We just got 2 9 week old kittens and one of them has the runs?

Question

We've had her and her sister a week and a half. So I guess they're 10 weeks old. Anyway we didn't have their usual food when we got them so we bought a less expensive brand and it didn't agree with either of them. One even started throwing up. Well the throwing up stopped but one still has "the runs" the vet said that her cultures came back negative. We've tried different brands and types of food and nothing seems to help. Anyone ever had this problem am I not giving it enough time with one brand?

Answer 1

it probably has worms or parasites or rabies or bad dandruff or stds.

Answer 2

Definitely not giving it enough time. The runs will continue every time you switch the food. Try Purina Kitten chow... My cat started with that. Purina is really good if you don't have a lot of $$$ to spend.... Leave them on that till about 6 to 7 months then get the adult brand of Purina. I have my indoor cat on Indoor formula and its great. It also was not a part of that cat food recall. So just give it about a month and maybe add some soft food on the side. :) (ok... the above answer is not valid.... obviously cause your vet has already checked them out...so dont worry.)

Answer 3

It looks like you learned a difficult lesson: don't change your cat's food suddenly. If you are going to make a change try to start gradually mixing the new food in with the old a little at a time and increase the amount of the new food while decreasing the amount of the old food.

I always give my animals chicken and rice when they get the runs. Just cook up some fresh chicken and either plain white rice or Gerber Baby Rice cereal. Chop up the chicken very fine and mix equal parts chicken and rice together with a little chicken broth for moisture. My Vet recommended this and it works for cats and dogs. After their stools start to firm up you can gradually start mixing in their regular food until they are back to eating normally.

I hope your babies get to feeling better soon.

Answer 4

I'm surprised that the vet didn't offer some suggestion. I can tell you that years ago when I was growing up, if one of our cats or kittens got the runs my grandmother would give it cream gravy. I guess it worked. Not sure how it could hurt.

You might want to buy a small package of the food they are used to, and then mix it gradually over several days with the less expensive food. That will give them a chance to adjust to the new food without committing yourself to a lifetime of expensive food.

Answer 5

Deworming should be carried out especially in those, which do not stay confined to the house. Worm infestation can occur by ingestion of eggs from lice, fleas or rodents. Such cats will have a dull coat and either refuses to eat or may feed a lot. Make sure you show it to a vet before any complication arises due to worms.

Answer 6

Don't worry, when we got our kittens they also got the "runs" when we switched from the vet's food. It took a little while before their stomaches cleared up, but we think that the only reason that they got the "runs" was because they had been on the same food for about 6weeks and then we changed it. However, our kitten's stomaches both cleared up, but it takes a little while, don't give up on the new food. I hope your kitten feels better.

Answer 7

Its probably just because of the food change, they have to get used to it. If you go to buy them food, don't keep changing the brand or type, as it can continue to upset their stomach.. keep one brand and see after a few days if it stops.

Answer 8

This is pretty normal when you suddenly change a cat's food. Try sticking with one food (preferably the one they were on before). Also is the food wet or dry? Wet food can cause diarrhea in cats.

Answer 9

Go with the vet's advice.