A single soft stool in a cat who is otherwise bright is usually not much. Diarrhoea that continues, or arrives with other changes, is worth taking seriously, partly because cats hide illness well and partly because fluid loss adds up faster than people expect.
What the litter tray tells you
- How loose: soft and formed, porridge-like, or entirely liquid
- Colour, and whether there is red blood or black tarry material
- Any mucus, or a slimy coating
- How often, and whether they are straining
- Whether they are still using the tray at all
Common causes
- Intestinal parasites, which are common here and readily treatable
- A sudden change of food, or something scavenged
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Inflammatory bowel disease and food sensitivity, usually longer-running
- An overactive thyroid, in older cats, often with weight loss and a big appetite
- Stress, including building work, a house move or a new animal
- Some medicines, including a recent course of antibiotics
Dehydration is the thing to watch
A cat losing fluid through diarrhoea, especially alongside vomiting or not drinking, can become dehydrated quickly. Signs include sunken-looking eyes, tacky gums, lethargy, and skin over the shoulders that is slow to settle back when gently lifted.
In a Karachi summer this happens faster. Heat and fluid loss together are a worse combination than either alone.
Contact a veterinarian promptly if
- The diarrhoea has continued beyond 48 hours
- There is blood, or black tarry stool
- Your cat is also vomiting, or has stopped eating
- They seem lethargic, hunched, or are hiding
- It is a kitten, or an older cat with existing health problems
- You suspect they have eaten something they should not have
What helps in the meantime
- Keep fresh water available and note whether they are drinking
- Keep the food consistent rather than switching repeatedly
- Keep them indoors so you can see what is actually happening
- Note the timeline: a veterinarian will ask when it started and whether it is worsening
If you are not sure whether this is a passing upset or something needing tests, an online consultation is a quick way to get that judgement, and to be told plainly if a clinic visit and a stool sample are the right next step.
Common questions
How long is too long for cat diarrhoea?
One or two loose stools in an otherwise well adult cat can be watched. Beyond 48 hours, or at any point alongside lethargy, vomiting or refusing food, it needs a veterinarian. For kittens, do not wait.
Should I change my cat's food?
Not repeatedly, and not in the middle of an episode: frequent changes make the cause harder to identify. A veterinarian may recommend a specific diet, but abrupt switches can worsen loose stools.
Can I give my cat human anti-diarrhoeal medicine?
No. Several human medicines are toxic to cats, and slowing the gut is the wrong move for some causes. Nothing should be given without veterinary direction.
Is milk a good idea for a cat with diarrhoea?
No. Most adult cats digest lactose poorly, and cow's milk commonly makes loose stools worse rather than better.