Common Bowel Issues in Cats
Just as with humans, there are a number of different causes for various stool issues in cats.
Some may be life threatening, but in most cases they are simply a common ailment related to diet.
If you are unable to closely monitor your pet due to a hectic schedule, you still might want to have a trusted veterinarian examine your pet to be on the safe side.
Diarrhea can vary widely in being just a slightly loose or soft cat stool, to a full blown case which can possibly result in dehydration.
The more severe the cat stool issue, the more closely the situation should be monitored.
This can be caused by something as simple as eating grass, or perhaps even food poisoning.
There are however, certain viruses and bacteria which can also cause intestinal problems as well.
In some cases the loose stool could be accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, and an increase or decrease in appetite.
For the most immediate treatment without going to a vet, withhold food for a few hours, but make sure your cat gets plenty of fluid.
By doing this you will also have more information to provide to a vet if needed, while you may also help your cat get through this without unneeded vet expenses.
If problems persist for a prolonged period, you really will need to see a vet.
Older cats will commonly be afflicted with constipation from time to time.
There are many causes for this, from an ingested obstruction being in the intestines, to just lacking the ability to completely digest food as in younger days.
Either way this can be very uncomfortable for your pet, and possibly life threatening.
You can soak your cats food in water to make it easier to digest, or ask your vet to recommend a mild laxative such as bran fiber or psyllium.
Those mentioned above are the most common cat stool issues, and may be cause by a large variety of ailments.
This can be caused from issues with the liver or pancreas, or by simply getting into the wrong food.
Try and ensure that each cat has it's own litter box, to prevent to transfer of harmful bacteria from cat to cat.
Some may be life threatening, but in most cases they are simply a common ailment related to diet.
If you are unable to closely monitor your pet due to a hectic schedule, you still might want to have a trusted veterinarian examine your pet to be on the safe side.
Diarrhea can vary widely in being just a slightly loose or soft cat stool, to a full blown case which can possibly result in dehydration.
The more severe the cat stool issue, the more closely the situation should be monitored.
This can be caused by something as simple as eating grass, or perhaps even food poisoning.
There are however, certain viruses and bacteria which can also cause intestinal problems as well.
In some cases the loose stool could be accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, and an increase or decrease in appetite.
For the most immediate treatment without going to a vet, withhold food for a few hours, but make sure your cat gets plenty of fluid.
By doing this you will also have more information to provide to a vet if needed, while you may also help your cat get through this without unneeded vet expenses.
If problems persist for a prolonged period, you really will need to see a vet.
Older cats will commonly be afflicted with constipation from time to time.
There are many causes for this, from an ingested obstruction being in the intestines, to just lacking the ability to completely digest food as in younger days.
Either way this can be very uncomfortable for your pet, and possibly life threatening.
You can soak your cats food in water to make it easier to digest, or ask your vet to recommend a mild laxative such as bran fiber or psyllium.
Those mentioned above are the most common cat stool issues, and may be cause by a large variety of ailments.
This can be caused from issues with the liver or pancreas, or by simply getting into the wrong food.
Try and ensure that each cat has it's own litter box, to prevent to transfer of harmful bacteria from cat to cat.
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