cat is 17 years old and eats well and drinks water. why does he hae loose stools?

Question

he is fed on iams all his life and is a house cat

Answer 1

I hate to tell you, but Iams is not a good brand of food. What they are is clever at marketing.

Poppy had loose stools for all of her 2 years. I experimented with different brands, and Iams not only didn't clear that up, it gave her horrendous gas.

It's time to switch to a better food. I'm not a proponent of kibble, but 17 years old may be too late to switch to canned food.

Although it's worth a try - some cats take to it like they've been waiting for it all their lives.

Here are some useful links for you. One is a list of good canned foods. I don't keep a list of good dry food, because there really aren't any. Some are better than others though.

I would recommend Wysong, personally.

In case it needs to be pointed out, Poppy's stool is fine now that she's converted to canned food.

Also, I had a cat that came down with IBD at around14 or 16. She was on Prednisone until she died at 20. I'm not saying that this is what your cat has - Martha's symptoms were different. But if he or she DOES, I recommend investigating controlling it with diet rather than with drugs. There are groups out there (on Yahoo) about this disorder that can give you much good advice.

Answer 2

I have solved this issue for literally 100's of cat clients that have stayed at our facility. If he has been checked for Hyperthyroid and came back negative, then you can start by changing him to canned Iams only. I see you feed Iams so I am assuming you are using Dry Iams? Sometimes it is hard to get a cat to eat canned when he prefers dry but if he likes it no problem. I think the chicken or turkey is best for sensitive stomachs. If you get him eating just canned and you see a slight improvement but not completely then try Science Diet ID canned.
I can not tell you how many customers have found this to be the answer. The good thing about it you will know after 3-5 days if this does not help you may consider talking to your vet about adding some prednizone for possible irritable bowel. Ask the vet if he will try this before very expensive labs and treatments. Some vets will since he is older and some expensive test would be contraindicated.

Answer 3

Check out website "Animal Protection Advocates" and subject about the store brand pet food you have been buying.
To answer your question:
1) Older cat needs more fiber in diet to bulk up stool.
2) Diseased bowel or tumour on the bowel.
3) Partial bowel obstruction, IE fur balls
4) Vitamin deficiencies
5) Find a veterinarians' pet food distribution centre that sells all natural holistic products (no chemicals). No more expensive than the "store brand" that you have already been buying. It really makes a difference in your cat's health.

Answer 4

At this age his organs wont be working as well as they use to so the liver and kidneys arent working to 100%. Loose stools is pretty normal in older cats but it is always worth getting it checked as older cats can be prone to liver and kidney faiulre and can go unoticed.

Answer 5

He's 17... which is very old. More than likely, his digestion is no longer processing his food as well as it used to. Try switching him to a different cat food (gradually). I believe IAMS has a senior diet, which would be the best one to try as it would be most similar to what he is accustomed to.

Answer 6

he's old