Recurrent diarrhoea

[TiddleTaddleTat]

We have a rescue cat , J, who we've had since August. He is much loved!!
For as long as we've had him he has had on and off diarrhoea. It has been investigated by several vets (in person local vet and an online video vet for advice and monitoring). He's improved to the stage that he has had months now with normal poos if he sticks to a prescribed digestive food. The vet has advised it seems to be a food intolerance.
The issue is that sometimes , like today, he'll get the diarrhoea again. I can only guess it's due to a neighbour giving him some whiskas or something, or him finding food.
When he comes in he wipes his bum on the carpet so we attempt to keep him in rooms with hard flooring . It's easier than it was to deal with, but very frustrating for him and us.
Anyone got any words of wisdom? I wondered about putting flyers through doors asking people not to feed him. I've already put it out on a neighbours whatsapp. What else am I not thinking of?!

I've just remembered he had a stand off a couple of days ago with another cat..:
Guess that could be a trigger too?

Bump... anyone?

I suspect no one's answered yet because none of us can think of any way you can completely control what an outdoor cat eats
And you're following the advice of your vet, so doing pretty much all you can, really.
How old is he? Kittens have quite sensitive stomachs so if he's very young there may be some hope it could improve as he matures, perhaps. Or perhaps if he's older and it's been going on a long time, the special diet will need some time to work and allow his digestive system to recover.
Just trying to give you some hope, really. It's not nice for you or him. I hope it improves.

He's 5. He's been in the special diet about 5 months now. The vet seems to think it's permanent. Bit of a nightmare really.

You can buy collars that asking neighbours not to feed like this and similar on ebay: www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-home-dont-feed-me-cat-collar

If your cat isn't used to a collar on you could try making a paper version of your own, cheaper and no chance of him getting caught up in anything.

Ooh that looks good, thanks I'll get one of those

My rescue cat (came to live with me in November) had the same problem. As it's not a problem now, I attributed it to new food (not sure what the other person fed him - long story) and nervousness.

I put psyllium husk in his food (it's cat safe) but that didn't do much.

It does sound like asking neighbours not to feed him and keeping him on his special diet are the best solutions.

I was also going to suggest the collar, although he's likely going in cat flaps and eating without the owners' knowledge! I like having windows open so we have several neighbourhood cats who come in for a buffet.

What's his routine and habits with going out? Could he be happy with an enclosed area in your garden (like a cat run) or does he like to explore? At his age I suspect the joy and stimulation of exploring the neighbourhood outweighs the discomfort of occasional diarrhoea, but all cats are different.

I've ordered one of those collars so fingers crossed that'll help.
His outdoor habits are... ask to be let out, ask to be let in, as finitum. I think it's unlikely he's going in through other cats' cat flaps as he dislikes and won't use his own, although I suppose others might be different in some way...
Yeah I think it bothers us more than him. Having to restrict the rooms he can go in, trying to wipe his bum, clean poo off rugs and blankets, mop floors often etc, gets a bit annoying