What To Feed A Cat With An Upset Stomach

As we have said, there are multiple causes of an upset stomach in cats. Each cause has its own symptoms. The most common causes and symptoms of upset stomachs in cats include:

• Intestinal parasites: especially common in kittens. If your cat has a swollen belly, it may have intestinal parasites. A veterinarian can confirm the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. In more severe cases, this can cause diarrhea, vomiting or anemia. For more, read about intestinal parasites in cats.

• Infectious diseases: such as panleukopenia, which is also more common in kittens. Infectious diseases in cats can cause bloody diarrhea, which may be accompanied by vomiting, anorexia and dehydration. Your cat may also have a fever. For more, read about the causes of blood in cat feces.

• Blockage in the digestive system: such disruptions can include foreign bodies, hairballs and, in general, any ingested substance that can produce irritation. The cat may appear upset, gag, stop eating or vomit. For more, we recommend reading my cat keeps making choking noises.

• Inflammatory bowel disease in cats: this can cause chronic vomiting in cats, in addition to soft stools, a poor-looking coat and other symptoms. If your cat is vomiting and has diarrhea, we suggest taking a look at causes of diarrhea in cats.

• Cat food intolerance or cat allergies: these can also trigger diarrhea and vomiting in cats. Read up about the most common food allergies in cats here.

• Intoxication in cats: poisoning can also cause digestive symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, hypersalivation, hemorrhages or neurological problems.

These signs can have different causes, so symptoms alone cannot confirm what is wrong. Make a note of when they started and any recent food changes or possible access to unsafe substances to share with your veterinarian.

Before offering some home remedies for stomach pain in cats, we must distinguish between whether your cat’s clinical picture is mild or serious. If your cat’s stomach pain or discomfort is mild, you can try treating it at home with the following remedies. However, if the case is severe, you need to consult a veterinarian immediately. If your cat is vomiting repeatedly and experiencing severe diarrhea, it can become dehydrated, which in the worst cases can be life-threatening. Read how to tell if a cat is dehydrated. If in doubt, go to the veterinarian.

Soft diet for cats with an upset stomach

Does your cat have diarrhea but seem fine? If your cat has a mild stomach ache, diarrhea and/or vomiting but is not presenting other symptoms, contact your veterinarian for advice before withholding food, particularly if your cat is a kitten, older or has an existing health condition. Keep fresh water available, but do not force your cat to drink. If it is vomiting, offer small amounts of water frequently and contact your vet if it cannot keep them down.

If your cat is tolerating water, you can try offering a small amount of food. In this case, we recommend changing your cat’s diet to a soft diet for cats. Offer small, frequent portions rather than a large meal, and stop if eating brings on more vomiting.

We recommend offering your cat plain boiled chicken or turkey, with no salt, sauce, seasoning or bones. Cook the meat in water, cut it into small pieces, remove the skin and serve it at room temperature. Cooked ham is less suitable because it can be salty, so plain chicken or turkey is preferable. Offer a small amount at first. As your cat’s symptoms improve, you can gradually offer a little more, then slowly return to its usual food. For a more detailed briefing, read soft diet for cats with diarrhea here!

Cat upset stomach home remedy: chamomile

Chamomile is sometimes suggested to help soothe the symptoms of an upset stomach. However, ask your veterinarian before offering your cat chamomile or any other herbal product, as not all preparations are suitable for cats. If your vet says it is appropriate, offer only a small amount in a bowl; do not force your cat to drink it or administer it with a syringe. If your cat rejects it or vomits again, stop offering it and contact your veterinarian.

Chamomile is described as having digestive, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, but it is not a substitute for veterinary care or treatment. As we’ve already mentioned, what is appropriate depends on the cause and severity of your cat’s stomach upset. If the vomiting, diarrhea or pain does not subside, it will be essential to seek veterinary advice and follow any prescribed treatment.

Among our cat upset stomach treatment with home remedies we include:

• Cats like warmth, so resting in your arms or near your body may help relieve their discomfort.
• Some cats appreciate a soft massage in the abdominal area, but remember that it is a particularly sensitive area for them, so not all cats will accept being handled there. In those cases, simply placing your hands around them to warm them up or wrapping them in a blanket is sufficient.
• It is essential to keep your cat in a quiet environment where it can relax and where you can observe any changes in its behavior.
• Make sure to keep your cat’s litter box clean, especially if your cat has been vomiting or has diarrhea.

As you can see, most home remedies for stomach problems in cats include a soft diet, warmth and a calm environment. We need to emphasize that these remedies are only effective in mild clinical conditions, such as mild gastroenteritis or gastritis in cats.

In severe cases, such as panleukopenia, veterinary treatment must be established. These home remedies may sometimes complement symptom management, but they cannot replace the necessary treatment. If the cause is an infestation of parasites, it is crucial to administer appropriate antiparasitic medication. If the cause is stress, you need to find the trigger and remove it. Do not give your cat human medicines or essential oils unless your veterinarian specifically advises you to do so.

For more about these causes and cat upset stomach symptoms, we recommend reading our following articles:

• Gastritis in cats
• Feline Parvovirus (virus that causes feline panleukopenia)
• Home remedies for intestinal parasites in cats

Stomach pain or an upset stomach in cats, as we’ve said, can occur due to several different causes. Some of these causes are mild and may improve with appropriate home care. However, there are serious situations of upset stomach in cats that require veterinary attention, such as the following:

• Hemorrhages in cats, or the appearance of blood in cat vomit or stool.
• Fever in cats.
• Vomiting or diarrhea that does not subside, worsens or is accompanied by other symptoms.
• Lethargy and depression in cats.
• Abdominal pain in cats is not always caused by a problem in the stomach. Problems in other internal organs can cause discomfort or swelling in the belly.
• In the case of kittens and older or sick cats, we must be especially vigilant, as they can become dehydrated very quickly. In these cases, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Seek urgent veterinary care if your cat cannot keep water down, has a swollen or painful abdomen, seems very weak, collapses, or may have swallowed a foreign object or toxic substance. When contacting the veterinarian, describe the symptoms and how long they have been present, and mention any possible exposure to something unsafe.

For some more general information on what to feed your cats, take a look at our video below with a guide to the feline diet:

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to What To Feed A Cat With An Upset Stomach, we recommend you visit our Home Remedies category.