Blood in Cat Stool

Have you noticed blood in the litter box or on your cat’s backside? 

Blood in cat stool can be alarming for pet parents, and there are several issues that can lead to bloody stool. 

Treatment for blood in your cat’s stool can be simple, or it may require a more extensive work up and veterinary plan. 

Let’s explore some common reasons you might find blood in your cat’s stool. 

What Does Blood in Cat Stool Look Like?

Blood in cat stool can differ in appearance, depending on which area of your cat’s body it’s coming from, how much is present, and the stool consistency. 

Some common types of blood in cat stool include: 

• Black stool (melena). When bleeding occurs early in the digestive tract (the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine), the blood gets partially digested by the time it appears in a cat’s stool, making it look black and tarry. 

• Bright red blood in stool. The presence of bright red blood in your cat’s poop means that something is wrong toward the end of their digestive tract—specifically the large intestine, rectum, or anal area. 

• Bright red blood in diarrhea. When a cat has bright red blood in diarrhea, the underlying problem (or the diarrhea itself) has damaged the blood vessels in the cat’s large intestine, rectum, or anus. 

• Bright red blood coming from the cat’s anus. Blood may come directly from a cat’s anus with diseases or injuries affecting the rectum, anus, or surrounding structures (anal glands, for example). 

• Blood and mucus in poop. The lining of the large intestine often secretes more mucus than normal to try to protect itself from irritation. 

• Watery blood. In extreme cases of bloody diarrhea, a cat’s stool may look like water mixed with blood. 

• Blood clots in poop. If there is enough blood in a cat’s lower digestive tract, it may clot and look dark red and gelatin-like. 

Why Is My Cat Pooping Blood?

There are many possible causes of blood in cat stool. Some of the most common include: 

• Diarrhea. Any underlying issue that causes severe or chronic diarrhea can irritate the lining of the intestines and cause bleeding. 

• Constipation. Hard stools can scrape against and damage blood vessels, resulting in bleeding. 

• Intestinal parasites. Some types of intestinal parasites, like hookworms, Giardia, and coccidia, can lead to bleeding in the digestive tract. 

• Organ dysfunction. Cats with organ dysfunction commonly develop diarrhea. Kidney disease may also lead to ulcers that cause bleeding in the digestive tract, and liver disease sometimes results in abnormal blood clotting. 

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The inflammation associated with IBD in cats can get severe enough that the lining of the digestive tract bleeds. 

• Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Infections affecting the gastrointestinal tract, like panleukopenia (feline distemper) and salmonellosis, can result in bleeding. 

• Foreign bodies. Bones and other foreign materials that a cat might swallow can damage the digestive tract. 

• Cancer and growths. Benign growths and malignant cancers of the digestive tract may bleed. Sometimes cancer outside the digestive tract, such as mast cell tumors, can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. 

• Toxins. Ingestion of toxic materials can erode the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Anti-coagulant rodenticides, for example, can prevent blood from clotting normally. 

• Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and affect blood clotting, particularly in cases of overdosage. 

• Stress. Cats who are stressed can develop diarrhea, and in severe cases blood may be present. 

• Adverse food reactions. Food intolerances, food allergies, or simply switching to a new food can lead to diarrhea, which may or may not contain blood. 

• Trauma. Surgery or injury in the digestive tract can result in blood in the stool. 

Should I Worry If My Cat Has Blood in Their Stool?

Never ignore blood in cat stool. 

Assess your cat’s overall well-being to determine if you are dealing with a potential emergency. 

If any of the following apply, your cat should be seen by an emergency vet immediately. 

• A lot of blood in the stool 

• Pale, blue, or deep red gums 

• Repeated vomiting 

• Severe diarrhea 

• Pain 

• Weakness 

• Lethargy 

• Your cat is very young, very old, pregnant, or has an underlying health problem 

On the other hand, cats who have just pooped a tiny amount of blood but seem to feel fine don’t need to be rushed to the nearest emergency clinic and can be seen when it’s convenient. 

Keep a close eye on the litter box and watch for any new symptoms. 

If you continue to see blood or your cat starts acting sick, bring your cat to the vet immediately. 

How Do Vets Diagnose Bloody Poop in Cats?

To diagnose the cause of blood in cat stool, veterinarians usually start the diagnostic process by asking a series of questions. 

Your answers will help the doctor identify which tests to run first. 

Be prepared to provide information about the following: 

• Your cat’s health history, including illnesses, injuries, surgeries, medications, and supplements. 

• Your cat’s lifestyle, including outdoor access, current diet, dietary changes, and stressful events. 

• The bloody poop itself—did it just start, or has it been a problem for a while? What other symptoms have you noticed? Is more than one animal in your home affected? 

Your vet will then perform a physical examination and likely run a fecal examination to identify any parasites or bacteria that might be involved. 

Whenever possible, bring a fresh stool sample from home with you. 

Additional diagnostic testing will be necessary if the cause of a cat’s bloody stool still can’t be identified. Your vet might recommend: 

• Blood work (complete blood cell count and blood chemistry panel) 

• Urinalysis 

• Specialized laboratory tests 

• X-rays 

• Ultrasound 

• Endoscopy 

• Surgery to look for any structural abnormalities and to collect tissue biopsies 

Blood in Cat Stool Treatment

Cats who have lost a lot of blood will need quick treatment to stabilize their condition. A veterinarian may immediately start intravenous (IV) fluids or even a blood transfusion. 

Treatment for blood in cat stool varies, depending on the underlying cause. 

A veterinarian may prescribe various medications depending on what’s going on with your cat. 

If intestinal parasites are the problem, your vet may prescribe an antiparasitic medication, like Panacur or Albon. 

If a bacterial overgrowth is suspected in your cat’s GI tract, tylosin may be prescribed. 

If your cat is struggling with constipation, your vet may recommend laxatives, like Vetoquinol Laxatone or lactulose to relieve constipation.  

Additionally, they may prescribe promotility meds to help keep things moving, like cisapride or metoclopramide. 

Surgery or endoscopy may be needed to stop bleeding or remove foreign bodies or tumors. 

Symptomatic treatment is also sometimes necessary. 

For example, a cat with severe diarrhea may need anti-diarrheal medications, like metronidazole, while other treatments start to take effect. 

Probiotics, like Purina Fortiflora or Nutramax Proviable, can help normalize a cat’s gut microbiome and lessen diarrhea. 

Your veterinarian may also recommend a change in diet—high-fiber, low-fiber, or hypoallergenic foods could all be appropriate, depending on your cat’s diagnosis. 

Hills Gastrointestinal Biome may be helpful in cats struggling with stress diarrhea or constipation. 

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal + Hydrolyzed Protein is commonly recommended for cats struggling with IBD. 

Ultimately, a veterinarian who is familiar with the specifics of your cat’s case is in the best position to recommend appropriate treatment. Don’t wait to get your cat the care they need.