Expert: Becky - 8/27/2006

Question
I have two British Shorthair Chocolate Selfs ans we have just been on holiday fro a week. My parents stayed at our house to look after them. They have gone outside for the last 3 months and have not had a litter tray for this time. They have never had an 'accident' in the house. The day befroe we returned there was a quite a wet poo in the house. Two days later again there was another poo in the morning and I opened the cat flap. 10 minutes late Coco was going in the front room and it was very wet and not right. She was miowing in the evening alot that night also. We are unsure if it is a stomach bug or if she is stressed as we went away. She has been very clingy and vocal and when she had a little 24hr bug a few months ago she did not want to be touched. She does not seem quitr right in herself and has gone out but concerns as to why she is going in the house all of a sudden. She does not seem to have gone off food but we are unsure whether to starve her for 24 hrs and see if it clears up and introduce plain chicken or fish after that period.
Any advice will be greatly received.

Many Thanks

Chris

Answer
Hi Chris,
No, starving is not the answer. You may want to try a mixture of dry cat food, rice and cottage cheese mixed together. It is good for stomach upset.

I think your cats are stressed because you have been gone.  I think the vocalizing and clinging to you is proof of that.  The stress may have caused a digestive disturbance.  I would wait a few days and see how they do. If their stool does not get normal, then a trip to the Vet may be necessary.  They may have parasites as that would cause a runny stool also.

I would keep an eye on them and go from there.  If they don't get any better, a trip to the Vet would be in order. If you do go to a Vet, take a small sample of the stool so they can examine it under a microscope for parasites.

God Bless,
Becky