Cat poo is smelly because:
A variety of stinky compounds are present in a cat’s poop. A healthy cat should have stool with a mild smell, although some odor is normal.
A horrible smell is often a sign of a health problem or poor diet.
Scoop the litterbox daily, and sprinkle baking soda on the box to prevent bad odors.
Generally, cat poop does not have a pleasant smell. However, it can be difficult to know where to draw the line between a normal smell and one that indicates there is a problem.
Keep reading to know if cat poop is smelly.
Some Odor Is Normal in Cat Poop
A healthy cat’s stool should not have a strong, pungent smell, although some odor is normal.
Smelly poop is usually a sign of a problem in the stomach or intestines, poor diet, or the presence of parasites.
This does not mean that the feces will not smell at all. Some odor in your cat’s poop shouldn’t be a reason for concern.
Just like in humans, a stinky stool can sometimes be because your cat ate something that doesn’t agree with them.
The problem usually subsides after a while.
A Healthy Cat’s Stool Should Have a Mild Smell
The odor of a healthy cat should be mild and barely noticeable. If the cat buries its poop well, it should not send the whole house running for fresh air.
I have often been in the same room with my cat as it uses its litterbox, and I don’t smell anything foul.
Cat Poop Contains Stinky Sulfur Compounds
A nasty smell coming out of your cat’s litterbox does not necessarily mean they have a problem.
According to a Japanese study, the horrible smell comes from sulfur compounds. A variety of stinky components are present in a cat’s poop.
If you have ever smelled rotten eggs, you’ll understand this better.
The researchers found that the sulfur compounds found in cat feces were noticeably absent in dog feces. That explains why a cat’s feces smell worse than a dog’s poop.
You can also detect a metallic smell that comes from digested blood that made its way into the poop.
When Cats Don’t Bury Their Poop, It Smells More
The problem could also be because your cat is not burying its poop. Imagine how this would have the same effect as someone in your family who never flushes the toilet.
The smell lingers all over the house and becomes a stench. A cat can refuse to cover its poop because they are nervous in a new house or due to competition from other cats.
A Horrible Smell Is a Sign of a Health Problem
Cat poop can reveal a lot about a cat’s health. The topic is not something most people want to talk about, but it’s a crucial indicator of what’s going on inside your pet’s body.
While stools do not have a pleasant smell, sometimes they can smell extremely strong and putrid.
The appearance, consistency, and smell of feces are great indicators of your cat’s health. The stench of an unhealthy cat’s poop can linger in the air for far longer than any regular stool.
This is one of the signs that something is not quite right. As I mentioned earlier, foul-smelling poop does not always mean there is a reason for concern.
But if it appears alongside other symptoms, like change in color or consistency, you need to talk to your vet.
Here are some health problems that can result in stinky poop:
1. Presence of Bacteria
Cats have a naturally high prey drive. Perhaps your cat ate rodents like rats and mice, especially if they are outdoor cats.
The prey can be rotten or something that doesn’t agree with them. If the meat was infected with E.coli or Salmonella, this could cause digestive discomfort and, ultimately, smelly feces.
2. Parasites
Parasitic infections can cause diarrhea and horrible-smelling feces. Your cat can catch parasites in several ways, but they are often picked up from the environment or spread from cat to cat.
Trichomoniasis and Coccidian are feline parasites that can cause severe intestinal issues. They are most common in younger cats in multi-cat households.
Your vet will pinpoint which parasite your cat has and prescribe some antibiotics.
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Feline inflammatory bowel disease is a condition in which a cat’s gastrointestinal tract becomes irritated and inflamed.
Cats of any age can be affected, but it is most common in middle-aged and older cats. One of the symptoms of this condition is stinky poop.
Low-Quality Food Produces Smelly Feces
All commercial dry cat food contains some form of carbohydrate fillers. This is necessary for holding the pellets in shape.
Cat food should be low in carbs and high in protein. Low-quality brands of cat foods contain low-quality fillers to produce cost-effective foods.
Grain fillers such as corn are not part of a cat’s natural diet and are poorly digested. This can often lead to gastrointestinal upset, flatulence, and smelly feces.
Cat food packaging must label its ingredients in order of the highest level to the lowest. When buying cat food, look for brands that list animal protein sources such as chicken, beef, and lamb as the first ingredient.
Visit a Vet if the Strong Odor Persists
Any changes in your cat’s stool, including foul smell, should be evaluated by a vet if it does not return to normal within 48 hours.
If possible, bring along a stool sample that may provide a pointer to the underlying cause.
In the meantime, feed your cat boiled chicken and rice, which is ideal for cats recovering from an upset stomach or diarrhea.
The fiber in the rice will firm up the stool, calming down the digestive system. Rice and chicken take longer to digest due to the high fiber and protein content, leaving your cat feeling full.
However, most cats quickly get bored of the bland taste. This is a meal that should be reserved only for gastric episodes.
The vet will obtain a medical history of your cat from you. Valuable information to provide includes:
- How long the feces have been smelly
- What your cat is eating and drinking
- If your cat is currently on any medication or supplements
- If your cat has been treated for any parasites
Treatment will depend on the cause of the smelly feces.
How to Reduce Litterbox Smell
1. Scoop the Litterbox Daily
The best way to reduce litterbox smell is to maintain hygiene on the litterbox. If the feces and urine are left to sit in there for a long time, the smell coming out of there can be horrible.
Scoop the clumps of urine and feces at least once per day, or even twice. Clumping litter is the easiest to clean.
A dirty litterbox is repulsive not only to you, but also to your cat. If there are too many deposits in the box, your cat will poop outside the box.
Your house can become really smelly if they poop or pee on the floor or carpet.
If you want to forgo the hassle of scooping daily, invest in an automatic scooping box. But don’t throw away the previous box before testing out the new one.
Some cats might be scared of the noise from the automatic scooping. This makes them do their business in other places.
2. Clean the Litterbox Thoroughly
If you scoop the litterbox daily, it will be far easier to deep clean when the time comes. Once a month, empty the litter from the boxes and scrub them thoroughly.
Be sure to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from the pathogens found in feline fecal matter that can infect humans.
Use a mild detergent or unscented soap and water to clean the boxes. The smell of bleach and other harsh chemicals can make your cat avoid the litterbox even when it’s clean.
Dry the boxes and add fresh litter.
3. Ventilate the Litterbox
Most cat owners make the mistake of tucking their cat’s litter boxes in a small, confined space. Granted, cats appreciate some privacy when doing their business.
But tucking it away like this leaves the odor concentrated in one spot.
You might end up with a stinky closet. Your cat will end up avoiding that space, and you probably will too.
Place your litterboxes in spots that are well ventilated.
As for whether or not to cover the litter box, you will need to do some experimentation. Some cats prefer covered boxes, while others don’t.
4. Replace Damaged Litterboxes
The frequent clawing can make the litter box become scratched. Small amounts of poop can stick on these scratches, and they’re great places for bacteria to build up.
Make sure to replace the boxes once every year. Buy a well-sized box that your cat can fit into well. It should be at least as long as your cat from the tip of their nose to the tip of their extended tail.
In a multi-cat household, the general rule of thumb is to have a box for each cat plus one extra.
5. Sprinkle Baking Soda on the Litter
If you are still having problems with odor, try sprinkling a little baking soda on the bottom of the box. You can do this before you add fresh litter.
Alternatively, you can place an open box of baking soda in the same area as the box. Baking soda is great at absorbing unpleasant smells. Activated charcoal is also great at masking odors.
Don’t use perfumes or sprays near the box. These will irritate your cat’s sensitive nose and discourage them from using the litterbox.
6. Use a Litterbox Liner
Litterbox liners line the box so that cleaning up is easier. When cleaning, you simply wrap it up and throw everything away at once.
Liners keep the box clean because they prevent urine from penetrating through the box.
This helps to cut down on smell. The downside is that the price of liners can add up, especially if you are cleaning the box regularly.
