What Does Healthy Stool Look Like?
Healthy cat stools should be brown, firm, and well-formed.
Any noticeable change in colour or consistency can indicate a health issue. For outdoor cats, it may be harder to spot, so watch for subtle signs, like dirt fur around the anal area.
What Is Diarrhoea in Cats?
Diarrhoea occurs when stools pass through the intestines too quickly, resulting in soft, runny, or watery stool, which usually leads to poor absorption of water, nutrients, and electrolytes.
It’s a symptom, not a disease, and can be caused by so many different underlying issues.
Common Signs of Diarrhoea
Symptoms depend on severity, cause, and which part of the intestine is affected:
- Loose or watery stools
- Unusually light or dark coloured stool
- Frequent defecation
- Straining during bowel movements
- Mucus or fresh blood in the stool
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or reduced appetite
- Faeces stuck to fur or house accidents (especially in non-litter-trained cats)
- Unexplained weight loss
When to Contact Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if:
- Diarrhoea lasts more than 2-3 days
- There is vomiting, lethargy, or appetite loss
- Blood is present in the stool
– Fresh blood (small amounts): monitor closely
– Black, tarry stools: may indicate internal bleeding and needs urgent care
Tip: Keep tract of stool frequency, appearance (colour, consistency) and signs of straining, blood, or mucus.
This info helps your vet diagnose the issue. Taking pictures helps a lot.
Diagnosing the Cause
Your vet may recommend:
- Diet trials – to assess food-related sensitivity
- Blood & urine tests – to check organ function and B12 levels
- Faecal analysis – to detect parasites or harmful bacteria
- Imaging (X-rays, ultrasound) – to check for physical abnormalities
- Endoscopy – to examine the gut lining and collect biopsies
- Exploratory surgery – in complex or unresolved cases
Treatment Options
Supportive Care:
- Diet change – Simple, bland or highly digestible food
- Probiotics/prebiotics – For gut health
- Hydration – Fluids or electrolytes if needed
Specific Treatments:
- Special diets – Hydrolysed or hypoallergenic if needed. This might take a while, and you might try a few different diets. But usually, it’s worth the patience.
- Medications & supplements – Anti-parasitics, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, probiotics & prebiotics
- Disease management – e.g. hyperthyroidism, IBD, pancraetitis, triaditis etc
- Vitamin B12 does wonders
- Surgery or chemotherapy – For tumour-related causes
FAQs
What’s the outlook for cats with diarrhoea?
- Many cases resolve with diet or medication
- Early diagnosis prevents long-term gut damage
- Some chronic conditions may require ongoing care
If in doubt, always speak with us. Diarrhoea may seem minor, but it can signal something serious.