Kitten diarrhoea (TMI!)

[theSnuffster]

We got two 8 week old kittens last week. They've been on pets at home wet food (the breeder gave it to us) and I wanted to change to something better quality and that we can buy locally. Yesterday lunch time I gave them one chunk each of the new food alongside their pets at home food. In the evening the girl kitten had diarrhoea (I heard her doing it from the next room!) Anyway she's seemed fine since- eating, drinking and playing normally. 24hrs later and I hear the sound again! This time it's a lot more formed although still not solid- I could pick it up from the tray with a nappy sack whereas yesterday I just binned the lot and washed the tray out. Our boy has had normal poos the whole time. I obviously haven't given them any more of the new food.

Do I need to worry or just wait and see if it happens again? Is it definitely down to the change in food? Should I wait until they're older to change over? I'm shocked that she reacted to such a tiny amount to be honest!

We had this and yes it will be down to food change. Leave changing food for a while and see how she goes.

You would also be best to eliminate the wet food altogether. Everything that makes up a healthy diet can be found in dry food only and if they are kittens you can buy a decent kibble. Nine times out of 10 wet food will add to a dietary based tummy problem and it's also better for the teeth to be on the dry food. As long as they always have plenty freshwater that's all they need.

Thank you both.

They do also have dry food- purina, so a decent one. I'm not entirely convinced about feeding dry only because of the problems that can be caused if they didn't drink enough water. It's obviously always available to them but how do I know if they're drinking enough?

Also we intended for them to be indoor cats (I know they may have other ideas!) so they won't be drinking from puddles etc and won't be getting the same sort of exercise as an outdoor cat.

I give a mix of wet and dry as I've read that's best for them as they get moisture from the wet food. Were they on the Purina already too (it's not that great btw as its not grain free)?

Yes they were already on the purina too. (I've also read it's best to feed both wet and dry.) As with the wet food, I intended on changing to a better dry food eventually but as we have a massive bag of the purina it made sense to wait for now. Hopefully changing the dry will be easier than changing the wet!!