Is blood in cat poo an emergency?

Not always, but it always warrants a call. It becomes urgent alongside vomiting, hiding, not eating, pale gums, or in a kitten — and any cat that has not eaten for a day should be seen.

What does black cat poo mean?

Black, tarry stool usually means digested blood from higher in the digestive tract, which is generally more concerning than fresh red blood. It is easy to overlook because it does not look like blood.

Can worms cause blood in a cat’s stool?

Parasites are one recognised cause, which is why your vet will ask about worming status. Treating blindly is not a substitute for finding out what is actually going on.

My cat has bloody poo but seems fine — do I still call?

Yes. Cats mask illness well, and appearing bright does not rule out something significant. A call lets your vet decide how urgently they need to see them.

Blood in your cat’s poo — what it means

Blood in a cat’s stool warrants a call to your vet. Cats hide illness unusually well, so a cat who seems bright can still have something going on — and the colour of the blood tells you something useful before you even phone.

Get this seen

This is worth a call to your vet rather than waiting to see how it goes, particularly if it has lasted more than a day or your pet is otherwise off-colour.

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Red versus black

Fresh red blood, often streaked on the surface or mixed with mucus, generally comes from the lower bowel. It commonly accompanies colitis and is frequently the less serious presentation, though it still needs assessing.

Black, tarry, sticky stool is digested blood from higher up the digestive tract and is more concerning. It is easy to miss because it does not look like blood — it looks like very dark stool.

If you can, photograph it or bag the tray contents. It is unpleasant and it is genuinely the most useful thing you can bring.

Ring the same day if

Your cat is also vomiting, is hiding or unusually quiet, has stopped eating, has pale gums, or is passing blood repeatedly. A cat that has not eaten for more than about a day needs to be seen regardless of the reason.

There is any chance they have eaten string, thread, tinsel or ribbon. Linear foreign bodies are particularly dangerous in cats, and you should never pull on anything visible.

They are a kitten, or an older cat with weight loss alongside it.

The usual causes

Parasites, dietary change, food intolerance, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and stress are all common. Constipation with straining can also produce a small amount of fresh blood.

In older cats, persistent blood with weight loss needs investigating properly rather than being managed as an upset stomach.

There is no product recommendation on this page. Nothing you can buy is an appropriate response to blood in a cat’s stool, and the right next step is a phone call.

Common questions

Is blood in cat poo an emergency?: Not always, but it always warrants a call. It becomes urgent alongside vomiting, hiding, not eating, pale gums, or in a kitten — and any cat that has not eaten for a day should be seen.
What does black cat poo mean?: Black, tarry stool usually means digested blood from higher in the digestive tract, which is generally more concerning than fresh red blood. It is easy to overlook because it does not look like blood.
Can worms cause blood in a cat’s stool?: Parasites are one recognised cause, which is why your vet will ask about worming status. Treating blindly is not a substitute for finding out what is actually going on.
My cat has bloody poo but seems fine — do I still call?: Yes. Cats mask illness well, and appearing bright does not rule out something significant. A call lets your vet decide how urgently they need to see them.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.