At what point do you go to the vet for loose stool?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

This is kind of an AIBU but I won't put which side of the discussion I erred on to gather unbiased options. I'll tell you later. 😆

Say you have a cat (or other pet for that matter) who is otherwise well, happy, eating, acting normal, no signs of dehyrdation/lethargy, no blood in stool...but their stool is runny. They are going at normal frequency, say 1-2 times a day. The cat hates the vet and going will definitely stress and scare them.

At what point do you consider this a vet matter? Immediately? After a few days? Indefinitely? And what do you try first at home?

I've just encountered some very divided opinions among this amongst people I would all consider loving owners!

For cats it's seen as an urgent issue but of course ask yourself the obvious questions first have you changed the food have they changed the recipe of the food could they be eating something they shouldn't elsewhere (are they indoors or outdoors) are they drinking more pale gums etc etc
When my cat had this they checked him over and gave him canugest (sp) kaolin paste (cats love the taste!/no they fucking dont) to firm up the poo see if that's all it takes if not take it further

I agree that they don't love the probiotic pastes at all! With my not-so-smart cat, I've always been able to shoot it directly into her mouth before she realises what's happening - no chance of that with the clever one, but she's a big groomer so I put it on her fur.

We have a supply of ProKolin in the house so would try that after more than two episodes of runny poo. If that didn't work then we'd ring the vets.

There are biscuits with firming properties I use those for my cats because they always get a bit of a runny butt when they eat their meat or drink too much water a meal or two of the royal canin digestive sorts them out

Was going to suggest this. That's what my cat has suggested for loose poo.

That's what I do too! A couple of days prokolin, if no improvement after 2 to 3 days, vet. Though to be honest my young girl goes outside sometimes so not easy to monitor. I was just surprised because I had a convo with fellow owners that was split between "I call the vet immediately " and "I wouldn't call the vet just for loose stool, I just wait until they get over it".
Anyway touch wood prokolin usually sorts my girls out, but they are generally healthy. They certainly do not love the taste though.