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We adore our pet felines for all the cuteness and cuddles they offer. However, a cat owner has a lot to deal with, including the occasional health problems the pet encounters. One such issue is bowel incontinence seen in cats of all ages. If your cat leaks poop, you are likely to be concerned about the cause and implications.
In this guide, we discuss the causes of cat leaking poop and everything you should know about bowel incontinence to help you address the issue in the first place and keep your cat healthy and happy.
Cat Leaking Poop? Here’s What It Means
It is frustrating when your cat leaks poop; it is worse for your cat. However, you must pay close attention to the condition and try to discover the underlying cause of this problem. Here are some of the reasons your cat can leak poop.
Diarrhea
A simple reason your feline leaks poop is diarrhea from a food irritation or infection. Cats are capable enough to control their bowels, so if they poop before reaching the litter box, it means their urge is too severe. Runny stools can cause dehydration, so it is a good idea to visit the vet if the symptoms of diarrhea last for more than 24 hours.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Cats can suffer from a variety of gastrointestinal problems, a lot of which can cause leaking poop and diarrhea. One of the most common chronic conditions is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency which produces huge amounts of runny stool. Such issues persist for longer periods and should be reported to your vet.
Problems with Anal Gland
Anal glands in cats are responsible for secreting small amounts of fluid that they pass as a bowel movement. When these glands get irritated or infected, the feline can leak some discharge.
It is important to understand the underlying cause of leaking poop in your cat to be able to address the issue and restore the health and well-being of your fluffy friend.
Bowel Incontinence In Cats
Bowel incontinence in cats refers to the loss of control over bowel movements. This condition can persist in several ways. In some cases, cats with bowel incontinence drop small amounts of poop without being aware of it. Other pets might have awareness of their bowel movement but have no control over it. There are several reasons for bowel incontinence in cats, which is diagnosed through a physical examination.
There is no medication that cures bowel incontinence specifically and the treatment depends on the underlying condition. This is why it is important to determine the medical condition causing the problem in the cat. The underlying bowel disease is treated using anti-inflammatory drugs and medications for diarrhea. These medications and therapies can be accompanied by other treatments including surgery if needed.
Cat Pooping Consistency Chart
Your cat’s poop provides a lot of useful information about its health. The color, content and consistency of the stool indicate how the cat feels. It is a clear sign of the food it is eating and the way it handles the food. An ideal cat poop should be dark brown in color and neither too soft nor too hard. A watery poop indicates diarrhea while a rock-hard stool suggests that the cat has an underlying issue.
Veterinarians use a consistency chart for cat poop with a scoring system of 1 to 7, where 1 is the hardest and 7 is the softest poop. This type of consistency chart is used by veterinarians and specialists to rate the consistency and health of the animal. The healthiest consistency of stool is a score of 2. Persistent loose stool for more than 24 hours and a score of 4-7 indicates a serious condition that should be reported to your vet.
Cat Dripping Poop
If you notice that your cat drips poop while moving around, it can mean a lot of things. A possible reason is diarrhea caused by a variety of conditions. It is also possible that the cat is constipated, and the liquid dripping out is what comes out when it strains to try to defecate. A visit to a vet can help you make out a difference. Neither of these conditions is normal and the treatments are different for both cases.
Both diarrhea and constipation can attribute to various causes. The problem might originate from either the digestive tract or from inflammation to parasitic infection. The kitty may have intestinal problems originating from conditions like diabetes, kidney issue or dehydration. Sometimes, the dripping poop can indicate a bowel movement problem associated with a change in food. In some cases, the problem is associated with behavioural change.
Old Cat Leaking Poop
A lot of senior cats struggle with bowel incontinence and end up having leaking poop. While the exact reason for this problem involves a medical diagnosis, most cats simply lose control over their bodies as they age. Age-related conditions like chronic pain and cognitive decline can result in bowel incontinence. Old cats may have weaker muscles, arthritis and other problems that can contribute to leaking poop from disability or lack of mobility.
Bowel incontinence is difficult to diagnose in old cats. A wide range of ailments is responsible for diarrhea in cats, including pancreatitis, gastrointestinal problems, parasitic infections and others commonly seen in older cats. Once the underlying cause is identified, it is easier to manage leaking poop in cats. Food allergies and intolerance are a major cause of diarrhea in old cats. In this case, the problem can be resolved by changing the food and adding medications that help relieve the symptoms of indigestion or allergic reactions.