Essential tips for dealing with diarrhea in your kitten

Guest blog by Dr Emmanuel Fontaine, Scientific Communications Veterinarian at Royal Canin North America  

Diarrhea in kittens prompts frequent visits to the veterinarian and often raises numerous questions. Believe me, it can be more than just a temporary inconvenience. Recently, I’ve come to understand that our approach to treating this condition plays a crucial role in preventing lasting gastrointestinal health issues. In this blog, we’ll shed light on essential aspects of managing kitten diarrhea. 

Managing Kitten Diarrhea: Assess, Take Action, and Monitor 

When your kitten is dealing with diarrhea, the initial step is to assess the situation thoroughly.  

Tools like fecal score chartped and pediatric growth charts can provide you with valuable information here.  

If the diarrhea isn’t severe and there are no concerning signs (like red or black stool color, foul odor, or lethargy), there are actionable steps you can take. 

However, it’s important to note: if you’re unsure, always consult with a veterinarian. 

Remember the age-old adage, particularly relevant for kittens: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

Even if the situation appears to be under control, consistent monitoring is essential. 

Regularly check the litter box to assess stool consistency, ideally 3-4 times a day.  

Additionally, observe your kitten’s behavior to ensure it remains lively and unaffected. 

In my experience, I follow a 24-hour guideline: if there’s no improvement within the next day after implementing the measures (which we’ll outline in the following section), it’s advisable to schedule a vet appointment. 

 This proactive approach is crucial for managing your kitten’s well-being and preventing any worsening of the condition. 

Dietary Management for Kitten Diarrhea 

 When your kitten experiences diarrhea, the traditional advice has been to withhold food for 12-24 hours, providing only water. However, it’s essential to recognize that this approach is currently a topic of debate among veterinary professionals. 

The conventional wisdom behind withholding food aims to rest the bowel, allowing the irritated gut to recover.  

However, recent insights challenge this notion.  

Fasting may not provide the bowel with the rest it needs; instead, it can trigger intense intestinal contractions, leading to discomfort. Conversely, feeding may reduce these contractions, promoting better rest and nutrient absorption. Additionally, having food in the system can protect the gut lining from toxins. 

Given this perspective, if your kitten’s diarrhea is mild, continuing to feed them is advisable.  

Opt for a highly digestible diet specifically formulated to support digestive health.  

Such diets provide essential nutrients without overburdening the digestive tract.   

Once you’ve selected a nutritional solution, it’s crucial to stick to it strictly.  

Avoid offering treats or additional food items, as these could have initially triggered the digestive upset. Consistency in diet is vital for restoring and maintaining your kitten’s digestive health. 

Consider meal-feeding your kitten with small, frequent meals, starting with around four meals per day.  

This approach, though different from typical free-feeding, can be beneficial during digestive upsets. 

Wet food can be particularly helpful, as it tends to contain fewer carbohydrates.  

Digestive tract insults can impair the function of brush-border enzymes crucial for carbohydrate digestion. By offering wet food, you reduce the carbohydrate load, easing the digestive process. Once the issue resolves, you can gradually reintroduce dry food. 

Remember, proper nutrition plays a significant role in managing gastrointestinal issues in kittens.  

Pay attention to what, how, and how much you feed to ensure your kitten’s digestive health. 

Smart Supplementation for Kittens with Diarrhea: Probiotics and Beyond 

When contemplating probiotics and other supplements for kittens dealing with diarrhea, it’s crucial to grasp their role and employ them thoughtfully.  

Probiotics, comprising beneficial bacteria, aid in rebalancing intestinal flora.  

Supplements like psyllium seeds, rich in fiber, and prebiotics, which foster healthy gut bacteria, are often praised for supporting digestive well-being. 

However, it is critical to remember that nutrition hinges on balance,  

I’ve seen instances where an excess of supplements, intended to aid digestion, overstimulated the digestive system, leading to adverse effects. 

 My foremost recommendation is to opt for a kitten diet meticulously crafted to optimize digestive health.  

I also advocate for mixed feeding—incorporating both wet and dry food—for its comprehensive nutritional benefits. 

After selecting an appropriate diet, monitor your kitten’s response in conjunction with the dietary management strategies discussed earlier.  

Before introducing any supplement, consult with your veterinarian.  

Indiscriminate or excessive supplement use can prove counterproductive. 

 Proceed with Caution: Medicating Kittens with Diarrhea 

When it comes to treating a kitten with diarrhea, exercising caution is essential.  

While it might be tempting to utilize leftover antibiotics or over-the-counter human medications like electrolytes or Pepto-Bismol, self-medicating your kitten carries significant risks. 

 Consider antibiotics, for instance.  

While they were once commonly prescribed for kitten diarrhea, their use is no longer standard practice for mild cases—and sometimes even for more severe ones.  

Today, the emphasis is on nutritional interventions as the primary treatment.  

Misusing antibiotics can disrupt a kitten’s digestive microbiome, potentially leading to chronic gastrointestinal issues later on.  

While antibiotics may be necessary in certain instances, this decision should be made by your veterinarian. Generally, they are not recommended for mild cases. 

The same caution applies to common human medications.  

Many can be toxic to pets.  

The overarching message is to avoid self-administering human drugs to your kitten.  

Always seek guidance from your veterinarian before administering any medication to your cat. 

While kitten diarrhea remains a frequent occurrence in veterinary practices, we are now more equipped than ever to address these cases effectively, with promising advancements on the horizon. Remember, staying informed and proactive is crucial for ensuring the health and happiness of your feline companions. As for me, I am committed to staying updated on the latest veterinary research, eagerly anticipating new breakthroughs that will refine our approach to these cases. 

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Emmanuel Fontaine graduated from the Toulouse Veterinary School in 2004, he continued his studies at the Alfort Veterinary School (Paris) as trainee Vet in the domestic carnivore unit of the Reproduction Department. From 2005 to 2011, he worked at the Centre d Étude en Reproduction des Carnivores (CERCA) [Research Centre for Reproduction in Carnivores], a unit specializing in pet breeding assistance. Emmanuel Fontaine is also qualified at the European College for Animal Reproduction (ECAR) and completed his PhD in 2012 on the use of GnRH agonists in canines. From September 2011 to September 2018, he worked as Technical Services Veterinarian for the PRO team at Royal Canada. He then was in charge of Scientific Communication for the Americas until August 2022. He now works as Senior Scientific Communications Veterinarian for Royal Canin North America.