The cat’s normal fluid needs are about 50-60 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight and day, this includes the water present in the food. In case of vomiting and / or diarrhea, the daily requirement may double.
If the cat does not drink or eat
Often the cat does not drink voluntarily but must be fed with water, fish spade or fluid replacement. The liquid can be given as a tablespoon or with the help of a syringe. Cats should not fast for long periods when they are at risk of storing fat in the liver during starvation. The risk of this is greater in overweight cats. So a cat should not be without food for more than a day.
If the cat does not want to eat voluntarily, you need to support feed it. It is extremely important that the support feeding takes place on the cat’s terms and not under duress. Cats that are force-fed can experience great stress and, in the worst case, develop food aversion, which makes it even more difficult to get the cat to eat.
If the cat cannot be fed with water or food, or if the general condition is affected, a veterinarian should be contacted.
If the cat has intense vomiting or diarrhea with blood in it, it is recommended that a veterinarian be consulted. This is also the case if the cat is pregnant or has a fever (> 39.5 degrees). Cats suffering from other concomitant diseases should consult a veterinarian in case of vomiting or diarrhea. If there is a suspicion that the cat has eaten something toxic or may have ingested a foreign object that may be stuck in the intestine, a veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible.
Measures in case of acute vomiting
Below are general dietary guidelines that are recommended for acute vomiting and / or diarrhea. The dietary advice should be adapted individually. If the cat continues to vomit and / or has diarrhea despite dietary advice, a veterinarian should be contacted.
In case of vomiting and / or diarrhea, the cat needs to receive specially adapted diet food which is easily digested and facilitates the work of the intestine. Either you can cook your own diet food in the form of boiled white fish or chicken and give this together with a lot of spade / liquid or you can buy ready-made diet food from a veterinarian. The portions should be small and given approximately every two hours with breaks during the night. If the cat is not allowed to keep food or water, you can wait an hour and try again. If the cat continues to vomit, a veterinarian should be contacted for advice.
If the vomiting stops, you can gradually start increasing the size of the portions and give them something less often. Continue the diet for at least a couple of days after the cat has stopped vomiting and / or the diarrhea has stopped. Often, the transition to the cat’s regular food can begin after 4-5 days. The transition should take place gradually over a few days. Excessive change of food can result in the cat vomiting again or having diarrhea.
Note that kittens and cats with underlying diseases more often become acutely ill with vomiting and diarrhea, so these need careful supervision.
Other aids
Intestinal stabilizing preparations are a supplement for diarrhea in cats that is commonly used for intestinal imbalances. During treatment, the cat should at the same time have a good general condition and free access to water. Diarrhea usually ends within 1-3 days. The treatment with intestinal stabilizing preparations should be combined with diet. If the cat’s general condition deteriorates or if the cat is unable to retain fluid, a veterinarian should be contacted.
Food to avoid
Avoid dairy products, leftover food, large amounts of fat and protein as well as spicy foods. Most gruel varieties contain dairy products that cats can find difficult to break down.