Blood in Cat Poo

Your cat’s poop is a great indicator to let you know how their body is functioning and to ensure that everything’s normal.

Normally, your cat’s poop will appear firm and brown in appearance, but if you start noticing light to dark red flecks in their faeces it can be a sign of a larger problem.

Blood in cat poo can have many different causes, including everything from stress to a more life-threatening health issue. We’ve created this handy guide to tell you all you need to know about blood in cat poo, from the possible causes to the treatment options available.

Blood in cat poo

Bright or light red blood

Blood in your cat’s faeces will usually appear as flecks, and the colour and amount of these flecks will depend on how much they’re bleeding and where it’s coming from. According to Dr. Justin Molnar DVM, if the blood appears as bright or light red it usually means that it’s coming from the lower intestinal tract and could be due to an inflammation of the GI tract, which could be caused by dietary issues, stress, parasites or constipation.

Blood in cat diarrhoea

If your cat has loose stools with blood in them it’s more than likely caused by irritable bowel syndrome, a problem with the sensitivity of your cat’s lower bowels which often results in them needing to go to the toilet more regularly, but may also cause constipation or vomiting. The primary cause of IBS is stress factors within the home, but can also be brought on by dietary changes. If you’re dealing with cat diarrhoea blood, it’s best to take them to the vet straight away so that they can recommend a treatment plan and rule out any larger problems.

Causes of blood in cat poo

There are numerous causes for blood in cat poo – the most common are as follows:

• Trauma
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Intestinal parasites
• Food intolerance
• Colitis

Diagnosis

If the blood in your cat’s poo appears light or bright red, wait a day or two and see if it passes on its own, as it could be caused by stress or because they’ve eaten something bad. If it doesn’t get better on its own, or if your cat is acting unwell or losing weight, take them to the vet as soon as possible. Also, if it appears dark red to black in colour it will require immediate veterinary attention.

Sometimes the vet may perform an endoscopy which is where a small camera is passed through the mouth or anus while your cat is under anaesthetic, allowing the lining of the intestine to be thoroughly examined. X-rays may also be used to examine the gastrointestinal tract.

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 safe place where they can escape. If it’s 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 cat’s food is causing the problem.

When the blood in cat poo is due to parasites or infections, the necessary prescriptions will be given and it’s 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 you’re 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.