Cat poop, also known as cat feces, is an important indicator of your cat’s digestive health. A cat’s poop can vary significantly in appearance, composition, and function based on the cat’s diet and health status. In general, healthy cat poop tends to be firm and well-formed, with a dark brown color. It is composed of digested food, bacteria, mucus, and roughage from the gastrointestinal tract. Cat poop serves the vital function of eliminating waste and undigested material from your cat’s body. Understanding what normal and abnormal cat poop looks like can help cat owners monitor their pet’s health and wellbeing.
Size and Shape
Cats typically produce long, firm, dry stools that are approximately the diameter of a thumb. According to https://cats.com/cat-stool-chart, a healthy cat’s poop should be formed into a log shape and around 3 to 5 inches long.
The size and shape of a cat’s poop can vary based on the cat’s diet and overall health. Cats eating dry food will produce smaller, harder stools, while cats eating wet food or table scraps will have larger, softer stools. Kidney disease, parasites, infections, and other medical conditions can also affect the size and shape of a cat’s stool.
In general, abnormal stool size and shape, such as very large or very small stools, overly hard or soft stool, or stool that is flat, thin, ribbon-like, or pellet-shaped could indicate an underlying health issue.
Color
The normal color of a cat’s poop can range quite a bit based on diet and overall health. Healthy cat poop is typically light to dark brown in color. The specific shade of brown depends on what the cat has been eating. For example, poop may appear darker brown or even black after a cat eats a meal high in protein. Lighter brown to yellowish poop can result from diets higher in fat or bone meal ingredients.1
Significant changes in stool color from the normal can be cause for concern. For instance, yellow or light brown poop may indicate rapid transit of food through the digestive system, signaling diarrhea. Very dark or black stool can result from gastrointestinal bleeding. Reddish poop may contain blood from lower in the GI tract. Green poop can occur from eating large amounts of grass. If your cat’s poop strays far from its normal brown shade, consult your veterinarian.
Texture
The texture of a cat’s poop can provide important clues about its health. Healthy cat poop should have a firm, solid texture yet still be malleable. According to Purina, normal cat stool should be “rather firm and quite malleable.” Very hard or dry poop could be a sign of constipation, while soft, loose poop or diarrhea indicates illness or other issues.
Diarrhea in cats – loose, watery stool – requires an immediate trip to the vet, as it can lead to dehydration. Loose poop with no shape indicates irritation in the colon. Extremely soft or liquid-like poop could mean the cat has an infection, parasite, inflammatory bowel disease, or another condition requiring treatment.
In short, healthy cat poop should hold its shape but still be easy to pick up. Loose, soft, or diarrhea-like poop is a cause for concern and warrants a call to the veterinarian.
Smell
Cat poop naturally has an unpleasant, pungent odor to it. As disgusting as it may seem to humans, this is normal for feline waste. Healthy cat poop has a moderate foul smell that should not be overpowering or make you gag from across the room.
According to Is Normal Cat Poop Extremely Offensive & Smelly?, overly strong-smelling poop can indicate potential health issues in your cat. An unusually potent stench from the litter box may mean the poop contains abnormally high amounts of smelly bacteria. This could signify gastrointestinal problems or dietary changes. So while some odor is expected, take note if your cat’s poop smell seems drastically worse than normal.
Frequency
Most cats poop 1-2 times per day, according to Armand Hammer. This frequency allows cats to eliminate waste from their bodies efficiently. Some variation day to day is normal, but a significant increase or decrease in frequency can indicate an illness or health issue.
“As a general rule of thumb, cats will poop once, maybe twice a day. If your cat is pooping a lot more than that or missing a couple of days in a row, it’s not a good sign,” says Aspca Pet Insurance.
Kittens may poop more frequently as they develop. By 3-4 weeks old, kittens can learn to use the litter box and will poop on their own, says Armand Hammer.
Contents
Cat feces typically contain a mix of undigested food particles, bacteria, and intestinal secretions. The main components are:
- Undigested proteins, fats, and carbohydrates from the cat’s diet such as muscle fibers, bone fragments, and plant matter.
- Bacteria including healthy gut flora as well as potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella.
- Intestinal secretions such as mucus and bile which help digest food and absorb nutrients.
- Water, salts, and cellular debris sloughed from the intestinal lining during the digestive process.
The specific contents of a cat’s feces can vary based on the cat’s diet and health status. In general, feces contain the indigestible remnants of whatever the cat ate. A high quality diet produces less waste while poor diets result in larger, smellier stools.
Health Indicators
A cat’s poop can provide important clues about their health and wellbeing. Analyzing your cat’s stool is one of the best ways to spot potential issues early. Here are some things to look out for:
Color – Healthy cat poop is typically brown in color. Black, red, green or yellow stools could indicate a health problem like gastrointestinal bleeding or liver issues. Very light or clay-colored poop can signal a lack of bile production. [1]
Consistency and Texture – Firm, log-shaped stool is ideal for cats. Runny diarrhea or constipation lasting more than a day are causes for concern. Mucus or undigested food in the poop can also be problematic. [2]
Smell – Cat poop normally has a slight odor. Foul-smelling stool could mean an imbalance in the gut or infection. A lack of smell may point to problems absorbing fats or proteins.
Amount and Frequency – Most cats poop once or twice a day. Drastic changes in frequency or volume of poop could indicate illness. Straining to poop without producing much is also unhealthy.
Parasites – If you spot worms in the stool, take your cat to the vet for deworming medication. Protozoan parasites like giardia may require a fecal test to detect.
By regularly checking litter boxes and being aware of changes, cat owners can stay on top of their pet’s health and wellbeing. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian.
Litter Box Considerations
Keeping your cat’s litter box clean is crucial for minimizing unwanted pooping outside of the box. Scoop waste from the litter box at least once per day and change the litter completely every 1-2 weeks. Use an unscented clumping litter, as cats don’t like strong smells. Make sure the litter box is big enough for your cat to comfortably turn around and dig inside it. Some cats prefer bigger litter boxes. Place the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area of your home to give your cat privacy. Try providing multiple litter boxes in different locations if your home is very large.
Look for signs that your cat is unhappy with the litter box setup. A cat pooping right next to the litter box is trying to tell you something – the location is fine but something about the litter box itself is unacceptable. Try a different style of litter box or type of litter. Make sure any litter box hood allows for proper ventilation. If your cat has mobility issues, try a lower-sided litter box for easier access.
If there are multiple cats in your home, provide one litter box per cat plus one extra. Cats are territorial and may avoid a litter box if another cat has recently used it. Properly cleaning and maintaining multiple litter boxes can help minimize pooping incidents.
For ongoing issues with pooping outside the litter box, consider speaking to your veterinarian. Your cat may have a medical condition causing their litter box aversion. With patience and by making litter box adjustments based on your cat’s preferences, you can get your cat’s pooping contained back inside the litter box where it belongs.
Conclusion
In summary, cat poop can be quite descriptive and illuminating when it comes to your cat’s health and wellbeing. The size, shape, color, texture, smell, and frequency of your cat’s feces can provide important clues into their digestive health, hydration status, and potential medical issues. Looking at your cat’s litter box on a regular basis helps you establish a baseline for what’s normal for them. Being attentive and observant allows you to notice changes that may indicate an underlying problem. While cat poop may not be the most pleasant topic, paying attention to your cat’s bowel movements and litter box habits is an integral part of monitoring their health.
