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What Causes Mucus in Stool?

You should not be very concerned if you see a small amount of mucus in your pet's stool. Cat stool normally contains some mucus -- a slime-like substance made by the intestines to keep the lining of the colon lubricated and moist.

But if you notice an excessive amount of mucus in the stool, or if it is accompanied with blood or a radical change in your cat's bowel movements, seek immediate veterinary medical attention. He or she will be better able to identify the underlying cause and recommend a proper course of treatment. Common causes include:

• Stress
• Dietary indiscretion
• Intestinal parasites (e.g., giardia)
• Bacterial overgrowth (e.g., Salmonella)
• Tumors and/or polyps (e.g., rectoanal polyps)
• Inflammation of the colon or rectum
• Narrowing of the rectal opening
• Constipation and other conditions which may it more difficult to defecate, such as dyschezia