Best Foods for Cat Diarrhea: Quick Relief for an Upset

Many pet owners often find themselves in a predicament when they bring a new kitten home from the pet store. To their surprise, the little furball starts showing signs of stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. This can be quite overwhelming for new pet parents, and some even joke about it being a clash of feng shui between the cat and their home.

However, the truth is that these symptoms are not due to any feng shui issues. They are typically a result of the kitten's delicate digestive system adjusting to a new environment. When a kitten arrives at a new home and immediately exhibits vomiting and diarrhea, the key for pet owners is to provide careful care and gentle digestive support. With proper attention, the kitten will usually bounce back to normal quickly.

Here are some important points to consider when调理ing your kitten's digestive system:

1. Know What Your Kitten Ate Before Coming Home

For kittens that are very young and have not yet been on a commercial diet, pet owners should feed them according to their age and weight. For instance, newborn kittens can be given goat's milk. These kittens are unable to digest cat food properly due to their fragile digestive systems and limited ability to absorb nutrients from it, which can lead to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

If you've purchased an adult or older kitten, it's crucial to find out what type of food it was eating before coming to your home. If the kitten was fond of its previous food, switching to a different brand or type can cause digestive upset. To avoid this, gradually introduce new food by mixing it with the old one, allowing the kitten's digestive system to adjust before fully transitioning.

2. Be Aware of What Your Kitten Can and Cannot Eat

While some pet owners may get bored with feeding their cats the same food day after day, introducing human food to cats can be risky. Cats cannot tolerate certain vegetables like chili, onions, garlic, and chives, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and damage to the digestive lining. It's best to avoid giving your cat human food and opt for catspecific treats like fish snacks or canned food to keep their diet varied and safe.

3. Monitor Your Kitten's Condition

After a kitten shows signs of digestive discomfort, such as mild diarrhea, and maintains a normal appetite, you can give them probiotics to help regulate their gut. However, if the diarrhea persists, or if the kitten shows symptoms like dehydration, listlessness, loss of appetite, or weight loss, it's a sign that the condition is severe. In such cases, it's important to take your kitten to a veterinarian for a checkup and treatment to prevent the situation from worsening.

While managing your kitten's digestive health may seem complex at first, with a bit of practice, it becomes second nature. In addition to digestive care, ensure your cat's overall health by maintaining cleanliness, conducting regular deworming, and vaccinations. By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your cat falling ill.