Diarrhoea in cats

Diarrhoea means stool that is watery or clearly softer, more frequent and unlike the usual. One slightly soft deposit in the tray is not the same as liquid stool all day.

Cats hide signs; appetite, energy and drinking are read together. Dog diarrhoea is often a bin-or-park story. In cats the litter tray, diet change, stress and kitten fragility come first.

Sudden diet change, milk, table scraps or stress (a move, a new pet) can soften stool. Internal parasites come up in kittens and hunters.

Infection, string or a toxin can also cause diarrhoea; you cannot tell which at home. See toxic foods and suspected poisoning.

Kittens lose fluid and energy fast. Not nursing, constant crying or dullness is not “just a kitten”. Kitten care.

Fresh blood or tarry stool, vomiting as well, no food beyond a day, sticky gums, collapse or hiding. See vomiting in cats and when it is urgent.

How long it has lasted, the food and any switch, other animals, possible string, vaccine and parasite history, and a fresh stool sample if you can. No home antibiotics, human anti-diarrhoeals or leftover dewormer paste.