Weaning Kittens Diarrhea

Pedialyte is an over the counter electrolyte beverage designed for infants and children and can be added to your kitten s water.

Weaning kittens diarrhea. Weaning diarrhea in kittens is something i am often asked about certainly because this is a really common syndrome observed in feline breeding units. During weaning kittens gradually progress from dependence on a mother s care to social independence. These parasites may be passed from queen mom cat to kittens via eggs transferred through the mother s milk says dr. After weaning give fenbendazole for three days to control giardia and remove any resistant round and hookworms that were missed.

Pyrantel given at two and four weeks of age usually prevents roundworm and hookworm issues. Kittens bodies are very sensitive to premature weaning so be careful about starting them too young. 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. Milk is probably the most common thing that people give to kittens that causes diarrhea.

To tell the truth it is almost normal to see softer kittens stools at weaning. 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. 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. Parasites are the number one cause of loose stools in kittens of any age.

A kitten with diarrhea needs more water by whatever means possible. Kittens are curious and tend to eat and chew things they shouldn t. Elyse kent the founder of the only feline specialty hospital in los angeles county and a preferred provider with vet24seven. Everyone thinks that s what they need but it s not.

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. A kitten 0 5 weeks old should be nursing or bottle feeding. Cow s milk is a prime cause of kitten diarrhea because kittens can t digest it. It will affect them very quickly says dr.

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. When a kitten is in the process of weaning the switch between milk and solid foods can be initially hard on his system. Always deworm a kitten with diarrhea. Nursing kittens have the potential to get internal parasites which can in turn lead to diarrhea.