Cat not using litter box and loose stools

[Stacym20]

One of my non diabetic cats is pooping and sometimes peeing outside the litter box. I think I know which one it is, but I still need to do some detective work to find out truly which one it is. The stools are really loose and sometimes have a tinge of red that looks like blood. I know I need to get him to a vet, but I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas what it might be. I've spent a lot on my sugar baby and can't afford spending a ton on another cat but this habit has to stop. We are moving to a new house soon and my husband will throw a fit if this happens in the new house.

 

[BJM]

If the cat goes outdoors, GI parasites may cause bloody, loose stool.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Intestinal cancer (which may follow IBD after some years).

Bright red color means bleeding is in the colon; coffee ground color suggests small intestinal or stomach bleeding.

 

[Stacym20]

It's bright red and he doesn't get outside and has no other symptoms. Appetite and energy have been the same.

 

[BJM]

This web site - Feline Constipation - will tell you more about the feline GI tract than you ever thought you'd need to know - how it should work, ways it may not, options to manage constipation issues.

I'll note that plain psyllium fiber may help loose stools, too, as it soaks up the excess moisture to provide some bulk. You can add 1/8 teaspoon to the canned food meal.

 

[Likameow]

When one of my civies has diarrhea, he won't use the litter box. He prefers to use the bath tub (at least it is easy to clean up). Maybe getting the loose stools under control will help with the litter box issues. Have you tried a pro biotic? Forta flora or another type isn't that expensive and seems to help Baxter when he has issues. He's always had a bit of a sensitive GI tract and any change in food or stress in the house can make him flare up.

As for the "blood", I found this... Visible blood usually indicates a more minor problem low in the bowel, perhaps a little tear or fissure, an indication of straining at stool.

 

[Stacym20]

This morning I found some vomit that looked a little like pink fluid, like maybe a mix of mucous and blood and then there was part of a plastic mesh bag in it. Is it possible that swallowing that plastic mesh bag could cause the diarrhea too?

 

[BJM]

Uh oh. That's not good.

String like things can tear up the GI tract, and with complicating infection, can kill the cat.

It may or may not pass on its own.