Weaning Kittens Diarrhea

Cow s milk is a prime cause of kitten diarrhea because kittens can t digest it.

Weaning kittens diarrhea. It will affect them very quickly says dr. 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. Diarrhea causes the kitten to lose fluids and the electrolytes in those fluids are essential to help control important physiologic functions. Elyse kent the founder of the only feline specialty hospital in los angeles county and a preferred provider with vet24seven.

These parasites may be passed from queen mom cat to kittens via eggs transferred through the mother s milk says dr. A kitten with diarrhea needs more water by whatever means possible. After weaning give fenbendazole for three days to control giardia and remove any resistant round and hookworms that were missed. Always deworm a kitten with diarrhea.

Nursing kittens have the potential to get internal parasites which can in turn lead to 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. To tell the truth it is almost normal to see softer kittens stools at weaning. 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.

A kitten 0 5 weeks old should be nursing or bottle feeding. Kittens are curious and tend to eat and chew things they shouldn t. Kittens can develop diarrhea when there is a change in diet so if you ve recently started the kitten on a new formula that may be the issue. 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.

Parasites are the number one cause of loose stools in kittens of any age. During weaning kittens gradually progress from dependence on a mother s care to social independence. Do not use cow s milk as this will cause stomach upset and diarrhea in some kittens. When a kitten is in the process of weaning the switch between milk and solid foods can be initially hard on his system.

Pyrantel given at two and four weeks of age usually prevents roundworm and hookworm issues. 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. Everyone thinks that s what they need but it s not. Milk is probably the most common thing that people give to kittens that causes diarrhea.