If your cat has an illness that makes him vomit and/or have diarrhea, it's time to find out what's causing it to find the right treatment. One of the steps that can be taken to speed up the cat's recovery process without the help of a doctor is to provide the right type of food. In particular, do everything you can to keep the cat's body hydrated, understand when to feed it, and identify the type of medication that is appropriate for the cat's condition.
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Method 1 of 3: Keeping Cats Hydrated
Step 1. Look for signs of dehydration by checking the elasticity of the cat's skin
When animals are dehydrated, their skin elasticity will automatically decrease. As a result, when pinched, the skin will form a "tent" or triangle, and will not return to normal for a while. This condition is also known as "tenting". In particular, if:
- The cat's skin returns to its original position in no time, meaning that it is well hydrated.
- The cat's skin does not immediately return to its original position, meaning that the body is dehydrated.
Step 2. Encourage the cat to drink even if he has difficulty swallowing liquids
Provide a container of clean and fresh drinking water near the cat's bed or cage.
When they are sick, some cats tend to prefer the taste of mineral water over tap water (especially since the chlorine content in tap water is higher so cats generally don't like it). As a result, cats usually still want to consume mineral water even though they have refused tap water. Therefore, consider giving mineral water to a cat who is sick
Step 3. Give your cat an electrolyte replacement solution, such as Dioralyte or Pedialyte, which are made for humans but can also be given to cats
The solution can be mixed with water (usually 500 ml, but please adjust to the dosage listed on the package) and is commonly used to replace electrolyte levels in the body.
Some cats don't like the salty taste of the solution. If so does your cat, return to giving him water
Step 4. Consider hydrating your cat with a syringe or syringe
If your cat has trouble swallowing liquids, and if you have a syringe at home, try giving water through it. To do this, simply place the tip of the syringe behind the cat's teeth, then gently press the lever to give the cat time to swallow.
A cat with an average body weight, which is about 3-5 kg, needs to consume about 180-300 ml of water per day in order to be optimally hydrated. To meet these needs, try to give about 5-10 ml of water every half hour
Step 5. Call the doctor immediately if your cat keeps vomiting after drinking water
If your cat has gastroenteritis, one of the accompanying symptoms is dehydration, which indicates that the fluid loss is greater than the fluid intake. If your cat keeps vomiting after drinking or has trouble keeping fluids in her body, see her doctor immediately to restore fluid balance in her body.
Later, the veterinarian will determine whether or not it is necessary to give food through intravenous fluids to the cat. Some of the factors that will be measured are the cat's level of alertness or energy level, the duration of the cat's vomiting and diarrhea, and the level of dehydration. Generally, intravenous fluids will be given through a catheter placed in a vein in the cat's front paw. Generally, it takes about 24-48 hours to re-hydrate the cat's body
Method 2 of 3: Determining the Right Time to Feed Cats
Step 1. Do not give the cat any food for 24 hours
If your cat has diarrhea, vomiting, or even both, try not to give her any food for a full 24 hours. However, at that time, keep giving him clear drinking water. Remember, the presence of food in the stomach will encourage muscle contractions which risk triggering contractions in the stomach, the cat vomiting, and/or the intestines convulsing and pushing feces out. Therefore, make sure the cat's stomach is rested for 24 hours, at least until the nausea and diarrhea problems he is experiencing subside.
If your cat is still vomiting after 24 hours, take her to the vet immediately
Step 2. Give your cat plain food after 24 hours have passed
If your cat has fasted for 24 hours and her condition seems to be improving, such as when she's no longer vomiting but still has a few loose stools, start feeding her small portions of plain food.
- Examples of plain foods are white meats, such as chicken, turkey, rabbit, or white meat fish such as cod and coley. As the cat recovers, make sure you give it meat, not meat-flavoured food.
- The average cat needs about 250 kcal per day, or the equivalent of 250 grams of chicken breast.
Step 3. Divide one serving of cat food into several smaller portions
To make digestion easier, try dividing your cat's daily portion of food into four to six meals. This will give your cat's stomach time to adjust to the changes that occur once her condition has healed.
Step 4. Gradually return to your cat's normal diet
After the condition of the cat's stool returns to normal for 24 hours, begin to gradually return to its normal diet, approximately over the next two to three days. The transition process is carried out to familiarize the bacteria in the cat's stomach with the diet and types of food commonly consumed by cats. Generally, the transition process will take place in the following pattern:
- Day one: Consume plain food and normal food.
- Day two: Eat plain food and normal food.
- Day three: Consume plain food and normal food.
- Day four: Return to eating normal food completely.
Method 3 of 3: Giving Medicine to Cats
Step 1. Try giving your cat Famotidine
This H2 antagonist class of drugs is generally sold under the brand name Pepcid AC, and is intended to inhibit the production of acid in the stomach. As a result, consuming it can help relieve stomach acid in cats, as well as inflammation in the stomach wall. Although the benefits are very large, Famotidine should still be taken with caution because it can slow the cat's heart rate, especially if given through intravenous fluids.
The dose of Famotidine is 0.5 mg for every 1 kg of cat body weight, which is given orally once a day. For example, a 5 kg cat should take about 2.5 mg of the drug per day
Step 2. Try giving your cat a probiotic supplement
Probiotic supplements specifically designed for cats are able to work effectively to stop vomiting disorders. Therefore, try mixing a probiotic supplement with plain food and then giving it once a day to your cat. This action is able to improve the balance of good bacteria that can help smooth the digestive process, and make cat feces harden faster.
The type of probiotic supplement that is suitable for giving to cats is Fortiflora, which is generally packaged in sachets. Later, Fortiflora can be mixed with cat food, and given to cats once a day for five consecutive days
Step 3. Try giving your cat Kaolin and Pectin (Kaopectate)
Both are able to absorb toxins produced in the stomach, as well as provide a new protective layer on the stomach wall. Although its effectiveness is still questionable, some animals have been shown to feel the benefits. Therefore, always consult the use of both (especially those purchased without a prescription) to the doctor!
Step 4. Ask your doctor for a prescription for Maropitant
Maropitant serves to change the vomiting "sensor" in the cat's brain. As a result, consuming them can help relieve nausea and prevent your cat from vomiting constantly. Generally, doctors will give Maropitant by injection.
Step 5. Discuss the possibility of giving atropine to the cat with the doctor
Another type of drug that can be prescribed by a doctor is atropine, which is an antispasmodic drug that is useful for relaxing the intestines. After the effect wears off, the cat's bowel movements should return to normal.
