If you noticed that your cat’s stool seems to be looking and/or smelling differently, this might be a cause for concern. You should always make sure that your cat is healthy and going through the litter box is, unfortunately, one way to do it. Stool can be an indicator of your cat’s health and changes in your cat’s poop might indicate health problems.
In some cases you can simply fix these issues – by buying best cat food for firm stool. We recommend several products below.
| Cat Food For Firm Stool | Dry / Wet Cat Food | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin Digest Sensitive | Wet | Check Deals |
| Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach | Dry | Check Deals |
| Taste Of The Wild Rocky Mountain | Wet | Check Deals |
| Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal | Wet | Check Deals |
| Hills Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care | Wet | Check Deals |
| Blue Buffalo Basics Limited | Dry | Check Deals |
In other cases, you will have to take your cat to the veterinarian. In this article we aim to help you with the initial diagnosis of how serious the issues might be. If you wonder what food you can give your cat for diarrhea, we have a few recommendations. If you are just curious what possible issues your cat’s stool might be indicating, read the rest of the article below for more information.
What To Look For In A Good Cat Food For Firm Stools
Choosing the right food for a cat with diarrhea can be a bit confusing, so if you are in the market for the best cat food for firm stool, then here are some things that you should look for:
High Water Content
For cats who have loose stools, a high water content diet is the perfect option. High moisture foods will increase the water levels in your cat’s body and they are also easy to digest in comparison to other types of foods. Cats get their water from food in nature, however, if they suffer from diarrhea, they might develop issues with hydration. Diarrhea causes dehydration, so food with high moisture content is a way to go.
Natural Ingredients
You should always look for foods that contain whole food ingredients, which include healthy protein and fat sources. Pet food should also be filled with micronutrients that provide energy and also improve the digestion. Check packaging for by-products or filler ingredients as they can make the condition worse.
Digestible Carbs
However, it is recommended to keep carb ratio lower than proteins. If you buy food with fiber or grain content make sure to opt for foods that have digestible carbohydrates. Easiest way is just to go with grain free cat foods.
Hypoallergenic
Look for easily digestible foods marked as hypoallergenic cat foods. This will reduce the chances of your cat developing stomach issues. These kinds of foods are less likely to create allergic reactions and disturb cats with sensitive stomachs.
Food with dry fermentation products
This means that cat food for firm stool also includes probiotics which are bacteria that acts to balance your cat’s digestive system. This is very important in order to get rid of your cat’s diarrhea.
Things to Consider When Buying Best Cat Food for Firm Stool
No Dairy
The majority of the cats are lactose intolerant and if you feed them dairy products, then it can upset their stomach and cause digestive issues. That’s why you should always consider buying dairy-free cat foods to keep your cat safe from diarrhea and other digestive issues.
Essential Nutrients
Along with the proteins, your cat also needs other essential nutrients such as Vitamin A, E, and C. These nutrients improve the cat’s digestion and protect them from many other diseases. You should also consider buying food that contains fiber and probiotics as they help cats to pass stools easily
Limited Food Ingredients
You should also consider buying cat foods with fewer food ingredients. These kinds of foods are safer and also doesn’t cause any allergic reactions. Make sure to always get the best dry food for cats to avoid any bad fillers or additives.
What Is Your Cat’s Stool Telling You?
Before talking about important things, you must know what is your cat’s stool is telling you. So here are some different types of poop along with their hidden meaning.
Long And Thin Poop
If you notice that your cat’s poop is long and thin, then it’s a clear indication that something is wrong with your cat. However, the shape of the poop varies from one cat to another but generally, their poop is shaped like cylindrical logs, and if it’s not, chances are she might be having some problems. The shape also tells about the effort that your cat is putting to take her poop out. If the poop is stingy that it can mean your little friend has some growth in her colon. It might be an initial indicator of constipation. That’s why it is better to visit a vet for a better diagnosis.
Hard Poop
Dehydration is one of the biggest reasons that makes the poop harder. Water is the main factor that gives poop its stick and moist nature and if your cat won’t drink enough water that it can result in these kinds of problems. Apart from this, dehydration can also be a kidney disease symptom, so you must take it seriously, otherwise, it can transform into other severe issues. The best way to deal with this problem is by adding moisture in your cat’s diet and try to make her drink extra water. Even after doing this, if the poop is harder, then visiting a vet is the best thing you should do.
No poop – Constipation
If you can barely see the poop, or it is all liquid, then it’s constipation, which is caused by water deficiency or lack of fiber in the diet. Sometimes, over-grooming can also disturb the digestive process, resulting in non-existent poop. In severe cases, constipation is a sign of intestinal blockage or kidney or thyroid disease. In short, constipation can lead to a bigger problem or a big medical emergency, that’s why you should never ignore it. Along with this, if your cat is having a hard time pooping, then opt for some medication.
Black Poop
Color is a very important factor that can tell a lot about your cat’s health state. Generally, the color of a cat’s poop is dark brown, and any changes in the color can be an indication of a severe health problem. For example- If the color of your cat’s poop is black, then it is a dangerous sign and you should immediately take her to the vet. Black poop can be an indicator that your cat has stomach issues, which is very serious.
Yellow stools are common with different diet plans but can be a potential indicator of gallbladder disease. At last, red stools are a sign of gastrointestinal damage. Along with this, blood clotting or bowel diseases can also be the reason behind red stools.
Smelly Poop
The smell of a cat’s poop is very distinctive and if you feel any changes in it, then it could be due to different health issues. Mostly, stinky poop is caused by microbial infections, which can be treated with some medication. In this scenario, the best thing you can do is to monitor your cat’s behavior. For example- you should check symptoms like appetite loss, vomiting, etc. However, smelly poop can also be a result of the change in diet plan but if you see these symptoms, then consider visiting a vet. See our list of best cat food for smelly poop.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that handling cat poop is not always a safe task. Especially if you have an outdoor cat, researchers have found association between parasite Toxoplasma gondii and different mental disorders like schizophrenia. That’s why it is recommended that pregnant women should not go near the cat’s litter box.
Treatment For Diarrhea And Loose Stools In Cats
Now after discussing the basic information regarding cat’s poop, it’s time to talk about the treatments for diarrhea and loose stools in cats. So if you are thinking about what can you give your cat for diarrhea, then here are some things to incorporate in its diet.
Anti-Diarrheal Medicines
If you see different symptoms and feel that your cat is dealing with some severe health problems, then you should directly visit a vet and explain everything to her. The vet might prescribe some anti-diarrhea medicine. You should never use any chemical without proper supervision and only opt for medicines or supplements that are prescribed by the vet . Along with this, don’t exceed recommended dosis and monitor your cat to make sure that the medicines are not showing any side effects.
Encourage Water Intake
Water is one of the best nutrients to treat diarrhea and loose stools in cats. It prevents dehydration and keeps your cat active, that’s why you should keep your cat’s container filled with clean water, so it can easily drink it whenever it needs it. If your cat is not drinking water, then you should provide a canned / wet cat food diet and add some warm water in it yourself. This will keep the cat hydrated and promote proper bowel movements.
Probiotics
Probiotics are a great way to increase healthy bacteria in the cat’s intestinal tract. These bacteria help cats with their digestion and if they get disrupted, then it can cause digestive issues and problems like diarrhea. Probiotics can easily boost the population of these bacteria, that’s why it is recommended to include good quality probiotics to your cat’s diet, so she can digest food easily.
Get Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
If your cat has diarrhea or in general a sensitive stomach, then you should simplify its diet. There is no need to withhold food, just exclude all the treat and table scraps, and provide basic food items.
Sometimes sensitive stomach will be result of sever malnourishment, so one needs to start re-feeding the cat carefully, preferably using food for emaciated cat.
Best is to simply choose one of the special formulas we list here or any formula that is also offered exactly for this purpose. This will make your life easier and your cat’s stool harder.
In case, if you have changed your cat’s diet recently, then change the diet to the normal and check whether it resolving the issue or not. Sometimes it is all about testing. If nothing helps, definitely contact a veterinarian.
Best Cat Food For Diarrhea FAQ
If the diarrhea is caused by overeating or any other regular reason, then it will go away. If the diarrhea is chronic, then you should consider bringing your cat to a vet.
As mentioned above that if the cat’s poop is smelling different, then it could be due to different health conditions. However, in most cases, smelly poop is caused by food or bacterial infections.
Good quality cat food contains all the essential nutrients such as minerals, amino acids, proteins, and vitamins. For cats with sensitive stomachs its best to choose food with less fillers, without grains and dairy.
Raw foods provide many benefits but for domestic cats however, commercial foods are a better option as they have been prepared by experts and heavily tested.
Well, it is recommended to feed cats at least two times a day as this helps them digest foods more effectively. You should also consider reading the instructions on the food package. Age and weight are also great factors that you should use to determine the right quantity of meals.