Seeing blood in your cat’s poop is unnerving, especially when your feline friend appears otherwise happy and active. Cats are masters at masking pain, so a cat that is eating, grooming and playing normally may still have an underlying health issue. This guide explains why blood sometimes appears in feline stool, what the colour of the blood means, when you should call the veterinarian and how to monitor your cat’s health at home.
What Does Blood in the Stool Look Like?
Cat stool should be firm and brown. Any change in appearance suggests something is wrong. Bright or light red blood (hematochezia) usually comes from the lower intestines or rectum; it often appears as red streaks on the outside of formed stools. Dark red, tarry or black stools (melena) signal digested blood from the stomach or small intestine and suggest a more serious problem such as ulcers or organ dysfunction. Blood mixed with diarrhoea indicates inflammation of the colon or small intestine and requires prompt veterinary attention.
Don’t Ignore “Small Amounts”
A tiny spot of blood can occur after a brief bout of constipation or a stressful event, and your cat may act perfectly normal. However, veterinarians caution that blood in cat stool is never normal. Even if your cat seems comfortable, monitor the situation closely. Call your vet if the bleeding persists, the blood becomes darker or your cat develops other symptoms like lethargy, vomiting or decreased appetite.
Common Reasons for Blood in Feline Stool
Several conditions can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause bleeding. Understanding the potential causes will help you work with your veterinarian on a diagnosis.
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Cause |
Description |
When it Occurs |
|
Dietary upset and stress |
A sudden change in diet, food intolerance or stress can inflame the intestines, leading to bright‑red blood on the stool. Anxiety from a new pet, move or loud noises may also disrupt gut motility. |
After switching food, introducing new pets or stressful events. |
|
Intestinal parasites |
Worms such as hookworms, roundworms, coccidia and giardia attach to the intestinal lining and steal nutrients. They can cause diarrhoea, malnutrition and blood in the stool. |
Kittens, outdoor cats and cats with irregular de‑worming schedules are at higher risk. |
|
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis |
Chronic inflammation thickens the gut wall and leads to bleeding, mucus or jelly‑like stool. |
Middle‑aged and older cats, often with chronic diarrhoea or weight loss. |
|
Constipation and hard stools |
Dry, difficult‑to‑pass stool can cause straining and tear delicate tissues, leaving streaks of bright blood. Dehydration or inadequate fibre intake are common contributors. |
Older cats, cats on dry‑food diets or those not drinking enough water. |
|
Foreign bodies and toxins |
Swallowing strings, bones or other objects may irritate or perforate the GI tract. Ingesting corrosive chemicals or rat poison can also cause GI bleeding. |
Cats that chew on household items or prey species. |
|
Organ disease and cancers |
Liver disease, kidney failure or tumours in the intestines can lead to digested blood (black stools). Senior cats are more susceptible. |
Older cats or those with unexplained weight loss and reduced appetite. |
|
Medications |
Certain drugs (e.g., non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs, steroids, antibiotics) may irritate the lining of the gut and cause bleeding. |
When starting new medications or if dosages are incorrect. |
Why Do Some Cats Act Normal?
Cats are stoic animals that instinctively hide pain. A small amount of blood may not cause discomfort, so your cat could still appear normal. However, bleeding is a sign of irritation or injury to the gastrointestinal tract. Without treatment, minor bleeding can progress and lead to anaemia, infection or systemic illness. Observe your cat closely for subtle changes such as reduced activity, avoiding the litter box, increased thirst, frequent grooming of the hind end or changes in appetite. These behaviours may signal the problem is worsening.
When to Contact Your Veterinarian?
Contact your veterinarian promptly if:
- There is more than a small spot of blood, or the blood is dark or tarry. Dark blood indicates bleeding higher in the GI tract and could mean ulcers, tumours or ingested toxins.
- Your cat is lethargic, vomiting, has diarrhoea or is not eating.
- Blood appears in multiple stools or persists for more than a day.
- Your cat is very young, elderly or has other health conditions (they are at higher risk of dehydration and complications).
Bring a fresh stool sample to the appointment; it helps your vet check for parasites and bacteria.
How Vets Diagnose the Cause?
Your veterinarian will take a thorough history and perform a physical exam, palpating the abdomen for masses or pain. A fecal examination looks for parasites, bacteria or undigested food. Blood tests assess organ function and detect anaemia or infection. Imaging such as X rays, ultrasound or endoscopy may be needed to search for foreign bodies, tumours or intestinal thickening. In chronic cases, your vet may recommend an elimination diet to identify food allergies.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause:
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Dietary changes and hydration: For stress or mild dietary upsets, your vet may suggest a bland, easily digestible diet and gradually reintroduce your cat’s regular food. Ensure clean water is always available. Consider mixed or natural cat litter options that absorb liquids and reduce odours while encouraging your cat to drink more, such as Michu’s natural cat litter or mixed cat litter.
- Deworming and parasite control: Regular de worming and flea control prevent parasites from damaging the intestines. Consult your vet for appropriate medications.
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Medications: Antibiotics, anti inflammatory drugs or probiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections, IBD or colitis. Never give human medications; some pain relievers are toxic to cats.
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Surgery or advanced care: Foreign objects, tumours or severe ulcers may require surgical removal. Organ diseases need lifelong management and regular check ups.
Home remedies, such as yogurt or pumpkin, are sometimes suggested online. Veterinarians warn that these may not contain enough beneficial bacteria, and many cats are lactose intolerant. Always check with your vet before trying any home treatment.
Preventing Blood in the Stool
While not all causes of bloody stools are preventable, you can reduce risks by:
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Feeding a balanced, high quality diet and making changes gradually.
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Encouraging hydration by offering fresh water and wet food. Cat owners concerned about dehydration can try Michu Wonder Litter, a plant based litter that clumps quickly and encourages regular litter box visits.
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Maintaining litter box hygiene: Scoop daily and clean boxes weekly. Choose an appropriate litter box such as the spacious XXL deluxe cat litter box or the stylish BoBa & Sage deluxe cat litter box to promote consistent use.
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Controlling hairballs: Groom your cat regularly and provide fibre sources to prevent hair accumulation, which can irritate the gut.
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Reducing stress: Provide safe hiding spots, vertical spaces (e.g., cat trees) and regular play. Consider offering a semi closed cat litter box for privacy or a deluxe container cat litter box to minimise odours. Providing separate litter scoops and lids, such as those in the cat litter scoops & lids, makes maintenance easy.
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Routine veterinary check ups and parasite prevention. Senior cats should have bloodwork and stool exams at least annually.
Monitoring Your Cat’s Health at Home
Early detection of health problems improves outcomes. Michu’s health monitoring range allows cat parents to spot issues before they become emergencies. The health monitoring products use colour changing indicators to detect abnormal pH or potential blood in urine, signalling urinary tract problems before your cat shows symptoms. For example:
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Michu health monitoring tofu cat litter is a plant based clumping litter with built in pH testing granules. It changes colour when urine is acidic, neutral or alkaline, helping you monitor for urinary crystals or infections without stressful vet visits. The litter is flushable, dust free and safe for cats, offering odour control and quick clumping.
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Cat health monitoring pellets can be sprinkled onto your cat’s regular litter. The pellets change colour when they detect abnormal pH, giving results in minutes. They are made from plant based materials, so they’re safe if ingested. Regular use provides a baseline, helping you notice subtle changes.
Monitoring your cat’s urine doesn’t replace veterinary care for bloody stools, but it complements regular vet visits by catching urinary problems early. Michu explains in its blog on monitoring your cat’s health at the litter box that these products provide peace of mind and reduce stress by allowing daily checks without invasive procedures. Pair health monitoring litter with a comfortable litter box and proper training, the litter box training guide offers tips on choosing the right box, establishing routine and maintaining hygiene.
Looking for other eco friendly options? Michu also offers premium mixed tofu cat litter and Wonder Litter made from tapioca. These plant based litters control odour naturally, are low dust and pair perfectly with automatic litter boxes.
Final Thoughts
Blood in a cat’s stool is a symptom, not a diagnosis. While some causes are mild and resolve quickly, others are serious and require medical care. Pay attention to the colour, consistency and amount of blood, and never ignore repeat occurrences. Work with your veterinarian to identify the cause, follow their treatment plan and adopt preventive measures like a balanced diet, good litter box hygiene and stress reduction. Using Michu’s innovative litters and litter boxes can make monitoring your cat’s health easier and more eco friendly. With vigilance and early intervention, your feline companion can continue enjoying a healthy and happy life.