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Feline diarrhea can be a serious problem. Cats can lose fluids and electrolytes rapidly while having diarrhea, leaving them feeling weak and lethargic. If you think your cat is going through something like this and you don't know why, consider the three following diet-related triggers that might be impacting your cat.

Food Change

It's easy to switch from one formula to another of cat food when you're shopping, especially if something is sold out or your cat's favorite is no longer available. Unfortunately, rapid changes like this can trigger diarrhea in cats.

The easiest way to look at it is that cats have sensitive stomachs. After all, they would probably eat the same types of prey on a regular basis in the wild, so they don't adapt well to suddenly eating something else. If you've changed your cat's food recently, that might be why they have diarrhea. Try transitioning more slowly by mixing the old and new cat food together.

Treats

It's fun to give cats treats, and many of them seem to basically lose their minds over yummy things. However, most cat treats are the equivalent of junk food for humans. They contain high levels of calories and fat and can upset a cat's stomach if they're given too much of it at once. While some cats can tolerate treats without any problems, if you give treats to your cat on a regular basis and they have diarrhea, try cutting back for a while to see if it persists. If it stops, try switching to a different treat brand or cutting them out of your cat's diet entirely.

Outdoor Edibles

Lastly, if your cat goes outside, that may be all the reason that you need for them to have diarrhea.

Some cats will eat things outside that they shouldn't, like rodents or birds that may be poisoned or carry diseases. This can trigger diarrhea. Your cat could also encounter something like antifreeze or oil from a car, which is obviously not healthy and could cause the same problem. Or, on the mild end of the spectrum, your cat may have simply eaten too much grass in someone's yard and may have effectively given itself diarrhea by eating too much insoluble fiber!

It can be difficult to track down one exact trigger when your cat is able to go outside. So to test this theory, keep them indoors for a few days and see if their symptoms change.

If your cat's diarrhea doesn't clear up after trying these tips, then it's time to get help from a veterinarian. Don't put your cat's health on the line. To learn more, contact a vet office like Berlin Township Animal Hospital.