It can be concerning to discover blood in your cat’s feces. When you see something out of the ordinary, it’s normal to get concerned, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that there could be a number of reasons why this is happening. While some are minor and treatable, others might need more serious care. The secret is to spot the warning signs and get your pet the care they need.
There are several indications that a cat has blood in their stool. If it is bright red at times, it indicates that the lower digestive tract is probably where the bleeding is occurring. On other occasions, the blood may seem dark, signifying a problem further up the intestines. It’s an indication that something isn’t quite right in either case.
We’ll look at ten typical explanations for your cat’s possible bloody poop in this article. We’ll help you identify potential causes for the issue, from dietary modifications to infections and more severe ailments. We’ll also discuss available treatments so you’ll know exactly what to do to help your cat feel better as quickly as possible.
- What blood in cat stool may look like and what does it signal?
- Scarlet drops, streaks, and the like
- There is blood, but it is not visible
- The pet poop with blood: frequent and rare causes and ways to solve problems
- Injury to the rectum or anus (foreign body, constipation, etc. D.)
- Infection with worms and other parasites
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Benign and malignant neoplasms in the stomach and intestines
- Poisoning with poison for rodents
- Poor blood clotting
- Obstruction and inflammation of the paraanal glands
- Food allergy
- Blood in the stool of a sterilized or castrated animal
- Video on the topic
- A cat has bloody diarrhea: what to do and how to treat
- A cat poops with blood when it goes to the toilet for a big one
- Blood in a cat"s feces: causes and treatment
- Blood in the feces of a cat | 7 reasons
- Bloody Diarrhea in Cats 😿// Causes and Treatment // BIO-VET Veterinary Clinic Network
What blood in cat stool may look like and what does it signal?
Owners of cats who have various illnesses report seeing blood stains, drops, and mucus in their feces. In these situations, people notice the red color of the excrement right away. Nevertheless, bleeding remnants are not always visible to the unaided eye in feces. There are several illnesses where there is concealed blood in the stool. Feces must be analyzed in order to identify it.
Scarlet drops, streaks, and the like
There is evident, undigested blood present in the form of scarlet clots, pink mucus lumps, and blood puddles surrounding formed feces. They manifest as lower gastrointestinal disorders. Impurities in feces that turn bright scarlet at the end of defecation are indicative of trauma to the anus or colon or rectum pathologies.
Such symptoms could be brought on by eating subpar food. Eating bones can often result in intestinal injury. Cats will occasionally swallow foreign objects while playing. Pebbles and other small plastic objects pass through the stomach undigested, causing mucous membrane damage and intestinal wall scratches.
There is blood, but it is not visible
It’s not always obvious when there is blood in the excrement. Occult blood is an indication of upper gastrointestinal bleeding damage. Black stools are the only indication of internal bleeding in the duodenum, small intestine, or stomach. Feces in this instance have a distinct smell.
See also: How to treat a cat or cat that has developed a fistula on its paw, stomach, or under its tail at home?
You must conduct a coprogram in order to prove that there is occult blood in the feces. Through this analysis, you can determine the type of predominant microflora, the enzymatic activity of the digestive glands, the presence of parasites, and the presence of occult blood in the intestines.
Any pet owner who discovers blood in their cat’s stool should be concerned, so it’s critical to identify any potential causes. This can occur for a number of reasons, from straightforward digestive problems like food allergies or constipation to more serious illnesses like infections, parasites, or even cancer. It’s essential to recognize these potential reasons and know when to contact a veterinarian in order to make sure your cat receives the proper care. This post will list the top ten common causes of bloody cat poop and offer advice on how to treat each one for the sake of your pet’s wellbeing.
The pet poop with blood: frequent and rare causes and ways to solve problems
Blood in a cat’s feces can occur for a variety of reasons. One can have endogenous or exogenous factors. Animal bodies can develop pathological processes, which are included in the internal ones. The most prevalent ones are:
- stomach ulcers and duodenum;
- tumors and other formations on the intestinal walls;
- rectum loss;
- cracks in the anal passage;
- pathology of the liver, pancreas;
- constipation.
External variables frequently have a parasitic or infectious quality. In this instance, the body’s reaction to viruses, bacteria, or helminths is what is causing the bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract’s inner membranes. If the cat yelled that it had bloody diarrhea, it most likely had panleicopenia, calcivirosis, or an intestinal infection.
The mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract are harmed throughout the life of parasites like lamblia, flukes, other worms, or protozoa, which causes blood to appear during defecation.
Injury to the rectum or anus (foreign body, constipation, etc. D.)
The integrity of the mucous membrane lining the rectum or anus can be compromised by eating bones, swallowing sharp objects, or experiencing constipation. This leads to the formation of microcracks that bleed when a person defecates.
The veterinarian gives the animal laxatives to treat constipation. An enema aids in managing the issue. Drugs known as hemostatics are used to halt the bleeding. Furthermore, it is recommended that cat owners make sure their pets drink enough water on a regular basis, particularly if they feed them dry food.
Infection with worms and other parasites
If a kitten urinates while covered in blood, a parasite infection could be the reason. Living in the intestines, helminths irritate, damage, and cause bleeding. The baby poops brown in this instance.
Cats can also contract coccidia and giardiasis frequently. The permeability of the pet’s capillaries is increased by these protozoa. Blood thus gets into the intestines and combines with the waste products.
Treatment for parasitic invasions involves specific medications. Anthelmintic medications kill worms. Complex therapy, which consists of probiotics, metronidazole, and furazolidone, eradicates protozoa.
Viral or bacterial infection
Diarrhea with blood is frequently caused by bacterial and viral pathologies, particularly in young animals. The three most dangerous infections are colibacillosis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.
See also: Home remedy for urolithiasis, prevention of urolithiasis, and symptoms in catsand cats
In addition to symptomatic therapy, antibiotics or antiviral medications are used, depending on the type of infection. A veterinarian must schedule all of your pet’s appointments; you cannot provide your pet’s care on your own. It’s critical to closely follow the recommended dosage and frequency of drug administration.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
When a pet uses the restroom and feces come out with clots of mucus and blood, the cat most likely has a digestive system illness. Sometimes, feces with ulcers, enteritis, pancreatitis, and gastritis also have a pink or brownish-orange color. Misuse of nutrition is typically the root cause of the illness. Veterinarians administer treatment. It is also your responsibility to change the food. For cats with digestive issues, it is preferable to use dry food or ready-made canned food.
Benign and malignant neoplasms in the stomach and intestines
Cats’ intestines can develop benign tumors, and occasionally polyps develop on the walls. Although they don’t endanger the animal’s life, polyps can become cut and bleed when they pass feces. Intestinal bleeding is only observed in advanced stages of oncological neoplasms. In cats, the diagnosis of digestive system cancer is uncommon. The primary tumor typically forms on the skin or in the mammary glands, and metastases most frequently occur in the intestines.
Poisoning with poison for rodents
Mouse poisoning can affect pets that chase mice. An antidote must be given in order to aid the animal. You must induce vomiting if the poisoning occurred no more than three minutes ago. Give the cat a hydrogen peroxide or table salt solution diluted with water to achieve this. You need to administer two spoons of the prepared liquid for every kilogram of body weight.
The animal is then given activated carbon or another sorbent after that. For cats, the dosage is about 100 milliliters. You must use a decoction of flax seeds, a starch solution, or raw egg white diluted in water to stop the poison from entering the bloodstream. By coating the stomach walls, these products stop the poisonous material from being absorbed. The animal should receive a laxative after three hours.
The animal must be given an antidote right away if it loses consciousness. The animal won’t survive otherwise.
Poor blood clotting
A disruption in blood clotting is one of the causes of bloody traces in feces. There are light red droplets in the feces associated with this pathology. Pets frequently bleed from the gums and nose. In this instance, a prothrombin and vitamin K test as well as a systemic disease examination are required for the animal. These symptoms can occasionally be a result of zoocoumarin poisoning. Only a veterinarian can save the animal in such a circumstance.
Obstruction and inflammation of the paraanal glands
On the right and left sides of the anus’s exit are the paraanal glands. The animal experiences extreme discomfort when these tiny formations become inflamed. The paraanal glands release a bad odor when they are inflamed. Using one of the following techniques, you can assist the animal at home or in the clinic:
- manual cleaning of glands by pressing;
- use of rectal suppositories with ichthyol;
- treatment with Levomekol ointment;
- rinsing with Chlorhexidine.
See also: Characteristics of vaginal microflora, causes of vaginitis in cats, and treatment options, including sterilization
Food allergy
Pets with allergies frequently experience allergic reactions to specific ingredients in dry food. By the time a kitten reaches 4 months old and switches entirely to a new diet, food allergies frequently show up as indigestion. The creature is throwing up. The kitten, covered in mucus and blood, uses the bathroom. Both dysbacteriosis and ulcerative colitis can be brought on by allergies.
You must switch to a new diet in order to normalize your stool and get rid of allergy symptoms. Selecting premium hypoallergenic finished products for your cats is advised by experts. Moreover, food allergies and colitis are treated with veterinary probiotics and anti-allergic medications.
Blood in the stool of a sterilized or castrated animal
Doctors frequently advise moving a pet from castration and sterilization to specialized dry or wet food after the procedure, as there are brands of prepared food specifically designed for these animals. The needs and physical characteristics of the neutered cat’s body are taken into consideration when creating this type of food.
It is challenging for an animal to quickly adjust when it is abruptly switched to a new diet. Occasionally, when dry food is introduced, blood can be seen in the cat’s feces; this usually occurs when the cat doesn’t drink enough water.
If you gradually increase the portions of dry granules and decrease the amount of natural products, problems can be avoided. Making sure the cat drinks water is crucial.
Reason | Treatment |
1. Constipation | Increase fiber intake and ensure proper hydration. |
2. Intestinal parasites | Administer deworming medication as prescribed by a vet. |
3. Food allergies | Switch to a hypoallergenic diet under veterinary guidance. |
4. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | Use anti-inflammatory medication and adjust the diet. |
5. Gastrointestinal infections | Treat with antibiotics or antivirals, as recommended by a vet. |
6. Anal gland issues | Express or treat the glands, possibly requiring surgery. |
7. Intestinal trauma | Limit activity and provide a soft, digestible diet. |
8. Polyps or tumors | Surgical removal may be required after diagnosis. |
9. Stress or anxiety | Reduce stress factors and possibly use calming aids. |
10. Poisoning | Seek immediate veterinary care and provide supportive treatment. |
Although it can be concerning to see blood in your cat’s stool, it’s crucial to maintain composure and concentrate on determining the cause. This can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from straightforward problems like altered diet or constipation to more serious illnesses like infections, parasites, or inflammatory bowel disease. Knowing these reasons will enable you and your veterinarian to diagnose the issue and administer the appropriate care.
See a veterinarian right away if your cat exhibits any additional symptoms, such as vomiting, lethargy, or appetite loss, in addition to bloody stool. They are able to conduct tests, identify the problem, and suggest the best course of action. A trip to the vet is a good idea to rule out anything serious, even if your cat appears fine otherwise.
Depending on the underlying cause, treatment will vary. Occasionally, changing your cat’s diet or giving them medicine to treat an infection will take care of the problem. In more serious situations, your veterinarian might advise additional testing or more thorough care. Future issues can be greatly avoided with routine examinations, a healthy diet, and parasite-free living.
Any changes in your cat’s litter box habits should always be monitored, as they may indicate underlying health problems. Maintaining the health and happiness of your pet depends on early detection. If something seems strange about your feline friend, follow your gut and don’t be afraid to consult a professional.