Cat Pooping Excessively: 10 Times A Day!

Cats are typically secretive about their bathroom habits, but it's important to monitor their bowel movements as they can indicate your cat's internal health. While there is no one-size-fits-all rule for cat digestion, most cats should defecate at least once a day, with younger cats tending to go more frequently. If your cat is pooping 10 times a day, it's important to consult a veterinarian as this could indicate an underlying medical condition.

Frequency of defecation

Cats are naturally secretive about their bathroom habits. In the wild, they bury their faeces to signal that they are not the dominant creature. As a result, it can be difficult to know what is a normal frequency of defecation for your cat.

As a general rule, cats should defecate at least once a day. Younger cats tend to go more often. However, this can vary depending on a number of factors, including diet, energy levels, and health status. For example, a cat that eats a lot of dry food may pass harder stools less frequently than a cat that eats wet food. Similarly, a cat with a higher energy level that prowls all night will likely have faster digestion than a couch potato.

Healthy cat faeces should be dark brown, firm but not hard, and separate into pieces or segments. It should be similar in consistency to Play-Doh and shaped like a log or little nugget. If your cat's faeces are runny or very hard, this could be a sign of stress, a bacterial imbalance, an infection, or dehydration.

What to Do if Your Cat's Defecation Habits Change

If your cat's defecation habits change, there may be an underlying medical condition to blame. For example, if your cat usually defecates once a day and suddenly stops passing stools for 24 hours, this could be a sign of constipation. If your cat strains to defecate or passes hard, dry stools, this could indicate a more severe problem such as a colon blockage or a metabolic condition. It is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your cat's defecation habits or the appearance of their faeces.

Quality of stool

The quality of a cat's stool can tell you a lot about their health. A healthy cat's stool should be dark brown in colour, be firm but not too solid, and have the consistency of Play-Doh. It should be log-shaped, or segmented into little nuggets.

If your cat's stool is too hard, this could be a sign of constipation. This can be caused by dehydration, a lack of fibre in their diet, or an obstruction in their intestines. Obstructions can be caused by swallowed foreign objects, such as hair, bones, cloth, cat litter, or plastic. Constipation can also be caused by an illness, such as diabetes, or nerve and muscle disorders. If your cat is constipated, you should contact your vet, who may prescribe a stool softener or laxative.

If your cat's stool is too soft, this could be a sign of diarrhoea. This can be caused by a change in diet, food allergies or intolerances, inflammatory bowel disease, or worms. If your cat has diarrhoea that lasts longer than a day or two, you should contact your vet.

Other things to look out for in your cat's stool include a thick, mucus-y coating, an abundance of hair, or the presence of internal parasites, such as roundworms. If your cat's stool is black, green, red, or light brown, this could be a sign of intestinal bleeding, and you should contact your vet.

If your cat's stool smells particularly bad, this could be a sign of an intestinal disease. However, it's worth noting that every cat's stool will smell different depending on their diet, exercise, age, and other lifestyle factors.

Colour of stool

The colour of a cat's stool can vary and is an indicator of their health. Here is a guide to the different colours of cat stool and what they might mean:

Dark Brown Stool

Healthy cat stool is typically dark brown in colour. This indicates that your cat's body is absorbing the necessary nutrients from their food as it passes through the digestive tract.

Black Stool

Black, tarry stool can be a sign of internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. If you notice this colour, contact your vet to rule out any internal bleeding issues.

Red Streaks in Stool

A red tint or blood in your cat's stool may indicate bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract. This should prompt a visit to the vet, especially when accompanied by loose stools.

Light Brown/Yellow Stool

Light-coloured stool points to potential digestive issues that could originate in the liver or bile. Contact your vet to investigate this symptom further.

Green Stool

Green stool can indicate issues with the gallbladder. If you notice this colour, talk to your vet as it is an unusual sign.

White Spots in Stool

White spots in cat stool may indicate intestinal parasites such as worms. Depending on the parasite, it can look like rice (tapeworms) or spaghetti (roundworms). Your vet will prescribe antiparasitic treatment.

White Stool

White or pale stool is a serious issue, although not common in cats. It indicates a blockage in one of the passageways connecting the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. It is usually accompanied by lethargy, vomiting, or a lack of appetite. Contact your vet immediately if you notice this colour.

Consistency of stool

The consistency of a cat's stool can vary depending on several factors, and it is important to monitor this as it can indicate your cat's internal health.

A healthy cat stool is typically solid but not too firm, with a consistency similar to that of Play-Doh. It should be malleable, shaped like a log or a small nugget, and medium to dark brown in colour. If the stool is too hard, it could be a sign of constipation or a lack of hydration. On the other hand, if the stool is too soft or mushy, it could be an indication of stress, a bacterial imbalance, an infection, or your cat drinking too much water, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances.

If your cat's stool is black, it could be an indication of internal bleeding. Light-coloured stool could point to issues with the pancreas or gallbladder, or improper digestion in the gut. If the stool is red or bloody, it is recommended to contact your vet, as this could be a sign of a more serious issue.

It is also important to monitor the frequency of your cat's bowel movements. While it varies depending on age and diet, most cats defecate at least once a day. If your cat is defecating more than two to three times per day, or less than once every other day, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.

Additionally, the odour of your cat's stool can be indicative of potential issues. While cat stool is not pleasant-smelling, a strong odour could be a sign of intestinal disease.

If you notice any irregularities in your cat's stool consistency, it is important to monitor them and consult a veterinarian if they persist or are accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, changes in appetite, or vomiting.

Cat's diet

Cats' Diet

Cats' diets play a significant role in their digestive health and can influence the frequency and consistency of their bowel movements. Here are some detailed guidelines and recommendations regarding cats' diets:

Dietary Factors Affecting Bowel Movements

The type of food cats consume has a direct impact on their digestion and elimination patterns. Here are some specific dietary factors to consider:

• Kibble vs. Wet Food: Cats fed a high-carbohydrate dry kibble diet tend to have more frequent bowel movements. Wet food, on the other hand, has a higher digestibility ratio, resulting in fewer bowel movements.
• Fiber Content: Diets low in fiber can lead to constipation in cats. Increasing fiber intake can help ease constipation, but for cats with megacolon, excessive fiber may worsen the condition.
• Low-Quality Food: Cats that consume low-quality food or food with a high fibre content may experience more frequent bowel movements. These diets often contain bulking agents or fillers that increase the volume of stool without providing nutritional benefits.
• Food Allergies and Intolerances: Food allergies and intolerances can disrupt a cat's digestive system, leading to loose stools and irregular bowel habits. Proteins are a common culprit.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD is a complex condition influenced by a cat's immune system, gut bacteria, and dietary components. It can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Hyperthyroidism: Cats with hyperthyroidism may experience increased appetite and stomach upset, leading to changes in their bowel movements.
• Intestinal Parasites: Intestinal parasites can irritate the GI tract, causing diarrhea. Young kittens and cats that hunt are particularly susceptible, but parasites can affect cats of any age.

Dietary Recommendations for Healthy Bowel Movements

To promote healthy and regular bowel movements in cats, consider the following dietary recommendations:

• High-Quality Diet: Provide your cat with a high-quality diet that meets their nutritional needs. Avoid low-quality foods with bulking agents or fillers that can lead to increased stool volume without nutritional benefits.
• Fiber Adjustment: Consult with your veterinarian about adjusting the fiber content in your cat's diet. While increasing fiber can help with constipation, it may not be suitable for cats with certain conditions like megacolon.
• Wet Food: Wet food has a higher moisture content, promoting better hydration and softer stools. It is also more easily digestible, resulting in fewer bowel movements and improved nutrient absorption.
• Gradual Food Transitions: When switching your cat's food, do so gradually over several days by mixing the new food with the old food in gradually decreasing amounts. This helps to prevent digestive upset and diarrhea.
• Avoid Dairy: Dairy products like milk or yogurt are difficult for many cats to digest and can cause diarrhea.
• Probiotics: Probiotics can be beneficial for cats with constipation. They promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestines and may help regulate bowel movements.
• Prescription Diets: In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet to address specific health issues, such as food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, or colitis.

Remember, it's important to monitor your cat's bowel movements and consult with your veterinarian if you notice any significant changes in frequency, consistency, or colour. They can provide tailored advice and recommendations based on your cat's individual needs.

Frequently asked questions