On the fence about whether your kitty’s poops are looking healthy or not? Seeing some changes to their stool and bowel movements and are unsure what to make of it?
Of course, the texture of your pet’s poo can reflect its diet, but it can also signify something more severe. Let’s take a look at a cat poop chart to help you determine what’s normal and what isn’t.
What Should Normal Cat Poop Look Like
First things first, we need to determine what healthy cat poop looks like. Basically, it should strike the perfect balance between firm and soft, with a deep brown color that can vary in lightness depending on their diet.
The sausage or nugget-shaped poos should be quite easy to scoop out from their litter box.
They may have some lumping here and there, but nothing too excessive. Naturally, the poop carries a distinct smell that’s not overly foul or unbearable.
Cat Poop Chart
Now it’s time to move on to the types of cat poop that shouldn’t be making an appearance, along with possible explanations for what it could mean.
| Type of Stool | What It Means | What You Should Do |
| Small Pebble-Shaped Poop with Some Cracks | Early stages of constipation, your kitty can only produce small amounts of feces at a time. It could be a result of dietary deficiencies, namely fiber or liquids. | Consider adjusting their diet and implementing fiber-rich products. If the symptoms don’t improve, contact your vet. |
| Mushy or Soggy Poop | Soft cat stool that’s produced several times per day could be a sign of gastrointestinal upset or irritation. It could indicate inflammatory bowel disease or sensitivity to certain foods. | As long as it’s not accompanied by other symptoms, it should resolve on its own within a day or two. Anything that lasts longer than that is a cause for concern. |
| Watery or Soupy Poop | Frequent watery poop points to full-blown diarrhea that can be caused by stress, toxins, infection, or cancer. There’s a high risk of dehydration, especially if it’s accompanied by vomiting or loss of appetite. | Take a trip to the vet if symptoms last for over a day or if they’re showing signs of severe dehydration, such as lethargy, weakness, and sunken eyes. |
| Black Poop | Black cat poop is directly linked to a source of active bleeding in their upper intestines. The color comes from the breakdown of enzymes in the blood and could point to Colitis. | See a professional immediately. Felines experiencing bleeding gums or other oral injuries may also have black stool from swallowing the blood. |
| Green Poop | Could be caused by eating something green. More frequently, green cat poop is associated with gastrointestinal parasites or bacterial infections. | If the symptoms don’t improve on their own over 48–72 hours, contact your veterinarian for the best course of action. |
| Yellow Poop | Yellow cat poop could be concerning, particularly if it has a dreadful smell. It might be caused by an overgrowth or imbalance of intestinal bacteria. | If you see a yellowish hue forming on other parts of your pet’s body, especially the gums, skin, or eyes, it might be indicative of icterus. Coccidia is another possibility, so you should seek medical attention. |
| Orange Poop | A cat with orange poop could be suffering from liver disease or gallbladder problems. Felines might also experience vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and belly pain. | Take your pet to the vet to run diagnostic tests. They might need long-term medication or even surgery. |
| Red Poop | Indicates fresh blood in the stool, likely from irritation or infection near the lower digestive tract or rectum. | If the amount of blood is alarming, see your vet as soon as possible since this might be a medical emergency. |
| No Poop | Your pet is unable to process stool properly and could be severely constipated or have feline megacolon. This occurs due to a number of reasons, including a lack of hydration, hairballs, or pelvic issues. | If this situation persists for more than 48–72 hours, visit your vet for additional treatment. |
Evidently, the way cat poop looks can provide some valuable insight into the overall health of your pet. Any unusual changes should prompt you to take relevant action in order to avoid complications and more severe issues down the road.
Constipation in Cats at Different Stages
When your kitten is experiencing symptoms of constipation, there’s a notable lack of normal fecal production. Despite being a relatively short-lived issue, it can be quite an uncomfortable experience.
Notable causes include litter box issues, lack of fluids, stress, inflammation, food allergy, and inflammatory bowel disease. There could also be a build-up of hair in their gastrointestinal tract, effectively blocking normal bowel movements and preventing the passing of waste.
If you determine that a low water intake is the root cause of the problem, you might want to switch to wet cat food as a means to replenish their nutritional deficiencies. This can have a tremendously positive impact on their digestive system and prevent constipation in the future.
The initial stages of constipation consist of dry, pebble-shaped poos followed by harder, even cracked stool that’s extremely difficult to pass. Make sure to closely inspect your pet’s litter so that you can take prompt action and resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Diarrhea in Cats at Different Stages
Runny or loose stools that happen several times a day can be quite a nuisance, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing it in the first place. Some of the most common causes of diarrhea in cats are bacteria, viruses, intestinal worms, and some non-infectious culprits, such as poisonous plants, dirty meat, and other toxins.
Sometimes even simple things like a change in dietary plans, an allergic reaction, and even a food intolerance can also contribute to leaky poos. The severity of diarrhea depends largely on how persistent the symptoms are and if they’re accompanied by weakness or dehydration.
Three noticeable phases occur in cats with this condition. The initial stage is when they produce feces that are quite moist but can still retain some shape. The next one consists of partially liquified excrement that has no defined shape but is visibly wet, with the final phase being entirely liquid-based stool that has no texture whatsoever.
For the most part, the situation can be managed with the use of probiotics and making meaningful changes in diets and lifestyle to ensure proper gut function. Your cat can go on a specifically formulated regimen and that would put things back on track. If not treated properly, there may be some serious complications, such as kidney problems, spine problems, or hyperthyroidism.
What Can You Do If You Are Concerned About Cat Poo
It’s entirely understandable if you’re feeling apprehensive or alarmed by unusual changes in your cat’s bowel movements. Seeing an unpleasant surprise while you’re cleaning out their litter box can certainly raise a few questions about the state of their well-being.
In order to make the whole process much easier to bear for your furry friend, you might be tempted to reach for home remedies as a form of treatment for their defecation issues. And while you’d undoubtedly be doing this in their best interest, never take steps without consulting your veterinarian.
Plus, if the root cause is something as tricky as parasites or inflammatory bowel disease, you’ll need assistance from a professional to mitigate the damage. They’ll run the necessary tests and give an accurate diagnosis with the proper treatment plan.
Key Takeaways
Since our feline friends can’t verbally tell us what’s wrong, it’s up to our deduction skills to decipher the situation as we monitor their defecating habits. You can use a cat poop chart to monitor any suspicious changes and take the necessary steps to improve the situation.
