Do Not Give Cats Smectite Powder Carelessly

1 Caution with Smectite Powder for Cats

Many owners give cats smectite powder when they have diarrhea. But note: diarrhea is not always from poor digestion, it can also be gastroenteritis from bacterial infection.

If diarrhea is from gastroenteritis, smectite powder only worsens it, because it thickens stool and traps bacteria and waste inside the cat.

So when a cat has diarrhea, withhold food for 6 to 8 hours and watch whether it improves. If diarrhea continues, use a vet-recommended antibiotic powder to clear the infection, then an anti-diarrhea tablet to firm the stools and resolve the problem.