17 Common Causes Of Diarrhea In Cats

Although the food may be safe for cats, eating it can still create problems for some of them because of their lack of tolerance to certain foods. Food intolerance is normally related to digestive difficulties for them which will result in discomfort. 

Lactose intolerance is one cause, which is generally found in milk and its products. This may lead to bloating, gas, stomach cramps along diarrhea. 

Therefore, it is necessary to understand the foods you can feed your cats.

Human foods are not suggested for cats as they can have a different texture which can make it hard for them to break down. Some human food for cats can be safe but some can be harmful and even poisonous.

Eating human food can cause nutritional imbalance causing digestion problems with severe symptoms like vomiting, rapid breathing, organ damage, etc. Therefore, it is better to give them cat foods and not experiment with other foods.

Eating spoiled food can be another reason that can lead to digestive issues. Spoiled foods may contain bacterial and molded fungi, and have several chemical breakdowns. 

The cats may also suffer from diarrhea as the body tries to throw those harmful substances out of the body. Moreover, it can also cause vomiting and lethargy.

When they eat foreign objects, especially nonfood items like rubber bands, toys, etc, it can lead to serious health-related problems. Being a curious being, they may eat something that may cause an upset stomach.

Sometimes they can also get stuck in their digestive tract making it hard for the flow of food. If they eat plastics, paper, strings, yarn, etc, these will irritate their guts which leads to diarrhea. 

If you think they have eaten any harmful object, it is very important to take them to a vet consultant as soon as possible. You can also try to make them vomit to take the substance out of their body with your vet's assistance.

Parasites can also be the common cause of this problem. They can live in the intestines and can cause various distinctive issues, followed by weight loss, pain, and uneasiness.

They get these parasites inside their body by eating infected prey, contaminated water, soil, plants, and many other factors. If there are harmful parasites inside their body, it can cause a serious issue in their health. 

Be sure to provide them with timely treatment and medications. In case of severe diarrhea, make sure to provide them with supportive fluids and treatments.

Stress not only affects the cat mentally but also has its impact physically. They are sensitive animals and even a slight change can affect them hugely, which in turn disturbs their digestive tract.

Some of the common causes of stress are changes in the environment, new pets or humans, changes in routine, loud noises, travel, illness, and many more. It is one of the signs of stress in cats that can trigger their internal system and lead to diarrhea.

Sudden environmental changes can stress cats and cause them to have an upset stomach. Changing their surroundings may take time for them to adjust and feel safe.

This can lead them to lose their appetite and their digestive system will not work properly. To make them adjust to the change, you should introduce them gradually, create safe spaces, provide mental stimulation, and help in gradual socialization.

Since water plays an important role in digesting food, its change can also be a major cause of diarrhea. The change in water composition can cause differences in mineral content, and other chemicals which can disturb their digestive bowl.

If there is a change in their water sources, you need to introduce them gradually, mix the old water with the new, and give them. You can also monitor the quality of the water and test for contaminants before giving it to them.

Sudden dietary changes in cats can make it hard for their body to manage the process and sometimes the new diet cannot contain all the essential nutrients. So make sure you consult with your vet and make a gradual change to avoid this problem.

Cats can come into contact with various toxins in their environment which can get inside their body through ingestion or skin contact. Consuming them can become hard for them to digest causing them to suffer.

To reduce this risk, you need to dispose of the waste properly, use pet-safe products, and supervise and monitor their actions. If you suspect they have eaten toxic substances, it is important to seek immediate veterinarian help.

Eating too fast can also lead to different digestive problems including diarrhea. Eating rapidly makes them swallow the food without chewing it properly, which can disturb their digestion process.

When they eat fast, they will swallow large food pieces making it hard to break down. This also causes them to take in more air along with the food which leads to bloating, discomfort, and loose stools.

To make them eat small portions of food, you can use a slow feeder, give small but more frequent meals, monitor and adjust their diet, create a calm feeding environment, and monitor their health regularly. If the diarrhea continues despite your efforts, you should take them to a doctor.

Different cats can have allergies to different foods depending on their body type and condition. Food allergies are a common reason for them to have digestive issues.

Feeding them such food can lead to gastrointestinal issues accompanied by vomiting and stomach rubbing.

Scavenging is the cat's nature to go and eat food that is not part of their regular diet. Consuming such food can create a digestive problem for them and lead to various conditions.

When they scavenge, they may eat spoiled food, garbage, or other items which can upset their stomach and cause various problems. This can be because of the consumption of spoiled or contaminated food, eating those particles that are not digestive, etc.

If you think your cat is running off, for this reason, it is better to make them stay inside and not let them have something that is not appropriate. You should monitor their actions and take measures accordingly.

Sudden introduction of new treats to your cat can also cause indigestion. If it is given in a large quantity or contains ingredients that are not suitable for them, they cannot digest them and can have this issue.

New treats can lead to sudden food changes, a mixture of different ingredients, and can contain rich or fatty diets. The new treats can also be intolerable for them or maybe they are allergic to them.

While purchasing new treats for cats, you should look for the ingredients used and their composition. You should introduce it to them gradually and see if they have any reactions.

Overfeeding a cat can make them suffer from diarrhea as their digestive system cannot handle it properly. It is important to control their portion so they are not overfed and will be full of energy rather than being lazy.

Cats are used to their routine work and are likely to follow it, however, the change in it can create an uneasiness in them leading to an upset stomach. They are creatures of habit and a small disturbance can have a huge impact on them.

The change in their routine can lead them to have stress, which can lead to diarrhea as a physical response to their emotions. It is often seen if the change is related to their feeding schedule, especially irregular or missed meals.

To make your cat healthy, it is very important to keep a consistent routine for them. If you are changing their routine, first create a safe space for them, and change the routine slowly.

Exposure to other animals can also be a common cause of this problem. This can be because of many reasons like encounters with stray animals and new pets.

They may think they have competition for resources which may cause them stress. Other animals may also have viruses or infections that can be transmitted to your cat, leading to an upset stomach.

It is important to expose them to other animals in a controlled way. See that they won't feel threatened or if other animals have any contaminated diseases. You also need to supervise their interactions.