“What are your cat's stools like?” Your veterinarian has probably already asked you this question during a consultation. If he or she is wondering about your cat's small droppings, it is not out of misplaced curiosity. Your cat's stools are a valuable indicator of its state of health; they are the residue of its digestion , and depending on their shape, color and frequency of evacuation (or even their smell), they can indicate whether your mustachioed one is digesting well, is sufficiently hydrated or, on the contrary, is suffering from a digestive disorder due to an unsuitable diet, a sudden change in diet, stress, etc. They can also be a sign of an underlying disease or infection that should be treated quickly.
Is my cat's stool healthy?
The digestive system of the cat consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon) and rectum. All these organs work closely together in the process of digestion, of which the stomach, small intestine and large intestine play a major role.
When everything is working well, our cats ' transit is optimal and results in the litter box with beautiful little dark brown sausage-shaped droppings. They are neither too soft nor too hard .
Healthy feces smell a little - which is completely normal. This is due to the proteins present in their diet. Even if we have good bowel movements, our organic waste does not smell like roses or grapefruit... On the other hand, healthy and normal stools should not give off a foul odor. A strong odor generally indicates the consumption of low-quality and poorly digestible proteins, particularly from carcasses. As explained in our article on digestive disorders in cats , these proteins from carcasses, upon reaching the large intestine, are putrefied by the bacteria of the microbiota. And this putrefaction can create gas, smelly and larger stools.
Volume is also to be taken into account. Your cat's excrement should not be too bulky. If your cat produces a lot of stools and a significant size, this may mean that its diet is also unsuitable, composed of low-quality and poorly assimilated proteins. The digestibility of proteins directly influences the quantity and odor of the cat's stools.
What do abnormal cat stools look like?
The cat's digestive system is a well-oiled machine, but sometimes certain organs no longer function properly, leading to digestive problems such as diarrhea , constipation , and flatulence .
Liquid or soft stools indicate diarrhea, which can be caused by an unsuitable diet (rich in poor quality proteins), a stressful event, a sudden change in diet not accompanied by a dietary transition. It can also be due to a food intolerance, an illness (especially if accompanied by other clinical symptoms) or even antibiotic treatment.
Conversely, hard, very dark and/or multiple stools (full of pieces of droppings) indicate constipation. This digestive disorder should not be taken lightly, especially if it persists for more than 48 hours. Accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, fever and anorexia, it can be a sign of intestinal obstruction. It can also mean another serious pathology. Constipation is a painful disorder in cats with multiple causes: a sedentary lifestyle, a diet too rich in ash, too low in fiber and water or even an illness (dilation of the large intestine, IBD, intestinal tumor).
The color of the stool is also a good indicator. As mentioned above, healthy stools are dark brown. If they are green, yellow or black, consult your veterinarian.
Orange stools, for example, could indicate a problem with your cat's liver or gallbladder. Blood in his poop could mean irritation in his rectum.
INFOGRAPHIC. The different types of stools in cats
Here is an infographic summarizing the different types of stools in cats and their meaning.
Our tips for better digestion
A happy belly = a happy cat!
If your cat suffers from digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea), here are some tips to help him regain good intestinal transit.
- Always make a dietary transition when changing your cat's diet. To give your cat time to accept its new food and especially to give its intestinal flora time to get used to the new substrates. Since our cats' digestive flora is used to stability, the slightest change can throw everything out of whack and cause diarrhea and vomiting.
- Offer your cat several small meals a day to regulate its appetite and promote gentle digestion.
- Favor a wet diet in order to provide your cat with as much water as possible. One of the consequences of a lack of hydration is constipation. When a cat does not drink enough water and only eats kibble, the contents of its digestive tract will tend to dry out, particularly at the rectal level, which can cause episodes of constipation linked to stools that are too hard. The advantage of pâté is that it is very rich in water!
- Choose a moist diet AND one rich in quality proteins!
- Bet on probiotics . The use of probiotics can also support your little cat's intestinal microbiota. These are non-pathogenic living microorganisms which, when consumed, fulfill a beneficial role for the cat by improving its intestinal flora and digestive tract.
- Minimize stress , which greatly affects your cat's digestive system.
To learn more, check out our article on digestive disorders in cats. Our veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Géraldine Blanchard, shares other tips for your cat to have a healthy stomach!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at hello@ziggyfgamily.com .
Mes chats adorent !!!
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