Why Does a Kitten Keep Having Diarrhea?

1 Overview

Common causes of constant kitten diarrhea: gut parasite infection, acute gastroenteritis, viral infection, stress.

1. Gut parasite infection.

Roundworms, tapeworms, and the like upset the gut, causing diarrhea, vomiting, belly pain, blood in stool, weight loss. If the cat is long due for deworming, suspect this. Even with regular deworming, coccidia and giardia – special parasites – escape broad-spectrum drugs.

Get a fecal exam at a vet; if coccidia etc. are found, use the right dewormer, and avoid raw meat daily.

2. Acute gastroenteritis.

Constant diarrhea may come from wrong diet or poor digestion. If mild, give pet probiotics, light food, small frequent meals; in ~3 days it eases, then 3-5 more days to consolidate. If severe and frequent, use anti-inflammatory and bismuth subcarbonate to coat and protect the gut and stop diarrhea.

3. Viral infection.

If vaccines are incomplete, suspect virus – panleukopenia, coronavirus cause frequent diarrhea, vomiting, fever. Get blood tests, X-ray, ultrasound; treat the virus promptly.

4. Stress.

Stress can also cause constant diarrhea – a new home, forced bath, sudden food change, with gut irritation and low immunity. Handle like gastroenteritis, and comfort the cat for security.

The above outlines causes and fixes. If you cannot tell the cause, see a vet or consult an online veterinarian; do not self-medicate.