Does pumpkin firm up cat stool

Stool Finally Firming Up

Ever since we adopted Oliver about three months ago, he had very loose stool. At first, our vet told us just to wait for him to get used to his new food. After a month and a half, when the stool was still loose than ever, I slowly changed out his food to a non-allergenic brand with no corn or wheat, hoping that would help. I also threw in some canned pumpkin, since I read on this site that that sometimes helps. But after a few weeks on the new food, his stool was liquid and smelly, and he had pretty bad gas. Yesterday, we went back to the vet. No worms or bacteria in the stool, and no fever or other symptoms. He gave Ollie an antibiotic shot and a dose of oral antibiotics. He also gave us prescription wet food that is easy to digest. Less than 20 hours later, his stool is more firm than I have ever seen! It is a thin cigar shape, rather than just a blob of liquid. I shared the news with my bf, but he just doesn't understand how exciting this is. I knew people on this site could share my joy, so I thought I would share the news.Anyone else have problems with loose stool? What solved the problem for you? Any tips on ensuring that his stool stay firm?Thanks!

Pumpkin, Your Cats Digestive Cure-all

Pumpkin, Your Cats Digestive Cure-all

For a healthy cat at the right weight, simply adding a bit of pumpkin to one meal a day (not more than a tablespoon a day) can keep everything moving smoothly

Pumpkin is a miracle worker on a catsdigestive system. Thanks to its very high fibercontent, canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkinpie filling) is a great way to get your cats gastrointestinalsystem moving if hes a bit stopped up.On the other end of things, if your cat has diarrhea,pumpkin will firm up your cats stoolthe dietary fiber isvery good at absorbing excess water.

It also clears out fur from the digestivetract. When the pumpkin moves through your cats GI tract, it sweeps hairalong with it, which lowers incidence of hairballs. If that wasnt enough,pumpkin can also be used as a tool for weight loss. If your cat is overweight,replace 25 percent of her regular food with the same amount of pumpkin; itwill leave her feeling just as full, but with far fewer calories consumed.

Ways to Incorporate Pumpkin into Your Cats Diet

• Look for high-quality wet cat foods that contain pumpkin
• Mix plain canned pumpkin in with your cats wet food
• Freeze tiny individual servings of pumpkin in the freezer and give them as treats
• Fruitables original and weight loss formula supplements are a pet-specific alternative to the regular canned pumpkin that has more vitamins as well as mint to help soothe an upset stomach
• Castor and Polluxs Natural Ultramix Real Pumpkin Ultrablend isdesigned for intermittent and supplemental feeding for a healthydigestive system

If youre looking for a healthy, convenient diet that can provide your cat with all the nutrients they need, check out Nom Nom. They provide balanced, healthy and easy-to-serve meals that cater to your cats specific weight and allergy needs. Plus, they ship the pre-packaged meals directly to your door every month so it saves you a ton of prep-time! Get 50% off your first order now!

We only promote the best products for you and your dogs. Some of these products are from our affiliates, which means we may earn a small amount from purchases made. Thank you for your support! All products featured on Modern Cat Magazine.com are independently selected by our editors.

What Can I Give My Cat To Firm Up Stool?

There are a number of things you can give your cat to firm up stool. Some common options include pumpkin, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

You can also give your cat a small amount of canned tuna or salmon.

How do I make my cats poop firmer?

There are a few things you can do to make your cats fecal matter firmer. One is to give them a high-quality diet, as this will help them produce a firmer stool.

You can also try putting them on a diet that is low in fiber, which can help them eliminate more quickly. You can also try giving them a product called Laxatone, which is a suppository meant to soften and stimulate the production of fecal matter.

What can I give my cat for loose stools?

There are a few things that can be given to a cat to help with loose stools. One option is to give them a diet that is high in fiber.

This will help to bulk up the stool and make it easier to pass. Another option is to give them a probiotic supplement.

This will help to improve the gut bacteria in the cats intestines, which can help to promote regularity. If none of these options seem to be working, then it may be time to take the cat to the veterinarian for an examination.

There may be something wrong with their intestinal system that is causing the loose stools.

Why does my cat have loose stool?

There are many reasons why cats might have loose stool. Some of the most common reasons are that the cat has a problem with their gut health, such as a lack of fiber in their diet or parasites.

Other causes can include problems with the cats bladder or intestines. If the cat is having trouble passing their bowel movements, their stool might become loose and lumpy.

Why is my cats poop never solid?

There are many reasons why a cats poop may never solidify. One reason is that cats have a high level of dietary fiber which can help to keep their feces soft.

Another reason is that cats consume a high level of water, which means their feces are constantly wet and therefore soft. Additionally, cats typically have a high level of moisture in their feces, which helps to keep them soft.

Finally, cats have a high level of bacteria in their intestines, which helps to break down the fiber and moisture in their feces so that they can be excreted as a solid.

Why is my cat poop soft and smelly?

There are a few reasons why your cats poop may be soft and smelly. One possibility is that your cat is not eating enough fresh food.

If your cat is not consuming enough food, their intestines may not have enough fiber to produce hard, dry stool. Instead, their intestines may produce soft stool that is easily squished, leading to a smelly environment.

Additionally, some cats may have a condition called obstructive jaundice, which causes their body to expel bile and pancreatic fluid instead of stool. This mixture can be soft and smelly, and can accumulate in the stool leading to smelly conditions.

Finally, some cats may have a disease called feline defecation syndrome (FDS), which is a condition in which the muscles that control the flow of bowel movements become weakened or defective. This can lead to soft stool, as well as difficulty passing stool, resulting in a smelly environment.

In any of these cases, a veterinarian may be able to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the smelly cat poop.

Is wet or dry food better for cats with diarrhea?

It depends on the individual cats needs and preferences. Some cats may prefer wet food because it is soft and easier to eat, while others may prefer dry food because it is more nutritious.

Some cats may also prefer one type of food over the other, or may have different reactions to wet and dry food depending on the time of year. Ultimately, it is up to the individual cat to decide what is best for them.

Does canned pumpkin help cats with diarrhea?

Canned pumpkin may help cats with diarrhea due to the fiber and potassium in the pumpkin. Fiber can help to bulk up the feces and promote regularity, while potassium can help to alkalinize the intestines, which can help to reduce the symptoms of diarrhea.

Does wet cat food cause loose stools?

There is no definitive answer to this question. Some people who have cats that eat wet food believe that it can cause loose stools, while others believe that it does not have a significant impact.

Some factors that could influence the result include the type of food the cat is eating, the age and health of the cat, and the amount of moisture content in the food.

Can I give my cat Pepto Bismol for diarrhea?

It depends on the severity of the diarrhea, the cats overall health, and any other medications the cat is taking. Some veterinarians may recommend that cats with mild to moderate diarrhea receive Pepto Bismol as a temporary measure, while others may recommend gastric lavage or antibiotics for more severe cases.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to give Pepto Bismol to a cat with diarrhea will be based on a variety of factors, including the severity of the diarrhea, the cats overall health, and the medications the cat is taking.

Can a cat live with chronic diarrhea?

Chronic diarrhea in cats is a serious problem that can lead to malnutrition and health problems. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including a virus, a bacteria, a protozoan, or a parasitic infection.

If the cause of the diarrhea is a virus, your cat may experience a fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. If the cause of the diarrhea is a bacterial infection, your cat may experience bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

If the cause of the diarrhea is a protozoan infection, your cat may experience diarrhea and vomiting that is watery and thin. If the cause of the diarrhea is a parasitic infection, your cat may experience diarrhea and anemia.

If your cat has chronic diarrhea, it is important to take him to the veterinarian for a checkup. The veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection, and may also recommend a diet that is high in fiber to help resolve the problem.

Your cat may also require water supplementation, electrolytes, and fluids to help rehydrate and restore his electrolyte balance.

How much Metamucil can I give my cat?

Metamucil is a fiber-rich laxative and can be given to cats as a dietary supplement. The manufacturers suggested dosages are 1/4 to 1/2 of a cup per cat per day.

It is important to note that even if a cat consumes the recommended dosages, it is still important to follow the advice of a veterinarian when it comes to administering laxatives to cats.

Conclusion

There are a few things you can give your cat to firm up stool, including pumpkin, oatmeal, and yogurt. Pumpkin is a good source of fiber, which can help to bulk up stool and make it easier to pass.

Oatmeal is also a good source of fiber, and yogurt contains probiotics that can help to regulate the digestive system.

The Pros and Cons of Feeding Pumpkin to Pets

Is pumpkin the new fad, like gluten-free, grain-free and no-go-GMO? Seems every time I turn around, a client is bringing their dog in for diarrhea, saying, We tried pumpkin, but it didnt really work. Or, Someone told me to add pumpkin to every meal, so Im doing that.

Pumpkin might be on your mind right now because its everywhere: Mounds of pumpkins on display awaiting the knife, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes even pumpkin beer!

Since you cant escape the notion of pumpkin right now, I thought Id let you know how and when to properly try a bit of pumpkin for your pets, what kind to use and what to use it for.

Pumpkin for Constipation and Diarrhea

Most people try adding pumpkin when they think their dog or cat is either constipated or having diarrhea. How can the same substance help both diarrhea and constipation? Its all about the balance of fiber found in pumpkin and how it helps digestive and GI health.

Many dog and cat lovers think a spoonful of pumpkin is a GI cure-all, but give too much or continue to feed pumpkin when it isnt helping the problem, and you can make the problem worse and delay recovery. If you try pumpkin for a GI malady and it isnt resolving the problem in 24 hours, seek the help of your veterinarian.

The fiber in pumpkin is purported to help regulate bowel movements, but fiber is complicated and not a 1-size-fits-all kind of remedy.

Pumpkin and the Fiber Puzzle

Pumpkin, like many other foods, fruits and vegetables, contains fiber. There is soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, pumpkin having a small amount of both.

Soluble fiber can act like a sponge when theres excess water in the GI tract (diarrhea). Insoluble fiber does sort of the opposite, drawing water into the GI tract when the stool is dry and hard (constipation) to make a bulkier, softer stool that can pass. An oversimplification is this: Soluble fiber slows down the GI tract (less diarrhea), while insoluble fiber quickens the movement of poop through the bowel, hopefully preventing or relieving constipation.

The top insoluble fiber foods are wheat bran and bran cereals, beans, some grains and vegetables. Pumpkin is not high on this list. Soluble fiber is found in foods like oatmeal, apples and carrots. Again, pumpkin does not top the list.

Pumpkin is over 90% water, about 3% fiber and a source of potassium, antioxidants and other vitamins.

Get a Diagnosis

Now heres the crux of the problem: A pet with continuing diarrhea or constipation needs a diagnosis, not endless spoonfuls of pumpkin or other supplements. Once we diagnose the GI problem, we can recommend the right diet and other medications as necessary.

If your pet has loose stool or you think they are constipated, try adding pumpkin to the diet for 2436 hours, as long as your pet remains very perky. If the abnormal bowel movements are not getting better or if your pet is acting ill, get to the vet.

Pumpkin Feeding Guidelines

Some people feed pumpkin as an additive to keep their pet regular, and many cats and dogs seem to like it. This is fine, as long as the stools remain normal. Here are the basic guidelines:

• Feed canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
• You can use cooked, fresh pumpkin, but it is not necessary. Canned pumpkin is fine.
• Making pumpkin ice cubes is a nice way to keep it fresh.
• Dosing is empirical. There is no set dose; dosing depends on the severity of the problem.
• Cats, for constipation: 1 tablespoon per can of food.
• Cats, particularly geriatric cats, can suffer from severe constipation. These kitties usually need more than pumpkin to keep them regular, but many cats like pumpkin. It can also help as an additive on a daily basis.
• Cats, for diarrhea or inflammatory bowel: 1 teaspoon per can of food.
• Dogs, 1 tablespoon/meal for large dog; 12 teaspoons for small to medium dogs.

Again, moderate to severe GI cases require a combination of diet, supplements and medications.

Pumpkin is more commonly used for dogs for mild diarrhea. Constipation is not a common problem in dogs. If pumpkin is to be used to create a softer, looser stool, such as in the case of a fractured pelvis or after certain surgeries, more pumpkin is usually needed, up to 4 tablespoons per large dog per meal.

My take? Pumpkin is a safe and palatable aid for digestive and GI health, but its too benign to be a true cure for sick animals. Many GI diseases require specific fiber requirements, and pumpkin is not a great source of fiber for these cases. Im sorry to say that too many people keep trying pumpkin when it is doing nothing more than turning their poochs poop orange.

When in doubt, call your vet. Explain how long your pet has been experiencing abnormal bowel movements, and get some solid advice.

This pet health content was written by a veterinarian, Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD. It was last reviewed Aug. 11, 2023.