Weaning Kittens Diarrhea

When a kitten is brought into a new home or is frightened by something in its environment like a dog or child it may develop diarrhea as part of its body s fight or flight response.

Weaning kittens diarrhea. Dip your fingertip or the syringe or bottle the kitten is used to nursing from into the liquid let the kitten lick it then guide him by moving your finger down into the bowl. Pedialyte is an over the counter electrolyte beverage designed for infants and children and can be added to your kitten s water. Diarrhea causes the kitten to lose fluids and the electrolytes in those fluids are essential to help control important physiologic functions. Kittens bodies are very sensitive to premature weaning so be careful about starting them too young.

Cow s milk is a prime cause of kitten diarrhea because kittens can t digest it. After weaning give fenbendazole for three days to control giardia and remove any resistant round and hookworms that were missed. Everyone thinks that s what they need but it s not. Pyrantel given at two and four weeks of age usually prevents roundworm and hookworm issues.

Elyse kent the founder of the only feline specialty hospital in los angeles county and a preferred provider with vet24seven. When a kitten is in the process of weaning the switch between milk and solid foods can be initially hard on his system. These parasites may be passed from queen mom cat to kittens via eggs transferred through the mother s milk says dr. It will affect them very quickly says dr.

Kittens are curious and tend to eat and chew things they shouldn t. Weaning diarrhea in kittens is something i am often asked about certainly because this is a really common syndrome observed in feline breeding units. Around 5 weeks of age the kitten s premolars will begin to emerge indicating that she is likely ready to start trying out some meaty foods. Premature weaning onto wet food may also cause diarrhea as the body may not be ready to absorb the new proteins and complex nutrients found in meat.

Milk is probably the most common thing that people give to kittens that causes diarrhea. Always deworm a kitten with diarrhea. The ingredients in the new food can also be the cause of the kitten s diarrhea if he is sensitive or allergic to one of the ingredients. Parasites are the number one cause of loose stools in kittens of any age.

To tell the truth it is almost normal to see softer kittens stools at weaning. A kitten 0 5 weeks old should be nursing or bottle feeding. A kitten with diarrhea needs more water by whatever means possible. Do not use cow s milk as this will cause stomach upset and diarrhea in some kittens.