Last updated Apr 7, 2023
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The best cat food for diarrhea gives your cat’s GI tract a break, relieves inflammation, and allows the body to heal. If your cat’s experiencing acute diarrhea, that might mean a few days on a bland diet.
In cases of chronic diarrhea caused by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or long-lasting issues, longer-term dietary changes can help. For cats with chronic diarrhea, the best food is free of irritants and allergens, gentle on the GI tract, and ready to encourage healthy digestion.
That’s why we’ve chosen Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels as the overall best cat food for diarrhea.
These raw morsels are packed with easily-digestible meat and organs, contain sources of fiber for digestive health, and are fortified with probiotics to support healthy bacteria in the gut. Because rabbit is the food’s only protein source, it’s a limited-ingredient food and not likely to irritate the GI tract of cats with food sensitivities.
Keep reading to learn more about our top recommendation and the rest of our top picks for the best cat food for diarrhea.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks For Best Cat Food For Diarrhea
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
- Rabbit is a novel protein – ideal for cats with food allergies
- Made with probiotics to support healthy gut function
- Species-appropriate and digestible
Hound & Gatos Lamb & Lamb Liver Canned Cat Food
- Made from lamb, which isn’t a common cat food allergen
- Limited ingredient list
- Ultra-digestible
Smalls Cat Food
- Primarily made from readily-digestible protein from minimally-processed Chicken
- Shipped to your home according to a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule
- High in protein and moisture, very low in carbs
Authority Chicken Entree Adult Pate Canned Cat Food
- One of the best budget-friendly cat foods on the market
- Free of animal and poultry by-products
- Primarily made from nourishing, species-appropriate ingredients
Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
- Features highly-digestible animal proteins
- Significantly lower carbohydrate content than the typical dry food
- Contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory fatty acids
Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food
- Single source of high-quality animal protein
- No fillers, animal by-products, or vaguely named ingredients
- Contains the moisture your cat needs for hydration
Wellness CORE Digestive Health Turkey Pate Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- Easily digestible and rich in moisture
- Top four ingredients are all animal-based
- Prebiotic fiber helps support gut health
Primal Turkey Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food
- Made with turkey—an excellent option for cats who like poultry but can’t eat chicken
- A limited-ingredient diet for cats with allergies and food sensitivities
- Free from common irritating ingredients
Instinct by Nature’s Variety Kitten Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
- Rich in easily-digestible animal protein sources
- Free of common irritating ingredients
- Contains salmon, which is a good source of DHA for brain and eye development
Raised Right Chicken & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Cats
- Species-appropriate blend of muscle meat and organs
- Contains pumpkin as a source of dietary fiber
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
In addition to performing our own qualitative analysis of the brands reviewed here, we submitted samples for analysis at an ISO 17025 certified food testing and analysis lab.
Also Read: Why We Lab Test Cat Food and How to Interpret the Reports
We bought the products at full retail price, and the entire testing process was funded by Cats.com without direct input or influence from the companies involved.
Analytical testing in a food chemistry lab gives us the exact macronutrient and micronutrient content of each recipe. The tests also look at microbial content, yeast, mold, and heavy metals, helping you ensure that you’re only putting the best in your cat’s bowl.
To access the lab reports for each food reviewed here, click the “view lab report” link in the product review.
Top 10 Best Cat Foods For Diarrhea
#1 Overall Best: Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Absolutely Rabbit Dinner Morsels Cat Food
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Our number one recommendation is this freeze-dried raw cat food from Stella & Chewy’s. The food is a limited-ingredient, single-protein product with a reputation for helping cats heal and thrive.
Several reviewers say that this food helped to clear up their cats’ chronic diarrhea.
The food is primarily made from rabbit muscle meat, liver, and bone.
Rabbit is easy to digest, seldom associated with allergic reactions, and a novel protein for most cats. This makes it an excellent choice for cats with suspected allergies and a gut-friendly option for cats with digestive issues of any kind.
In addition to containing nourishing muscle meat, organs, and bone, the food contains pumpkin seed as a source of fiber. The recipe also includes probiotics, meaning that it can help support the gut microbiome (population of microorganisms) and promote firmer, healthier stools.
Overall, this food has everything we’d look for in the best cat food for diarrhea. If your cat is willing to try a raw diet, this one is worth a shot.
Ingredients:
Chicken (Ground With Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Gizzard, Pumpkin Seed, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Fenugreek Seed, Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Taurine, Tocopherols (Preservative), Dandelion, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Sodium Selenite, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rabbit is a novel protein – ideal for cats with food allergies
- Made with probiotics to support healthy gut function
- Species-appropriate and digestible
What We Didn’t Like:
- This food takes a few minutes to rehydrate, so it may not be convenient for every schedule
#2 Runner Up: Hound & Gatos Lamb & Lamb Liver Canned Cat Food
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If you suspect that your cat suffers from food allergies or intolerances, a single-protein, limited-ingredient diet may be in order. This ultra-simple recipe from Hound & Gatos could be a good choice. It gives your cat a break from potential irritants and could be a good option for an elimination diet.
The food is primarily made from lamb muscle meat and liver. Lamb protein offers a diversion from the chicken, beef, and fish commonly found in cat food, making it a promising choice for cats with known or suspected food intolerances.
As a 98% meat food, the product doesn’t have a lot of room for preservatives, starches, and other potentially-irritating additives. The food contains agar-agar as a thickener and salmon oil as a source of fat. As a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon oil may help to alleviate inflammation associated with diarrhea and other digestive issues.
As one of the simplest foods on the market, Hound & Gatos is popular with cats with IBD and digestive problems.
One reviewer on Chewy says that “I have been pulling my hair out dealing with a food allergy / IBD for 6 months now, ever since I adopted one of my kittens. After multiple vet visits, countless medications, and poopy paw prints all around the house, I am SO happy to say this food (Hound & Gatos Lamb & Lamb Liver Formula) has cured his diarrhea within days of switching to this food.”
Ingredients:
Lamb, Lamb Broth, Lamb Liver, Agar-Agar, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salmon Oil, Taurine, Salt, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Magnesium Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked:
- Made from lamb, which isn’t a common cat food allergen
- Limited ingredient list
- Ultra-digestible
- Contains anti-inflammatory salmon oil
- Has a reputation for easing diarrhea and other digestive issues
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive
- Some cats don’t like the way this food tastes
#3 Upgrade Pick: Smalls Cat Food
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Ingredient quality is particularly significant when you’re feeding a cat with diarrhea. High-quality ingredients are usually more digestible than their cheap counterparts, giving your cat more nutrition while putting less stress on their digestive system.
This human-grade food from Smalls is made from restaurant-quality ingredients and processed in a facility that meets U.S. requirements for human food production. And besides being handled and manufactured according to high standards, most of the food’s ingredients are meat-derived and species-appropriate.
The food is made with chicken and chicken liver as its main ingredients. Compared to extruded kibble, which undergoes a lot of processing, this food from Smalls is minimally processed and retains much of its textural and nutritional integrity.
Of course, the food isn’t perfect. In addition to containing nourishing chicken and animal-sourced fat, the food contains several plant based ingredients. Nevertheless, it manages to remain relatively low in carbohydrates compared to other products. Carbohydrates constitute 6% of the recipe’s calorie content.
Though Smalls doesn’t portion out your cat’s meals for you, they do provide detailed feeding recommendations according to your cat’s calorie requirements. Each package of food contains about 16 ounces of food, with markings on the package at 50-calorie increments.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken liver, Green beans, Peas, Water (sufficient for processing), Chicken hearts, Kale, Tricalcium phosphate, Canola oil, Choline chloride, Potassium chloride, Salt, Taurine, Magnesium Sulfate, Niacinamide, Ferrous sulfate, Zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, Thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), Calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), Copper sulfate, Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Manganese sulfate, Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Potassium iodide, Folic acid, Biotin (vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 supplement, Vitamin D3 supplement
Guaranteed Analysis
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Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Primarily made from readily-digestible protein from minimally-processed fish
- Shipped to your home according to a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule
- Moisture-rich
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains several plant ingredients
- Price is above the market avg.
#4 Best Budget: Authority Chicken Entree Adult Pate Canned Cat Food
If you’re looking for an easily-digestible food that’s also easy to pay for, consider this recipe from PetSmart’s Authority brand.
At a price comparable to Friskies, this food gives you relatively high-quality ingredients like chicken and chicken liver without a lot of artificial colors, preservatives, and other additives that might cause inflammation. You also get the anti-inflammatory benefits of menhaden fish oil, which is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Because it contains chicken, ocean fish, and dried egg product, this food is far from a limited-ingredient product and isn’t going to be a good option for cats with food allergies or intolerances.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Ocean Fish, Brewers Rice, Dried Egg Product, Guar Gum, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Taurine, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Brewers Dried Yeast, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Proteinate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite).
Guaranteed Analysis
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What We Liked:
- One of the best budget-friendly cat foods on the market
- Free of animal and poultry by-products
- Primarily made from nourishing, species-appropriate ingredients
- Doesn’t contain any common inflammatory additives
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains brewer’s rice, a low-value by-product of rice milling
- Contains ocean fish, a vague term referring to a wide range of fish species
- Because it contains several protein sources, this food isn’t a good choice for cats with allergies or food intolerances
#5 Best Dry: Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
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In general, wet food is the best option for cats with diarrhea. It helps to prevent dehydration and is usually easier for cats to digest. Plus, it can be much tastier than dry food.
But if your cat loves dry food and you can’t get him to eat anything else, this food from Dr. Elsey’s is one of the best options available. Unlike most dry foods, which are loaded with starchy binders and inflammatory additives, this food is primarily made from meat. Digestibility is paramount in the Dr. Elsey’s cleanprotein brand, so the food contains easy-to-digest ingredients like chicken, dried egg product, and pork protein isolate as its primary inclusions.
The food also contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, helping to ease gut inflammation. Fructooligosaccharide serves as a source of prebiotic fiber, which helps beneficial gut bacteria to flourish.
Overall, this meat-rich food is one of the best dry options for cats with diarrhea. Because it contains multiple common food allergens, it’s probably not a good choice for cats with food intolerances or allergies, but it’s worth a try for cats who don’t have those dietary issues.
Ingredients
Chicken, Dried Egg Product, Pork Protein Isolate, Gelatin, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Potassium Citrate, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharide, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate, Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide), Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Taurine, Salt, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Features highly-digestible animal proteins
- Significantly lower carbohydrate content than the typical dry food
- Contains salmon oil as a source of anti-inflammatory fatty acids
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dry food doesn’t provide enough moisture
- Contains several protein sources—not a limited-ingredient diet
#6 Best Ethically Sourced: Open Farm Homestead Turkey Rustic Blend Wet Food
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Digestibility is key in a cat food for diarrhea and this Open Farm turkey flavor wet food fits the bill. Made with humanely raised turkey as the primary ingredient, this formula is protein-rich and full of natural turkey flavor your cat will love.
In addition to being packed with animal-based protein, this formula is moisture-rich which helps support your cat’s digestion. Pumpkin, carrots, and spinach provide natural sources for key nutrients as well as dietary fiber which helps add bulk to your cat’s stool.
The list of ingredients for this formula is fairly limited with helps with digestion and nutrient absorption, though there are more plant-based ingredients than we’d like to see. Even so, the dry matter carbohydrate content is only slightly above our recommended maximum of 10%.
Overall, this is a protein-rich formula with moderate fat and carbohydrate content that contains the moisture your cat needs and plenty of fiber to help relieve diarrhea.
Ingredients:
Humanely Raised Turkey, Turkey Bone Broth, Pumpkin, Carrots, Spinach, Red Lentils, Agar Agar, Non-GMO Cranberries, Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas), Chicory Root, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Salt, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Dandelion Greens, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Turmeric.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Single source of high-quality animal protein
- No fillers, animal by-products, or vaguely named ingredients
- Contains the moisture your cat needs for hydration
- Made from 100% human-grade, ethically sourced ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive compared to the average cat food
- Contains several plant-based ingredients
#7 Best Wet: Wellness CORE Digestive Health Turkey Pate Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
Formulated specifically to support digestive health, this wet cat food recipe contains easily digestible animal proteins, prebiotic fiber, and animal-based omega-3 fatty acids.
The food is centered around fresh turkey with chicken liver and fresh chicken as supplemental proteins. Salmon oil provides a species-appropriate source of omega-3 fatty acids while apple, cranberry, and pumpkin powders provide prebiotic fiber. Not only does fiber help add bulk to your cat’s stool but it acts as a food source for the beneficial bacteria in your cat’s gut.
This canned food recipe is high in moisture which helps improve digestibility and it doesn’t contain beans, legumes, or pulses like chickpeas which can be difficult for cats to process. Overall, this appears to be a meat-based wet food
Ingredients:
Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Ground Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Apple Powder, Cranberry Powder, Pumpkin Powder, Taurine, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Inulin, Choline Chloride, Cassia Gum, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Blueberry Powder, Papaya Powder, Pomegranate Powder, Vitamin E Supplement, Peppermint Leaf Powder, Cinnamon, Fennel Powder, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Easily digestible and rich in moisture
- Top four ingredients are all animal-based
- Prebiotic fiber helps support gut health
- Salmon oil provides animal-based omega-3s
What We Didn’t Like:
- Carbohydrate content is over 15%
- Very expensive, over $0.70 per ounce
#8 Best For Picky Cats: Primal Turkey Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food
If your cat doesn’t like the Stella & Chewy’s food listed as our number one recommendation, you might want to try an alternative raw product. This popular recipe from Primal is made with freeze-dried turkey, which is a good alternative poultry for cats with chicken sensitivities.
Emulating a whole-prey diet, the food contains a mix of turkey muscle meat, necks, hearts, and livers. This makes it a species-appropriate and highly-digestible source of the nutrition your cat needs.
In addition to muscle meat, bones, and organs, the food contains an array of fruits, vegetables, and other additives. It contains sardine oil as a source of fat. Like other fish oils, sardine oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce the inflammation associated with diarrhea.
Ingredients:
Turkey, Turkey Necks, Turkey Hearts, Turkey Livers, Organic Collard Greens, Organic Squash, Organic Celery, Cranberries, Blueberries, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Sardine Oil, Taurine, Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder, Dried Organic Kelp, Organic Cilantro, Organic Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Organic Ginger, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Preservative).
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
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What We Liked:
- Made with turkey—an excellent option for cats who like poultry but can’t eat chicken
- A limited-ingredient diet for cats with allergies and food sensitivities
- Free from common irritating ingredients
- Composed of 93% turkey muscle meat, bones, and organs
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains several plant ingredients
#9 Best For Kittens: Instinct by Nature’s Variety Kitten Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food
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For a kitten, diarrhea is more serious than when it affects an adult cat. If your kitten has sustained and serious diarrhea, they are at risk of dehydration and, possibly, death. Kittens suffering from diarrhea should be very closely monitored to ensure that the situation doesn’t continue for more than a day or two.
After you’ve identified the cause of his diarrhea and explored treatment, a kitten who’s prone to recurrent bouts of diarrhea may benefit from switching to a higher-quality, more easily-digestible food. This food from Instinct by Nature’s Variety is a meat-rich, protein-heavy food that’s formulated with kittens in mind.
A combination of chicken, beef liver, salmon, and eggs constitute the bulk of the recipe. The food is formulated for growing kittens, containing appropriate levels of taurine, DHA (a type of omega-3 fatty acid), and key vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients:
Chicken, Beef Liver, Chicken Broth, Salmon (Source of DHA), Eggs, Montmorillonite Clay, Dried Kelp, Taurine, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3, Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Rich in easily-digestible animal protein sources
- Free of common irritating ingredients
- Contains salmon, which is a good source of DHA for brain and eye development
- Low in carbohydrates
What We Didn’t Like:
- Several plant inclusions
- Contains several protein sources—not a limited-ingredient or novel protein food
#10 Best For Sensitive Stomach: Raised Right Chicken & Pumpkin Paté for Adult Cats
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This meat-centric recipe from Raised Right features chicken muscle meat and organs. With the addition of cod liver oil as the primary source of added fat, the food is species-appropriate and easily digestible for cats.
While this food isn’t specifically formulated to resolve diarrhea, the short list of whole-food ingredients may help reduce the risk for digestive upset. Pumpkin contributes to the food’s nearly 6% dry matter fiber content and the recipe is made with dried kelp instead of gum binders, which have been known to contribute to loose stools.
Overall, this is a high-protein, fairly high-fat formula with low carbohydrate content. It’s a much more hydrating option than kibble as well, which is important for cats suffering from diarrhea.
Ingredients
Chicken Thigh, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Pumpkin, Organic Spearmint, Cod Liver Oil, Egg Shell Powder, Flaxseed Oil, Parsley, Organic Dried Kelp, Taurine, Sea Salt, Thiamine Mononitrate.
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Caloric Weight Basis
What We Liked:
- Species-appropriate blend of muscle meat and organs
- Contains pumpkin as a source of dietary fiber
- Rich in moisture to support your cat’s hydration
- Short list of easily digestible ingredients
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some cats don’t seem to enjoy the texture
- Only sold in packs of 4 or 16 bags
The Best Cat Food For Diarrhea Is One That Addresses The Underlying Causes Of Your Cat’s Loose Stool
In addition to identifying the cause of your cat’s diarrhea, it’s important to differentiate between acute and chronic diarrhea. While acute diarrhea is best treated with digestive rest and time to recover, chronic diarrhea points to possible long-standing digestive issues and underlying systemic diseases and could demand a dietary overhaul.
Let’s talk a bit more about the differences between acute and chronic diarrhea and how to approach each.
Acute Diarrhea
It is a temporary reaction to GI irritants. It lasts for a day or two and disappears along with the irritation. The term “acute diarrhea” refers to a short-lived bout of diarrhea. Acute diarrhea involves the sudden onset of loose bowels, usually caused by an irritant or illness. For example, your cat may develop acute diarrhea after drinking a saucer of milk, having a bad reaction to something they ate, or while dealing with an infection.
Feeding a Cat with Acute Diarrhea
If your cat has acute diarrhea due to illness or eating something they shouldn’t have, you don’t necessarily need to change his diet. After the stool returns to normal, you may return your cat to his familiar food. Here’s what to do in the meantime.
1. Provide Species-Appropriate Food.First, Fast Your Cat
Give your cat 12 hours without food to give his digestive tract a break. As long as this fast is temporary, you’re not harming your cat by withholding food. Diarrhea impedes nutrient absorption, so food really doesn’t do any more harm than good.
Cats can develop a serious liver condition called hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome) if they go for a long time without eating (usually a few days). Fasting your cat for 12 hours won’t put your cat at risk for this liver condition.
2. After 12 Hours Of Fasting, Switch To A Bland Diet
The classic protocol is a regimen of cooked chicken and rice, but there’s no requirement for rice. Cats are obligate carnivores and do best on a meat diet, regardless of their stool consistency.
A diet of unseasoned, salt-free boiled and defatted chicken, pork, or turkey meat with broth will temporarily nourish your cat without aggravating his GI tract. Remember that this bland diet isn’t nutritionally complete and isn’t safe for feeding your cat for more than a couple of days.
3. Supplement With Probiotics
The gut microbiome can be considered an organ of its own. It plays a key role in digestion, the immune system, aging, inflammation, and almost every aspect of health. Probiotics help to fortify the natural gut flora and restore healthy intestinal function.
Click Here For Our List Of The Best Probiotics For Cats
4. Consider Using Slippery Elm Bark
This bark has multiple benefits for cats with diarrhea. It soothes pain, eases nausea, and can normalize stool consistency.
Click Here To Learn How To Prepare A Slippery Elm Bark Treatment For Your Cat
5. You May Also Supplement With Pumpkin
While it’s a lightweight compared to slippery elm bark, pumpkin is a classic food additive for cats suffering from diarrhea. Many people swear by it. It’s a palatable, easy-to-find source of soluble fiber, which can help to bulk up your cat’s stool. Choose canned pumpkin puree with no added spices or sweeteners.
Chronic Diarrhea
It occurs intermittently or consistently for more than three weeks and may demand significant dietary changes. Chronic diarrhea continues for weeks or more and may manifest as part of an issue generally referred to as a “sensitive stomach”. This condition could stem from allergies, food intolerances, IBD, or other issues.
Click Here For Our List Of The Best Cat Food For IBD
If your cat has chronic diarrhea—they’ve been having loose bowels for three weeks or more—a trip to the veterinarian is a good idea. The vet can run diagnostic tests, including bloodwork, to determine the cause of your cat’s endless loose stool. Dietary change is necessary in almost every case of chronic diarrhea.
Feeding A Cat With Chronic Diarrhea
1. Identify Allergens And Sensitivities By Putting Your Cat On An Elimination Diet
This stripped-down diet eliminates those familiar ingredients that may have triggered your cat’s diarrhea and replaces them with novel proteins. If your cat’s diarrhea vanishes while on the elimination diet, you can re-incorporate ingredients one-by-one to determine which one caused the symptoms.
Elimination diets are strict. Your cat can eat only that diet—no treats or other food products allowed. Your vet will tell you exactly how long your cat will need to be on the diet, but expect that it will be several months.
2. Provide Species-Appropriate Food
Minimize inflammation by giving your cat a species-appropriate diet centering around fresh muscle meat and organs. Ingredients that aren’t species-appropriate aren’t efficiently utilized by your cat’s body. By providing a high-quality, meat-based cat food with minimal carbohydrates, plant protein, and irritating additives, you lessen the burden on your cat’s GI tract.
3. Minimize Dysbiosis By Fortifying Your Cat’s Gut Microbiome
Gut dysbiosis—an imbalance of good and bad microorganisms in the gut microbiome—is a major factor in chronic diarrhea. To manage your cat’s diarrhea, fortify those “good” populations by administering probiotics.
While most probiotics can help, the S. boulardii strain is the gold standard for cats with diarrhea. This probiotic yeast is impervious to antibiotics and has well-known antidiarrheal properties.
Want to try a probiotic with S. boulardii? Enter coupon code AAC20 to get 20% off of FullBucketHealth’s probiotic supplement for cats.
While The Best Cat Food For Diarrhea Can Help, Changing Your Cat’s Diet Isn’t The Only Solution.
If your cat has diarrhea, watch him closely. If your cat’s diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, or other signs of sickness, you’ll want to take him to the vet. On the other hand, if your cat is still bright-eyed and playful, a day or two of diarrhea isn’t cause for concern.
Remember that diarrhea alone can be life-threatening for sensitive populations. If your cat is a particularly fragile kitten or is elderly or infirm, diarrhea may necessitate a vet visit. These cats are at a high risk for dehydration and a bout of diarrhea could wipe them out.
Likewise, continuous bouts of diarrhea that last for several weeks or more may also justify further treatment. Chronic diarrhea points to digestive issues, some of which may be treated by a vet or with diet alone.
My cat, Chippie, is 13, and has hyperthyroidism. This is causing chronic diarrhea. The most common treatment for cat hyperthyroidism is methimazole. The methimazole makes the diarrhea worse. Current vet wanted to prescribe Purina Pro Plan Fortiflora probiotics to help with the diarrhea. I declined because it contains the TOXIC SODIUM SELENITE, WHICH HAS BEEN LINKED TO CAT/DOG HYPERTHYROIDISM. (I belive that sodium selenite in Chippie’s previous diets caused the hyperthyroidism in the first place. It is present in MANY cat foods.) So the vet instead prescribed another paste-based probiotic, and an anti-diarrhea med. THE EFFECT WAS MINIMAL TO NONE. I have tried feeding Chippie fresh cooked chicken and rice, boiled chicken and rice, boiled ground beef and rice (because I read there are rare cases if cat allergy to chicken). I tried adding canned pumpkin to the boiled ground beef and rice, with babyfood pumpkin, and Fussy Cat with pumpkin bits. Pumpkin clearly was not working for poor Chippie. The ONLY thing that has been working is FRESHLY COOKED SWEET POTATO. I also put some ground flax seed in it as an anti-inflammatory agent. Another good ingredient to add TO THIS is chicken bone broth with NO ONIONS, NO GARLIC, OR OTHER CAT-TOXIC INGREDIENTS. Bone broth has good nutrients and is a known source of electroytes, which a cat with diarrhea may be losing. I mix about a rounded tablespoon of the sweet potato with some Hill’s Science Diet wet kitten food for extra protein, as Chippie needs to regain some body mass lost from the chronic diarrhea. It took me over a year (might even be 2 yrs) to solve Chippie’s diarrhea problem. Hope this post helps someone else.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I would like to note, for others’ reference, that Fortiflora is not a prescription drug. It’s a food supplement that anyone can buy through many different retailers without a prescription. Additionally, it would be helpful to see some sources on the notion that sodium selenite is toxic to cats. Are you referencing Spallholz, I. E. and Raftery’s 1987 “Nutritional, chemical toxicological evaluation of high selenium yeast” published in the International Symposium of Se in Biology and Medicine, pages 516- 52? I wasn’t able to find this study’s original text, but it does seem to find some dangers to sodium selenite consumption. Nonetheless, I’ve not found any substantial pieces indicating that it causes hyperthyroidism. Anyway, thank you for sharing what’s helped you, and I also hope that it can be beneficial to someone else.
4/4/2023 Cat diahrrea update. I recently discovered Instinct Freeze-dried Raw Cage-free pellets, and I am happy to say that feeding them in dry form to my hyperthyroid cat, Chippie, works even better for diahrrea than the fresh cooked sweet potato mixed into his wet food. And the pellets have no sodium selenite (toxic) or kelp (high in iodine).
My original comment was focused on the diarrhea problem, but please do review the following references regarding sodium selenite. Note that I have already had 4 cats with hyperthyroidism–all within the last 2 years–3 dead. Chippie is the last one standing. This is NOT a coincidence.
It may be toxic to blood, kidneys, liver, skin, central nervous system of your pet https://www.essentialstuff.org/essentialstuff.org
2.94 times more toxic than Selenium Yeast https://truthaboutpetfood.com/truthaboutpetfood.com
There is no provision in the federal code that states explicitly that sodium selenite is allowed in dog or cat diets https://www.petfoodindustry.com/petfoodindustry.com
Is Selenium Toxicity a Concern for Our Pets?
https://truthaboutpetfood.com/is-selenium-toxicity-a-concern-for-our-pets/
Is raw selenite safe for cats?
-Damage to the liver and spleen in animals has also been observed, according to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). According to the 1986 edition of the Handbook of the Toxicology of Metals, daily intake of about one milligram of selenium as selenite can be toxic.Aug 24, 2011
-The EPA (reminder: the EPA sets NOAEL – No Observed Adverse Effect Level – based on very detailed reviews of numerous studies) determined the highest allowable daily intake of selenium (for a 121 pound human, but based on animal studies) to be 0.853 milligrams per day.
-The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has determined an adult maintenance dog food can have a maximum of 0.57 milligrams per day (based on recommended daily calorie intake, not body weight);
-AAFCO has no maximum level of selenium established for cat food within their pet food regulations.
Beware: Sodium selenite in pet food is toxic
https://www.catsfork.com/CatsKitchen/beware-sodium-selenite-in-pet-food-is-toxic/
…as counter-intuitive as this sounds, it is a truth: the smaller the concentration of toxic selenium, the greater the harm because small concentrations mimic hormones, especially estrogen.
Role of Selenium in Pets Health and Nutrition: A Review
https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=ajas.2011.64.70
Research (Fan and Kizer, 1990; Olson, 1986) proved that inorganic selenium sources can be toxic in high doses; affecting an animal’s blood, liver and muscles. Inorganic selenium cannot be fully metabolized or stored in the body. Consequently, selenium deficiencies still arise in animals that are supplemented with inorganic selenium (Lopez et al., 1969).
Selenium concentrations in pet foods is highly variable.
However because inorganic selenium cannot be stored in the body, organic forms of selenium are being increasingly used as they are safer and more efficiently used in the body.
CONCLUSIONS
The role of trace mineral selenium in animals particularly pets is discussed and reviewed. Selenium deficiency is found to be one of the key factor behind many diseases like Kashin beck disease, cardiomyopathy, etc., Selenium levels and its forms in the diets play an important role in managing the trace mineral level in the body of the pet animal. However, toxicity associated with the high dose of selenium makes it vulnerable to pets and other animals due to the narrow difference between its required dose and the toxic dose. Current selenium supplements are mainly dependent on inorganic sources like sodium selenite which are found to be less bioavailable and also toxic. However, relative uses of selenium and its forms would be dependent on its nature of application and end use requirement. Keeping safety of the pet animals and environment as main focus areas, organoselenium compounds would be a good and alternate prospective choices for research scientists working in pet animal nutrition.
[###### This announcement below indicates the likely timeframe when other pet food companies started adding sodium selenite to cat food. This makes sense to me in that before this timeframe none of my cats–even aging ones–were having any hyperthyroidism issues.######]
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT ADDED TO OUR HUMAN GRADE PET FOODS
[The Honest Kitchen] August 14, 2016
https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blog/new-addition-vitamin-premix/
Thank you so much. I’ll have a read.