What Does Blood in Your Cat’s Stool Mean? Find Out if You Should See a Vet

Blood is a scary thing to see. If it’s a scrape on your knee, it’s one thing. But if it’s internal, it’s easy to get alarmed. 

A bit of blood in your cat’s stool is not always an emergency. Sometimes, the underlying cause can be anal gland irritation, hemorrhoids, or stress. However, in more troubling cases, where it’s persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, this can indicate that your cat is ill.

As a cat parent, it’s essential to learn about the difference between the two, so you know when it’s time for your cat to see their vet.

What does blood in your cat’s poop mean?

There can be differences in the appearance of the blood, depending on where it comes from in the intestinal tract. Bright red blood, known as hematochezia, tends to come from low in the intestines, such as the anus, rectum, or colon. Dark and tarry blood is digested blood, known as melena, and comes from higher in the intestinal tract, such as the small intestines. 

Is blood in your cat’s poop normal?

No, blood in your cat’s stool is not normal. You should never ignore it. If it happens one or two times and is only a minimal amount, this could be a temporary reaction to a dietary change or mild intestinal upset. However, if it persists or is heavy, you must talk to your veterinarian. 

How serious is blood in your cat’s stool?

Since you can’t see the inside of your cat’s intestinal tract, you won’t know if it’s serious. Seriousness depends on the underlying cause. If it only happens once or twice and the bleeding is a minimal amount, this is probably not an emergency. 

However, if bleeding persists or is heavy, you should consult your veterinarian, especially if other symptoms accompany it. Watch for such signs as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Persistent or heavy bleeding, along with those symptoms, can mean something more serious, such as infections, parasites, or even cancer. 

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What causes bloody poop in cats?

Several conditions can lead to blood in a cat’s stool: 

• Sudden food changes, food intolerances, or allergies

• Worms such as hookworms or protozoal infections

• Salmonella, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), or panleukopenia

• Chronic inflammation of the intestines.

• Hard stools 

• Ingesting non-food items 

• Growths in the gastrointestinal tract 

• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (a sudden, severe condition requiring urgent care)

These are all conditions that require your pet to be seen by a veterinarian.

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How do vets diagnose bloody poop in cats?

There are several things a vet can do to try and find the cause of the blood, including:

• A physical exam

• A fecal examination

• Blood tests

• X-rays or an ultrasound

• An endoscopy or a biopsy 

How do vets treat cats with bloody poop?

You can’t treat a disorder until you know the underlying cause. The results of the vet exam and any testing will hopefully determine the underlying cause, so treatment can begin. Treatment can include the following.

• Dietary adjustments: switching to a hypoallergenic or fiber-rich diet

• Deworming medication: if parasites are detected

• Antibiotics or probiotics: for bacterial infections or gut health

• Anti-inflammatory drugs: to manage IBD or colitis

• Fluid therapy: if dehydration is present

• Surgery: in cases of tumors, blockages, or severe damage

Most conditions can be treated. And be assured that there are far more treatable issues than non-treatable conditions causing blood in your cat’s stool. 

FAQs

What does it mean if your cat is pooping blood but has no other symptoms?

If your cat has no other symptoms and is acting normally, you should be able to wait and monitor their condition over the next day or so. If the blood continues or their condition gets worse, see your vet. 

Can worms cause blood in cats’ poop?

Yes, absolutely. Hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms can irritate the intestinal lining of your cat and cause bleeding. Fortunately, that’s an easy condition to fix. A fecal exam and some deworming medication will do the trick. 

Can stress cause blood in cats’ poop?

Yes, stress can contribute to colitis, leading to blood or mucus in the stool. Stress-induced colitis is often temporary, but a vet should evaluate your cat if their symptoms persist.

Can changing cat food cause blood?

Yes, sudden dietary changes can upset your cat’s digestive system, leading to diarrhea, inflammation, and sometimes minor bleeding. If you change your cat’s food, you should do it slowly, transitioning over as much as a week. 

Bottom line

• While blood in your cat’s stool can be scary, it can usually be treated easily. 

• Persistent blood or heavy bleeding may require more diagnostic tests and more complicated treatment. 

• Monitoring your cat’s litter box is essential for catching abnormalities as soon as they occur. 

References

• Marks, Stanley L, and Michael D Willard. “Diarrhea in Kittens.” Elsevier EBooks, 1 Jan. 2006, pp. 133–143, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7149963, https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-72-160423-4/50018-4. 

• Matz, ME, and WG Guilford. “Laboratory Procedures for the Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases of Dogs and Cats.” New Zealand Veterinary Journal, vol. 51, no. 6, Dec. 2003, pp. 292–301, https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2003.36383.