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My rescued kitten has loose stool but eats normally. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 22 lbs

i rescued a kitten from the streets and ever since i gotten her shes had real loose stool (diahrrea) she eats normally and drinks water

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on October 7th, 2017

I would recommend that you take Storm to see a veterinarian. Common causes of diarrhea in a kitten are intestinal parasites like worms, coccidia, or Giardia. You can take a fresh (<12 hours old) stool sample with you so they can test it - called an intestinal parasite screening. If it is not parasites, other causes of diarrhea can be poor nutrition, food allergy, bacterial or viral infection, among a few others.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 3rd, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. This could potentially be related to a bacterial overgrowth in the intestines so an antibiotic such as metronidazole may prove useful and help resolve the diarrhea. I would recommend initiating a bland diet of chicken and rice and feed this at least 3 days past the resolution of the diarrhea. I would also add in a probiotic such as Purina fortiflora which can be found online quite easily. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 3rd, 2019
Diarrhea in cats can be caused by stress, intestinal parasites, or eating something that is not agreeing with their system. I would recommend first starting with a fecal exam to check for parasites, since these are so common in kittens and then go from there. Intestinal parasites can also cause bloody stool, which seems plausible considering you are seeing something red in the stool as well.

Until you can get them in to be seen, you should start probiotics to help with their GI flora. Over the counter Culturelle or online Fortilfora should be started as soon as you can. You can also add 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) in their food daily to help solidy the loose stools somewhat until they can be fully evaluated by your vet.

I hope that you get to the bottom of your kittens loose red stool soon. Best of luck moving forward and take care. : )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on September 23rd, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If that is the case that she ate something that upset her stomach, this should improve shortly. Sometimes mild diarrhea can occur when making this transition. However, if this continues, I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and possible treatment. There is a chance this will improve on its own. Good luck and have a great day!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My kitten has liquid, discolored poop but is still active. Why?

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Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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