It may sound gross, but paying close attention to your cat’s bowel movements is an important part of being a cat owner. Changes in the appearance of their poop may be an early sign that something is amiss. So what does yellow cat poop mean? In this article, I will review the most common causes of yellow poop and discuss what you can do to help your cat.
When is yellow cat poop NOT a concern?
– I would not be overly concerned about yellow poop if it seems to be normal for your cat. Some kitties will have naturally light yellow to tan-colored feces, due to their diet. As long as the stool is otherwise normal in consistency and texture, and your cat is not showing other signs of illness, I would not fret.
– You may also wish to check the color of their food. If they are eating a light tan kibble or food with dyes in it, light yellow appearing poop may be normal.
– An abrupt change in diet can also bring on yellow poop.
Correlate the color of stool to their overall health. If your cat is behaving normally and does not have any other signs of illness, this change is not likely an emergency.
Yellow cat poop is a concern in these situations:
- your cat is also showing signs of illness or tummy upset, such as vomiting, lethargy, or poor appetite. If your cat has persistent vomiting, no appetite, weakness, a bloated belly or yellowing of the skin/eyes, this is especially concerning.
- there are changes in the consistency of the feces, like runny diarrhea or large amounts of mucus (see picture below).
- there is a stronger than usual foul smell. This may be an indication that there is a problem with their digestion, or bacterial overgrowth is present.
- the color is bright yellow. Bright yellow feces may be a sign of liver, gallbladder, or blood problems and should be investigated right away with your veterinarian. These conditions can be life-threatening and require immediate veterinary care. Keep in mind, cats presenting with these diseases are going to be unwell.
Monitor the stool for evidence of parasites. Gastrointestinal parasites range in appearance depending on the species of parasite (and not all parasites will be visible to the naked eye). Roundworms are large and tubular. Tapeworms are white and rice-like in appearance. Learn more about worms in cat’s poop.
Top reasons for yellow cat poop
- Normal variation due to diet – Light-colored cat kibble often means light tan to yellow-colored feces. It is sensible to check your cat’s poop now and then, to know what normal looks like for them.
- Food coloring additives to food – Dyes and pigments in foods and treats can pass through the gastrointestinal tract unchanged. This can cause all the stool to appear yellow in color, or to have spots of yellow within brown feces. Cheaper diets tend to use more chemical additives and E numbers.
- Liver or Gallbladder disease – Diseases of the liver and gallbladder can cause blood levels of a byproduct called bilirubin to rise. This will result in icterus (jaundice), which is yellowing of the mucous membranes. These pigments are also excreted in the urine and feces and will cause a bright to dark yellow appearance. Other signs can include lethargy, nausea, vomiting and abdominal swelling. If your cat is acting normal and well, it is not likely they have one of these conditions.
- Bacterial Overgrowth – Bacterial overgrowth can cause changes in the breakdown and transit time of food through the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause the food to be poorly digested and more yellow in color. As well as loose and discolored stools, your cat may be losing weight, and constantly hungry.
- Zinc toxicity – Zinc toxicity causes organ damage, gastrointestinal upset and the breakdown of red blood cells and the release of excessive levels of bilirubin. This can lead to icterus and bright yellow stools. One of the more common cause, would be swallowing of a coin or ointment containing zinc. Cats become acutely unwell. Those with severe anemia may even require blood transfusions.
- Immune-mediated hemolytic Anemia – The cat’s immune system malfunctions, leading to the destruction of red blood cells, causing excessive bilirubin production and yellow stool, yellow urine, and yellow mucus membranes. Treatment usually consists of supportive care and steroids, with some patients requiring transfusions. Sadly about 20-50% of cats will not survive IMHA.
- Gastrointestinal Parasites – Parasites can cause diarrhea and interfere with the digestion of foods. Stools may be very loose and light yellow in consistency. GI parasites are more common in young kittens, and routine de-worming of all kittens is paramount. Roundworms, Giardia and Coccidia are some of the more frequent offenders.
5 things to do if your cat’s poop is yellow
If you notice your cat has yellow poop, here are some things you can do to investigate or remedy the problem:
1. Check their food
Evaluate their diet and look at the color of the morsels of food. Light-colored kibble can cause light yellow feces. Check the ingredients for any addition of dyes or pigments. If the food was recently changed, this could be a potential cause of color change
2. Assess how they are
Is your cat acting otherwise normally? If so, serious disease is not likely. Be watchful for any additional signs such as a reduced appetite, lethargy, pale or yellow gums, fast breathing, vomiting or abdominal swelling. If your cat is unwell in other ways, it is best to contact your veterinarian.
3. Perform a diet trial
If your cat is showing signs of tummy troubles, you can try offering a bland diet consisting of boiled chicken and rice. This is an easily digestible food source and may help improve the stool.
4. Discuss routine deworming with your vet:
Cats can carry gastrointestinal parasites. Talk to your vet about deworming medication if it is overdue. This is especially important for indoor/outdoor kitties who may be at higher risk for contracting parasites. Cats should also be treated with flea preventatives to prevent tapeworms  (as fleas transmit tapeworm).
5. Use probiotics
Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria and are often helpful for the treatment of uncomplicated diarrhea. They may improve stool consistency and are often the first-line treatment for diarrhea.
When to see a vet for yellow cat poop
If your cat displays any of these clinical signs, it is important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible:
- Vomiting
- Ongoing diarrhea that does not improve after 2-3 days, or that contains blood
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy/weakness
- Evidence of parasites in the stool
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes – this is a dire emergency
Other tips for gastrointestinal health in cats
Here are some tips to keep your cat’s tummy health in tip-top shape:
- Feed a high-quality diet formulated for your cat’s lifestage
- Avoid quick diet changes. Always perform a gradual change in diet by slowly mixing the old and new diet over several days
- Do not give your cat table foods
- Limit the number of treats offered
- Have fecal testing performed as directed by your veterinarian
- Consider prophylactic deworming in indoor/outdoor kitties
- Avoid feeding raw diets (which increase the risk of bacterial infections, and of parasites)
- Schedule routine veterinary visits
While a change in your kitty’s stool may alarm you, most of the time the change will be short-lived and your cat will remain well. Evaluate your cat as a whole, monitoring for any other signs that may develop. If concerned that your kitty is not well, or if their stool is not returning to normal, contact a veterinary professional.
Author
-
by
-
