Ask the Veterinarian/Bloody cat poop

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Expert: - 2/2/2011


Question
I just noticed my adult cats poop has dark red blood in it. The poop is solid & he has been acting normal. What could cause this?

Answer
Blood that is fresh, or frank blood, can be caused by a change in food, a low quality diet, eating a mouse, or chewing on something in the house.

If you recently switched foods this will do it. If you buy a cheap store brand that will do it.

Switch him to a high quality diet and this will stop. If it doesn't then he needs a trip to the vets.

If the blood looks like coffee grounds that is from higher up in the intestinal tract and that warrants a trip to the vets as well.

Always take 7 days to switch foods gradually adding less old and more new.

Science Diet is the preferred food we feed because it has optimal nutrition and I have never had a cat or a clients cat have this bloody stool issue on it. I have had dozens of owners write me in hear about it and their cats were all on grocery store food. Switching to Science Diet ended the problem immediately.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how he does.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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