Seeing blood in your catʼs poo can be confronting. While small streaks of blood may look dramatic, theyʼre not always a sign of serious illness. Still, understanding what bloody cat poo looks like (and when itʼs an emergency) can help you respond calmly and appropriately.
Read on if youʼve ever wondered:
- What does blood in cat poo look like?
- Why is my cat pooping blood?
- Is blood in cat poo an emergency?
- Can I prevent my cat from having bloody stool?
The presence of blood in cat poo isnʼt always a crisis. Minor irritation from straining or inflammation can cause small streaks of blood, but ongoing or large amounts may point to an underlying medical issue that needs veterinary attention.
What does blood in cat poo look like?
The colour and texture of blood in cat stool can reveal where itʼs coming from in the digestive tract. You might even see both types in the same stool sample. There are two main forms of blood in cat poo: fresh (red) and digested (black or tarry).
Fresh blood
Fresh-looking blood, also known as hematochezia, appears bright red. It may show as streaks on the surface of formed poo, drops in the litter box, or as red-tinged liquid diarrhoea.
Because this blood hasnʼt been digested by stomach acid, it usually means the bleeding is from the lower intestine, rectum, or anus.
Common triggers include:
- Straining from constipation or diarrhoea
- Inflammation of the colon (colitis)
- Anal gland irritation or minor tears near the anus
Small amounts of bright red blood are often linked to mild irritation or dietary upset, but if you notice more than a few streaks or it persists beyond 24-48 hours, contact your vet.
Digested blood
Blood that has travelled through the stomach and small intestine before being passed is called melena. It appears black, sticky, or tar-like and often has a distinct, foul smell.
This type of bleeding can be caused by:
- Stomach or intestinal ulcers
- Certain medications (e.g. NSAIDs or steroids)
- Infections, tumours, or foreign objects
- Coagulation or clotting disorders
Melena is more serious than fresh blood and always requires an urgent veterinary exam.
Why is my cat pooping blood?
Blood in a catʼs poo isnʼt a disease in itself, itʼs a symptom with many possible causes. These range from mild irritation to life-threatening illness.
Viral, parasitic, or bacterial infections
Parasites and infectious diseases commonly cause bloody diarrhoea, especially in kittens and outdoor cats. The most frequent culprits include:
- Hookworms and roundworms — damage the intestinal wall
- Giardia or coccidia — protozoal infections causing mucus and blood
- Campylobacter or Salmonella — bacterial infections from contaminated food or prey
- Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) — a severe, sometimes fatal viral infection
Regular worming and vaccination are essential.
“Kittens and unvaccinated cats are especially vulnerable to intestinal infections that cause bloody diarrhoea,ˮ explains Dr. Jane Miller, a Vets Love Pets veterinarian. “Even indoor cats should stay on a year-round parasite prevention plan.ˮ
Dietary indiscretion or intolerance
A sudden diet change, eating spoiled food, or sneaking fatty table scraps can irritate your catʼs digestive tract. This often leads to temporary inflammation, soft stool, and streaks of blood or mucus.
Symptoms from mild dietary upset usually resolve within a day or two, but ongoing diarrhoea or vomiting could indicate food intolerance or allergy.
Prevention tip: Transition diets slowly over 7-10 days and keep rubbish and toxic foods out of reach.
Stress or colitis
Cats are sensitive creatures, and stress can cause inflammation in the colon (colitis). This leads to frequent trips to the litter box, small amounts of stool, and jelly-like blood or mucus.
Common triggers include:
- Moving house or changes to routine
- New pets or people in the home
- Loud noises or environmental changes
Reducing stress, providing hiding spots, and feeding a gentle gastrointestinal diet can help, but recurring episodes warrant a vet visit.
Constipation and straining
Hard, dry stools can cause tiny tears around the anus (anal fissures), resulting in bright red streaks of blood.
This is common in older cats, obese cats, or those not drinking enough water.
Encouraging hydration through wet food or cat fountains and ensuring easy litter tray access can help reduce straining.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
IBD is a chronic condition where the immune system reacts abnormally to food or bacteria in the intestines, causing ongoing inflammation and bleeding.
Other symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Changes in appetite or stool consistency
Treatment usually involves a prescription diet, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory medication under veterinary supervision.
Growths, polyps, or cancer
Benign or malignant growths in the digestive tract can cause blood in stool, especially in older cats. Your vet may recommend imaging (like ultrasound or X-rays) or a colonoscopy to determine the cause.
Other medical conditions
Less common causes include:
- Anal gland abscesses
- Liver or kidney disease
- Blood clotting disorders
- Trauma or ingestion of foreign objects
If your cat has recently suffered an injury or ingested something sharp (like bones or string), see a vet immediately.
What should I do if my cat has blood in their poo?
If you notice blood in your catʼs stool:
- Stay calm – a small amount isnʼt always an emergency.
- Observe closely – note the colour, texture, and frequency.
- Check for other symptoms – vomiting, appetite loss, or lethargy suggest a bigger issue.
- Collect a sample – your vet may need to test it for parasites or infection.
When to seek veterinary help
Call your vet promptly if blood lasts longer than 48 hours, your cat is straining or in pain (which can indicate a blockage), or the stool is black and tar-like — a possible sign of anaemia or internal bleeding.
If your regular vet is unavailable, contact a pet emergency clinic or book a video vet consultation for advice.
Cats can deteriorate quickly from dehydration, so err on the side of caution.
- Blood in more than one bowel movement or lasting longer than 48 hours
- Black, tarry, or coffee-ground stool (sign of internal bleeding)
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite, lethargy, or hiding behaviour
- Straining or crying in the litter box
- Kittens, seniors, or cats with chronic illness showing any blood at all
- Visible worms, mucus, or foreign material in the stool
If possible, bring a fresh stool sample (less than 12 hours old) or a clear photo of the litter tray to your appointment — it can help your vet assess the cause more accurately.
When in doubt, itʼs always safer to call. Cats hide illness well, and even minor symptoms can escalate quickly.
How vets diagnose and treat bloody stool
Because blood in stool is a symptom, treatment focuses on finding and addressing the underlying cause. Your vet may recommend:
- Faecal testing for parasites or bacteria
- Blood tests to assess organ function or infection
- Imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) to detect tumours or blockages Dietary trials for suspected food intolerance
- Medication to control inflammation, infection, or parasites
Once the cause is confirmed, most cases respond well to targeted treatment and dietary management.
Blood in Cat Poo FAQs
Is bloody diarrhoea an emergency in cats?
If the blood is heavy, dark, or ongoing, bloody diarrhoea can signal internal bleeding or severe infection and needs immediate veterinary care. Small streaks from straining can happen occasionally, but any large amount, tarry stool, or blood paired with vomiting or lethargy should be treated as an emergency.
What causes blood in cat poo?
Blood in cat stool is usually caused by irritation, infection, or inflammation in the digestive tract.
Common triggers include parasites, bacterial infections, colitis, constipation, food intolerance, and chronic issues such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or cancer.
How do vets treat blood in cat poo?
Vets treat bloody stool by diagnosing and addressing the underlying cause rather than the symptom itself. Depending on the findings, treatment may include parasite control, prescription diets, probiotics, antibiotics, or anti-inflammatory medication.
Can stress cause blood in a catʼs stool?
Yes, stress can inflame the colon and lead to “stress colitis,ˮ which often appears as mucus or streaks of bright red blood. Changes to routine, new pets, or loud environments are common triggers, and creating a calm, predictable space usually helps prevent flare-ups.
Can I prevent blood in my catʼs poo?
You can reduce the risk of bloody stool by keeping your catʼs gut healthy and routine stable.
That means staying up to date with parasite prevention and vaccinations, introducing new foods gradually, providing fresh water, minimising stress, and booking regular vet check-ups — especially for senior cats. Early care keeps minor digestive issues from becoming chronic.
Seeing blood in your catʼs poo can be worrying, but small streaks are often harmless. If the bleeding continues, turns dark, or your cat seems unwell, itʼs best to call your vet.
Most digestive issues resolve quickly with the right care, and routine check-ups, a steady diet, and parasite prevention help keep your cat healthy long term.
