How long will cat have diarrhea after changing food? This article will discuss the question of how long cat will have diarrhea after changing food.
Vets recommend that you take a proactive approach to your cat’s nutrition, and one way to do that is by mixing up their diet.
Changing your cat’s food can result in happier cats with a decreased risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and constipation, but it also has a few drawbacks… Namely, the effect it has on the digestive system. When cats change the food, they may experience diarrhea or even an unsightly hairball issue.
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Can Changing Cat Food Cause Diarrhoea?
Of course, it can.
Changing your cat’s diet is like taking an immigrant away from everything they know and introducing them to a completely different country.
It can be confusing, and it can be frustrating. Some of them will assimilate seamlessly, some fall into a deep depression and refuse to eat, and some will even experience diarrhea as their digestive system adjusts to the new environment.
How Long Will Cat Have Diarrhea After Changing Food?
It depends on the cat. Some cats will have diarrhea for only a day, while others may have diarrhea for up to 3 days.
On average, you can expect your kitty to experience a little bit of GI trouble when you first change their diet, But once they get accustomed to the changes, things will return to normal.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of cat food changes, and it can last anywhere from a few hours to a week.
What Causes A Cat To Have Diarrhea?
The 5 reasons cats get diarrhea include:
1. Feeding Change
Overfeeding. In response to increased available food, they may start eating more than usual. This can lead to obesity which can contribute to constipation and even diabetes.
2. Underfeeding.
On the other hand, some cats may be underfed and then suddenly find themselves very hungry when they are fed more.
They eat too much of their new food and then experience bad stomach aches because they try to eat too much too soon.
3. Stress.
Another reason that cats may have diarrhea is stress.
4. Bacterial infection or parasites in the intestine can result in GI disturbances, diarrhea, and vomiting.
5. Change of Water Source
If your cat is used to drinking from the garden hose and you decide to get them a water fountain, this can cause some GI irritation as they adapt to their new drinking habits.
Note: Diarrhea in cats can also be caused by food sensitivity, so always take a food test before changing your diet.
How To Stop Cat Diarrhea From Happening?
Diarrhea can occur after a while of feeding the new food.
Feed them the old food for at least a week to allow their digestive system to adjust if you feel it is necessary.
If your cat has diarrhea, be wary of giving your cat treats as this may backfire on them and make things worse.
Cat Diarrhea Home Remedy
It is normal for your cat to have diarrhea for a few days when switching food; however, if diarrhea does not go away after 3 days, then consult your vet.
If your cat has diarrhea, you can reduce the effects by giving them some plain yogurt. If the diarrhea is severe, you can feed them this yogurt every day until it subsides.
You can also try giving some yogurt and an acidophilus supplement (humans can take these too).
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Treatment Of Diarrhea In Cats By A Veterinarian
1. Diagnosing The Cause Of The Diarrhea
If it’s a food allergy or sensitivity, Change the diet to a hypoallergenic diet & Antibiotics if it’s a bacterial infection.
2. Use Acidophilus Supplements
These can be found at any pharmacy or bought online and are an excellent means of ensuring that your cat’s gastrointestinal tract is getting all of the nutrients it needs, even if diarrhea hinders its ability to eat normally.
3. After The Diarrhea Has Passed, Getting Your Cat Back On Its Old Diet
Once you see that the diarrhea is gone, it’s time to try to get your cat back on its old diet. If the change didn’t cause diarrhea, they’d likely be comfortable eating their old food again
4. Make Sure Your Cat Is Drinking Enough Water
Give them fresh water in a clean bowl daily. Water should be changed daily if possible. If your cat’s water has been sitting out for two to three days, you will need to dump it and put fresh water in.
Cat Has Diarrhea But Seems Fine?
For some cats, diarrhea is just part of their normal eating habits, and it can be hard to distinguish whether or not it is something that your cat is just going to have to learn to live with or whether it’s something serious.
Diarrhea can be very uncomfortable for cats and may result in lost appetite and vomiting; however, long-term problems such as dehydration are rare.
In many instances, cats will have some diarrhea after eating new food, but this is normal and should clear up just as quickly as it came on.
If your cat’s diarrhea does not seem to go away; however, it lasts longer than three days, and they are often vomiting or passing more than one stool per day, you should take her to the vet.
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Best Cat Food For Diarrhea
When it comes to a portion of food for cats with diarrhea, the best thing you can buy is high moisture content.
The high moisture content in the food will help your cat keep hydrated, which is an important part of keeping them healthy and helping their digestive system settle down.
When a cat has diarrhea, it hinders its ability to absorb all of the nutrients from its food.
Therefore, they must have food with higher moisture content to keep their system going until they feel better.
How To Stop Chronic Diarrhea In Cats?
If you start feeding your cat food with high moisture content and this doesn’t suppress diarrhea for more than a day or two, you may have to change your cat’s diet.
You may need to add other things like some yogurt or an acidophilus supplement. When diarrhea does not go away after three days, it’s time to chat with your vet.
Kittens Have Diarrhea But Work Normally; what Causes It?
This is a common question that cat owners ask. It’s probably because kittens have such a sensitive stomach that only mother’s milk can prevent them from getting diarrhea.
However, you do not have to worry about this problem because it is very common for kittens to get diarrhea for 2-3 days (especially in their first 4-6 weeks).
Why Does Kitten Get Diarrhea?
Kittens’ digestive system is even more sensitive than adult cats. When a kitten starts eating solid food containing more proteins, fats, and roughage, their digestive system may not be ready for it.
Therefore, when a kitten eats solid food for the first time, it may get diarrhea until its digestive system adjusts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, changing food can cause diarrhea, but it is only for a few days. It can be hard on the digestive system, however, so if you are going to change food, make sure that it is something that your cat enjoys so that they don’t develop too much of an aversion to their new food.
Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.