My Cat Smells Like Poop: 5 Vet-Verified Reasons & Solutions
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There's almost nothing better than your daily cuddle with your feline friend. One of the big draws of owning a cat is their cleanliness—a trait that cats are known for—but sometimes, you may detect a foul smell coming from your feline, and end up asking yourself "why does my cat smell like poop?".
Cats are so fastidious about self-grooming, and if your cat suddenly smells like poop, there is a reason for concern. While it is rare that there is something serious at hand, it is still an issue that you’ll want to solve as quickly as possible, both for your and your cat’s sake!
In this article, we'll discuss five common reasons that your cat smells like poop and what you can do to fix it!
How to Eliminate the Smell
Chances are fairly low that your cat suffers from an anal infection, so the smell is most likely from matted fur or a messy litter box. In that case, a bath is the first order of business! Check your cat’s fur for any traces of poop that may be stuck, and check their litter box for signs of diarrhea. If your cat’s stool is normal, you’ll probably just need to switch to a self-cleaning litterbox or high-quality litter and keep the area around their rear end short and trimmed.
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The 5 Reasons for Your Cat Smelling Like Poop
1. Dirty litter
Litter box maintenance is as essential as any other part of your cat’s maintenance needs, but even with a clean and well-looked-after litter box, your cat may still end up smelling like poop. Some cats, especially kittens, may play inside their litter box, inadvertently spreading feces all over their fur. Additionally, cats instinctually like to cover their waste with litter or sand; in the process, they may get their fur coated in poop. This is especially common in long-haired cats like Persians.
The solution to this problem is fairly simple—you may want to try a self-cleaning, automatic litter box. They reduce the mess caused by cats attempting to bury their poop and are cleaner than traditional boxes. Automated litter boxes can be expensive, and if the price is too high for you, changing to a high-quality litter may also solve the issue.
- A litter deodorizer can substantially lower litter box smells. Learn about our favorites here.
2. Change of diet
Cats are obligate carnivores and require a specific diet to stay healthy and happy. A poor diet of too many grains, vegetables, and fruits may cause diarrhea. Additionally, a sudden diet change can cause stomach issues, leading to runny excrement stuck in your cat's fur.
Feed your feline the best quality food that you can afford, and be sure that it is filled with animal-sourced proteins from fish, beef, and chicken. If you are switching your cat's regular food to another brand, transition slowly over several days to prevent an upset stomach.
3. Digestive issues
Digestive issues can also cause diarrhea or runny poop that can get caught on your cat’s fur, but they can cause gas too. If your cat smells like poop, but you don't notice any on their fur, it may just be gas that you’re smelling.
Digestive issues can be from a sudden change in diet or other causes, including:
Foods with loads of fiber may also be the cause, so check the ingredient list on your cat’s food to ensure it doesn’t contain massive amounts. Avoid giving your cat dairy products and large portions of grains, and avoid any spoiled foods. If all this is in order, they may have an allergy you’ll need a vet to prescribe a healthy diet for.
4. Anal Glands Issues
Cats can be prone to anal gland issues, and if their food and litter box are all in order, they could cause your cat’s foul odor. These scent glands are usually expressed during defecation and territory marking and have a powerful fecal smell. If their anal gland gets clogged, they can develop an infection that may leak or form an abscess, resulting in a foul odor.
If you notice your cat having trouble doing their business and they are showing any signs of discomfort by constantly licking the area, there may be an anal gland issue, and you should take them to the vet as soon as possible.
5. Dirty cat
Sometimes if your cat smells like poop, it can simply be that they are dirty. While cats are obsessive self-groomers, poop can still get stuck and harden on their coats. This could be caused by runny feces, and if you notice hardened poop around your cat’s rear end, there could be a digestive issue. Additionally, cats that are overweight or have health issues like arthritis may not be able to properly reach parts of their body and adequately groom themselves.
If your cat has matted fur around their rear end, you may need to trim carefully around the area and remove any matted fur. It’s also a great idea to keep the area trimmed to prevent matting later. This will help with overweight or ill cats, but the health issue should still be diagnosed and treated by a vet.
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Final Thoughts
If your cat suddenly smells like poop, there is usually no reason to panic. The cause and solution are usually simple; after a good bath, your cat will smell fresh again in no time! If your cat’s diet and litter box are normal and unchanged, there may be a more severe issue at hand, but that is relatively rare and a good bath will usually do the trick! See Also:
Featured Photo Credit: Jihan Nafiaa Zahri, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
