Home Remedies For Blood In Cat Stool
Your cat’s litter box can tell you many things about your cat. Through it, you can observe your pet’s poop. If you see blood in the stool, litter or even in the litter box, keep calm as you investigate the possible source.
The Bowel Movement of a Healthy Cat
Cats usually take a poop once a day. Smaller ones, however, may head to their litter box more often. If your pet eats lots of fiber, expect it to poop more frequently as well. The typical cat’s stool is solid and brown. The color is mostly—if not entirely—even. It smells but it shouldn’t be too intense.
Your cat should also pass its bowel with ease. It shouldn’t be whimpering or yowling. It shouldn’t be hunching before, during and after it defecates.
Two Possible Signs of Blood in Cat’s Stool
Blood in stools isn’t always easy to identify. Sometimes it comes out as red, while there’s also the possibility that it shows up like coffee grounds. The following are the possible kinds of blood you may detect in your cat’s waste.
Hematochezia
If you see red streaks in your pet’s poop, you’re actually looking at hematochezia. As the blood is still evident, it’s most likely from the anus or rectum.
Melena
Melena resembles coffee grounds in the stool. It’s usually black or dark brown. It comes out a different color because it passed through the cat’s stomach. As an organ for digestion, the stomach has enzymes, which help process everything that your pet takes in. If something’s bleeding in your cat’s upper gastrointestinal tract, expect that the blood will be digested and changed.
Other Indicators to Observe
Unless your cat looks weak and in pain, you can observe it before you schedule an appointment to its veterinarian. Its pooping behavior is among the things you should monitor. You should check out other possible signs such as:
- More frequent pooping
- Howling or whimpering as it defecates
- Pooping outside the litter tray
- Pungent odor
- Loose or hard stools
As much as possible, bring a sample of the stool when you visit the vet. Aside from poop-related signs, you should also take note of the following indicators.
- Increased thirst
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
Keep a record of all the signs you’ve observed and relay them to your vet later on. By doing so, your vet can make a diagnosis more quickly.
What about Mucus in Stool
Mucus in your cat’s stool isn’t necessarily worrisome. Unlike blood, mucus is a normal secretion from the intestines. Its slippery texture helps facilitate the flow of waste from the intestine down to the rectum. Usually, it’s just small amounts and colorless. You should only take it into account if it’s excessive or if it’s in shades of green and yellow.
Why There’s Blood in Your Cat’s Poop
Before considering home treatments for your pet, you should first consult your vet. After a thorough check up, and maybe some tests, your cat’s doctor may say that your pet has any of the following:
- Constipation
- Colitis
- Rectal polyps
- Hernia near the anus
- Injuries on or near the anus
- Prostrate illness
- Parasitic infestation
Sometimes, the reason behind blood in your cat’s stool is something as simple as dietary change or food intolerance. Have you changed your pet’s feeds or treats recently? Have you offered a new supplement? Your vet will ask about these things. You can bring and show the supplement or a sample of the food.
Instead of food or supplement, your cat might have ingested a toxin or poison. If you have pet cameras at home, check the recordings. See if it has stumbled upon your cleaning chemicals, pest control products or any other toxic or poisonous substance in your home.
Veterinarian-Prescribed Treatments for Your Cat
If the blood-stained poop is related to a serious issue, your vet may advise surgery. A surgery may also be needed for prostrate illness and major injuries on or near the anus. For mild conditions, your vet will prescribe oral, topical or intravenous medications. The medications may also come with a prescribed diet.
Make sure you follow the dosage and diet as instructed by the doctor. Your pet doctor will recommend antibiotics if the cause of the blood-stained stool is bacterial infection. He or she may also add probiotics if poor gut health aggravates the condition. If your cat has worms, your vet will prescribe de-wormers.
Due to frequent pooping, your cat may end up becoming dehydrated. To prevent this, your vet will carry out fluid therapy. If you have pet insurance, you can use that to cover the expenses for the treatments.
Home Remedies for Cats with Blood Stole
Your vet will tell you what you can and need to do to speed up your cat’s recovery. If you know any home remedies, get medical advice first. Below are natural and safe treatments you may consider.
Water treatment
If your cat is pooping a lot, it also loses fluids and electrolytes in its system. Providing it with clean drinking water helps ensure that it won’t suffer from dehydration. This also makes sure that it still has energy in case a vet advises that your cat undergo fasting.
Rice and burger mix
If your cat is used to home-cooked meals, you may treat it with a rice and burger combo. Simply cook rice and boil hamburger. Mix them well. This may help relieve your pet’s diarrhea.
Mashed potatoes
Some cats don’t like rice. As an alternative, you can provide them with mashed potatoes. They’re easy to eat and digest because of their texture. More importantly, they can give your cat vitamin C and potassium. Their fiber content is also beneficial for your pet’s digestion.
CBD oil
You may boost the effects of water treatment by adding 2mg of CBD oil. CBD for pets, a chemical compound derived from cannabis, isn’t addictive. What it does is CBD for pets anxiety. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can also help treat pooping problems on your cat caused by inflammation in the colon.
Your cat may also suffer from anxiety, which could worsen its condition. You can give massages or cuddles to help it relax. Let it play with its favorite toys as well.
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