Are Persian Cats Prone To Diarrhea? What You Should Know

Clean out the litter box of your Persian cat and you will wonder if these cats are prone to diarrhea, and the answer is yes.

Are Persian Cats Prone to Diarrhea? Yes. Most cats, regardless of their breed are subject to gastrointestinal issues, and if you do not handle it quickly, it can be a real problem to their health. Diarrhea is an ailment that is relatively easy to fix but if you don’t handle it in time, it can lead to dehydration in your Persian.

That’s the quick answer. But to know more about how to keep your (persian) cat safe keep on reading.

Gastrointestinal Issues in Cats

Thankfully diarrhea is not a very serious concern when it comes to cat health. But it is critical that you catch the signs and learn the “why’s” so that you can treat your pet when necessary, and have a vet take a look also.

There are many reasons why diarrhea affects Persian cats. This could be due to viruses of the intestine or stomach, a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, or even a weakened immune system, such as in senior cats.

Other parasites like hookworm, giardia, roundworm may be the cause. Cats that get into and eat yucky foods found in the garbage or even a change in diet may be the cause. Food intolerance and food allergy may also be the culprit.

Other times it could be hyperthyroidism, digestive tract cancer, or colitis. Even certain medicines for cats can cause this disease.

It’s important to look carefully at what your Persian has been doing to understand why she has it.

Symptoms to Look For

Symptoms to look for in your Persian include passing of watery stools often, mucus and blood in the stools, throwing up, depression, and lack of hunger and thirst.

Your cat may also develop a fever, feel depressed, lose weight, or be lethargic. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, make an appointment to speak with the vet right away.

Understanding the reason behind your Persian’s diarrhea can be done by testing for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency.

The vet may also examine feces, do an internal biopsy, perform a blood count or do blood tests as a means of diagnosing the problem.

The symptoms your cat display will differ when the small intestine is affected compared to the large intestine.

When the large intestine is affected, the cat will strain when eliminating stools and mucus will often be present. The stools will also show red blood in them and not look like tar.

Treating your Persian’ cat’s diarrhea is done by way of dietary changes and also medicine. You can use medication that your vet will prescribe, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, electrolytes, and antibiotics.

Your vet may also give treatment for parasites. If the cat was found to be eating garbage and a blockage is present, surgery may need to be performed as a means of removing it.

Food Matters

You will also be instructed to keep plenty of fluids nearby so your cat can heal. You should be feeding her high-quality pet food that features meat as the main ingredient.

Some owners even make their own cat food as a means of helping their Persian. Cooked rice plus some meat is one way to help your cat with her diarrhea, provided it is soft brown rice and given in very small amounts.

Commercial foods may need to be shelved for a few days while she gets better. If the diarrhea is due to an allergy, discard that food immediately and ask your vet for some ideas about some top-quality food she will enjoy.

Make sure your cat is drinking enough clean water so that dehydration does not become a problem. Also, be sure she is resting adequately in a comfortable spot.

What If the Diarrhea is Chronic?

If diarrhea lasts anywhere from three weeks and beyond, this is known as chronic diarrhea. This means your Persian has some type of disease or infection, in most cases, and needs to see a vet immediately.

Pet owners notice weight loss, and the loss of nutrients vital to your Persian’s health and well-being. The causes and symptoms are very close to diarrhea.

The treatment path for this particular ailment is medicine that will get rid of parasites lodged in the intestine. Antibacterial sulfa medicines that treat trichomonas and coccidiosis may be prescribed.

Intravenous lines may be installed so your cat gets the nutrients needed to live and get better. Your pet may very well have to stay in the animal hospital.

Helping Your Persian With Diarrhea

Do you feel your Persian has been suffering from diarrhea? Here are the steps you can take in order to help your cat get on the path to recovery.

Start by getting your thoughts in order. Write down what the changes in your Persian’s behavior have been. Cats are creatures of habit and do not like change-it really stresses them out.

Changes in cat behavior should be taken very seriously. Rule out any recent moves, new family members (human or animal) movements of furniture or home setting, medicines being administered, food changes, etc.

Weigh your cat also so that you can note her weight and report any fluctuations with your cat. This will also aid you in keeping her weight consistent if she is put on any medications.

Make an Appointment with The Vet

Once you have ruled out any of those factors, it is time to make an appointment to see the vet. This will help the doctor diagnose the reason for diarrhea.

Get an old container you can discard and place a sample of your cat’s stool inside-be sure to wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly once complete. Make sure the sample is fresh.

Be prepared to also order a blood test for your cat. Once you leave the vet’s office, pick up the medications immediately for your cat. As you administer the medicine, keep track of her weight and watch for any sudden changes.

Loss of weight even on proper medication and proper feeding and water is an indicator that cancer may be present in your cat. Keep track of this very closely.

You will also want to gently cut the fur away that surrounds the anus of your Persian cat. Persians are known for their beautiful long hair, but this becomes a hindrance when dealing with the stools of diarrhea.

The fur will be dragged around the home which is a health hazard to your whole family; also, your Persian will try to clean herself and should NOT be ingesting stool in doing so. Being dirty is stressful for cats, and gently cutting the fur will be a good thing.

Groom Your Persian Regularly

On that note, be sure you groom your Persian every day. Keep her comfortable and happy with blankets, her bed and perhaps a small toy here and there to keep her spirits up.

Keeping her clean and happy will reduce her stress level and get the recovery process started. Plenty of rest, food and water will help in getting her back into shape.

Cat treats are NOT OK for the next few days. Your vet will likely have prescribed a special diet to help your Persian get back to feeling good.

Do not let your friends or family feed her treats, whether it is human table food or cat treats or even canned cat food. Your Persian needs to eat the right stuff so that she gets better. Commercial cat foods should be put away until your cat feels better.

Make sure you inform friends and family not to give in to her requests for food or treats and also inform them not to treat her (even if they are just trying to be nice).

Related Questions

How Do You Stop Chronic Diarrhea in Cats?

Change up your cat’s food, make sure she gets plenty of fiber, make sure water and electrolytes are part of her diet, get in some probiotics, and ask your vet about anti-diarrhea meds that your cat can take.

What Causes A Cat To Have Diarrhea All the Time?

Infections that are viral or bacterial can cause diarrhea in cats and these infections happen more in younger cats. Even a change in your cat’s food from one brand to the other can be the reason for diarrhea. Stress is another reason for diarrhea in cats.

What Can I Give My Cat to Firm Up Their Stool?

Fiber granules like Metamucil may be used, or even a small spoon of plain yogurt. Brown rice is another great idea provided it is cooked to be soft. Be sure you give these in small amounts.

Conclusion

Knowing that Persian cats are prone to diarrhea is the first step in making sure your Persian does not fall victim to this particular ailment.

Keep an eye on how she acts and how she enjoys her food, and also take a look at the stools when cleaning the litter box. It may not be the most pleasant thing to look at but can save a life!