat a tablespoon alone, or you can mix a small amount into your cat's food once or twice a day. Make sure you use 100% pure canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
Slippery Elm
Slippery Elm Bark is a safe, non-toxic herb that soothes the digestive tract and is also high in fiber. Full of nutrients, it can also help alleviate nausea. Slippery Elm capsules can be found at health food stores or vitamin shops. A small amount of powder from a capsule can be mixed with water and added to your cat's food, into baby food, or given with a syringe.
Yogurt
Many cats enjoy yogurt, and this tasty treat is full of beneficial bacteria that can aid in balancing the bad bacteria in a cat's digestive system. Offer a few tablespoons a day, but only non-fat plain yogurt should be used.
Probiotics
Probiotics offer the same benefit as yogurt, but in a more concentrated form. Probiotic capsules contain "good" bacteria like acidophilus, which has been proven to aid the intestinal tract. To insure that the healthy bacteria is still alive, purchase a refrigerated probiotic from a health food store. Open a capsule and add just a pinch to your cat's wet food.
When treating a cat with diarrhea, dehydration is a concern. Make sure the cat gets extra water. This can be achieved by feeding canned food, and water can even be added to the food for additional moisture.
Further Reading:
Cats with diarrhea can be helped naturally
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