Why does my cat's poop smell so bad? Is it normal or a health concern?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Siamese | Male | neutered
Why are his poops smelling so bad? He eats the same food as our other cat and uses the same bathroom but his poop smells terrible. He's not very good at covering it either... is their something wrong with his anal glands or is this normal?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 5th, 2017
Poop smell is dependent on the type of intestinal bacteria your kitty harbors. these are good bacteria, but some just smell awful. The same is true for bacteria in his anal glands. He may not be covering his poop enough, because he himself ma be disgusted with it, so only does a half-hearted job. If he is otherwise healthy then there is nothing to worry about. A bottle of Febreze may be your only weapon against the smell. Sometimes changing food, especially changing to wet (canned) food, pate-style, may change the intestinal flora and the smell changes too.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on January 15th, 2018
Is it possible that Shade is having excess gas? If so, I would consider switching his diet to a high-quality easily digestible food such as Hills I/D. It is also possible that the smell could be due to full anal glands. In which can I would recommend taking him to your veterinarian to have the glands expressed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 16th, 2018
That usually is dietary related, I would suggest to withhold food for the next 8-12 hours and then start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. Probiotics can be given as well. I would definitively recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice diarrhoea, vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 28th, 2018
It is not really something you have to worry about. It is caused by the type of bacteria in his gut. You may want to try and change Harry's food to a good quality wet /canned cat food. That will change the bacteria working in the gut. Transition slowly over several days.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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