Causes of black feces in an adult cat or kitten, dangerous symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

It can be concerning to notice black feces in your cat. Changes in stool color can sometimes be harmless, but they can also be signs of serious underlying health problems that require medical attention. This is particularly true if additional symptoms are present along with the persistent black color.

Black feces in cats can indicate a variety of conditions in both adult and kitten forms, ranging from dietary modifications to more serious conditions like internal bleeding. The secret to maintaining your pet’s health is being aware of potential threats and knowing when to take action.

This post will discuss the most frequent causes of black stools, warning signs to look out for, and how a correct diagnosis is determined. We’ll also talk about the available treatments to hasten your cat’s recovery.

What should a cat"s feces be like normally?

Each and every cat owner should be aware of the typical characteristics of their pet’s feces in order to identify health issues early on and take action to address them. Not only does color matter when evaluating the contents of the distal portion of the animal’s colon, but consistency and smell do as well.

Cat feces with the following characteristics are regarded as normal:

• Color. It should be brown. Both light and dark shades are acceptable. Depending on the food consumed, the color of feces may change. For example, if the pet"s diet is dominated by dairy products, the feces become significantly lighter. In some cases, it acquires a yellowish tint. In cats that eat a lot of raw meat, it is dark brown. Green feces appear against the background of long-term use of antibacterial drugs and sulfonamides. They become colorless as a result of the development of hepatitis.

• Consistency. Ideally, cat feces are dense, well-formed, without crumbling, having the appearance of a soft or compacted sausage with a smooth surface. Hard dry excrement indicates stagnation of the contents of the distal colon. The so-called sheep feces, which look like small individual lumps, usually appear against the background of poor fluid intake, especially if the diet consists only of dry food. Less often, this may be a consequence of spastic colitis. Wet, poorly shaped feces are evidence of increased peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract due to excessive fiber consumption. Mushy, unformed excrement means that the cat has increased contraction of the intestinal walls or there are infectious processes in the body. This may also be a consequence of intoxication. Watery liquid feces, in which there are no solid inclusions, indicate increased contractile function of the intestine, lack of absorption, acute intestinal infections, severe poisoning. It acquires a ribbon-like shape against the background of the formation of hemorrhoids, sphincter spasm, anus trauma, neoplasms in the rectum.

Also see: Characteristics of the vaginal microbiota, causes of vaginitis in cats, including treatment for sterilized cats

• The smell of cat feces should normally be specific, but not sharp. It is called fecal. It becomes putrid when the process of digestion and breakdown of proteins is disrupted, ulcerative colitis. A foul odor reminiscent of rancid butter is caused by dysfunction of pancreatic lipase secretion or difficulty in the flow of bile. It becomes sour due to fermentation processes or difficulty in the absorption of fatty acids in the intestine.

Causes of darkening of feces in cats

Why did the cat poo suddenly turn black? You must first examine the pet’s eating and drinking habits in order to determine the cause of this phenomenon. Feces turning darker shouldn’t always be a reason for alarm. You should take the pet to the veterinarian if the stool stays dark for an extended period of time, as this suggests that there may be a serious pathological process going on in the animal’s body. Feces in cats can turn darker for two reasons: pathological and physiological.

Non-pathological causes

The following things may be the cause of this issue if the pet is happy and active:

• excessive consumption of raw meat (a kitten only needs a small amount of such food for its feces to acquire a deep brown color);
• the presence of a large amount of blood meal with black licorice in the animal"s diet;
• use of iron-containing drugs, supplements or vitamin complexes (usually such a side effect is indicated on the packaging of the product).

There is no need for action based on the stated reasons. This issue will go away on its own after the cause of the darkening of feces is removed.

Pathological factors

One of the following conditions may result in a cat’s black stool, which is colored as a result of blood seeping into the feces:

• Helmonic invasion. Parasites attach to the intestinal mucosa, which leads to a violation of their integrity. The result of constant trauma to the organ is blood, which, getting into the large intestine, is digested and gives the feces the appropriate shade.
• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This pathology is accompanied by detachment of the epithelium of the gastric mucosa and part of the intestine. During this process, small blood vessels are injured and blood is released, which gives the feces the appropriate color. Such a disease can occur against the background of complications of severe viral and bacterial infectious diseases (plague, parvovirus), allergies or complete intolerance to any product, autoimmune pathologies, dysfunction of the coagulation system.

See also: Why have brown spots appeared on a cat’s tail and back, and what should I do when their fur has turned greasy and hangs like icicles?

• Inflammation of the small intestine or stomach as a result of injury. When foreign objects, such as bones, enter the gastrointestinal tract, its walls are damaged, which leads to the appearance of microcracks or wounds. In severe cases, the injury may result in perforation. Blood released during injury to blood vessels colors the cat"s feces black.
• Ulcerative enterocolitis or gastritis, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. The listed diseases are accompanied by the appearance of ulcers, with bleeding of which the animal"s stool becomes coal-colored.
• Neoplasms in the small intestine or stomach. Tumors, especially malignant ones, lead to the erosion of the mucous membrane and the occurrence of bleeding ulcers, and this, in turn, leads to blood getting into the feces.
• Postoperative hemorrhage. This phenomenon often occurs after surgery on the gastrointestinal tract.
• Consumption of heavy metals with food. This is an extremely rare cause of blackening of feces in pets, but it should not be completely ruled out.

Dangerous symptoms that require urgent attention to a veterinarian

The health of the pet can be inferred from its behavior and general well-being. There’s no need to call a vet if the animal is happy and active even when its feces occasionally turn black. If you experience any of the following symptoms, get to a veterinary clinic right away:

• Bloody clots in feces, which are a sign of internal bleeding in one of the organs of the digestive system. This phenomenon is very dangerous. The slightest delay in this situation can result in the death of your pet.
• Change in the cat"s behavior. Plaintful meowing, intensifying when trying to touch its stomach, slight tremors are sure signs of problems in the gastrointestinal system.
• Hyperthermic syndrome.
• Melena (black stool of semi-liquid consistency with a foul odor).
• Vomition or false vomiting.
• Lethargy. A very dangerous sign is the state of the pet when it lies indifferently, pressing its muzzle to the floor, and does not respond to external stimuli.
• Decreased appetite or complete refusal to eat.
• Lack of or, on the contrary, excessive thirst.
• Increased frequency of urge to empty the bladder.
• Paleness of gum tissue.
• Wounds or hematomas on the body.

Also see: Preventing pathology, managing idiopathic cystitis symptoms and other types of kitten illness at home

Diagnostic methods

A veterinarian will examine a patient with four legs, gather information about the animal’s care and diet, and review past medical history before recommending diagnostic testing. Information about the clinical picture’s characteristics and the precise time the pathological symptoms started to manifest are also crucial. The following table provides details on the diagnostic procedures recommended in order to establish an accurate diagnosis:

It’s important to pay attention to any internal problems that black feces in cats may indicate. It’s critical to keep a careful eye on your cat’s behavior and symptoms. It’s best to get veterinary assistance right away if they exhibit any additional symptoms, such as lethargy, vomiting, or lack of appetite.

There are a number of reasons, ranging from relatively minor ones like dietary modifications to more dangerous ones like internal bleeding. To determine the precise cause and initiate treatment immediately, a veterinarian can perform tests.

More serious health issues can be avoided with early detection and treatment. If you see anything strange in your cat’s overall health or stool, make sure to get in touch with a veterinarian.

Whether a cat is an adult or a kitten, black feces can indicate internal bleeding or other serious health issues. Other symptoms, such as weakness, nausea, or vomiting, should be closely monitored as they may point to a more serious problem. To maintain the health of your cat and avoid complications, early diagnosis and treatment by a veterinarian are essential.

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