Blood in Your Cat Stool? Here is What to Do and How to Act Safely And Quickly
Laura Evans |
April 12, 2024
41,411
Noticing blood in your cat’s stool can be alarming and it’s easy to start thinking the worst. Sometimes, blood in your cat’s stool is nothing to be worried about, and it’s the result of a simple problem that will get better on its own in just a few days. However, in other instances, there may be a much more severe underlying problem that needs to be addressed, especially if your cat also has diarrhea, or is vomiting.
This article will help you understand why your pet has this problem, when to be concerned, and what you can do about it.
It’s normal for cat stool to have a slight red or brownish tint to it. But If you’re seeing bright red, then there’s no doubt about it – your cat has a bloody stool, and needs help, especially if he also has diarrhea or is vomiting.
Jump to section
Why Is My Cat Pooping Blood?
Finding blood in your cat’s stool can be a frightening sight and it’s normal to think it always indicates something serious. But there are actually many different reasons why there might be blood in your cat’s stool and many of them are easily treatable.
Causes of blood in cat stool include infection, inflammatory bowel disease, worms & other intestinal parasites, food allergies or intolerance (Which can upset their stomach and in some cases can cause diarrhea and vomiting.), dietary changes, foreign bodies, colitis (inflammation of the colon (large intestine) which can cause diarrhea with fresh blood and mucus.), stress, and anal gland problems.
Other possible reasons include pancreatitis, reaction to some medications, Rectal polyp, cancer, or toxins (like rat poison).
While many of these causes are mild, others are life-threatening and will need emergency treatment so always talk to a vet to be safe.
What Does Blood in a Cat's Stool Look Like?
Blood in stool can be fresh (red) or digested (black). Fresh blood usually appears as bright red streaks on the outside of a stool, or as drips of blood from the anus (bottom), whereas digested blood tends to turn the whole stool black (vets call this ‘melena’). Fresh blood in stool is usually because of a problem in the lower part of the guts (such as the colon, anus or anal glands), but digested blood usually points to bleeding further up the guts (such as the stomach or small intestines).
Blood in your cat’s stool could be coming from their stomach, intestines, colon, anus or anal glands.
Fresh blood in a stool
Digested blood – black stool
Is Your Cat Pooping Blood? Tell Us More
Answer these questions to get expert advice tailored to your cat’s condition.
What To Do When Your Cat Has Bloody Stool?
While it’s possible that blood in your cat’s stool could indicate something serious, there are also lots of milder causes that can be treated at home. That’s why you should always contact a vet or a 24/7 Pet Helpline, if your cat is pooping blood, to rule out anything serious and ensure they receive any treatment they might need.
Be prepared to describe your cat’s stool (is it hard or soft, is the blood bright red or dark?) and any details that could help diagnose the problem – for example, has your cat been near something toxic, or have they had any other symptoms?
Take pictures and track your cat’s behavior. Even if your feline pal seems fine, you still want to document her symptoms over a couple of days and watch for any signs of deterioration so your vet has a clearer picture of her overall health.
You can also give your cat some special food for constipation or hemorrhoids. Just make sure you use the right amount for your cat’s size, or else it can cause health problems, too.
Here are other symptoms that require immediate attention, usually within 24–72 hours:
- Lethargy
- Straining to eliminate
- Vomiting
- Stool with an unusual odor
- Not eating or drinking
- Copious amount of blood, such as needing more than one wipe to clean
- Diarrhea that doesn’t go away, or seems to clear up after three days but then returns
- Hard stool for more than two days
- No stool elimination at all for two days
If you notice any of these symptoms or you think your cat’s condition might be serious, you should contact your vet or out of hours a 24/7 telehealth helpline immediately.
What if Your Cat Also Has Diarrhea or Is Vomiting?
If your cat is also vomiting or has diarrhea, it may be hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This serious condition requires prompt veterinary care.
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is a life-threatening disease. Cats with this condition will appear severely ill and, if left untreated, may die. If your cat has this condition, it will need to be hospitalized and go under intensive treatment. If you are unsure, it’s strongly recommended to call your vet or, out of hours, a 24/7 telehealth helpline, they will guide you step by step.
What best describes your cat’s situation?
Let us know and get instant personalized help for your cat, and put your mind at ease!
Is Blood In Cat Stool An Emergency?
There are so many possible causes of blood in your cat’s poop that it’s impossible to say whether it’s an emergency without knowing more information. While many causes of bloody stools are mild, others are life-threatening and would require emergency treatment – like eating rat poison.
It’s always worth speaking to a vet and talking through your cat’s symptoms and anything that might have led to them pooping blood. Depending on how the conversation goes they might simply ask you to monitor your cat, advise you to book an appointment to get them checked over, or recommend you get them to a vet right away.
Whatever what, call your vet, or out of hours, a 24/7 pet helpline, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Giving your vet a call will either put your mind at ease or ensure your cat receives treatment if they need it.
Ensure your pet’s well-being without compromising your financial stability – enjoy peace of mind with Lemonade’s pet insurance offering comprehensive coverage, hassle-free claim processing through their user-friendly app, and up to 90% reimbursement rate, providing a seamless online experience. Sign up in seconds. Get paid in minutes.
Disclosure: This page contains some affiliate links. If you click and purchase, We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we have verified and/or personally used.