switched food from kitty to cat to kitty ~ now kitty has runs?

Question

I changed from kitten to cat back to kitten chow, could that cause diarrhea?

Answer 1

Hi Beth...certainly. Sudden changes in food brands, types will also contribute to diarrhoea symtoms as well. So as soon as your kitty starts on the cat food she may have lingering symtpoms. For more on this: http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/diarrhea . Again any vet can confirm this fact.

Switching foods should be done gradually over a course of several weeks. For example the first week would consist of 3/4 of old food mixed to 1/4 of new food then the next week 1/2 to 1/2 then the following week at 1/4 old to 3/4 new before completing the switch. For more on how to gradually change cat food to minimize bowel distress:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=0&aid=100

Answer 2

Yes that is probably the reason for the diarrhea. Depending on how old your cat is it may need to be on the cat food. My kitten when she got old enough got diarrhea because the kitten food was too fatty for her and she needed adult food. But if you switched the cat's food all in one day thats probably the reason. You need to switch any food over a few days. Start with the current food and then add a little new food to it (75% old-25%new) for a day or two and then do it 50-50 a couple of days and then go 75%new-25%old for a couple of days and then finally 100% new food. This cuts down on the chance of diarrhea. If you switch it quikly their stomcach can have a hard time adjusting and cause problems. you need to do that every time you switch foods (even from brand to brand). Take it to the vet tomorrow to get some meds to help stop the diarrhea and if you want to, test it to make sure it doent have any worms. Good luck

Answer 3

You want to get you kitty used to older cat food gradually. Try putting a little bit of CAT food in your kitty's food every day. The next day, put a little more in. If your cat (kitty) is about a year old, that is the time to switch to cat food. Any earlier, and that would cause diarrhea. Their stomachs are very light, and they have to get used to the food.

Answer 4

Yes, because your kitten's digestion system is not being given enough time to adapt to one food. If you want your cat to stop having diarrhea, pick one food and stick to it.

Answer 5

Yes, any change in diet can cause diarrhea. Try to find one your cat enjoys and stick with it. If you have to switch, do it gradually.

Answer 6

well, if you change it back, you should do it in a slow process by putting a little bit of the new food into the original food and add more and more each few days, so your cat will not have problems with it.

Answer 7

When switching foods gradually blend in the new food over several days.

Answer 8

do the change slow their systems needs time to adjust