Occult blood in cat feces (hidden blood not visible to the naked eye) can be caused by gastrointestinal irritation, infections, parasites, dietary issues, or more serious conditions like cancer. It signals bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract and requires veterinary evaluation.
🐾 Common Causes of Occult Blood in Cat Feces
- Gastrointestinal parasites
Worms such as hookworms, roundworms, or whipworms can damage the intestinal lining and cause microscopic bleeding Great Pet Care vetbilim.com. - Dietary indiscretion or food intolerance
Eating spoiled food, foreign objects, or having sensitivities to certain proteins can irritate the gut and lead to hidden bleeding Great Pet Care. - Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Chronic inflammation of the intestines can cause small amounts of bleeding that may only be detected with fecal occult blood tests vetbilim.com VCA. - Bacterial or viral infections
Pathogens like Salmonella, Campylobacter, or feline parvovirus can damage intestinal tissue and result in occult blood Great Pet Care VCA. - Ulcers in the stomach or intestines
These may be caused by stress, medications (like NSAIDs or steroids), or underlying disease, leading to slow internal bleeding VCA. - Polyps or tumors
Benign growths or cancers in the gastrointestinal tract can bleed intermittently, producing occult blood vetbilim.com VCA. - Trauma or foreign bodies
Sharp objects swallowed by cats can injure the digestive tract lining, causing hidden bleeding Great Pet Care. - Systemic diseases
Conditions such as clotting disorders, liver disease, or kidney disease may predispose cats to gastrointestinal bleeding VCA.
🔎 Why Occult Blood Matters
- Hidden but significant: Even small amounts of blood loss can accumulate over time, leading to anemia if untreated VCA.
- Diagnostic clue: Occult blood testing helps veterinarians detect bleeding early, before it becomes visibly obvious.
- Requires investigation: Because causes range from minor (dietary irritation) to serious (cancer), a vet will often recommend stool tests, imaging, or endoscopy to pinpoint the source.
🐱 What You Should Do
If occult blood is detected in your cat’s feces:
- Seek veterinary care promptly. Only a vet can determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
- Provide a full history. Share details about diet, medications, recent changes, or exposure to toxins/foreign objects.
- Monitor for other symptoms. Diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, or visible blood in stool are important clues.
In short: Occult blood in cat feces can result from parasites, infections, inflammation, ulcers, tumors, or systemic disease. It’s a warning sign that should not be ignored, as even small hidden bleeding can indicate a serious underlying problem.
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