Soft Stools After Switching Cat Food? Here’s Why

Cats are built for high protein, so a new high-protein food alone shouldn't cause trouble—but sudden switches often do. Long-fed low-protein diets leave the gut making few protein enzymes, so a jump to rich food causes indigestion, vomiting, and loose stools; use the 7-day transition. If soft stools persist, it may be an allergy to a specific animal protein or a filler like pea; try a different protein or a single-source food. Also note many foods use beet as a mild anti-diarrhea agent, so dropping it can loosen stools—and weak-stomached cats do better on set mealtimes.