Blood in cat stool – when should I see a vet?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

This is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your cat seems unwell in any other way. It may be fresh red blood or digested black blood, and many different things can cause it.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your cat rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it can mean

Blood in poo can be fresh and red or digested and black.^[1] Possible causes include worms and other gut parasites, food intolerance, colitis, infections, anal gland problems, stress, pancreatitis, medications, a rectal polyp, cancer, toxins or a bleeding problem.^[1] Many causes are minor and treatable.^[1]

Other signs that can come with it

Vomiting
Pale gums
Low energy
Eating less than usual
Drinking less or more than usual
Bruising anywhere on the body
Being unsteady on their feet

Possible causes

Worms and other gut parasites
Food intolerance
Colitis
Infections
Anal gland problems
Stress
Pancreatitis
Medications
Rectal polyp
Cancer

What the experts say

“Overview. Blood in poo can either be fresh (red) or digested (black). There are many different things that can cause blood in your cat’s poo but fortunately, many of them are minor and treatable.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

What colour can blood in a cat’s stool be?

It can be fresh and red or digested and black.^[1]

What can cause blood in a cat’s stool?

Possible causes include worms and other gut parasites, food intolerance, colitis, infections, anal gland problems, stress, pancreatitis, medications, a rectal polyp, cancer, toxins or a bleeding problem.^[1]

Are many causes of blood in a cat’s stool minor?

Many causes are minor and treatable.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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