Do you want to understand your cat’s health and whether they’re eating the right diet for them? The clue is in their poo. Learn what a healthy cat poo looks like and what it means when there’s hair or mucus or other foreign materials in your cat’s waste.

Cat Poo Contents and Coating Chart

 

Contents

Fur in cat poo

Due to their meticulous self-grooming, it’s normal for all cat poos to have a bit of fur in them. On the other hand, large clumps of fur found in poo indicate that your cat is over-grooming which can be triggered by skin diseases, parasites, allergies or issues with behaviour such as stress. This can also lead to your cat experiencing hairballs which, if severe, may block their digestive tract. To help with this problem, try feeding your cat food that is designed for hairball control with ingredients to aid digestion and promote a healthier coat. Your local Greencross Vets clinic can help you identify and treat the underlying issue.

Worms in cat poo

While some intestinal worms are too small to be seen by the naked human eye, the most common ones you may come across in your cat’s poo are roundworms which look like long spaghetti strands, or tapeworm segments which look like grains of rice. If your cat has been infected by worms, bring a sample of their poo with you to your local Greencross Vets clinic so the worms can be identified and treated. Remember to give your cat flea, tick and worm treatments all year round to keep them protected.

Foreign materials in cat poo

Sometimes your cat’s curious nature can get them into trouble when they swallow things that they shouldn’t. If you’re finding bits of foreign materials such as plants, string, tinsel or hair elastics in your cat’s poo then it’s time to do a sweep of your home to make sure you don’t have any hazardous materials lying around and that your cat doesn’t have access to places they shouldn’t be entering.

Undigested food in cat poo

The quality of your cat’s food has a huge effect on the poo they produce. If you’re feeding your cat a poor quality kibble, then this food will not be digested and will wholly pass through your cat and be visible in their poo. The lack of nutrients in this type of food means that your cat’s well-being is at risk. To make sure that your cat receives a complete and balanced diet that optimises their health, use our Cat Food Finder tool to understand the best diet for your beloved pet.

Coating

No coating

The perfect cat poo will not have any substance coating it but will appear slightly shiny because of the moisture within the poo. These poos will have a firm consistency and be easy to scoop out of the litter tray. Improve your cat’s standard of life and the poos they produce by feeding them super premium cat food.

Mucus coating cat poo

A small amount of mucus in your cat’s poo is normal as this is a normal secretion that helps with lubrication for easier passing of waste. However if there’s a great deal of mucus in their poo and it seems slimy and jelly-like, then this is a cause for concern and you should take your cat for a checkup at your local Greencross Vets. Mucus in cat poo can be caused by sudden changes in diet, food intolerances and infections amongst other reasons.

Overall, a normal cat poo should look like a firm brown log or small nuggets that contain only a small amount of fur, with no coating. Undigested food and mucus coating the poo are signs that your cat isn’t being fed the right diet. Use our Cat Food Finder tool or chat with your friendly local Petbarn team member to understand the best nutrition for your cat based on their age, breed and lifestyle.

Try our Cat Food Finder tool

Try our Cat Food Finder tool