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What to do if my new stray kitten is throwing up and has diarrhea?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 1.7 lbs

Hi, yesterday I found a stray kitten, looks like 6-8 weeks old, with no mother so I took it home. When coming home I fed her wet food (meow mix) and water. She slept a lot and slept almost all through the night but at 5 in the morning she threw up and had diarrhea. Today she drank some water then whne she at a little bit of food she threw up 2 more times and had more dirrhea. Help I'm very concerned.

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 19th, 2018

Hello. Thank you for rescuing this kitten. I would be most concerned about this kitten having an infection & most certainly having a large number of parasites it its gut. Roundworms are especially common in kittens & can cause significant discomfort & diarrhea. It would be best to have the kitten seen as soon as possible as she may need some medical treatment to get her going on the right track. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Susan England-Foster
Veterinarian
Published on September 3rd, 2017
Poor bugs. Parasites like round worms can cause vomiting and diarrhea. I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian to make sure he is healthy except for the worms. The vet can determine all the parasites he has and provide proper deworming and supportive care like proper hud. Hope bugs feels better.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on October 8th, 2017
Poor Max! The worms could be causing him to vomit. Have him seen by a vet first thing tomorrow, the vet can prescribe a deworming treatment for him. Tonight, try feeding him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) to see if that helps settle his stomach. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 8th, 2019
She really needs to be dewormed. Worms can cause both vomiting and diarrhea. I suggest you get this done ASAP. You can have deworming done at any VETCO clinic inside Petco stores:

( https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/clinic-locations-and-schedules/?zip=11368 )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on August 25th, 2017
I am sorry to hear about your kitten! Unfortunately, GI parasites (such as roundworms, hookworms, giardia, and coccidia) are very common in kittens as a cause of diarrhea. Some of these can be treated with over the counter dewormer such as pyrantel (round and hook worms) but the others require prescription medication for treatment. It can also be difficult to dose the over the counter medication in a tiny kitten. I would recommend an examination by your veterinarian (Bring a stool sample with you) so they can check for these parasites. In the meantime, you can try picking up a probiotic from your vet or the pet store which will often help decrease the severity of diarrhea. Fortiflora by purina is the one we use most commonly (you can get that brand at your vet's office or online).
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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