Help and advice if your pet suffers from cat flu, cat colds or other ailments

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Diarrhea is common in cats and can be caused by a mild condition or a serious problem.

A cat may have a one-off incident of diarrhea occasionally and this is usually nothing to be particularly concerned about.

However, if your pet experiences chronic diarrhea this could result in dehydration and weight loss - requiring an immediate visit to the vet.

Diarrhea - also spelt as diarrhoea - can be caused by many of the same things that cause vomiting and professional diagnosis may be needed to discover what's triggering the problem.

A vet can undertake a series of tests to look for causes such as parasites, and although it is an unpleasant task, it will help if you can bring a sample along to the surgery.

Dehydration caused by diarrhea is particularly worrying and can lead to shock, and ultimately the collapse of your pet. So if the problem persists for more than 48 hours, a visit to your veterinarian is imperative - particularly if your cat's diarrhea is accompanied by fever, abdominal pain or depression.

The diarrhea may be acute but, if your cat is otherwise fit and healthy, your vet, may suggest you stop feeding it for a day or two. Your cat should be given plenty of water, and after a period of fasting will be slowly introduced to small amounts of food again.

Thankfully most episodes of diarrhea are not serious. Causes may include a change of diet or the development of an intolerance to foods which had previously caused no problems.

Diarrhea can also be caused by a viral or bacterial infection, intestinal parasites, over-eating or it can be a side effect of medication administered for another condition.

If your pet is suffering from a minor case of diarrhea you should stop giving it treats and introduce it to a 'bland' diet for a few days. This comprises a low-fat diet which is easier to digest.

Some cat owners like to mix a small amount of rice with their cat or kitten's normal tinned food to help bind the faeces together. If your cat won't eat rice, try adding potatoes or pasta instead.

There are also many products available on the market to help treat diarrhea including a wide choice of natural remedies.