Cat Health: Bloody Stool

When it comes to cat health, a bloody stool can be a very concerning issue for any cat owner. Like most things, it may be something minor, or it may be something serious. The clinical term for blood in the stool is "hematochezia".

A one time occurrence of blood in the cat's stool may just be something minor. However, if this has occurred several times or frequently then it definitely warrants a trip to your veterinarian to determine what is causing it and how it should be treated.

There are a variety of things that can cause blood to appear in your cat's stool. Some are minor and some are very serious. Generally, unless there is a lot of blood or it lasts more than one or two days, it is not something serious. However, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian.

One of the causes of blood in your cat's stool is if they are dry and hard. Dry, hard stools can irritate the rectum and anus resulting in minor bleeding. This is usually caused by diet. Changing your cat's food to one that is lower in fat and higher in fiber may alleviate the problem, as this type of food is more readily digestible.

Another cause of bloody stools is the presence of intestinal parasites, such as worms. Giardia and coccidian are two types of parasites which can cause your cat to have bloody diarrhea. Definitely have your cat seen by your veterinarian so this can be treated.

Various types of bacteria can cause an infection, resulting in blood in the stool. Some bacterial infections may cause colitis, an inflammation of the bowel. Again, this should be evaluated and treated by your veterinarian, as medication may be required to get rid of the infection.

Sometimes if your cat's stomach or bowel is irritated, it can result in some blood in the stool. If the anal glands, which are on either side of your cat's anus, become impacted, this can result in a bloody stool. Also, any trauma to the anus or the lower intestine can lead to a bloody stool, as can the presence of polyps.
In older cats, the presence of a bloody stool may signal cancer in its lower bowels.

There are several things to watch for that may indicate a serious problem. These include straining when attempting to have a bowel movement, having more than an isolated episode of bright red blood in the feces, and / or when more than just a tiny amount of blood is present. Another serious indicator may be if there is a noticeable increase in the number of your cat's daily bowel movements. Other symptoms may also be present, such as weight loss, decreased appetite, increased thirst and urination, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, the lack of other symptoms does not mean there is not a serious problem.

With regards to cat health, a bloody stool should not be ignored. Always have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.