HOW CAN I SETTLE MY CATS STOMACH?

Posted by Erin Aiston on November 25th, 2018

Just like humans, cats can also experience a stomach upset once in a while, making them feel a bit lousy. Our animal companions lack a way to talk to us, and the only sure way to know about their misery is if they suddenly start vomiting. Most of the times, such an upset may be brought about by intolerance to certain foods, hairballs, eating something toxic, allergies, infections, among others. The most common cause is, however, something they have eaten, which is why it’s advisable to make an appointment with a vet so you can establish the actual reason. Before doing that, however, it is desirable that you try the following remedies to relieve Tiger of the pain:

 1. Give some fasting period

When the stomach is upset, one of the best solutions to a quicker recovery is letting it rest for a while before it can handle any food again. Naturally, a cat will take a rest and lose his appetite for some time until they start feeling better. However, it’s highly advisable that you take your cat’s food away for 12 - 24 hours which is time enough for recovery. Kittens, however, should only be kept from eating for around 4 hours during the day, or an overnight fast, if the upset begins in the evening. During the fast period, ensure that your cat or kitten has enough drinking water to avoid getting dehydrated.

2. Use herbs

You can use catnip which is remarkably effective in calming stomach upsets in cats. Use about 12 to 20 drops of glycerine tincture for every 20 pounds of weight. Combining catnip with fennel is also a good remedy for your pet’s nausea, so be sure to take advantage of that. Dill, ginger, and peppermint herbs are similarly useful in helping with indigestion and nausea in cats. As for the ginger, a pinch (1/16 teaspoon) is just enough to get rid of the two issues. 

3. Get Kefir

There are lots of pet parents who recommend using kefir to ease indigestion in cats since the product has beneficial probiotics. Kefir is usually a fermented milk beverage which unlike pasteurized cow milk is not irritating to cats, and the best thing is that it’s easy to convert raw milk to kefir on your own. You only need half a packet of kefir starter particles, to be used in a quart of raw, unpasteurized milk, after which you leave the mixture overnight at room temperature. Once your pet stops vomiting, and you have the kefir ready, administer it once an hour in a three-hour period. As you begin, give 1 to 2 teaspoons to the cat and add 1 teaspoon of kefir going forward, once or twice each day.

4. Be careful with the fluids

When providing your cat with fluids, you must be so cautious as some of them will worsen the situation by making the cat vomit, dehydrating him further. Avoid giving the cat milk or dairy products, since the cat will, most of the times, like the taste but the stomach might lack the capability to digest the products efficiently. Instead, try to give the cat some ice chips to lick as that may help to keep them hydrated. If your cat is at the risk of becoming dehydrated, you can give him some unflavored Pedialyte slowly using a dropper. If your cat, however, is unable to hold water at all, you have to get him seen by a vet as that may be a more serious issue.

5. Try some food

 Once the 12 – 24 hour fasting period is over, any cat with a stomach upset can be introduced to a bland diet as that will help the stomach recover its usual functionality.  Cats that don’t have enough appetite can be enticed using sweet-smelling meals such as boiled chicken or fish. Failure to eat for more than one or two days may lead to a condition known as the “Fatty Liver Disease”, so it’s advisable to force feed your cat if it’s not in a feeding mood. If a veterinarian sees your cat, they might prescribe appetite stimulants for cats that have no appetite at all. It’s also recommendable to check your cat’s gums to ensure that they have the original pink color, and if they appear pale and grayish or anything other than pink, get a veterinarian straightaway.

6. Change the diet gradually

Once your cat starts feeling better, and the stools start being formed normally, you can slowly reintroduce the cat to its regular meals in not less than three days. If you change the diet abruptly, Tiger’s stomach might get upset once more, and the process will repeat itself.

In conclusion,

Home remedies do work most of the time, but if your cat doesn’t show any progress to recovery and the situation gets worse with the cat seeming to be in pain, it’s time to get the full attention of a veterinarian. Most of the times, failure to recover can be an indication of a severe underlying condition that can be better off if managed earlier.