How to Determine Gastrointestinal Problems in a Cat

A cat can suffer from various gastrointestinal issues, including intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, or from ingestion of a foreign body. Because your cat cannot tell you what type of distress it feels, you must monitor its behavior and its stools to determine if it suffers from gastrointestinal upset and to help identify the cause. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, you may need to seek the help of a veterinarian to diagnose and treat the problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat litter box
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine your cat's stool after it uses the litter box to see if it has a watery texture or appears to contain blood or mucous. Blood in the stool indicates bleeding in the lower bowel or colon. If diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, call a veterinarian.

    • 2

      Check the color of the stool. If the cat produces pasty or light-colored stool, it may indicate liver disease, while gray stool indicates a digestion problem, according to The Cat Health Guide. Dark or black stool indicates bleeding in the upper intestine; and yellow stool means it passed too quickly through the digestive tract.

    • 3

      Examine the stool and your cat's rectum for signs of worm-like parasites. Cats that suffer from a tapeworm, roundworm or hookworm infection will also show other signs of gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhea, blood in the stool, lack of appetite or black, tarry stools, according to Vetinfo.

    • 4

      Observe your cat's elimination habits. A cat who eliminates three to four times in one hour may suffer from a chronic condition called colitis, which causes inflammation of the large intestine.

    • 5

      Feel your cat's abdomen area for any bloating. If your cat suffers from an excessive amount of flatulence, it may indicate serious gastrointestinal problems such as an intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic distress or dietary intolerance, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

    • 6

      Observe your cat's behavior. If your cat suffers from diarrhea and vomiting at the same time, it may suffer from gastroenteritis, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances or dehydration.

    • 7

      Watch your cat when it uses the litter box. If it appears to strain when trying to eliminate or has not moved its bowels

      +in more than 24 hours, it may suffer from constipation or an intestinal blockage. Cats with chronic constipation may require a high-fiber diet.