What to Do When Your Kitten Has Diarrhea: A Guide for Pet Parents

When your beloved kitten is experiencing diarrhea, it can be a stressful situation, especially if you're unable to visit a veterinarian immediately. This article aims to provide guidance on how to handle the situation while considering the best course of action for your pet.

Evaluating the Situation

The first step is to assess the severity of the kitten's condition. If your kitten has relatively mild diarrhea, is not vomiting, and is still eating and drinking, it may be reasonable to attempt some home treatment. However, if any of the following symptoms are present, it is crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately:

The kitten is very young, very old, or has an underlying health condition that could make it more vulnerable to dehydration. The kitten is vomiting, lethargic, depressed, in pain, or shows any other worrying symptoms. The diarrhea is profuse, watery, explosive, or very frequent. The diarrhea contains blood or is dark and tarry.

Home Treatment Options

If it is safe for your kitten to undergo home treatment, you can choose from the following five treatment options:

Change Your Cat’s Food

Withholding food from a kitten with diarrhea can hinder the intestinal tract's ability to heal itself. Instead, it's best to simplify the kitten's diet. Eliminate any treats or table scraps and focus only on a nutritionally complete kitten food. This will help the kitten's digestion and allow the intestinal tract to heal.

Highly Digestible Low-Fibre Diet

Some types of cat diarrhea can improve with a low-fibre, highly digestible diet. If your kitten doesn't experience diarrhea frequently but produces a lot of stool when it does, a low-fibre diet might be worth trying. Look for foods advertised as being highly digestible or good for cats with sensitive stomachs.

Encourage Water and Electrolyte Intake

Cats with diarrhea need to take in sufficient amounts of water to prevent dehydration. Keep the kitten's water bowls filled with fresh, clean water and consider adding an extra bowl with diluted chicken broth to encourage water intake.

Probiotics

A healthy bacterial population within a cat's intestinal tract is essential for proper digestion. Sometimes, when this population is disrupted, a cat's diarrhea may continue even after the initial insult, stress, disease, or antibiotic therapy has resolved. Probiotics can help restore balance to the kitten's gut flora.

Seeking Professional Help

If you are unable to take your kitten to the veterinarian due to circumstances, consider the following options:

Drive to the nearest veterinarian, if possible, to get professional advice about your kitten's condition. Have the veterinarian provide advice over the phone if they cannot see the kitten immediately. Utilize local pet stores such as PetSmart or Petco, which often have staff trained to offer basic pet care advice.

In a pinch, you can use a homemade mixture to help with itching and hydration. Mix a can of evaporated milk with two equal parts water and half an egg, then add baby oatmeal in a tube-like container (though the exact name may vary). Mix these ingredients together and use a baby kitty bottle to feed the kitten.

If you are unable to help your kitten, it is more likely than not that the kitten may die, as kittens are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and other complications. Therefore, it is crucial to seek help as soon as possible, even if it is temporary.

Conclusion

When your kitten has diarrhea, it is essential to act quickly and carefully to ensure its well-being. By evaluating the severity of the condition and following appropriate home treatment methods, you can help alleviate some of the kitten's discomfort. In case of severe symptoms or ongoing issues, do not hesitate to reach out to a veterinarian for professional guidance.