My cat has blood in her soft stool and is straining. Should I worry?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | spayed
My cat had a slightly soft stool today with a small amount of red blood streaks, should I be worried? Vets office is closed today so I have been reading online and worrying myself. She is eating normal, not acting funny or anything. I did notice her straining a bit when she had her last bowel movement.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 25th, 2018
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Barb. I'm glad to hear that she is still eating and acting like herself. If a cat experiences a bit of difficulty passing a bowel movement, they will strain. This can irritate the colon resulting in bright red blood streaks on the feces. Contact you veterinarian in the morning. Fecal testing will likely be recommended to rule out any intestinal parasites causing the blood. A diet modification may be needed to make it easier for her to pass stool if this becomes a repeated problem for her. You can add canned food for the extra moisture content or your veterinarian may recommend a higher fiber food or supplement. I hope this information helps!
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 11th, 2017
It is possible that the transition to the new food caused the diarrhea in Toothless. An abrupt transition back to the old food may not result in the diarrhea improving. It is always important to do a slow transition to a new diet, gradually mixing in more of the new food and less of the old food over the course of a week. This will help decrease the incidence of diarrhea in many cases. You may need to feed a bland diet (such as plain boiled chicken and rice) for a few days to allow the gastrointestinal tract to rest, and then slowly transition back to her original diet. If the diarrhea worsens (develops heavy mucus or blood), Toothless becomes lethargic or inappetant, then she should be seen by her veterinarian to rule-out internal parasites or an infectious cause.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on July 30th, 2017
Hello, looks like Izzy is having a little mild colitis, which is common when there is a change in diet. Ideally diet changes are done very gradually over the course of a week or two, but even if done gradually sometimes the change can cause mild GI troubles. The frequency you've seen so far of soft stools is pretty mild - if it's just been the two episodes you can keep an eye on things, and it may just take her body a few more days to adjust to the new food. If it starts to get worse, you can put her on a bland, easily digested food for a few days (white rice and boiled chicken breast) and then gradually add in her kibbles again. If that doesn't resolve it, or if it is getting quickly worse, then it's worth taking Izzy to the vet in case she needs meds to calm her GI tract down. Your vet may also recommend checking a fresh stool sample to make sure there are no intestinal parasites. Hope this helps.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 30th, 2017
Hello- Sudden diet changes can cause both diarrhea as well as constipation. The blood could indicate significant inflammation in the colon from diarrhea, diet changes, an infection and/or other causes. Anytime there's blood in the stools it is recommended your pet see their veterinarian as some cases require antibiotics and possibly fluids as the diarrhea and inflammation can cause dehydration.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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