What to give a cat with diarrhea? - briefly
To help a cat with diarrhea, provide plenty of clean water to prevent dehydration and offer a bland diet consisting of boiled chicken or white fish along with cooked rice for a few days until symptoms subside.
What to give a cat with diarrhea? - in detail
When a cat experiences diarrhea, it is crucial to adjust their diet temporarily to help alleviate symptoms and prevent dehydration. Here are some guidelines on what to feed a cat with diarrhea:
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Hydration: Diarrhea can lead to rapid dehydration in cats. Ensure your cat has access to plenty of clean water at all times. You may also need to administer additional fluids subcutaneously or intravenously, depending on the severity of the diarrhea and your vet's advice.
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Bland Diet: Transition your cat to a bland diet to give their digestive system a chance to recover. This typically involves feeding them boiled chicken (without skin or bones) mixed with white rice. The combination is easily digestible and helps bind the stool, reducing diarrhea.
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Gradual Reintroduction: After 24-48 hours on the bland diet, gradually reintroduce your cat's regular food. Mix increasing amounts of their normal food with decreasing amounts of the chicken and rice mixture over a few days. This helps prevent a shock to their system.
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Probiotics: Introducing probiotics into your cat's diet can be beneficial. Probiotic supplements or yogurt containing live cultures (ensure it is plain and low-fat) can help restore the balance of gut bacteria, which is often disrupted during diarrhea.
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Avoid Dairy: Cats are generally lactose intolerant, so avoid giving them dairy products like milk or cheese. These can exacerbate diarrhea and cause further digestive upset.
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Monitor for Improvement: Keep a close eye on your cat's condition. If the diarrhea persists for more than 48 hours, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or loss of appetite, contact your veterinarian immediately. Chronic or severe diarrhea can be a sign of an underlying health issue that requires professional treatment.
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Prevent Access to Triggers: If the diarrhea is caused by something specific, like spoiled food or toxic plants, prevent your cat from accessing these triggers while they recover.
In summary, providing a bland diet with boiled chicken and rice, ensuring adequate hydration, and gradually reintroducing their regular food are key steps in caring for a cat with diarrhea. Always consult with a veterinarian if the condition persists or worsens to rule out any serious underlying health issues.