There's Blood in My Cat's Urine and Stool. What Should I Do?

It’s always alarming to see blood coming from your cat, and when that blood is in their urine or stool, it’s almost always indicative of a health issue that needs veterinary treatment. Here, we’ll answer your questions about blood in cat urine and blood in cat stool.

Q1: Can cats really bleed from urine or stool?

Yes, cats can have blood in their urine or stool. When a cat has blood in their urine, this is called hematuria. When a cat has blood in their stool, this is called either hematochezia (bright red blood) or melena (black, tarry stools).

Feline urinary bleeding may cause the urine to look pink, red, or rust-colored. In the stool, you might notice red streaks or clots. This is more common with hematochezia. With melena, the overall stools might look dark, or you may notice coffee-ground spots in your cat’s feces.

Q2: What are common causes of blood in a cat’s urine?

The following are common causes of blood in a cat’s urine:

• Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) — FLUTD is a common condition in adult cats that causes straining, pain, and blood in the urine. The cat will usually produce small amounts of urine frequently. FLUTD can lead to a blocked urethra, especially in male cats, which is an emergency.
• Bladder stones or crystals — Bladder stones are painful and can lead to cat hematuria. Bladder stones can be dangerous, especially if they get lodged in the urethra of a cat, blocking urine outflow.
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) — Urinary tract infections cause inflammation within the bladder and urethra. Cats with UTIs have the same symptoms as those with FLUTD, but their urine will contain bacteria and increased white blood cell numbers.

Less common causes of blood in cat urine include:

• Trauma: Getting hit by a car, falling from heights, or animal attacks are all examples of how a cat could get a traumatic bladder injury.
• Tumors: Bladder cancer isn’t common in cats, but it is serious. It’s worth considering if the more common causes have been ruled out, especially in an older cat.

Q3: What are common causes of blood in a cat’s stool?

Blood in a cat’s stool almost always indicates a medical problem. Bright red blood (hematochezia) suggests bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, including the large intestine, rectum, and anus. Dark, tarry stools (melena) suggest bleeding from the upper GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Swallowed blood (from the mouth or nasal cavity) can also cause melena.

Common causes include:

• Colitis (large intestinal irritation)
• Parasitic infections, especially in kittens or outdoor cats
• Infectious diseases, like panleukopenia
• Dietary indiscretion
• Food intolerance or sudden food changes
• Gastrointestinal obstruction
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Constipation
• Cancer, especially in older cats

Blood clotting disorders or consumption of an anticoagulant, like rat poison, should also be considered.

Q4: Why do some cats have both bloody urine AND bloody stool at the same time?

Blood in both the urine and stools is usually indicative of a serious medical issue. Causes could include:

• Severe systemic illness caused by an infection (sepsis)
• Ingestion of certain toxins, like anticoagulant rat poison
• Blood clotting disorders
• Traumatic injury affecting multiple body systems

If you’re noticing blood in both urine and feces, contact a veterinarian immediately. Though uncommon, it’s also possible for GI disease and urinary disease to occur separately at the same time.

Q5: What should I do right now at home?

If you have a cat bleeding from the back end, whether it’s urine, feces, or something else, you shouldn’t wait to see if it resolves on its own. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If it’s safe to do so, collect a fresh sample and/or take a photo. Keep any samples in the refrigerator until you’re able to get to the veterinarian.

Keep your cat calm until you can see a veterinarian. Avoid home remedies without veterinary input, and make sure you know the emergency signs, discussed below.

Q6: When should I seek emergency veterinary care?

Red flags that indicate you need to seek emergency veterinary care include:

• Large amounts of blood or clots in the urine, stools, or elsewhere from the body
• Lethargy, weakness, collapse
• Straining to urinate with little to no output
• Pale gums
• Vomiting and dehydration
• Obvious pain

Getting your pet seen quickly could be lifesaving. If you are concerned that your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, do not delay seeking care.

Q7: How do veterinarians diagnose the cause?

Your veterinarian will discuss what you’re seeing and do a full physical examination on your cat. Diagnostic tests that are commonly recommended include:

• Bloodwork
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture to check for UTI
• Fecal exam to rule out parasites
• X-rays and ultrasound to rule out stones, masses, obstruction, and trauma

In some cases, advanced diagnostics like MRI/CT or intestinal biopsy may be recommended.

Q8: What treatments might cats need?

Treatment depends on the cause of cat bloody stool or pee.

These treatments might include:

• Antibiotics for infection
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Diet changes for crystals, stones, FLUTD, and certain gastrointestinal conditions
• Surgery for bladder stones or gastrointestinal obstruction
• Placement of a urinary catheter in a blocked cat
• Parasite treatment
• Anti-diarrheal medications
• Fluid therapy
• Pain medications
• Chemotherapy

Other treatments not listed here might also be necessary.

Get Your Cat to the Vet

Blood in your cat’s urine or stool is a serious sign that typically requires veterinary attention. The faster your pet is evaluated and treated, the more likely they are to have a positive outcome.