Genius Hacks Fix Maine Coon Diarrhea FAST!

Diarrhea in Maine Coons is characterized by loose, watery, or frequent stools, often accompanied by an urgent need to defecate.

While occasional diarrhea is not uncommon in cats, persistent or severe diarrhea can indicate an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.

Are Maine Coons Prone To Diarrhea?

While Maine Coons are a very hardy breed, they do have a rather delicate gastrointestinal tract, and their tendency to eat large amounts of food quickly can upset their sensitive stomachs.

Some Maine Coons also suffer from food intolerances, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or stress-related digestive problems, which can trigger diarrhea.

Another possible reason why Maine Coons are prone to diarrhea is that this breed is more likely to contract a disease known as polycystic kidney disease, which can be identified by these 8 key symptoms.

7 Fast And Effective Ways To Stop Diarrhea

Maine Coon diarrhea can be distressing for both the cat and its owner, but the right treatments can help resolve the issue quickly while ensuring the cat’s safety. 

The key to stopping diarrhea effectively is identifying the underlying cause and using cat-safe remedies. 

Below are the most effective solutions to stopping diarrhea in Maine Coon cats:

Learn more about these treatment options, below:

1. Temporarily Withholding Food (12–24 Hours)

One of the fastest and safest ways to stop diarrhea in Maine Coons is by giving the cat’s digestive system time to rest.

• How it works: By withholding food for 12–24 hours, the irritated gastrointestinal (GI) tract has time to settle, reducing inflammation and excess fluid production in the intestines.
• When to do it: This method is best for short-term diarrhea (less than 24 hours) caused by mild stomach upset from food changes or dietary indiscretion.
• Important precautions: Never withhold water! Kittens, senior cats, and sick Maine Coons should NOT fast, as they are more vulnerable to dehydration and weakness.

✅ Best for: Mild, short-term diarrhea.
❌ Avoid if: Your cat is already weak, losing weight, or has diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours.

2. Increase Hydration To Prevent Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the biggest risks of diarrhea. Replenishing fluids is essential to prevent serious complications.

• How to do it:
  • Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
  • Offer low-sodium bone broth (a natural electrolyte source that encourages drinking).
  • Try a cat water fountain if your Maine Coon refuses still water.
  • Use unflavored electrolyte solutions (like Pedialyte, diluted with water) for extra hydration support.
• Signs of dehydration: Sunken eyes, dry gums, lethargy, skin that doesn’t snap back when gently pinched.

✅ Best for: All cases of diarrhea, especially if your cat seems slightly lethargic.
❌ Avoid if: Your cat refuses to drink entirely – this requires immediate veterinary attention.

3. Feed A Bland Diet (24–48 Hours)

After the fasting period, feeding a bland, easily digestible diet helps reset your Maine Coon’s digestive system.

• Best bland foods for cats with diarrhea:
  • Plain-boiled chicken (no seasoning, no skin, shredded into small pieces).
  • Plain-boiled turkey (lean meat, no bones or spices).
  • Pumpkin puree (a natural fiber source that helps regulate digestion).
  • Plain white rice (in very small amounts, mixed with chicken for extra bulk).
• How to feed: Offer small portions (1-2 teaspoons) every few hours for the first day. Slowly transition back to a regular diet over the next 2–3 days.

✅ Best for: Mild to moderate diarrhea due to food sensitivities, stress, or minor stomach upset.
❌ Avoid if: Your cat has chronic diarrhea, bloody stools, or ongoing food allergies (rice is not ideal for all cats).

4. Add Pumpkin For Natural Fiber Support

Pumpkin is a natural, cat-safe remedy for diarrhea that works by absorbing excess moisture and regulating stool consistency.

• Why it works: Pumpkin contains soluble fiber, which helps slow down digestion and firm up loose stools.
• How to use it:
  • Mix ½ to 1 teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin into food once or twice daily.
  • Ensure it is 100% pumpkin (no added sugars, spices, or pie filling).
  • Can also mix with a bland diet (like boiled chicken).

✅ Best for: Mild diarrhea, sensitive stomachs, or dietary adjustments.
❌ Avoid if: Diarrhea is severe or caused by an infection – fiber won’t help in those cases.

5. Use Probiotics To Restore Gut Health

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that help restore the natural balance of your Maine Coon’s gut microbiome. They are especially useful for:

• Post-antibiotic diarrhea (antibiotics kill both bad and good bacteria, leading to digestive upset).
• Chronic or recurrent diarrhea (caused by food sensitivities or stress).
• Boosting the immune system (especially after a bacterial or viral infection).
• How to use:
  • Choose a veterinary-approved probiotic supplement specifically designed for cats.
  • Plain unsweetened yogurt (with live cultures) can work in small amounts (¼ teaspoon).
  • Mix probiotics into food once a day for at least 1–2 weeks to rebuild gut health.

✅ Best for: Chronic digestive issues, post-antibiotic recovery, and mild long-term diarrhea.
❌ Avoid if: Diarrhea is caused by an infection or parasite, as probiotics won’t cure these issues.

6. Slippery Elm Bark – A Natural Anti-Diarrheal

Slippery elm is a herbal remedy that forms a soothing gel when mixed with water, coating the stomach and intestines to reduce irritation.

• How it helps:
  • Soothes inflamed intestines.
  • Helps firm up loose stools naturally.
  • Provides gentle digestive support for sensitive stomachs.
• How to use:
  • Mix ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of slippery elm powder with water and give by syringe or mix into food.
  • Use twice daily until the diarrhea subsides.

✅ Best for: Stomach irritation, mild food intolerances, and natural digestive relief.
❌ Avoid if: Your cat has an intestinal blockage – herbal remedies won’t resolve obstructions.

7. Veterinary-Prescribed Anti-Diarrheal Medications

If natural remedies don’t work, your vet may recommend medicated anti-diarrheal treatments. These should only be given under veterinary guidance.

• Common options:
  • Kaolin-pectin (coats the intestines and absorbs toxins).
  • Activated charcoal (binds to harmful substances in cases of poisoning).
  • Metronidazole (an antibiotic/anti-inflammatory for severe bacterial infections).
• Do NOT give human anti-diarrheal medications like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium – these are toxic to cats.

✅ Best for: Severe diarrhea, bacterial infections, or chronic cases.
❌ Avoid if: Your cat hasn’t seen a vet – medications should always be prescribed based on diagnosis.

Causes Of Diarrhea

Diarrhea can occur due to a variety of reasons, ranging from minor dietary upsets to serious illnesses. Below are the most common causes, starting with the most serious.

1. Viral Infections

Viruses such as Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), or Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) can cause severe diarrhea and require immediate veterinary attention.

2. Bacterial Infections

Bacteria such as Salmonella, Clostridium, and E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. These infections often require antibiotics and supportive care.

3. Parasites (Common In Outdoor Cats)

Parasites like Giardia, Coccidia, and Roundworms can cause persistent diarrhea in Maine Coons. These require deworming medications for treatment.

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is a long-term inflammatory disorder of the intestines, often triggered by food sensitivities. A specialized diet, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications are needed to manage this condition.

5. Sudden Dietary Changes

Switching your cat’s food too quickly can upset the digestive system. Always transition to new food gradually over 7-10 days.

6. Food Intolerances Or Allergies

Some Maine Coons are intolerant to certain proteins (chicken, beef, dairy) or additives in cat food. If suspected, switching to a limited-ingredient diet may help.

7. Stress And Anxiety

Major changes like moving, new pets, or loud environments can trigger stress-induced diarrhea. Reducing stress and providing a calm, stable environment can help.

8. Medications Or Antibiotics

Certain antibiotics and medications can disrupt gut bacteria, leading to diarrhea. Probiotics can help restore gut balance.

9. Poisoning Or Toxins

Ingesting toxic plants, chemicals, or spoiled food can cause severe diarrhea. Immediate veterinary treatment is necessary.

10. Overfeeding

Overfeeding can cause diarrhea in Maine Coons by overwhelming their digestive system, leading to poor nutrient absorption, rapid food transit, and gut imbalances.

Too much food, especially high-fat or high-protein diets, can trigger loose stools, bloating, and gas. Signs include frequent watery stools, undigested food in feces, and vomiting after meals.

When To Worry

While mild, short-term diarrhea in Maine Coons is often harmless and resolves on its own, certain symptoms indicate a more serious problem that requires immediate veterinary attention.

Below are warning signs that cat owners should be aware of:

Diarrhea Lasts More Than 48 Hours

If your Maine Coon has diarrhea that persists for more than two days, this is a sign that the issue is more than a minor digestive upset. Prolonged diarrhea can cause:

• Severe dehydration as the body loses fluids and electrolytes.
• Nutrient malabsorption leads to weakness and weight loss.
• Damage to the intestines, making the problem worse over time.

If diarrhea lasts beyond 48 hours, contact a vet, especially if your cat also appears weak or lethargic.

Blood In The Stool

The presence of blood in the feces can indicate anything from minor irritation to life-threatening conditions.

• Bright red blood (hematochezia) often comes from the lower intestines or rectum, possibly due to colitis, infections, or irritation from excessive straining.
• Dark, tarry stools (melena) suggest internal bleeding in the stomach or upper intestines, which can result from ulcers, poisoning, or severe illness.

Any sign of blood in your cat’s stool requires urgent veterinary evaluation, especially if combined with lethargy or vomiting.

Watery, Explosive, Or Frequent Diarrhea

Loose, completely liquid stools that occur multiple times per day indicate a severe gastrointestinal issue. This can result from:

• Viral or bacterial infections like feline panleukopenia, salmonella, or E. coli.
• Parasites such as Giardia, cause persistent, foul-smelling diarrhea.
• Toxicity or poisoning, which can lead to an emergency.

If your Maine Coon is passing diarrhea more than 3-4 times per day, or if the stool is mostly liquid, dehydration is a serious risk, and immediate veterinary attention is necessary.

Accompanied By Vomiting

Diarrhea on its own is concerning, but when it occurs alongside vomiting, it can signal severe gastrointestinal distress or poisoning. Possible causes include:

• Food poisoning or ingestion of toxins (e.g., household chemicals, toxic plants, medications).
• Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe digestive upset.
• Viral or bacterial infections that affect both the stomach and intestines.

Repeated vomiting and diarrhea together can quickly lead to life-threatening dehydration. A vet visit is necessary if your cat vomits more than twice in 24 hours or refuses to drink water.

Signs Of Severe Dehydration

Diarrhea leads to rapid fluid loss, and dehydration in cats can become dangerous quickly. Signs of dehydration include:

• Lethargy (your Maine Coon is less active than usual or unwilling to move).
• Sunken eyes (indicating fluid loss).
• Dry, sticky gums instead of the usual moist texture.
• Loss of skin elasticity (a simple test: gently pull the skin at the scruff of the neck. If it doesn’t snap back quickly, the cat is dehydrated).

If your Maine Coon shows any of these signs, seek immediate veterinary care. Severe dehydration can lead to organ failure if left untreated.

Fever Or High Body Temperature

A fever often indicates an underlying infection or inflammation. Normal body temperature for cats is between 100.5°F and 102.5°F (38°C – 39.2°C).

If your Maine Coon has diarrhea along with a fever over 103°F (39.5°C), it may be suffering from:

• Bacterial or viral infections.
• Severe inflammation of the digestive tract.
• A systemic illness affecting multiple organs.

If you suspect a fever, a vet should examine your cat as soon as possible.

Extreme Lethargy Or Weakness

A cat that is usually playful but suddenly becomes weak, slow, or uninterested in food or water is experiencing more than just a simple stomach upset. Lethargy in combination with diarrhea can be due to:

• Severe dehydration, which affects blood circulation and energy levels.
• Serious infections like feline parvovirus or FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus).
• Organ dysfunction (liver or kidney failure).

If your cat seems too weak to stand, hides excessively, or refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, get veterinary care immediately.

Abdominal Pain Or Distension

If your Maine Coon flinches or vocalizes when you touch its belly, or if the abdomen appears swollen or bloated, it may be experiencing:

• Gastrointestinal blockages (from eating foreign objects like string or bones).
• Severe inflammation of the intestines or pancreas.
• Fluid buildup due to organ disease.

A swollen, painful belly is a veterinary emergency. Call the vet immediately.

Diarrhea In Kittens Or Senior Cats

Kittens and elderly Maine Coons have weaker immune systems, making them much more vulnerable to the effects of diarrhea.

• Kittens can develop hypoglycemia and dehydration within hours, leading to rapid decline.
• Senior cats may already have underlying health conditions, making diarrhea more dangerous.

Kittens under 6 months and senior cats over 10 years should always see a vet if they have diarrhea for more than 24 hours.