Vomiting and diarrhea in cats is a common issue. But remember, it’s not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying disease or food-related problems. In fact, vomiting and diarrhea in cats are among the top 5 reasons for vet visits. Moreover, around 10% of all cat vet visits are due to gastrointestinal (GI) issues. In this article we will discuss all this in detail.
Common Causes of Vomiting and Diarrhea in Cats
Vomiting and diarrhea in cats can result from a variety of causes, which range from mild stomach upsets to serious medical conditions. A study found that 73% of cats experience vomiting at some point in their lives. Here are some common culprits:
1-Dietary indiscretion
It is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in cats. It’s caused by sudden changes in diet or eating spoiled food. Additionally, consuming toxic or human foods is also involved.
2-Food allergies and Intolerances
It is caused if your cat is sensitive to certain proteins, grains, or additives in commercial food.
Moreover, if your cat has consumed dairy products, it can suffer from vomiting or diarrhea due to lactose intolerance.
3-Infections
Many viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections can also cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. Like the panleukopenia virus, bacterial infections (Salmonella or Campylobacter), and parasitic infections (Giardia). According to the study, parasites cause 45-60% of diarrhea cases in kittens.
4-Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
It’s chronic inflammation of the digestive tract leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Moreover, it’s often linked to immune system dysfunction or food hypersensitivity.
5-Poisoning or Toxin Exposure
Ingestion of toxic plants (e.g., lilies) or exposure to household chemicals or pesticides.
6-Hairballs
This is a common cause in long-haired breeds because excessive grooming can lead to hair accumulation in the stomach, causing vomiting.
Hairballs are responsible for nearly a quarter of vomiting episodes in healthy cats.
7-Organ Diseases
Common organ diseases are liver disease, kidney disease, and pancreatitis.
8-Stress or Anxiety
Cats with stress-related conditions may exhibit frequent vomiting or diarrhea. Additionally, changes in environment, new pets, or travel can trigger digestive upset in cats.
9-Intestinal Obstructions
Intestinal obstructions are caused by swallowing foreign objects like string, toys, or bones.
10-Cancer or Tumors
Gastrointestinal tumors can disrupt digestion and cause chronic vomiting or diarrhea.
Common Symptoms of Serious Disease
While occasional vomiting and diarrhea are not causes for concern, severe and persistent symptoms indicate an underlying disease. Here are some red flags that require immediate veterinary attention:
- Frequent or Persistent Vomiting and diarrhea for more than 2-3 times a day and lasting longer than 24 hours.
- Presence of blood in vomiting or diarrhea Signs of dehydration like dry gums and sticky saliva.
- Severe lethargy or weakness and difficulty standing.
- Abdominal pain and swelling are expressed in cats by hunched posture.
- Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
- Fever or Low Body Temperature
Home remedy for cat vomiting and diarrhea
You should try home remedies only if your cat is experiencing mild vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms are severe and persistent for more than 24 hours, then you must consult your veterinarian.
Fast your cat for a short period of time. Withhold food for 8-12 hours to allow the stomach to settle. But remember not to fast kittens, elderly cats, or cats with health conditions.
Dehydration is a major concern, so make sure your cat drinks fresh water.
After the fasting period is completed, offer a bland diet:
- Boiled skinless chicken (shredded) and plain white rice
- Plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- Baby food (meat-based, no onions/garlic)
Feed in small amounts every few hours. If the cat can tolerate this feed, then introduce regular food.
Give your cat probiotics to restore gut health, like a small amount of yogurt.
Slippery Elm Bark is a natural herb that soothes the stomach and intestines.
To use this, mix a small pinch of slippery elm powder with water and give it via syringe or add it to food.
Keep the cat comfortable by providing a quiet and stress-free environment to aid recovery.
Don’t give your cat home medications, as they can be harmful to cats. So, only administer medications that are recommended by your vet.
Veterinary Diagnosis
When bringing your cat to a veterinary clinic for vomiting and diarrhea, your vet will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of the symptoms. Here is a typical diagnostic process:
- Detailed History and Physical Examination
- Fecal examination for parasite scanning.
- Blood tests like Complete Blood Count (CBC) or Blood Chemistry Panel.
- X-rays to identify obstructions, tumors, or abnormal masses and ultrasound to provide detailed imaging of internal organs.
- Abdominal fluid analysis to help identify infection or inflammation.
- Urine analysis if there are signs of kidney or liver problems.
Diarrhea and Vomiting in Cats Treatment
Treatment for diarrhea and vomiting depends on the causative agent involved. There are different treatment options available based on the severity of symptoms and diagnostic results.
For mild cases, dietary management is enough for cats to recover. Withhold cat food for 8-12 hours for the gastrointestinal system to recover. Then, offer a bland diet and gradually reintroduce regular food over 2–3 days as symptoms improve. If the vet-recommended diet is available, then simply offer it to the cat.
Medications commonly given to control vomiting are maropitant or ondansetron. Additionally, antidiarrheal medications like Imodium should only be given on the vet’s advice. Moreover, antibiotics like amoxicillin or enrofloxacin may be prescribed for bacterial infections.
To mitigate the effects of dehydration, fluid therapy is important for cats. So, the vet administers subcutaneous or intravenous fluids to help rehydrate your cat.
If gastrointestinal parasites are diagnosed, then the vet will prescribe appropriate dewormers such as fenbendazole or praziquantel.
Furthermore, if any underlying condition is diagnosed, like inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, or liver or kidney disease, then their specific treatment becomes crucial.
Prevention Tips for Cat Owners
While it’s not always possible to prevent vomiting and diarrhea in cats, some proactive measures can minimize the risk of these symptoms in your cat. Here are some prevention tips:
- Always maintain a consistent diet and avoid sudden dietary changes. In addition, feed a balanced diet and limit treats to avoid digestive upsets.
- Prevent access to toxic foods and substances. Always keep toxic substances out of the cat’s reach and secure household chemicals.
- Monitor for allergies or sensitivities and always choose hypoallergenic food.
- Regularly deworm your cat and implement a flea and tick prevention program.
- Stress can trigger gastrointestinal upset in cats. Therefore, keep their environment peaceful and provide them with quiet resting places.
- Dehydration occurs in 30-40% of cats. So, ensure your cat always has access to clean water and encourage its intake in cats to keep them hydrated.
- Monitor your cat’s health regularly and watch out for early symptoms of disease.
- Additionally, regular veterinary visits ensure your cat is healthy.
- Limit access to foreign objects and prevent chewing on objects that could cause obstruction
Conclusion
Vomiting and diarrhea in cats are not the cause of major worries because 70% of cats recover after 24 to 48 hours. But in severe cases, hospitalization is required, though the recovery rate is 85% with proper treatment.
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