It’s not entirely unusual for our cat’s feces to change color and appearance from time to time, but what about when it goes from a normal brown to a noticeable green? well, this can sometimes be cause for concern and a reason to take your cat to the vet.
In this article, our doctors will explain what your cat’s green poop means and what you can do about it.
When is your cat’s green poop a cause for concern?
If your cat has been eating a steady diet for years without problems and suddenly has green poop, you should start to wonder if something is going on, like an underlying hepatobiliary problem or a parasite.
This is especially true if your poop also begins to change to an abnormal consistency. cat feces that are green can have a variety of consistencies, odors, and color tones. what details should you look for?
any of the following changes in your cat’s poop should be cause for concern:
- abnormal stool colors can range from pale green or yellow to greenish brown.
- loose stools that are still partially formed but do not have a normal, firm consistency.
- diarrhea ranging from a consistency of cow pie to completely runny.
- mucoid stools or stools that are greasy, slippery, or slimy in appearance.
- green poop with bright red blood.
- Keep them on a reputable, well-balanced cat food diet. this would include a diet that has appropriate amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrate with essential vitamins, fatty acids and minerals a cat needs to be nutritionally complete and healthy. many vets recommend hills science diet, royal canin or purina as the ideal balanced diet for cats.
- If your cat goes outside, you should have him on a regular deworming schedule. drontal tablets are a cost-effective and simple way to deworm your cat outdoors, as it takes care of most feline intestinal parasites. it is recommended to give this dewormer every 3-6 months depending on how often they are outdoors and if they eat rodents or rabbits.
- even if you are deworming regularly, have your cat’s feces checked for intestinal parasites by the vet every year.
if they have diarrhea for 3 days or more, it can lead to life-threatening dehydration.
However, it is extremely important to understand what is “normal” stool for your particular cat. If your cat is on a high fiber diet or eats a lot of grass or vegetables, then she may have stools that naturally appear yellow or green in color.
5 Most Common Reasons Why Cat Poop Turns Green
Now that we’ve gone over the ways green feces can appear, consistency, and color, let’s talk about the most likely reasons for these changes in your cat’s poop.
#1 in your cat’s diet
The food your cat eats will have a big influence on the overall appearance of her poop. sometimes a sudden change to green can indicate that your cat has been eating grass or even vegetables that contain a high amount of chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the pigment that turns many plants and foods green. it is found in commonly eaten vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, and asparagus.
A very pale green to yellow color is commonly seen in the feces of cats on a high fiber diet.
#2 parasitic or bacterial infections
Protozoan parasites, such as coccidia (coccidiosis) and giardia (giardiasis), are common causes of green cat feces. these stools will often have mucus present or even have a slimy or slippery appearance with an abnormal consistency or constant watery diarrhea for several days. some cats may also experience vomiting, weight loss, and fever.
Salmonella can also be a cause of green stools. this bacteria can wreak havoc in a cat’s digestive tract, causing severe diarrhea and green poop.
#3 a medicine your cat is taking
Medications, whether vitamins, antibiotics or any type of synthetic drug, can cause a change in the color and appearance of your cat’s feces. Many common and normal prescription medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or even antibiotics, are known to turn cat feces green, so be sure to call your vet if you notice this in your pet.
If your cat has recently been given a dewormer, you may notice that your cat’s brown feces turn green for a short time.
#4 liver or biliary problems in your cat
Stomach acid, or bile, is usually yellow or greenish-yellow in color. In a normal intestine, bile is slowly absorbed and deteriorates as food is digested and stool is formed. when there is an underlying liver and biliary problem, the bile does not have enough time to deteriorate during the digestive process, leading to green stools that often have a mushy or diarrheal consistency.
due to this dysfunction in the digestive tract, there is a lack of proper digestion and nutrient absorption. this will eventually lead to changes in their physical appearance as well, such as dull fur, weight loss, change in appetite, vomiting, yellowish skin (jaundice), and pale or green stools.
sometimes, a dysfunction with the pancreas can cause green poop in cats. if your vet runs a blood test and there is an abnormality in the liver, gallbladder or pancreas enzymes, this may also be the main cause of green or even yellow stools.
#5 your cat has digestive problems
Cats with a known inflammatory bowel condition may be prone to bouts of small bowel diarrhea, which is another common cause of green poop. these cats often show their frustration with their stomach problems by pooping in places they shouldn’t or normally wouldn’t.
It’s helpful to have a proper diagnosis from a veterinarian before assuming your cat has an inflammatory bowel condition. if necessary, your cat should be given a special diet to help combat gastrointestinal problems.
when is green cat poop not a concern?
If your cat has been eating some grass outside or a helping of a leafy green vegetable, you probably shouldn’t worry too much about green poop for a day or two, but no more. if the stool persists and causes bouts of diarrhea or vomiting, your vet should be contacted for further instructions.
what should you do if your cat’s poop suddenly turns green?
Green cat poop may indicate underlying gastrointestinal issues that need to be addressed by a veterinarian. however, if you know that your cat has been eating too much kitty grass, or if you have added some vegetables to her diet, then you should consider waiting or discontinuing access to these items in the future.
green cat poop is never really normal, so anytime this happens, you might consider calling your cat’s vet.
Is green cat poop ever an emergency?
in most cases, green cat poop is not an emergency. but there are always exceptions depending on the clinical signs you are seeing at home. If your cat has a sudden onset of frequently occurring green diarrhea, she may quickly become dehydrated and require fluids to replace what she lost.
what is normal cat poop like?
normal cat poop should be firm, brown, and cylindrical in shape.
3 tips for gastrointestinal health in cats
Your cat will likely have one incident of abnormal stool in its lifetime, but there are always ways to try to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. Here are some tips on how you can keep your kitty tummy feeling its best.
conclusion: green cat feces and what it means
Green cat poop is abnormal and may be cause for concern. Ideally, you can prevent most problems with a good diet and routine exams. however, don’t hesitate to contact your vet when you notice something unusual in the litter box, such as stinky green cat feces, particularly if your cat is also showing other signs of illness.
