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Welcome to Tuesday’s Cats.com Newsletter. |
Owning a cat sometimes involves a little detective work. You may even find yourself searching for clues about your cat’s health in some unexpected places … like the litter box. Keep reading to discover what you can learn from the color and consistency of your cat’s stool. |
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Must Read On Cats.com: |
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Does Your Cat Have Smooth Moves? |
I grew up with dogs who, once they were housetrained, only did their business when someone took them outside. So, when I adopted my first two kittens, I didn’t really know what to expect in the bathroom department. |
Things didn’t exactly go smoothly for the first few months (why didn’t anyone tell me kitten poop smells so bad?!), and it didn’t take me long to realize that a single litter box wasn’t going to cut it. Thankfully, my kittens’ digestion eventually settled down, and we all started breathing a little easier. |
My feline family looks different now, but I learned from my early mistakes. I have litter boxes on every level of my house so there’s always a clean one for my cats to use. |
I love not having to scoop poop every day, but there’s a tradeoff to the convenience. Let’s talk about it. |
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Here’s the Litter Box Lowdown. |
I’m just going to come out and say it: Cat poop stinks — and dealing with it does, too. But it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on in your cat’s litter box. |
Your cat’s diet has a significant impact on their health, in both the short and long term. Quality only goes so far, however, when it comes to cat food. If the product just isn’t a good fit for your cat in one way or another, they might miss out on key nutrients. |
So, how can you tell if you’re feeding your cat the wrong thing? The signs might be right there in their litter box. |
The volume, color, and consistency of your cat’s stool provide important clues about the health and function of their digestive system. Loose stools, abnormal odor, or changes to the color or volume of the stool your cat is producing might indicate a problem with their digestion or with the food they’re eating. |
Here’s what healthy, normal stool looks like: |
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The amount of stool in your cat’s litter box is a clue as well. Healthy cats generally poop every 12 to 36 hours. If you notice a change in the volume or frequency of your cat’s bowel movements, it might be a sign something is wrong. |
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When to Call Your Vet. |
When you notice a change in your cat’s digestion or litter box activity, it’s always a good idea to check in with your vet. If you see blood in your cat’s poop or if your cat is unable to pass stool, a visit to an emergency clinic may be warranted. |
In many cases, minor digestive symptoms like soft or loose stools are temporary. Keep an eye on the situation, and contact your vet if the issue doesn’t resolve itself within a few days. |
If your cat’s digestive issues persist, your veterinarian may recommend diagnostic tests to identify the underlying issue. Common causes of abnormal stool include intestinal parasites, bacterial infections, intestinal inflammation, and food allergies or intolerances. |
For some cats, minor digestive symptoms can be chronic even without an identifiable cause. In these cases, your vet may recommend switching to a more easily digestible diet. Limited ingredient diets (LIDs) are often recommended for cats with sensitive stomachs. |
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Some cats may also benefit from taking probiotics to support a healthy microbial balance in their gut. If your vet recommends probiotics, consider a product that also contains prebiotic fiber — the fuel beneficial bacteria need to thrive. |
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Learn more about probiotics for cats in this in-depth article on Cats.com. |
Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support! |
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EXPLORE OUR TOP GUIDES: |
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A Sneak Peek At Friday's Newsletter. |
When it comes to the contents of your cat’s litter box, poop is No. 2. If you can excuse the pun, stick around for Friday’s mailer to find out what else you can learn about your cat’s health from their litter box activity. |
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| Meet The Author. | Kate is a pet food nutrition specialist and writer who has been part of the Cats.com family for over three years. She is the doting owner of three cats - Bagel, Munchkin, and Biscuit - and often shares stories about them in weekly mailers like this one! |
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Check your inbox every Tuesday, Friday & Sunday for another round of exciting cat news! |
Have questions about your cat’s health, diet, behavior, and more? Visit our Cats.com community. Our team of expert moderators is available to give you answers and advice specific to your cat’s unique situation. |