Guest Post The color and formation of your cat’s poop can indicate a lot of health conditions. A healthy cat with a proper appetite will have brown stools in a sausage or log shape. Further, the stools will be well-formed, indicating sound digestive health.
However, if there are color changes, such as the cat’s stool turning black, green, red, or yellow, you must consult a vet immediately.
Cat Poop Chart: Know The Possible Underlying Issues
If your cat is not eating much or it is defecating outside the litter box, you must check its poop color. Checking the poop color of your cat is easy as it is probably the first thing you will notice while cleaning the litter box or the space where it has pooped.
Checking the poop color is crucial, as changes in the poop color indicate the possibility of serious health issues like diarrhea, liver or gallbladder problems.
So, let’s have a detailed overview of the cat’s poop colors and the possible health conditions.
| Cat Poop Chart | Assessment (Possible Health Conditions) |
| Brown | Your cat’s digestive system is fine. The cat’s body can absorb all the necessary ingredients. |
| Black | Chances of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract |
| Orange | Liver or gallbladder problems |
| Yellow | Liver or gallbladder problems |
| Green | Gallbladder issues |
| White | Blockage in the connecting passageways of the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine This is a rare health condition among cats. Your cat will feel lethargic, vomit, and lose appetite if this health condition occurs. |
| Poops with White Spots | Signs of worms There can be tapeworms or roundworm attacks |
| Poops with Red Streaks | Chances of bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract |
Further, there are conditions when your cat struggles to poop. It can face a hard time in defecating hard pebble-like stools. Sometimes, it may even fail to pass stool at all.
These conditions are related to constipation, and this health condition needs to consult your vet immediately. If left untreated, chronic constipation or continuous straining while pooping can lead to rectal prolapse and fecal impaction.
Also, there is a severe condition called obstipation caused by a disturbed bowel movement. This is a painful medical condition for cats, often caused by obesity, a lack of water or fiber intake, and poor gastrointestinal motility.
Understanding Your Cat’s Poop Consistency
The poop of a healthy cat is well-formed but not hard. If the consistency becomes harder, like pebbles or watery, it is an indication of constipation and diarrhea. However, the consistency of your cat’s poop says much more about the cat’s health.
Let’s discuss this in detail.
| Consistency Of Your Cat’s Poop | Assessment |
| Well-formed but not hard | No issue |
| Extremely hard or dry | Constipation |
| Moist and soggy stools | Diarrhea |
| Watery stool | Severe diarrhea |
If your cat does not have other health issues and it has diarrhea, it will be cured within 24 hours. You must limit its food intake to rest its gut on these days. However, make sure that it gets enough fluid to avoid dehydration.
However, if your cat shows other symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea that lasts for more than 24 hours, you must consult a vet immediately.
Similarly, if your cat has constipation, make it drink water or fluid before taking it to the vet.
Remember, diarrhea or constipation are common health concerns in cats. These do not always indicate major health problems, as healthy cats can also have changes in stool colors and consistency.
So, there is nothing much to worry about, and consulting a vet or administering proper medication will ensure a speedy cure.
Things You Need To Know About Cat Poop Smell
The smell of your cat’s poop says a lot about its gastrointestinal health. Usually, a cat’s poop does not have much smell.
However, if the poop of your cat is emitting a foul smell these days, you must consult a vet. Parasite infection in the intestines or bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract can be the reasons behind your cat having smelly poop.
Understanding Diarrhea And Constipation In Cats
As diarrhea and constipation are common health problems for a cat, having a basic idea about these always helps a pet parent.
Cat Diarrhea: Things You Need To Know
If your cat suffers from diarrhea regularly, you must consult a vet. There can be many reasons your cat is suffering from diarrhea. Sometimes, even minor changes in your cat’s diet can lead to digestive issues and diarrhea.
However, there can be other and more serious health conditions regarding your cat having frequent diarrhea. These conditions are:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD
- Parasite Attacks
- Infections
- Intake of Foreign Objects
- Metabolic Disorders
- Liver Disease
- Pancreatitis
- Hyperthyroidism
In addition, feline anxiety is a major reason behind your cat having digestive issues and liquid poop.
Cat Constipation: Things You Must Know
Constipation in cats primarily happens due to a lack of fiber and water intake. However, constipation can also be indicative of the following major health concerns.
- Obesity
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Kidney Failure
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Blockage and Abscess In Anal Sacs
If your cat has constipation, you must not delay the treatment. Continuous strain while pooping can impact the muscle strength of the colon. As a result, your cat may develop a megacolon or an enlarged colon.
With a chronic megacolon problem, your cat will have to undergo surgical treatments. In this surgical process, the affected parts of the colon are removed.
Will My Cat Having Unusual Poops Lose Weight?
Yes, if your cat has unusual poops due to diarrhea or constipation, you will notice a fluctuation in your cat’s weight chart.
In chronic diarrhea, your cat’s body does not absorb any nutrients. Similarly, when a parasite attack happens, the parasites survive on the food your cat is having, or they steal the cat’s nutrition. So, it will lose weight.
On the other hand, a constipated cat will lose its appetite, resulting in weight loss.
Final Words
As a cat parent, you must have a clear idea about the cat poop chart. To reiterate, healthy cat poops are brown and well-formed with a soft consistency. Abnormalities or changes in these aspects can indicate underlying health conditions.
Common health problems related to abnormalities in a cat’s poop are diarrhea, constipation, parasite attack, or bacterial infection.
Consult a vet immediately if your cat has diarrhea for more than 24 hours or if it’s a frequent health concern. Similarly, regular constipation for the cat can be really painful and related to more severe problems.
Do you also think that knowing about the cat poop chart is important? Don’t forget to share your ideas with us!
Author Bio:
With 5 years of experience in the field, Shreyasi Datta is an online entrepreneur by profession and a passionate blogger and content writer. She Is Passionate About dreamandtravel and petsmagazine. She Is Optimistic, Fun Loving, And Opinionated.