Parenting-Furkids

Cats => Cat Food And Nutrition => Topic started by: Lola on November 17, 2016, 09:04:23 AM

Title: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on November 17, 2016, 09:04:23 AM
Is there something I can give my bunch that would help the cats that need help, but do nothing for the ones that don't need any help? 


Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Pookie on November 17, 2016, 11:28:12 AM
Is there something I can give my bunch that would help the cats that need help, but do nothing for the ones that don't need any help? 

Nothing comes to mind.   :(  It sounds like some need more/less bone than others, but I'm not sure how you would work that in since you feed ground.   :-\  Unless you give, say, a chicken wingette to those who have the soft stools.

I can't remember . . . were you also using the Vet's Best?  Or, as the brain slowly engages, you were using it but stopped because it was causing problems?

The only thing I can think of, but I really don't like to suggest is, is add a little psyllium powder to the food of the ones that have soft stools.  The problem with that is they also need a LOT of moisture with the food, because psyllium absorbs water, and you don't need their stool going to the other extreme.
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Middle Child on November 17, 2016, 11:48:42 AM
Increase probiotic, or add s.boulardii, for the ones with soft.

I'd go with adding s.boulardii actually.

SEB is an option also.
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on November 19, 2016, 02:35:56 AM
My problem is not always knowing WHO is having hard or soft stools.  Also can't seem to narrow down any possible issues caused by a specific protein and/or meat source.  I also can find hard little pebble poop and very soft poo in litter boxes... the same day!  There are so many variables...  *sigh* 

I only used VB as an incentive to try something new.  I stopped all use of it quite a while ago, when they made changes... and the cats barfed it.

I don't remember what SEB stands for. 

Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Middle Child on November 19, 2016, 06:58:04 AM
Slippery Elm Bark.
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on November 30, 2016, 03:20:42 PM
I'm not exactly happy about this solution, but...  I have been dividing an 1/8 tsp of Miralax among 3 cats once a day.  No hard stools.  No soft stools.  No diarreaha.  No scooting.  No poo outside the box.  No barfing.
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Middle Child on November 30, 2016, 05:03:12 PM
So it's working. The same three cats or are you rotating. ?

 Will you continue it, or gradually wean off after a period of time?
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on December 01, 2016, 12:21:50 PM
All 6 cats get a third of an 1/8 teaspoon. 
Even though it was recommended by a pretty good source, I really do not like giving OTC meds.  I would prefer something natural. 
But with rotating meat sources, proteins, etc.... kinda difficult to narrow down what is causing an issue and to whom.
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Middle Child on December 01, 2016, 03:46:16 PM
I'm not exactly happy about this solution, but...  I have been dividing an 1/8 tsp of Miralax among 3 cats once a day. No hard stools.  No soft stools.  No diarreaha.  No scooting.  No poo outside the box.  No barfing.

All 6 cats get a third of an 1/8 teaspoon. 
Even though it was recommended by a pretty good source, I really do not like giving OTC meds.  I would prefer something natural. 
But with rotating meat sources, proteins, etc.... kinda difficult to narrow down what is causing an issue and to whom.

I don't mean to be dense, but...I don't understand.

Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on December 01, 2016, 04:15:05 PM
You aren't dense.  I didn't explain very well... mentally drained. 

I fill an 1/8 teaspoon with Miralax and divide it between 3 cats.  Then I do the same thing again for the other 3 cats. 
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on December 01, 2016, 04:16:53 PM
PS
If I only posted when I am totally mentally alert... you wouldn't see any posts from me very often.  :) 
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Middle Child on December 01, 2016, 05:52:09 PM
You aren't dense.  I didn't explain very well... mentally drained. 

I fill an 1/8 teaspoon with Miralax and divide it between 3 cats.  Then I do the same thing again for the other 3 cats. 

Okay now I get it!  Goodness I thought and thought and thought and could not figure out what you meant. funny2 funny2 funny2

PS
If I only posted when I am totally mentally alert... you wouldn't see any posts from me very often.  :) 

It's more likely me who can't understand. I'm not mentally alert either.  HeadButt
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on January 06, 2017, 09:40:36 PM
UPDATE:
I stopped the Miralax one cat at a time.  I kept a close watch on the litter box contents while doing so.  At this point, Lilly is the only one still getting Miralax.  When I stop it with her, she does the butt drag. 

Also, the really soft stools stopped when I removed a chewed up bag of Epson Salts from the bathroom cupboard.  Apparently, Roxy (my plastic eater) found it.  I hide the TP in that cabinet (she is also a TP eater), because she is not one to go in the bathroom cabinets.  Well.... she didn't used to. 



Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Pookie on January 06, 2017, 09:45:27 PM
UPDATE:
I stopped the Miralax one cat at a time.  I kept a close watch on the litter box contents while doing so.  At this point, Lilly is the only one still getting Miralax.  When I stop it with her, she does the butt drag. 

 DrLisaPiersonWorthy DrLisaPiersonWorthy DrLisaPiersonWorthy  Sounds like you figured it out!

Also, the really soft stools stopped when I removed a chewed up bag of Epson Salts from the bathroom cupboard.  Apparently, Roxy (my plastic eater) found it.  I hide the TP in that cabinet, because she is not one to go in the bathroom cabinets.  Well.... she didn't used to. 

I know I shouldn't laugh, but . . . that just cracked me up.  Yeah, the magnesium in the salts will, um, soften things up and move them along.  Kudos to you for figuring that out, too!  I think I see childproof locks on the cabinets in your future . . .
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Lola on January 06, 2017, 10:35:43 PM
When I found the Epson salt bag with cat teeth holes, I was pretty sure the soft stool mystery was solved!  That did help speed up the elimination process. 

Weird thing is...  because she didn't USED to go in that cabinet, is why we keep the TP in there... and not on the TP holder.  Put the TP on the roll and it is gobbled right up.  In the cabinet... it goes untouched.  There is nothing in that cabinet (normally) other than TP rolls... removed from the plastic packaging.  I just didn't think about the Epson salts being in plastic.  Plus, thin plastic is her usual preference. 
Title: Re: Soft Stools and/or Hard Stools
Post by: Middle Child on January 07, 2017, 06:43:23 AM
Wow, that's so smart!  So Lily wil stay on the miralax?  How often is she getting it? wil you try to reduce the dose and see what works best for her?

The epsom salts, I laughed out loud! Most people have forgotten that it is a laxative, but the directions are on the bag still.  They used to come in a waxed cardboard container like milk.  I preferred that.