Treatment For Blood In Cat Poop
The first step will be to either remove or help them adjust to any possible stressors, which could be anything from a new animal in the home, to a change in their routine. If the stress is caused by a new animal or person you can help them by providing them with their own safe place that they can escape to. If its due to a different routine, you may need to revert back to your original schedule and then work in the new routine over a period of time to help them slowly adjust to the change.
If the problem is connected to a dietary issue or food intolerance your vet may suggest changing their food for a while, or may try an elimination diet in order to discover which ingredient in your cats food is causing the problem.
When the blood in cat poo is due to parasites or infections, the necessary prescriptions will be given and its absolutely essential that the course is continued until the end for the treatment to be successful. When the blood is dark, more serious treatment is usually required and could result in surgery as it might be a blockage.
If youre concerned about your cat and they seem to be displaying extra symptoms as well as having blood in their poo, be sure to take them to the vet straight away. Your vet will be able to perform a thorough examination and can help get your cat back to normal as soon as possible.
Litter Box Health Matters
Sure, it seems silly to scope out your cats litter box. But theres a lot of information in your cats stools. You may find a warning of a brewing problem. And while bloody cat stools are frightening, they may not signal a serious issue. Keep an eye on your cat first before you hit the panic button. But if you do suspect that something is wrong, always reach out to your veterinarian right away.
Editors’ Recommendations
What Is Bowel Incontinence
Bowel incontinence refers to the loss of the ability to control bowel movements.
Bowel incontinence can present in a number of different ways. In some cases, cats with bowel incontinence may drop small amounts of feces without any awareness that they are doing so. In other cases, pets may be aware of their bowel movements, but are unable to control them.
Recommended Reading: Why Do Cats Rub Against Your Legs
About Dr Pete Wedderburn Dvm
Dr Pete Wedderburn qualified as a vet from Edinburgh in 1985 and has run his own 4-veterinarian companion animal practice in County Wicklow, Ireland, since 1991. Pete is well known as a media veterinarian with regular national tv, radio and newspaper slots, including a weekly column in the Daily Telegraph since 2007. Pete is known as “Pete the Vet” on his busy Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages, regularly posting information on topical subjects and real-life cases from his clinic. He also write a regular blog at www.petethevet.com. His latest book: Pet Subjects, was published by Aurum Press in 2017.
Blood In Cat Poop But Acting Normaldo Not Ignore It
If you see blood in your cats poop, dont panic, but do have your cat checked by a veterinarian as quickly as possible. With cats especially, its never a good idea to delay seeking veterinary care.
Cats are evolutionary programmed to hide their illnesses. In the wild, a sick or injured cat could become a target for a larger predator.
This is the reason cats often hide their pain and discomfort. Sick cats will often act completely fineuntil theyre not. Signs of illness, like loss of appetite and weight loss, can be difficult to notice, especially in older cats.
Delaying treatment can lead to worse outcomes for the cat. Its always better to be safe than sorry, and bring your cat in for an exam if you see blood in your cats stool.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always talk to your veterinarian about questions you may have regarding your pets medical condition. Do not delay seeking professional veterinary advice because of something read on the internet.
Recommended Reading: North Shore Animal League Cats
The Bowel Movement Of A Healthy Cat
Cats usually take a poop once a day. Smaller ones, however, may head to their litter box more often. If your pet eats lots of fiber, expect it to poop more frequently as well. The typical cats stool is solid and brown. The color is mostlyif not entirelyeven. It smells but it shouldnt be too intense.
Your cat should also pass its bowel with ease. It shouldnt be whimpering or yowling. It shouldnt be hunching before, during and after it defecates.
Diagnosing The Cause Of Bloody Stools
As you can imagine, the numerous different reasons that could explain why your cat has blood in their poop can require numerous different tests to diagnose, and then different treatments to cure or manage.
Finding out the exact cause of blood in your cat’s poop can be quite challenging.
In the first case, we will often try a specific diet. Maybe add some probiotics or extra fiber, and see what happens there. The majority of cats with bloody poop are well in themselves and so we can afford to trial more non-invasive trial treatments in the first instance.
In most cases, this supportive treatment will clear up the issue.
It may be that blood tests need to be run, or fecal samples sent to the lab to check for parasites and bacterial infections. In some cases, it might be felt that trialing antibiotic and anti-parasite treatment is the option to take if dietary changes make little difference or there is a strong suspicion that these problems are the cause of the bloody diarrhea.
If the diarrhea is really severe , or your cat is unwell, then it is probably best to jump into testing a lot sooner.
And then finally, it could be that imaging is needed in the form of an abdominal ultrasound or x-rays are needed. Ultrasound, in particular, is very valuable at looking at the thickness of the different layers in the intestine, where-as xrays are more limited in their use, with their ability more restricted to looking for larger masses or intestinal obstructions.
You May Like: How Much Is It To Adopt A Cat At Petsmart
Causes Of Blood In Your Cats Poop
There are eight main reasons that your cat could be pooping blood, either mixed in or on the surface of their stool.
Constipation
Inflammatory bowel disease
It should also be said that these different diseases do not always result in blood being found in the poop. They may simply cause a more watery diarrhea, softer stool, or the feces may even appear relatively normal with other symptoms being present instead .
You See Any Amount Of Blood And Your Cat Is Acting Sick Or Has Other Symptoms
Stool can tell you a lot about cat health. If the blood is bright red and your cat is also experiencing diarrhea or vomiting , if your cat has lots of slimy mucus as well as blood in her stool, if the amount of blood is excessive, if your cat is eliminating outside the litter box, or if your cat is showing other signs that she is feeling sick , get her to a veterinarian to be checked as quickly as possible.
Also Read: Best Pet Insurance For Cats
Dont wait until morning. This might mean a trip to an emergency animal hospital if its after normal business hours or over a weekend or holiday. If possible, bring a fresh sample of your cats bloody stool with you to the vet.
You May Like: Can Cats Get Sick From Humans
Other Indicators To Observe
Unless your cat looks weak and in pain, you can observe it before you schedule an appointment to its veterinarian. Its pooping behavior is among the things you should monitor. You should check out other possible signs such as:
Keep a record of all the signs youve observed and relay them to your vet later on. By doing so, your vet can make a diagnosis more quickly.
When Should I Be Concerned About Cat Poop
There are a few abnormalities that you should look out for in your cats poop that may indicate that theyre sick. If their stool is watery or if it has a red, orange, black, yellow, or green hue, that likely means something is wrong. If your cat is having a hard time passing stool, or if they cant pass it at all, that also is an indication that something is wrong.
These abnormalities can indicate anything from constipation to a bacterial infection, so its important to know when you should be concerned about your cats poop. Our cat poop guide outlines the different appearances of cat poop and what they may indicate, so that you know what to do if your cats stool suddenly turns green.
Read Also: How To Keep Cats Out Of Garden
Recovery Of Mucus In Cats
Recovery and management of mucus in cats depends on the underlying condition. You can aid your cats recovery by listening to your veterinarian and administering all medications as directed. In most cases, your cat should have access to fluids 24/7 and her area for recovery should be clean, including the air she breathes.
Treatment Of Hematochezia In Cats
There are several things your veterinarian might prescribe to treat your pet symptoms. These include:
- Changes in the animals diet
- Fluid therapy
- Deworming medications for intestinal parasites
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Motility modifying drugs that change the rate of movement of food through the intestines
Also Check: Are Dragon Trees Toxic To Cats
What Causes Blood In Cat Stool
Blood in cat stool is most often caused by colitis . Although colitis is one of the most common reasons for blood in a cats stool, colitis is a symptom rather than a diagnosis.
Colitis is a general term that describes inflammation of the colon, which is part of your cats intestinal tract.
Bloody stool can be caused by many different things. Here are some of the most common causes:
- infection, impaction or abscess
Also Read: 10 Subtle Signs Your Cat May Be Sick
As you can see, blood in a cats stool can have lots of different causes some are minor, some are more concerning, and some are true emergencies. Its impossible to know exactly the reason for the blood you are seeing in your cats bowel movements without a veterinary exam.
You Just See A Small Amount Of Blood In Your Cats Stool And The Blood Is Bright Red
If your cats stool looks fairly normal and your cat is not acting sick, you can probably wait a day or two for the next available appointment.
Even if your cat seems to be acting fine, at the very least call your vet to have a conversation about what you saw in the poop. Although a normal cat might experience blood in the stool occasionally, its still worth investigating.
Read Also: Old Cat Urine Odor Removal Home Remedy
How Is Bowel Incontinence Diagnosed
If your veterinarian suspects a neurologic cause for your pets bowel incontinence, additional imaging may be required. Radiographs of the spine are often the first step, in order to look for evidence of vertebral abnormalities and/or intervertebral disc disease. If spinal radiographs are normal, advanced imaging may be recommended.
“If your veterinarian suspects a neurologic cause for your pets bowel incontinence, additional imaging may be required.”
If your veterinarian suspects intestinal disease as the cause of your pets bowel incontinence, the first diagnosis tests typically include a fecal parasite examination and blood tests . Further workup may include abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, or surgical biopsies of the intestines.
How Will The Vet Treat The Problem
Cats who are diagnosed with hematochezia are usually treated on an outpatient basis. If the underlying condition is severe enough, such as dehydration or internal bleeding, the vet will need to get those under control before releasing your cat back into your care.
Depending on the underlying cause that is diagnosed, your vet may prescribe antibiotics or other medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and/or laxatives.
In many cases, where the problem was caused by changes or problems related to the cats food the vet may prescribe a change in diet .
Conditions like condyloma, fistulas, hemorrhoids and fissures are classified as anorectal diseases. Some anorectal diseases may require surgery to cure.
Don’t Miss: How Long Does Cat Dander Last
Causes Of Cat Diarrhea
There are many causes of diarrhea. Often it occurs when a cat eats something unusual or when their meal plan changes abruptly. When switching from one kind of cat food to another, it’s best to transition slowly over a week, gradually mixing in more of the new food and less of the old food. This transition allows the pet’s digestive system to adjust and lowers the chance of diarrhea.
Other potential causes of diarrhea include:
When Should I Be Concerned About My Cats Poop
The first thing you notice when cleaning out your cats litter box is their poop. So when their poop looks different, youre probably going to notice it. The texture of your cats poop can range from a watery puddle to small, hard pebbles, and each texture indicates a different health issue. For example, if your cat is constipated, theyll leave hard, dry pellets of poop. If your cat has diarrhea, their poop will be watery, and is often left outside the litter box.
Your cats litter box should be cleaned once or twice a day, so if your cats poop looks different, youll probably realize relatively quickly. Its a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different appearances of poop that are listed on the cat stool chart so that youre aware of the normal appearance and consistency of cat poop.
Theres a good chance that your cats poop will look abnormal at some point in their life. Abnormalities in your cats poop can indicate something as simple as diarrhea to more serious health issues, like gallbladder or liver problems. Its important to know what an abnormal cat poop chart looks like so that you can get your kitty the proper treatment they need.
Below, well get into the different types of cat poop and what each poop appearance may indicate:
Read Also: How To Make A Mean Cat Nice
What Does Blood In My Cats Poop Look Like
You might see two kinds of blood in your cats stool. And knowing which youre dealing with matters. They tell you where the problem comes from:
- Bright red blood: Fresh blood is easy to recognize. It also localizes a potential issue to the lower gastrointestinal tract: the colon or rectum. Such blood is called hematochezia.
- Dark, tarry stool: Almost-black goo coating your cats stool doesnt scream blood, but it tells you somethings changed. This results from digested blood, and it means youre dealing with the upper GI tract: the stomach or small intestine. This blood is known as melena.
More About Blood In Cats Poop Food
WHAT TO DO IF THERE’S BLOOD IN YOUR CAT’S STOOL – THE
FromEstimated Reading Time
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE BLOOD IN YOUR CATS STOOL?
FromReviewsEstimated Reading Time
SHOULD I WORRY IF MY CAT’S POOP HAS BLOOD OR MUCUS?
From
BLOOD IN THE STOOL IN CATS – SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS,
From
BLOOD IN CAT STOOL – A SIGN SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY
From
MY CAT HAS BLOOD IN HER STOOL. TODAY, NO SHE DOES NOT SEEM
From
BLOOD IN CAT POO: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? | PURINA
From
BLOOD IN CAT STOOL | PETMD
From
BLOOD IN CAT STOOL? COMMON REASONS & AMP WHAT YOU
From
BLOOD IN CAT POOP WHAT CAUSES IT AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
From
BLOOD IN CAT’S STOOL: VET’S GUIDE TO SIGNS AND WHAT TO DO
From
WHY IS THERE BLOOD IN CAT POOP: WHAT SHOULD I DO? – GRACE CAT
From
BLOOD IN CAT STOOL BUT ACTING NORMAL: WHY & AMP WHAT TO DO!
From
BLOOD IN CAT POO – PDSA – PEOPLE’S DISPENSARY FOR SICK ANIMALS
From
WHAT TO DO IF THERE’S BLOOD IN YOUR CAT’S STOOL | PAWTRACKS
From
BLOOD IN CAT’S STOOL WHAT TO DO? CAUSES & AMP SOLUTIONS
From
BLOOD IN CAT POO: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? | PURINA
From
BLOOD IN CAT STOOL AND VERY SMELLY – LOVECATSTALK.COM
From
BLOOD IN YOUR CAT’S STOOL? HERE’S WHAT TO DO – THE VETS
From
BLOOD IN CATS POOP BEST RECIPES
From
BLOOD IN CAT POOP – WHY IS IT THERE AND WHAT TO DO? – KITTY INSIGHT
From
Read Also: Iams Proactive Health Urinary Cat Food
What Causes Blood In My Cats Poop
There are several causes behind the blood or mucus in a cats poop.
Common causes behind blood in cat feces include:
- Changes in diet, which lead to food intolerance
- Infections
- Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD
- Intestinal parasites including Giardia
- Rectal polyps or tumors
- Constipation, also known as idiopathic feline megacolon
- Exposure or ingestion of poison or toxins, including rat poisons or medications
If You See Blood In Your Cat’s Stool Here’s What To Do To Help Your Pet
Chalabala / Getty
It’s totally natural to feel a little freaked out when you first see blood in your cat’s stool, especially if they’re acting normal. But this situation is a huge clue to your favorite feline’s health, so here are some methods to determine what might be happening and more importantly, when to schedule a prompt checkup with your vet.
Read Also: Quality Of Life Scale For Cats
What Are The Clinical Signs Of Bowel Incontinence
The clinical signs of bowel incontinence vary, depending on the severity of the disease and its underlying cause.
In cases of reservoir incontinence, the cat is typically aware of the defecation but unable to control it. You may notice that your pet is defecating in strange places, like right near the door or litterbox . The feces of pets with reservoir incontinence is often soft and there may be blood and/or mucus present.