Causes and Treatments of Bloody Stool in Cats Explained in Detail by a Veterinarian

If there is blood in your cat's feces, it could be bloody stool.

If your cat has bloody stool, you, as the owner, will surely be surprised. Most cases of bloody stool are caused by illness. To avoid panicking when bloody stool occurs, it is essential to understand its causes and how to address it.

This article will explain the causes and treatments for bloody stool in cats.

Symptoms and Classification of Bloody Stool in Cats

Bloody stool isn't just about blood mixed in with feces. The color changes depending on where the bleeding is occurring. We will explain the classification of bloody stool by color.

Dark or Black Stool

In cases of bleeding from the upper digestive tract, such as the stomach or duodenum, or the small intestine, the blood is digested and turns black. The expelled stool will be black and tar-like, classified as "tarry stool" or "melena."

Bright Red Blood Mixed in Stool

If bleeding occurs in the first half of the large intestine, bright red blood will be mixed into the stool. This is typically what people imagine when they hear "bloody stool."

Bright Red Blood on the Surface of Stool

If bleeding occurs in the latter half of the large intestine or from the anus, the blood will be attached to the surface of the stool.

What Causes Blood in Cat Stool?

Most cases of bloody stool in cats are due to illness, but stress, food, and accidental ingestion can also be causes.

We will explain each of these.

Causes Related to Illness

Most cases of bloody stool in cats are due to illness. Some may be urgent or even fatal.

Gastroenteritis

This can be caused by viruses, bacteria, medication, or allergies.

Diarrhea and soft stools occur, and if the condition worsens, it can lead to bloody stool. Dehydration can be life-threatening.

Feline Panleukopenia

If a kitten is infected with feline panleukopenia, severe diarrhea and bloody stool can occur. Feline panleukopenia is highly contagious, and infected kittens are likely to become severely ill and die.

Parasitic Infections

Parasites in the digestive tract can cause bloody stool. These include Tritrichomonas, Giardia, feline hookworms, and Toxoplasma. Feline hookworms attach to the small intestine, which can lead to black stool.

Tumors

In older cats with bloody stool, there is also a possibility of tumors. These mainly include lymphoma and gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. The color of the bloody stool will vary depending on the location of the tumor.

In addition to bloody stool, symptoms often include loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, and soft stools.

Constipation

If constipation causes the stool to harden, the rectum or anus can be injured during defecation. This can result in blood adhering to the surface of the stool.

Stress-Induced Causes

Environmental changes such as moving, nearby construction, or the addition of a new family member can be highly stressful for cats. If stress upsets their gastrointestinal tract, bloody stool can occur.

Food-Related Causes

If a cat with allergies eats food containing the causative allergen, allergic gastroenteritis can occur, leading to soft stools, diarrhea, and bloody stool.

In addition to stool symptoms, vomiting, itchy skin, and hair loss may also occur.

Accidental Ingestion Causes

Many things are toxic to cats, such as onions, houseplants, and medicines. If a cat accidentally ingests these, bloody stool can occur as a symptom of poisoning.

What to Do if Your Cat Has Bloody Stool

Most cases of bloody stool are due to illness. Do not wait and see; visit a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Visit a Veterinary Clinic

If your cat has bloody stool, even if they appear energetic and have a good appetite, you should take them to a veterinary clinic for examination.

It is recommended to bring a sample of the bloody stool, but for bacterial and parasitic tests, results can change if the sample is more than half a day old, so bring the freshest possible stool sample.

If you cannot get to the veterinary clinic immediately, taking a photo of the stool can help in assessing its color and other characteristics.

Among cats brought in for bloody stool, some were actually suffering from hematuria (blood in urine) or perianal problems such as anal sac rupture, not bloody stool. Make sure to get a thorough examination at the veterinary clinic.

Consider Stress Factors

If a veterinary examination suggests stress-induced gastroenteritis, you should create an environment that minimizes stress for your cat.

This could involve creating hiding spots for your cat or installing a cat tree for vertical exercise. If your cat is highly anxious, temporarily using anti-anxiety medication might be helpful. There are also supplements to alleviate stress, so consult your vet.

Change Food

If a veterinary examination suggests the possibility of food allergy-related gastroenteritis, your veterinarian will likely recommend a hypoallergenic diet. For food allergy gastroenteritis, the allergen in the food is the cause, so changing to an allergen-free diet is the treatment.

In cases of constipation, therapeutic diets are used to facilitate bowel movements.

Therapeutic diets are recommended based on a veterinarian's diagnosis, so do not purchase them on your own.

Summary

Bloody stool in cats is often caused by illnesses, some of which can be life-threatening if left untreated. Additionally, in cases of viral or other infectious diseases, there is a risk of transmission to other cats and severe illness.

Do not simply wait and see if your cat seems energetic; if you observe bloody stool, visit a veterinary clinic immediately.

In older cats with bloody stool, there is a possibility of tumors. For some tumors, early intervention can lead to a better prognosis.

To detect abnormalities as early as possible, we highly recommend regular health check-ups.