Home Care for a Cat with Vomiting and Diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms seen in cats. They can occur alone or together. It can be a very minor self-limiting problem or a very significant major problem.

Below are some common questions pet owners ask when their cat has vomiting and diarrhea. The focus of this article will be on how you can care for these problems at home.

What Are Diarrhea and Vomiting?

Vomiting is the act of expelling contents from the stomach through the mouth. Diarrhea is the act of having abnormally loose or liquid stools. This can also be associated with an increased frequency of bowel movements. Some cats will have a large amount of liquid or abnormally loose stools once and others will have semi-formed stools frequently with straining.

Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea and Vomiting?

Vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a variety of problems including eating too much, eating something that is not digestible, changes in a cat’s diet, eating spoiled food or garbage, infectious agents (including bacterial, viruses, or parasites), as well as systemic problems such as cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or liver disease. For a full list of possible causes, read Gastroenteritis in Cats.

Vomiting and diarrhea can affect your cat by causing extreme fluid loss, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or acid-base imbalances.

How Do I Treat Vomiting and Diarrhea for Cats at Home?

Specific treatments of vomiting and diarrhea are dependent on the cause. Here is the general approach to treating vomiting and diarrhea:

• Administer only prescribed medications. Please check with your veterinarian before giving ANY medications, since some medications are dangerous to cats.
• Dealing with both vomiting and diarrhea can be difficult. Often with vomiting, we hold food for 2 to 4 hours – with diarrhea, it can be even longer. If your cat is acting sick, lethargic, or vomiting and/or diarrhea continue, see your veterinarian immediately.
• Oftentimes, the stomach lining may be irritated. Some cats will want to eat even though their stomach is irritated, and they will continue to vomit. Remember: give the stomach time to rest before feeding.
• After waiting for two hours, if your cat has not vomited, offer small amounts of water (a few tablespoons at a time). Continue to offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes or so until your pet is hydrated. You can offer fresh water, water in a different bowl, or add ice cubes to the water to encourage a reluctant cat to drink. Sometimes, offering tuna juice can stimulate cats to drink.
• If there has been no vomiting after the small increments of water are offered, then you may gradually offer a bland diet.
• Small frequent feedings of a bland digestible diet are recommended (Hill’s Prescription Diet Feline i/d is a good example). You can also make a homemade diet of boiled chicken. Don’t over feed your cat, as they may eat the entire bowl and vomit again. Feed an approximately inch in size, square piece of meat – cut up into smaller pieces. If there is no vomiting, offer a small amount more about one hour later. Give small amounts frequently – every three to four hours for the first day. You can gradually increase the amount and decrease the frequency as your cat tolerates.
• Many veterinarians recommend Pepcid AC® (generic name is Famotidine) to decrease stomach acid. This helps many pets. The dosage commonly used is 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) every 12 to 24 hours. A 10-pound cat should get about 2.5 to 5 mg (total dose) once to twice daily. This is an oral medication, which can be found at most pharmacies in the antacid section. Pepcid (Famotidine) does not require a prescription. It is often used for three to five days.
• Feed the bland diet for two days.
• Then gradually return to regular cat food over the next one to two days. First, mix a little of your cat’s regular food into the bland diet. Feed that for one meal. Then feed a 50/50 mix for one meal. Then feed ¾ cat food and ¼ bland diet for a meal. Then, return to feeding your cat’s regular food.
• If you have an outdoor cat, keep them inside until you know their problems have been resolved. Observe your cat’s general activity and appetite. Watch closely for the presence of blood in the stool, worsening symptoms, or the onset of vomiting.
• Have your cat examined by your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.
• Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. Please do not administer to cats without first consulting with a veterinarian to avoid toxicity.
• This is important! If the vomiting and/or diarrhea continue or worsen, if you note blood in the vomit or feces, or if other symptoms appear, call your veterinarian promptly. If your pet is not eating, if they act lethargic, if the vomiting continues, or if any other physical abnormalities mentioned above begin, it is important to see your veterinarian. Your pet needs the professional care your veterinarian can provide. If your pet is having the clinical signs mentioned above, expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and to make treatment recommendations dependent upon the severity and the nature of the clinical signs.

Diarrhea and Vomiting in Cats: When to Worry

If the vomiting and/or diarrhea continue after your pet eats, if your pet doesn’t want to eat, or if your pet acts lethargic, medical attention is warranted.

If your cat is losing weight, if you see blood in the vomit or feces, or if your cat has ineffective vomiting (they are retching, but unable to produce vomit), this is a medical emergency.

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The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of a veterinarian.