Diarrhea: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Call the Vet

Finding out your kitten has diarrhea can be alarming. It’s fairly common, but it does demand some attention. Kittens can get dehydrated quickly, turning a mild issue into a serious one. Dehydration messes with their electrolytes, which can affect their heart, brain, and other vital organs. At our vet hospital, we’re dedicated to your kitten’s health, so we want to give you information about what causes diarrhea, what symptoms to look for, and when you absolutely need to see a vet. After all, you know your kitten best, so you’re most likely to notice subtle changes. So, let’s dive in!

Common Causes of Diarrhea in Kittens

Lots of things can cause diarrhea in kittens. Figuring out the exact cause can be tricky, but knowing the usual suspects can help you take care of your little buddy. Here’s a look at the most frequent culprits:

Dietary Causes

Like us, kittens can have sensitive digestive systems that react to certain foods. What your kitten eats can make a big difference in preventing tummy troubles.

• Sudden Food Changes: Changing your kitten’s food too quickly can upset their digestion. A quick change doesn’t give their gut bacteria enough time to adjust, which can lead to diarrhea. A slow transition is better. Aim for a 7-10 day transition, gradually mixing more of the new food with the old. This lets those digestive bacteria adapt, giving your kitten a much better chance of staying healthy.
• Overeating or Poor-Quality Food: Kittens have tiny stomachs, so they need the right kind of nutrition. Feeding them too much, especially if the food isn’t very good or has a lot of fillers, can overwhelm their systems. Their little digestive tracts aren’t fully developed yet, so overdoing it can cause problems.
  Stick to high-quality kitten food designed for their needs. Follow the guidelines on the bag, but remember those are just suggestions. Watch how well your kitten handles the food. Some kittens do fine on regular kitten food, but others might need a “sensitive stomach” formula to keep things solid. Look for kitten foods that list real meat sources as the main ingredients, not by-products or fillers.
• Intolerance or Allergies: Just like people, kittens can be allergic or intolerant to certain foods, like dairy or grains. A food allergy happens when the immune system mistakes a food protein for something harmful and attacks it. Food intolerances are more about digestive issues than immune responses. If you think your kitten has a food allergy or intolerance, talk to a vet about how to figure it out and change their diet. They might suggest a special elimination diet to find the problem ingredient. You could also try removing a food you suspect is the issue and see if things improve.

Parasites

Parasites are a common cause of diarrhea in kittens for the primary reason that they’re everywhere. Kittens’ natural curiosity also makes getting parasites easier than you might think.

• Roundworms, Hookworms, Coccidia, Giardia: These guys wreak havoc on the intestines, causing inflammation that leads to diarrhea. They damage the lining of the intestines and steal nutrients from your kitten.
• How Kittens Are Exposed: Kittens can get parasites from their moms in the womb or through their milk. They can also get them from eating contaminated things (like dirt or from the litter box), swallowing infected fleas, or even hunting. Roundworm and hookworm eggs can live in the soil for a long time, making the environment a big source of infection. Getting your kitten dewormed regularly, as recommended by your vet, is key to protecting them.

Infections

Kittens have fragile immune systems and are vulnerable to infections. When they get sick, their bodies often respond with diarrhea as they try to fight off the illness.

• Viral: Viruses like feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) and feline coronavirus can cause severe diarrhea, among other things. Panleukopenia attacks cells that divide quickly, including those in the intestines, leading to serious damage and life-threatening diarrhea. Coronavirus can sometimes lead to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which can show up in different ways, including diarrhea. Vaccination is super important here. Getting your kitten vaccinated on schedule is the best way to protect them.
• Bacterial: Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli can come from contaminated food or water. These infections can cause all sorts of intestinal issues, including diarrhea, vomiting, and belly pain. Keep your kitten’s food and water dishes clean, and make sure their water is safe to drink. Cook meat and poultry thoroughly, and wash raw produce to avoid Salmonella.

Stress or Environmental Changes

Believe it or not, a kitten’s emotions can affect their digestion. Stress can throw off the balance of gut bacteria and change how the intestines move, which can lead to diarrhea.

• New Home, Travel, or Introduction of New Pets: Big changes like moving, traveling, or meeting new furry friends can be stressful for a kitten. This stress can show up as diarrhea. When a new kitten comes home, give them time to adjust. Make sure they have a safe “retreat” where they can go to get away. A slow introduction is best. Pheromone diffusers or sprays can also help reduce stress.

Toxins or Poisonous Substances

Kittens love to explore, and sometimes they eat things they shouldn’t. If they ingest toxins, it can inflame and damage their digestive tract, causing diarrhea.

• Human Medications, Plants, or Chemicals: Lots of common household items, like human medications, houseplants, and cleaning products, are toxic to cats. Eating them can cause diarrhea and other dangerous symptoms. Store medications and chemicals safely, and research your houseplants to see if they’re safe for pets. If you think your kitten has eaten something toxic, call your vet or a pet poison control center right away.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Sometimes, diarrhea is actually a sign of a more serious health problem. In these cases, you need to treat the underlying disease to solve the diarrhea problem.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Issues, or Congenital Problems: Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver problems, or birth defects can mess with a kitten’s digestion and cause long-term diarrhea. Diagnosing these conditions usually requires blood tests, imaging, and sometimes even biopsies. These tests help vets decide on the right treatments, which might include medication, special diets, or even surgery.

Symptoms to Watch For

Keeping an eye on your kitten’s behavior and bowel movements is key to spotting potential health issues early. Knowing what to look for helps you act quickly. Here’s a rundown:

• Frequent, Loose or Watery Stools: This is usually the first and most obvious sign indicating that the kitten is having diarrhea. Normal kitten poop should be firm. Pay attention to how often your kitten goes and what the consistency looks like. It’s a great idea to note the color, consistency, and frequency so that you are fully prepared when the vet asks.
• Blood or Mucus in Stool: Blood or mucus can mean there’s inflammation or an infection in the intestines. Bright red blood usually means it’s coming from the lower part of the intestinal tract, like the colon or rectum, and could be from injury or irritation. Dark blood usually means it is coming from higher up the intestinal tract. Mucus can mean the intestinal lining is irritated. Either way, it’s vet time.
• Vomiting: Diarrhea and vomiting often come together. If your kitten is doing both, see a vet. Vomiting increases the risk of dehydration, so don’t ignore it.
• Lethargy: A tired kitten is not a happy kitten. Low energy can signal all sorts of medical problems. The body sends energy to fight illness, making your kitten seem tired and uninterested. If your kitten is unusually tired, it could be a sign of something wrong.
• Loss of Appetite: Diarrhea can make kittens feel sick to their stomach, which can make them not want to eat.
• Dehydration Signs: Dehydration is serious, especially for young kittens. Look for dry gums, and when you gently pinch and lift the skin, it takes longer than usual to return to its normal position. Sunken eyes and concentrated urine are other signs. Watch your kitten closely to make sure they’re drinking enough.
• Weight Loss: Long-term diarrhea can lead to weight loss, especially in growing kittens. Weigh your kitten regularly to keep track of their progress. Losing weight can be a sign of a bigger problem.

When to Call the Vet

While some mild cases of diarrhea clear up on their own, knowing when to get help is crucial. Getting help early can prevent bigger problems down the road. Call us right away if:

• Diarrhea lasts more than 24–48 hours: Non-stop diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The longer it goes on, the more important it is to get medical attention because complications are more likely.
• Signs of dehydration are present: Dry gums, skin tenting, and sunken eyes are red flags.
• There’s blood in the stool: Blood indicates a more serious issue that needs a vet’s attention.
• Your kitten is extremely tired or won’t eat: These signs can be an indication of something serious that needs to be determined.
• Vomiting occurs with diarrhea: This combo makes dehydration a bigger threat, requiring proper treatment.
• The kitten is under 8 weeks old or has other health issues: Young kittens and those with existing health problems are more susceptible to complications from diarrhea.

What to Expect at the Vet

If you bring your kitten to our hospital for diarrhea, here’s what we’ll do:

• Physical Exam: We’ll thoroughly check your kitten, looking at key indicators to assess their overall health indicating kittens with diarrhea.
• Fecal Testing: We’ll take a stool sample and look at it under a microscope to find the source of the problem.
• Blood Tests (If Needed): We might also run blood tests to get a better idea of organ function and hydration levels.
• Treatment Options: Depending on what’s causing the diarrhea, we might recommend a combination of things. Common treatments include medications, deformers, or diet changes.

Home Care Tips (When Vet Visit Isn’t Urgent)

• Gradual Diet Transition: If the symptoms are mild, changing their diet might help.
• Bland Diet (If Vet-Approved): Your vet might suggest a specific bland diet, but get their approval first.
• Ensure Hydration: Keeping your kitten hydrated is essential. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water available at all times.
• Clean Litter Box Frequently: This helps you keep track of the frequency and consistency of their stools.

Preventing Future Episodes

What can you do to prevent diarrhea from coming back? Assuming your vet hasn’t given you specific instructions, these tips might help:

• Regular Deworming and Vaccinations: Prevention is always best. We create custom vaccination schedules based on your pet’s lifestyle.
• Gradual Diet Changes: Introduce new foods slowly, over a week or two.
• Keep Toxic Items Out of Reach: Store medications, cleaning products, and other potentially toxic items securely. Know which plants are toxic to cats and keep them away from your kitty.
• Maintain a Stress-Free Environment: Give your kitten a safe, comfortable, and predictable environment to minimize stress.

Kitten diarrhea might be concerning, but the good news is that most instances can be resolved with quick medical attention. Early intervention may avoid consequences like dehydration. You can keep your pet happy and healthy by keeping a close eye on them and consulting your veterinarian. Please do not hesitate to contact us; we are here to assist you!