Most of us don’t pay much attention to what’s going on in our cat’s litter box. we clean it, put fresh sand and continue with other tasks. but what if you notice white poop in the sand? should you worry? While it seems trivial, seeing these changes in your cat’s poop can be critical to keeping your cat healthy.
While it’s not often seen in cats, there are a few different things that can cause their poop to be white.
The standard brown color of your cat’s poop is due to the presence of bile pigments. But what are bile pigments and why do they make your cat’s poop a specific color? bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that aids in the absorption of fats and vitamins. As the bile travels through your cat’s digestive system, it changes from a green to brown color.
Regular cat poop should be tan to brown (not black or red). it must be in a solid form, not liquid or very hard. above all, it should be easy to clean from the litter box.
but what if you see white poop in the trash? Acholic feces, or light-colored poop from a lack of bile, is not common in cats, but it is possible. poop can have a soft or semi-formed consistency.
If you notice poop that’s mostly brown with white flecks, it’s usually related to intestinal parasites. pay special attention to your cat’s bedding and the fur around her anus.
1. biliary obstruction or cholestasis
Biliary obstruction occurs when one of the ducts connecting the gallbladder, liver, and small intestine becomes blocked. this blockage means that bile, which helps with fat absorption, cannot get through. it also means that bile is not broken down into smaller molecules that turn stool brown.
With cholestasis, your cat may not be feeling well: lethargic, vomiting, poor appetite, and pale-colored stools. You may even notice that your cat has jaundice, a yellow discoloration that’s most noticeable in areas like the eyes and gums.
2. intestinal parasites
If you see white spots in normal brown poop, your cat may have tapeworms. Tapeworms are intestinal parasites that pass into the cat’s poop in the form of small segments. these segments are white and look like sesame seeds or grains of rice. they are often found in the cat’s bedding while it sleeps.
Your cat typically develops a tapeworm infection by eating an infected flea and then the tapeworms settle in your cat’s intestinal tract. Tapeworms don’t always show up on a routine fecal test, but they are reasonably easy to diagnose on visual inspection by your vet.
3. other less common causes
- Mold – This can be seen in poop that is left out for several days or in damp conditions.
- raw diet: not necessarily seen with all raw diets, but may be more common in diets high in calcium.
- Fish or other bones: In both raw foods and certain canned foods, bones can make poop a whiter color.
You are your cat’s best advocate when it comes to her health. If you notice changes in his energy or appetite, loose stools or diarrhea, or yellow areas such as his eyes or gums, then it’s best to have him checked out by your vet.
Expect some variation in stool from day to day. however, any sudden change in diet can upset your cat’s stool. If you recently switched cat foods and your cat has looser stools or a slight color change, this may be due to food transition. If the food has not changed, it is best to consult with your vet.
If you notice your cat has white poop (either completely white or with white flecks), it’s best to make an appointment with your vet as some causes are more serious than others.
If your cat has segments of white rice grains typical of tapeworms, this is usually an easy diagnosis. your cat will be prescribed an antiparasitic; these can be oral or an injection given by your vet.
but what happens when your cat isn’t feeling well? If your cat has white or pale poop and is lethargic, not eating, vomiting, or sick, this could indicate a blockage in one of the bile ducts and may be more of an emergency. Your vet will need to perform several diagnostic tests, including blood tests, urinalysis, and abdominal X-rays or ultrasound.
what if your cat’s poop is brown and shaped, but has white flecks or specks? these specks may indicate that your cat has intestinal parasites. the most common parasite that causes whiteheads is the tapeworm. as the tapeworm matures, it sheds segments in the cat’s poop. these segments generally look like grains of rice and are usually found around the cat’s anus and on the surrounding fur and bedding.
The good news is that your vet can quickly treat most intestinal parasites. They may also want to do a fecal test to check for other parasites and eggs.
Keep in mind that one of the most common ways your cat becomes infected with tapeworms is by ingesting an infected flea. this transmission makes flea prevention a crucial step in controlling tapeworms as well.
While it’s not always glamorous, noticing changes in your cat’s litter box habits can help you spot health issues like urinary issues, parasites, or even some liver and gallbladder issues.
Talk to your vet about which diet is best for your cat’s age and lifestyle. Diet is a very important factor in overall health.
