Cat Pooping Blood: What’s Going On? Why Is My Cat Pooping Blood?

Discovering blood in your cat’s stool can be alarming. It’s a sign that something is amiss within their digestive system or lower urinary tract. This article explores the various reasons behind cat pooping blood (hematochezia), providing insights into potential causes, necessary diagnostic steps, and treatment options. Remember, any instance of blood in your cat’s stool warrants a visit to the veterinarian.

Understanding the Potential Culprits

Several factors can contribute to a cat’s bloody stool. These range from relatively minor issues to severe, life-threatening conditions.

1. Parasitic Infections: Internal parasites like coccidia, tapeworms, and hookworms can irritate and damage the lining of the intestinal tract. These parasites feed on blood and tissues within the digestive system, resulting in inflammation and bleeding. If your cat has a parasitic infection, you may observe blood in the stool along with other symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, and a dull coat. Regular deworming is essential for prevention. If you suspect parasitic infection, take your cat to the vet for a fecal exam to confirm the presence of parasites and receive appropriate deworming medication.

2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD encompasses a group of chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. While the exact cause of IBD is often unknown, it involves an abnormal immune response in the gut. Inflammation leads to damage to the intestinal lining, resulting in symptoms like chronic diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and blood in the stool. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests, fecal examinations, and potentially intestinal biopsies. Treatment options can include dietary management, medications to suppress the immune system, and antibiotics.

3. Dietary Indiscretions and Food Allergies: Cats are naturally curious creatures, and sometimes they may ingest things they shouldn’t. Eating spoiled food, garbage, or toxic substances can lead to gastrointestinal upset and bleeding. Similarly, food allergies or sensitivities can trigger inflammation in the gut, leading to bloody diarrhea. Identifying and eliminating the offending food or substance is crucial. A change in diet to hypoallergenic or easily digestible food may be needed.

4. Intestinal Infections: Bacterial or viral infections can cause severe inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, resulting in blood in the stool. Bacterial infections, such as those caused by Salmonella or E. coli, often stem from the consumption of contaminated food. Viral infections such as feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal viral disease that primarily affects young cats and unvaccinated adults. Symptoms include severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Prompt veterinary care is crucial for survival. Diagnosis involves blood tests and potentially fecal cultures. Treatment includes supportive care, such as fluid therapy, antibiotics, and anti-nausea medication.

5. Trauma and Foreign Bodies: Cats, especially kittens, sometimes swallow foreign objects like small toys, bones, or pieces of string. These objects can cause irritation, obstruction, or even puncture the intestinal wall, leading to bleeding and abdominal pain. If you suspect your cat has ingested a foreign body, seek immediate veterinary attention. Intestinal trauma such as a fall or blunt force to the abdomen can cause internal bleeding. Diagnosis may involve X-rays or ultrasound to visualize the object. Surgery may be necessary to remove the foreign body or repair the intestinal damage.

6. Anal Gland Issues: The anal glands, located near the anus, can sometimes become impacted or infected. This can cause pain and inflammation, leading to blood in the stool or around the anal area. Your veterinarian can express the anal glands or treat any infections.

7. Constipation and Straining: If your cat is severely constipated, straining to pass hard stool can sometimes cause small tears in the anal lining, resulting in blood on the surface of the stool. Increased water intake, dietary changes, or stool softeners may be recommended.

8. Tumors and Growths: Although less common, tumors or growths in the intestinal tract can cause bleeding. These may be benign or malignant. Diagnosis typically involves biopsies and imaging techniques. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

9. Coagulation Disorders: Less common, but essential to consider. Coagulation disorders impair the body’s ability to form blood clots, leading to excessive bleeding. These disorders can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life). Signs of a coagulation disorder include blood in the stool, nosebleeds, bruising, and prolonged bleeding from minor wounds. Blood tests are crucial for diagnosis. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause, but may include vitamin K supplementation, blood transfusions, or medications to improve clotting.

10. Stress and Anxiety: While less direct, severe stress or anxiety can sometimes contribute to gastrointestinal upset and potentially lead to bloody stool in sensitive cats. Providing a calm and enriched environment can help minimize stress.

What to Do If You See Blood in Your Cat’s Stool

1. Don’t Panic, But Act Quickly: Seeing blood in your cat’s stool is concerning, but try to remain calm. It’s crucial to seek veterinary attention promptly.

2. Collect a Sample (If Possible): If possible, collect a fresh stool sample in a clean container to bring to the vet. This will aid in diagnosis.

3. Observe Your Cat Closely: Note any other symptoms your cat is exhibiting, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain. Share these observations with your veterinarian.

4. Provide a Detailed History: Be prepared to answer questions about your cat’s diet, vaccination history, recent activities, and any potential exposure to toxins or foreign objects.

5. Seek Veterinary Care: Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. They will perform a thorough physical examination and run necessary diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the bleeding.

Diagnostic Procedures

Your veterinarian will likely perform a combination of tests to diagnose the cause of blood in your cat’s stool:

Fecal Examination: To check for parasites, bacteria, or other abnormalities.

Blood Tests: Including a complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemical profile, to assess overall health and organ function.

Urinalysis: To rule out urinary tract infections or other urinary issues that could be causing blood to be mistaken for coming from the stool.

Radiographs (X-rays): To look for foreign bodies, intestinal obstructions, or other structural abnormalities.

Ultrasound: To visualize the abdominal organs in more detail and detect any abnormalities that might not be visible on X-rays.

Endoscopy or Colonoscopy: In some cases, a veterinarian may use an endoscope or colonoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera, to visualize the inside of the digestive tract and take biopsies for further analysis.

Specific Viral Testing: For diseases such as feline panleukopenia.

Treatment Options

Treatment will depend entirely on the underlying cause of the blood in your cat’s stool.

Parasitic Infections: Deworming medication.

IBD: Dietary management, immunosuppressant medications, and antibiotics.

Dietary Indiscretions: Supportive care, such as fluid therapy and anti-emetics.

Intestinal Infections: Antibiotics or antiviral medications.

Foreign Bodies: Surgery or endoscopic removal.

Anal Gland Issues: Expression of the anal glands, antibiotics, or surgery.

Constipation: Increased water intake, dietary changes, or stool softeners.

Tumors: Surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Coagulation disorders: Vitamin K supplementation, blood transfusions, or medications to improve clotting.

Prevention

While not all causes of blood in your cat’s stool are preventable, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk:

Regular Deworming: Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for deworming your cat.

High-Quality Diet: Feed your cat a high-quality, balanced diet to promote good digestive health.

Prevent Access to Toxins and Foreign Objects: Keep hazardous substances and small objects out of your cat’s reach.

Regular Veterinary Checkups: Schedule routine checkups with your veterinarian to detect potential health problems early.

Manage Stress: Provide a calm and enriching environment for your cat to minimize stress.

Ensure Adequate Hydration: Provide clean, fresh water at all times.

Consider Probiotics: Probiotics can help support a healthy gut microbiome. Consult your vet to see if a daily probiotic is appropriate for your cat.

In conclusion, blood in your cat’s stool is a serious symptom that requires veterinary attention. By understanding the potential causes, knowing what to do when you see blood, and taking preventative measures, you can help keep your feline companion healthy and happy.