Cats Digestive System Articles

**Admin** 12/28/2010, 11:34 am

Your can keep your cat’s digestive system working efficiently if you understand the specific parts of its system, how they work, and how proper cat diet and nutrition plays an important role in your cat’s digestive system. The cat digestive system is made up of a number of different parts, each with its own individual function. With proper care and maintenance, these parts of the cat’s digestive system will work together to keep your cat’s body in excellent condition throughout his lifetime. The mouth, teeth, jaws, saliva, stomach, salivary glands, esophagus, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver, and gall bladder make up the cat digestive system. If you want to learn more about how these components function and how to keep them healthy or what to do when a part breaks down, continue reading to get the facts.

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When and How to Administer a Cat Enema

No one loves administering a cat enema, but responsible pet owners should be willing to learn how in case of cat constipation. Kitten constipation is usually the result of a poor diet, but older cats are frequently incapable of effectively clearing the colon.
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What Is the Best Cat Constipation Remedy?

Cat constipation remedy should contain a balanced diet and some laxatives. Cat constipation occurs in sedentary cats, due to lack of activity and may also...
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Vomiting in Cats

There are many causes for vomiting in cats and treatments can vary. The importance of treatment varies on the cause and severity.
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Using a Cat Laxative for Hairball Relief

If your cat has a problem with hairballs, consider using a cat laxative to mitigate the issue. Cat hair balls are produced when a cat grooms himself, ingesting a small quantity of his own hair.
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Uremic Gastritis in Cats

Uremic gastritis appears in cats as the result of chronic kidney failure. While kidney failure is not a condition that can be cured, there are methods of treatment that can be used to successfully reduce the discomfort associated with uremic gastritis.
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Understanding Cat Constipation

Cat constipation is a condition that can occur in felines of any age, sex or health condition. The condition is easily treatable; however, older cats are more prone to complications and health risks.
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Ulcers in Cats

Stomach ulcers are lesions that develop in the soft tissue lining of the stomach. Sometimes, there is a production of an excess amount of stomach acids that erode the lining of the stomach. This erosion of the stomach lining can cause ulcers.
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Triad Syndrome in Cats

Triad syndrome is the name used to describe the occurrence of pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and cholangiohepatitis at the same time, which seems to be a fairly common problem in older cats. It has only recently been recognized as a syndrome and there isn't a lot of information on why it might occur or on what the relationship is between the three conditions that causes them to occur concurrently.
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Treating Parasite-Induced Feline Colitis

Pet owners should learn the best methods for treating feline colitis. The disease can be caused by stress or poor diet, but it's also caused by parasites.
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Treating Giardia in Cats with Panacur

Treating giardia in cats with panacur is a safe and effective resolution. Giardia is a one celled organism called protoza that are located in the small intestines.
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Treating Gastritis in Cats with Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Reglan (metoclopramide) is a medication used to help treat gastritis in cats, a condition that can cause a cat’s stomach to feel upset.
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Treating Feline Gastritis with Famotidine

Famotidine is one of the more effective medications used to treat feline gastritis. Gastritis occurs when the stomach lining becomes inflamed due to some other condition or occurrence.
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Toxic to Cats

There are a number of chemicals and objects that are toxic/poisonous to cats. This comprehensive list will tell you what shouldn't be ingested by your cat. In cats, the most common poisoning that we see in our practice at this time is permethrin poisoning.
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Throat Problems in Cats

His vet said that he had an upper respiratory infection, and when I had him in for the 3rd one, she said that, unfortunately, once a cat starts having these infections, they can recur pretty frequently.
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Symptoms of Common Cat Digestive Problems

Cat digestive problems are among the most common conditions affecting pets around the world. Virtually every cat will suffer from some form of indigestion or a related health problem at some point in his life.
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Should You Call the Vet If Your Cat Has Diarrhea?

If your cat has diarrhea, you shouldn't necessarily call the vet. The condition may be due to a minor food intolerance or an uneasy stomach, and it will eventually pass.
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Rectal, Anal and Colon Problems

Constipation occurs in cats and is associated with megacolon, a condition in which the motility of the digestive tract is not normal and stool size becomes large enough to be uncomfortable or difficult to pass.
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Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment in Cats

Learn about an alternative irritable bowel syndrome treatment for cats. Probiotics offer outstanding relief to cats affected with IBS that are easily and safe for all ages. Stop diarrhea and intestinal issues by improving a cat's inner health with natural supplements.
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Oral problems - Stomatitis

There are several studies that suggest that thalidomide may be useful for HIV syndromes, including gastrointestinal disease and Kaposi's sarcoma. I can not find any research studies that involved the use of thalidomide for cats with FIV.
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Options for Treating a Vomiting Cat

Vomiting in a cat happens from time to time and usually isn't a big deal. There are several options for treating occasional feline vomiting at home, but if your cat continues vomiting for more than 24 hours it might indicate a more serious issue.
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Megacolon

Feline Medical Encyclopedia - Megacolon occurs for a number of reasons, anything that can make it hard for the cat to pass stool long enough to lead to serious constipation.
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Managing Feline Diarrhea with FortiFlora for Cats

Fortiflora is a supplement used to treat pets suffering from diarrhea. Since feline diarrhea is fairly common, it's important to determine the cause of diarrhea instead of exclusively treating the symptom.
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Kitten Vomiting White Foam

A kitten vomiting white foam may indicate a serious problem. If the vomit is accompanied with diarrhea, it can indicate a potentially life-threatening condition.
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Kitten Diarrhea Treatment

Treating kitten diarrhea promptly and correctly can help guarantee the tiny feline is pouncing at dust bunnies in no time.
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Kitten Diarrhea Diagnosis

Kitten diarrhea may not seem like a big deal. But considering the sensitivity of the small cat’s body, this can be a big deal. Diagnosing the cause behind a kitten’s diarrhea can help him recover quickly.
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Intestinal Obstruction in Cats

However, the best approach is to take X-rays and do an ultrasound exam, as they each have some strong points and having the information from both is useful. Despite thinking this way, most of the time when I see X-rays with excessive gas accumulation I want to do exploratory surgery, even in older sick cats.
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats 2

My 11 year old cat (Otto) was diagnosed with IBD last february after two months of a lot of vomiting, diarrhea, and unanswered questions. He was having diarrhea approximately 2x per day for about two to three weeks
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is probably the most common cause of chronic vomiting or diarrhea in cats under the age of 8 to 10 years. It is unclear at this time whether this is one condition or several conditions that appear very much alike. In older cats, hyperthyroidism is also a common cause of vomiting or regurgitation.
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Impacted Colon in Cats

Impacted colon occurs when a large amount of feces gets clogged in the colon and can’t be excreted. Sometimes, the colon loses its flexibility due to which it enlarges and is bigger than the diameter of the rectum.
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Impacted Bowel Symptoms in Cats

Impacted bowel in cats occurs when a mass of hardened fecal matter gets stuck in the rectum. Symptoms of fecal impaction are similar to symptoms of constipation.
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Identifying and Treating Feline Constipation

Feline constipation occurs most frequently in kittens and elderly cats. You should expect one to two bowel movements a day from your pet; if you notice a difference, something might be wrong.
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Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Cats with hyperthyroidism often have kidney damage but paradoxically, hyperthyroidism often masks kidney damage. For this reason, it is a good idea to carefully monitor the T4 level.
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Hydration Treatment for Feline Constipation

There are three kinds of feline constipation and treatment will vary depending on what type that cat has. The causes for this condition rise from a variety of reasons and there are steps that can be taken to prevent this happening to a cat.
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How Toxic Are Cat Litter Crystals?

Although most cat litter crystals are labeled non-toxic, some cat owners may still be concerned about their pets’ safety around this type of litter. Let's look at what litter crystals are made of and what concerns (if any) cat owners should have.
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How to Treat Cat Constipation with Olive Oil

Cat constipation can occur due to an inadequate diet, hairballs, stress or due to different health issues that affect the stomach and the digestive tract. Among the numerous remedies, olive oil is one that can be applied at home and will not cause any side effects.
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How Effective Is Yogurt for Cats with Diarrhea?

Cats with diarrhea suffer from loose or watery stools, increase in bowel movement and sometimes other accompanying symptoms. Diarrhea is not a disease in itself but a symptom of an underlying health concern.
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Holistic Cat Constipation Treatments for Home Care

If your pet suffers from cat constipation, medical bills for veterinary treatments can stack up. If you need to administer holistic treatments (caring for your cat in in all matters of lifestyle) for home care, there are lots of options for an owner concerned about the cat's health.
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Hepatic Lipidosis

I just wanted to start this mail by thanking you for the service you provide. Your site was an invaluable source of information when one of my cats was undergoing a very traumatic period.I have one (hopefully quick) question regarding Hepatic Lipidosis.
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Hairball Treatment for Feline Constipation

Many cases of feline constipation are caused by hairball blockages in the colon. Because cats spend hours grooming themselves, they wind up ingesting some of their hair.
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Feline Megacolon Explained

Feline megacolon is a disorder of the bowels that leads to chronic and progressive constipation. The disease can be caused from impairment in the nerves of the bowel or disruption in the functioning of the smooth muscles in the colon.
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Feline Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment With Budesonide

Budesonide is a corticosteroid that's used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in cats. Corticosteroids are useful for small and large intestine disease.
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Feline IBD: Irritable Bowel Disease in Cats

Feline IBD, also recognized as irritable bowel disease, is a condition which affects the gastrointestinal tract of your cat. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is similar to an allergic reaction, except that it occurs in the intestines.
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Feline Gastritis: A Common Cause of Cat Vomiting

Cat vomiting is one of the symptoms of feline gastritis, a term that refers to inflammation of the stomach lining. The most common sign of feline gastritis is vomiting.
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Feline Digestive Enzymes

Feline digestive enzymes are a supplement that is available to assist cats when their bodies are no longer producing sufficient enzymes to aid in digestion. This condition is more common with older cats that have experienced a slowing of production due to age, but can be helpful for any cat that has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, pancreas problems or chronic diarrhea.
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Feline Constipation Treatment with Lactulose

Feline constipation is very uncomfortable, as your cat will find it difficult to pass stools. This condition presents itself when a cat has reduced, absent or painful defecation for more than a few days.
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Feeding Tips for Preventing Kitten Constipation

Constipation is a condition that is frequent in cats of all ages; however kitten constipation is a health risk for your pet and can be fatal. Preventing cat constipation can be done by establishing a proper diet for your pet.
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Fecal Incontinence in Cats

Fecal incontinence develops when the cat loses control over defecation. Due to this reason, cats may often defecate in places around the house or out of the litter box.
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Does a Cat Throwing Up Require a Vet?

A cat throwing up can be a pet owner's worst nightmare. Though poisoning and parasites might spring to mind, your cat's vomit may simply be the result of a hairball, or a meal eaten too fast.
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Digestive Problems in Cats - Megacolon and Constipation

My cat has trouble getting his stools out. This has been an ongoing problem for about 7 years. He has also had a few urinary tract infections.he has been on docusate sodium for 3 years for his stool problem.
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Digestive and Bowel Disorders of Cats

Eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasmacytes are different types of white blood cells. When a particular type (or types) of these cells invade the digestive tract in unexpectedly high numbers and this causes clinical signs, then the result is "eosinophilic enteritis" or "lymphocytic/plasmacytic" enteritis.
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Dietary Management of Diarrhea in Cats

Diarrhea in cats is not, in itself, a disease. Rather, it is a symptom that is common to a wide variety of health conditions, some of which are mild, some severe. Your pet may have diarrhea for a brief period of 1 to 2 days or, in rare cases, he may develop chronic diarrhea that persists for longer of recurs frequently.
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Dietary Causes of Feline Constipation

Feline constipation is relatively common and can be caused by insufficient diet. Your cat should have two bowel movements a day. If he is having less, this may be a sign of constipation.
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Diarrhea in Cats and Kittens

For some reason, just stopping the diarrhea seems to help some patients recover. Either that, or some patients coincidentally get better after we use these medications for a few days. Since chronic diarrhea does sometimes stop on its own, especially in young and young adult cats, this is a possibility.
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Diarrhea - Chronic

There are A LOT of causes of chronic diarrhea. So many that I am sure I will miss a number of them in the following list.
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Diagnosing Feline IBD with an Intestinal Biopsy

Feline IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that may develop in any part of the gastrointestinal tract in cats. Although the real cause of IBD is not yet established, the condition develops when the cat's intestine or stomach gets inflamed due to white blood cells.
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Diagnosing Feline Diarrhea

Most cats experience occasional bouts of intestinal upset, but feline diarrhea is not a condition to be taken lightly. In addition to being painful and uncomfortable for your cat, chronic diarrhea may cause a variety of health problems.
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Diagnosing Constipation in Cats

Constipation in cats may occur due to mild gastrointestinal conditions or due to more severe health concerns such as cancer. Constipation involves infrequent bowel movement and dry stools difficult to pass during excretion.
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Diagnosing Cat Gas and Diarrhea Problems

Cat gas can be extremely unpleasant. If the condition is temporary, the cause may not be anything alarming.
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Diabetes in Cats - other medications and supplements

There is a reason that the article is about cats and not dogs. Cats tend to develop diabetes that mimics the adult onset diabetes seen in humans. In this case, insulin secretion decreases and insulin resistance increases, resulting in the need for supplemental insulin.
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Diabetes in Cats

Cats can sometimes be maintained for long periods of time using dietary changes and medical treatment, although it may be preferable to start treatment for diabetes with insulin in all cats and then to try to maintain the cat later without insulin if it looks like that might be possible.
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Constipation in Cats

It is generally agreed among veterinarians studying this problem that there is a motility disorder which causes the passage of food to slow, leading to dilation of the colon and eventually to the severe constipation that is seen.
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Common Cat Digestive Diseases

The cat digestive system performs four functions: digestion, absorption of nutrients, movement of food through the digestive tract and finally, elimination of waste. A digestive disease can affect any of these processes.
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Chronic Diarrhea in Cats

Diarrhea in cats is not a disease in and of itself, but is rather a symptom of another condition. The cause of your pet's diarrhea may be mild and temporary or it may be a serious condition that requires immediate attention.
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Chronic Diarrhea in Cats

Chronic diarrhea in cats is diarrhea that continues for three weeks or longer. It's usually a sign of intestinal illness.
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Chronic Cat Diarrhea Treatment with Antibacterial Sulfa Drugs

Cat diarrhea is never a good thing for a feline and his owner. Diarrhea is a result of the body's inability to absorb water, nutrients, and electrolytes properly.
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Causes of Feline Vomiting

Feline vomiting has a number of causes, some serious and some not. Cats' stomachs and digestive systems are very sensitive, so you'll need a good understanding of the many causes of feline vomiting before you can interpret the symptoms as serious or not.
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Causes of Cat Vomiting and Diarrhea

Cat vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms that often occur at the same time, indicating food intolerance that can go away on its own, or more severe illnesses that need medication. Isolated episodes of cat vomiting and diarrhea are normal.
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Causes of Blood in a Cat Stool

Although it may occasionally be difficult to notice, blood in cat stool can be symptomatic of several diseases in your pet.
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Cats Ingesting odd Items or foreign objects

Dr. Dr. Mike, I am a subscriber. My cats eats unused litter, regular clay type, clumping kind, and the clumping kind that you can flush down the toilet. I have tried other litters and she will not use a pellet type of litter.
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Cat Stomach Problems

Cat stomach problems can originate from the intestines and surrounding organs present in the gastrointestinal tract. Although the symptoms exhibited are similar, the underlying health concern present may differ.
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Cat Gas Problems

Cat gas can be a problem for many owners. When a cat is suffering from excess flatulence, it puts a strain on the relationship between you and your pet and limits your socializing.
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Cat Diarrhea Treatment with Centrine

Cat diarrhea that is linked to gastrointestinal disorders involving spasms of the GI tract may be treated by a powerful drug called Centrine®. Centrine is the brand name of aminopentamide hydrogen sulfen and is an FDA-approved drug for treating spasms in the gastrointestinal tract of cats and dogs.
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Cat Diarrhea Diagnosis with Blood Testing

Cat diarrhea can signify any number of conditions, from mild to severe. In general, the first determination to be made is whether or not the diarrhea is being caused by a minor or a major condition.
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Cat Constipation Olive Oil Treatment

Cat constipation may often occur in cats and may be due to a deficient diet, a sedentary lifestyle or the ingestion of a food that is difficult to digest. Hairballs, stress and an untidy litter box may also be causes of constipation in felines.
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Cat Constipation Home Remedies

Cat constipation is often noticed when he will only eliminate feces once every 2 or 3 days. If the constipation is not a symptom of a more serious disease, it may be treated using some available home remedies.
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Cat Constipation Enema Treatment

Cat constipation is a fairly common problem and can be caused, often temporarily, by hairballs, dietary changes or medications. Prolonged constipation can indicate more significant problems such as an underlying disease or intestinal obstruction.
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Cat Colitis Symptoms

Cat colitis is a painful medical condition that involves the swelling of the lining of the colon. The condition may last for less than 2 weeks, case in which it is an acute colitis, but if the condition persists, the colitis is chronic.
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Cat Bloated Stomach Causes

The causes of cat bloated stomach may be varied and range from parasites to a late stage life-threatening illness.
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Can Yogurt Treat a Cat with Diarrhea?

Because cat diarrhea stems from a vast range of causes, it can often be difficult to treat a cat with diarrhea. The difficult task with cat diarrhea is actually trying to nail down the cause from the thousands of possibilities.
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Blood in stool

Bright red blood in a cat's stool can happen for several reasons. It is not uncommon when bowel movements are hard or dry. If this is the case, identifying the cause for the hard/dry stool, if possible, may resolve the problem.Several intestinal parasites, including worms, can lead to blood in the stool.
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Behavior or Medical problem - Litterbox and Elimination

Litterpan problems are very common in cats. It helps to think about this problem from the cat's point of view sometimes when trying to deal with it. Cats like to have a clean, inviting place to defecate and urinate.
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Acute Diarrhea in Cats

Diarrhea in cats can be chronic or acute. Typically, acute diarrhea in felines is caused by something the cat has consumed. However, if the acute diarrhea is severe, the cat should be taken to the vet and get suitable treatment.
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8 Feline Diarrhea Treatment Options

Feline diarrhea may have a number of causes. Diarrhea may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as your cat not eating or vomiting bile. Dehydration and depression can also accompany cat diarrhea.
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5 Sources of Cat Constipation

If your pet suffers from an occasional bout of cat constipation, it is usually not serious. Minor dietary changes may be all that is needed to improve cat digestion and prevent a more serious condition.
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4 Causes of Kitten Diarrhea

Some of the causes of kitten diarrhea are simple to eliminate and solve; others are more complex and may require the assistance of a veterinarian.