Why does poop smell. What causes different poop odors. How to identify normal vs abnormal stool smells. When should you be concerned about your poop odor. What health conditions can affect poop smell.

The Science Behind Poop Odor: Why Does It Smell?

Poop odor is a natural and expected occurrence, but have you ever wondered about the science behind it? The primary factor contributing to the smell of our feces is our gut microbiota. Dr. Michael D. Brown, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, explains:

“The routine odor of stool is based on your gut microbiota. Namely, the type of bacteria you have and how this bacteria ferments the food in your diet.”

Interestingly, our gut microbiota is largely inherited from our mothers and remains relatively stable throughout our lives. Even when we take antibiotics or probiotics, our gut microbiome tends to revert to its normal state once we stop these interventions.

Dietary Influences on Poop Odor

While our gut microbiota plays a significant role in determining the baseline smell of our poop, our diet can cause variations in odor. Here are some key dietary factors that can influence poop smell:

• Carbohydrates: Highly fermentable and can significantly impact smell
• Garlic and onions: Contain sulfates that break down into smelly substances
• Legumes and beans: Contain enzymes that inhibit digestion, leading to more gas production
• High-fat foods, dairy, meat, and alcohol: Can contribute to a sulfurous, rotten-egg smell

Dr. Niket Sonpal, an internist and gastroenterologist in New York City, adds that it’s entirely normal for poop to have an odor, and some people naturally have smellier stools than others.

Decoding Different Poop Smells: What They Might Indicate

While it’s normal for poop to have an odor, certain smells can be indicative of underlying health issues. Let’s explore some of these potential warning signs:

Metallic or Particularly Pungent Odor

A metallic or unusually pungent smell could be a sign of blood in the stool. Dr. Brown notes that this odor is quite distinctive and easily recognizable to gastroenterologists. For the average person, it’s more important to pay attention to the appearance of the stool rather than trying to identify this specific smell.

Black, tarry stools are a red flag that could indicate bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. This could be a sign of conditions such as peptic ulcers or even esophageal or stomach cancer. If you notice black, tarry stools, it’s crucial to contact your doctor immediately.

Vomit-like or Sewer Gas Smell

Dr. Sonpal advises seeking medical attention if your stool smell becomes “genuinely and severely unbearable.” This, especially when accompanied by changes in stool texture (waxy or tacky) or significant changes in bowel habits, could indicate an infection or digestive condition.

One example of an infection that can cause extremely foul-smelling stool is giardiasis, an intestinal parasite. This condition is often contracted through contaminated food or water and can lead to explosive, watery diarrhea along with the unpleasant odor.

Sweet-Smelling Stool

While less common, sweet-smelling stool can also be a cause for concern. Certain infections can lead to this unusual odor. If you notice a persistent sweet smell in your stool, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional.

Digestive Conditions That Can Affect Poop Odor

Several digestive conditions can contribute to foul-smelling stool. These include:

• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pancreatic infections

These conditions often involve malabsorption issues, which can lead to changes in stool odor and appearance. Dr. Brown explains that malabsorption of fats (a condition known as steatorrhea) can result in a “rotten food smell.” Additionally, lighter-colored stools (clay or white) may indicate pancreatic issues.

When Should You Be Concerned About Poop Odor?

While variations in poop odor are often normal and related to dietary changes, there are instances when you should be concerned and seek medical attention. Here are some key situations to watch out for:

1. Persistent, extremely foul odor that is significantly different from your usual smell
2. Black, tarry stools or visible blood in the stool
3. Stool with a greasy appearance and particularly foul smell (possible sign of malabsorption)
4. Sweet-smelling stool that persists
5. Significant changes in bowel habits accompanied by changes in stool odor
6. Unexplained weight loss along with changes in stool odor

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

The Role of Diet in Managing Poop Odor

While some degree of poop odor is inevitable, there are dietary strategies that can help manage particularly strong or unpleasant smells. Consider the following approaches:

Foods That May Reduce Poop Odor

• High-fiber foods: These can help solidify stool and reduce odor
• Yogurt and other probiotic-rich foods: Can promote a healthy gut microbiome
• Water: Staying hydrated can help reduce stool odor
• Herbs like peppermint and fennel: May help reduce digestive gas

Foods to Limit for Odor Control

• Sulfur-rich foods: Such as eggs, meat, and certain vegetables
• Processed foods: Often contain additives that can affect digestion
• Alcohol: Can lead to more pungent-smelling stool
• Dairy: Especially for those with lactose intolerance

Remember, everyone’s digestive system is unique, so what works for one person may not work for another. It’s always best to pay attention to your body’s reactions and consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist for personalized advice.

The Importance of Gut Health in Poop Odor Management

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is crucial not only for overall health but also for managing poop odor. Here are some strategies to promote gut health:

Probiotics and Prebiotics

While Dr. Brown noted that our gut microbiota tends to revert to its normal state after probiotic use, incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into your diet may still offer benefits. Prebiotics, which feed beneficial gut bacteria, can also be helpful. Foods rich in prebiotics include:

• Garlic
• Onions
• Leeks
• Asparagus
• Bananas
• Oats

Stress Management

Stress can significantly impact gut health and, by extension, affect stool odor. Incorporating stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or regular exercise can contribute to better digestive health.

Adequate Sleep

Quality sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to support your digestive health.

Medical Interventions for Persistent Poop Odor Issues

If dietary changes and lifestyle modifications don’t sufficiently address persistent poop odor issues, medical interventions may be necessary. Here are some potential approaches your healthcare provider might consider:

Diagnostic Tests

To identify underlying causes of abnormal poop odor, your doctor may recommend various diagnostic tests, including:

• Stool analysis: To check for infections, parasites, or signs of malabsorption
• Blood tests: To assess for conditions like celiac disease or other digestive disorders
• Imaging tests: Such as CT scans or MRIs to examine the digestive tract
• Endoscopy or colonoscopy: To visually inspect the digestive tract for abnormalities

Medications

Depending on the underlying cause, your doctor may prescribe medications to address the issue. These could include:

• Antibiotics: For bacterial infections
• Anti-parasitic drugs: For parasitic infections like giardiasis
• Enzyme supplements: To aid in digestion and nutrient absorption
• Medications to manage specific digestive disorders: Such as those for Crohn’s disease or celiac disease

Dietary Counseling

In some cases, working with a registered dietitian can help identify specific dietary triggers and develop a personalized eating plan to manage poop odor and overall digestive health.

The Connection Between Poop Odor and Overall Health

While it’s easy to dismiss poop odor as merely an unpleasant aspect of bodily functions, it’s important to recognize that our stool can provide valuable insights into our overall health. Here’s how poop odor relates to various aspects of health:

Digestive Health

As we’ve discussed, the smell of our poop is closely tied to our gut microbiome and digestive processes. Changes in odor can signal issues with nutrient absorption, inflammation in the gut, or imbalances in gut bacteria.

Liver Function

The liver plays a crucial role in processing waste products in our body. Issues with liver function can sometimes manifest as changes in stool odor, particularly a strong, musty smell.

Metabolic Health

Our metabolism affects how we process the foods we eat. Metabolic disorders can sometimes lead to changes in stool odor. For example, trimethylaminuria, a rare metabolic disorder, can cause a strong fishy odor in bodily excretions, including stool.

Hydration Status

Dehydration can lead to more concentrated, stronger-smelling stool. Maintaining proper hydration is not only important for overall health but can also help manage stool odor.

Medication Effects

Certain medications can alter stool odor as a side effect. If you notice changes in your stool odor after starting a new medication, it’s worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

By paying attention to changes in our stool, including its odor, we can gain valuable insights into our body’s functioning and potentially catch health issues early. However, it’s crucial to remember that while poop odor can be an indicator of health, it should be considered alongside other symptoms and should not replace regular check-ups and open communication with healthcare providers.

Here’s Why Your Poop Smells Bad or Different Than Normal

Poop that smells bad is totally normal, but there are a few specific smells that can tip you off to gut problems.

Image Credit: serezniy/iStock/GettyImages

Look, there’s a reason why bathrooms are equipped with a fan: Yeah, it’s to get rid of moisture from your shower, but it also zips odors outta there. Because, people, your poop smells.

Granted, you probably already know that. But did you know the fragrance of your feces (sorry, couldn’t resist), can clue you into what’s going on inside your body?

Wait, Why Does Poop Smell?

First, though, let’s chat about ​why​ your poop smells. You might notice that your BMs, in general, tend to have a similar scent.

“The routine odor of stool is based on your gut microbiota. Namely, the type of bacteria you have and how this bacteria ferments the food in your diet,” Michael D. Brown, MD, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, tells LIVESTRONG. com.

(This microbiota was “given to you by your mother,” and is difficult to change, adds Dr. Brown. If you are taking antibiotics or probiotics, once you stop taking them, your gut microbiota will revert back to your body’s normal.)

Still, it’s the food you eat that can make a specific poop more putrid or pleasant:

• ​Carbohydrates​ are highly fermentable, and
  they influence this smell, says Dr. Brown.
• ​Garlic and onions​ are top offenders
  that make things more odorous, as they contain sulfates, which break down into
  smelly substances. (Hence, why your poop smells so bad or smells like sulfur.)
• ​Legumes and beans​ contain an enzyme that inhibits their digestion, which will give you more gas (which, you know, smells).

That rotten-egg smell? Typical. Other sulfate-containing culprits, in addition to that garlicky spinach or fajitas topped with sauteed onions, are ​high-fat foods, dairy, meat and alcohol​, says Niket Sonpal, MD, an internist and gastroenterologist in New York City.

What Different Poop Smells Might Mean

In other words, it’s totally normal to have smelly poop.

“It’s not necessarily unhealthy for your poop to smell. Some people have smellier stool than others, and most people occasionally experience rancid-smelling poops,” Dr. Sonpal says.

That said, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your personal perfume (whether sweet or skunk-like) because there are a few signs that something more may be going on.

1. Your Poop Smells Metallic or Especially Pungent

If you have blood in your stool, your poop will have a “unique and unmistakable smell,” says Dr. Brown. GI doctors, he says, can readily identify this when they walk down the hall of a hospital, but for the untrained nose (that’s you), rather than sniffing out blood, pay attention to the way it looks.

Black, tarry stools are a red flag, as this indicates the presence of blood, which indicates bleeding in the upper part of the GI tract (esophagus, stomach or part of the small intestine), according to the U. S. National Library of Medicine. This symptom can indicate a peptic ulcer or even esophageal or stomach cancer. Always call your doctor if you have black, tarry stools.

“It’s not necessarily unhealthy for your poop to smell. Some people have smellier stool than others, and most people occasionally experience rancid-smelling poops.”

2. Your Poop Smells Like Vomit or Sewer Gas (aka Really Bad)

Another reason to get on the phone with your doc? If the smell is “genuinely and severely unbearable,” says Dr. Sonpal.

If your stool is also waxy or tacky in texture, or if there’s a sudden, drastic change in the frequency, consistency or your comfort in going to the bathroom, call up your doctor. These may be signs of infection or a digestive condition, he says.

One example of an infection that contributes to an unpleasant BM bouquet: Giardiasis, an intestinal parasite. You can get this when eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water (like from a stream when camping). Along with smelling bad, you’ll also get explosive, watery diarrhea, notes Johns Hopkins Medicine. The tricky part is that symptoms don’t usually start until one or two weeks after you’re infected, so it may be tough to pin down exactly what happened.

Digestive conditions that can contribute to foul-smelling stool include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, chronic pancreatitis and diseases that cause malabsorption, like cystic fibrosis and pancreatic infection, according to Mount Sinai.

Malabsorption could mean that you’re not properly absorbing fats (called steatorrhea), which results in a “rotten food smell,” says Dr. Brown. Also look for lighter-color stools (like clay or white), which may clue you into something going on with your pancreas.

3. Your Poop Smells Sweet

An infection that can lead to a very unpleasant, sweet-smelling stool is ​C. diff,​ which can happen when you’re taking antibiotics and also includes symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite and stomach pain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor know.

Bottom line: Stinky poop is normal. If it’s extra smelly, it’s usually in relation to something you ate, but it may also be indicative of a gastrointestinal disorder or infection. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned, your bowel habits have changed or you notice signs of blood in your stool.

Foods high in sulfur that can cause smelly poops

Here’s a fun conversation starter (or ender) for you to whip out the next time you’re on a bad date: Poop is not actually supposed to smell bad.

While poop has its own…special aroma, it’s not supposed to stink so badly that you regret even having the ability to smell. If it does, that can have some implications for your health. “What [usually] causes stinky smelling poops is when a person has a hard time absorbing all the nutrition from the food before it comes out,” says Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, founder of BZ Nutrition in New York City. This is known as malabsorption, she says, and it’s often caused by gut issues like Crohn’s and colitis.

However, if this doesn’t apply to you and yet you’re consistently stinking up your bathroom, check in with what you’re eating. There are certain healthy foods—particularly foods high in sulfur—that can make your BMs smell super bad, Zeitlin says. (Other common stink-inducing foods include lactose, alcohol, and sugar alcohols.)

It’s important to mention up-front that sulfur is not inherently bad. It’s a common element that your body needs to produce the antioxidant glutathione as well as support blood and digestive function. It’s also great for your skin and hair, Zeitlin says. “Adding in sulfur-rich foods has been shown to help fight acne and reduce other skin issues like rosascea and dry, scaly skin patches. And studies have shown that sulfur has an antibacterial effect against the bacteria that causes acne and dermatitis,” she says.

Instead of cutting out healthy foods for the sake of a better poop, Zeitlin suggests keeping a food diary to see if there are certain eats that cause worse stools than others. “Every physical body is different and will respond differently to different foods, so figuring out what feels best for you and your body is crucial; a food diary will help nail this down,” she says. However, if limiting seemingly-problematic foods doesn’t help, Zeitlin says you should seek a medical professional—since again, this could be a sign of bigger gut issues.

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As for problematic foods, here are a few foods high in sulfur that might be responsible for particularly smelly poops:

1. Cruciferous veggies

Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and cabbage, are high in sulfur and thus if eaten in excess, could result in some unpleasant bathroom experiences. “These foods can make some people feel bloated and gassy because of the amount of fiber they contain,” Zeitlin adds. “If you experience bloat from these foods, but love eating them, it would be better on your gut to eat them cooked instead of raw,” she suggests—since cooking will help break down some of the fiber for easier digestion.

2. Animal protein

That’s right—red meat, poultry, fish, pork, and eggs can all make your gas smell, too, says Zeitlin. That’s because certain amino acids found in animal-based protein contain sulfur. What’s more, if you have the steak with wine or beer, it might be even stinkier, as alcohol can also be a trigger for unpleasant, malodorous BMs.

3. Alliums

You might love seasoning vegetables and meats with onions and garlic, but those can lead to rank breath and poops, says Zeitlin. Thanks, sulfur! They’re also FODMAP foods, meaning they might cause a reaction in those with IBS or other gut sensitivities.

Let’s be real, garlic is delicious—and comes with some impressive benefits that make it worth the smell:



4. Dried fruit

I know medjool dates are *the* snack to eat right now, but dried fruit is typically high in sulfur (it’s used to preserve the fruit)—and when eaten in large portions, can make your gas smell bad. Stick to a small serving and swap for fresh when you can to keep gas in check.

5. Dairy

This one is the biggest betrayal of all. “Dairy products are rich in sulfur,” says Zeitlin. “However not everyone who eats cheese has foul-smelling poops. If you are lactose-intolerant or have a milk protein allergy and you eat dairy products, your gut will not be able to absorb the food properly and cause your poops to smell worse than others,” she says. “That smell may come out with a sulfur aroma to it, but it is from the lactose—not the sulfur—that caused the smell,” she says.

Poop doctors answer the most common questions they get about BMs. And here are some foods that are particularly helpful when you’re constipated.

Why Does My Cat’s Poop Smell So Bad? 8 Reasons & Solutions

As much as we all love our cats, cleaning out their litter trays is unlikely to top any cat lover’s list of favorite tasks. If your cat’s poop happens to start smelling worse than usual, this can make this job even worse!

Bad-smelling poop can be a sign that something’s wrong with your cat, so it’s important to get to the bottom of the problem, so to speak! We’ve collected the top six reasons that your cat’s poop might be smelling so bad and more importantly, what you can do about it.

First, though, if your cat’s stinky poop hasn’t freshened up after a couple of days, seek veterinary advice. If their bad-smelling poop is accompanied by vomiting or blood or has a diarrhea consistency, then seek an emergency veterinarian.

1. Diet

Image Credit: Irina Kozorog, Shutterstock

Introducing a new food to your cat’s diet can sometimes lead to smelly poop, often with a loose consistency. If you plan to change your cat’s diet without a specific medical reason for it, you should always try to do it gradually. You can change to the new diet over a period of 10 days by adding 10% of the new diet every day. This will allow your cat’s digestive system to adapt to the new diet.

Your cat might have eaten something that disagreed with them, like a mouse or something else that they managed to catch. Cats are carnivores, but protein-rich foods can also cause smelly poop. Cats can develop intolerances to grains or sensitivity to any of the ingredients in a formula, both of which can cause smelly poop as a result.

• Solution: Talk to your vet about changing your cat’s diet or eliminating certain ingredients to see if these may be the trigger for your cat. This problem will resolve by itself if your cat’s digestive system is not sensitive to any of the ingredients in the new diet. If the stinky poop problem continues for more than 48 hours after a dietary change, let your veterinarian know about this.

2. Bacteria

If your cat eats something that’s been contaminated with bacteria like E.coli or Salmonella spp., this may cause smelly poop, as well as indigestion, inflammation, and diarrhea. Some cats love to hunt for food (even if they don’t need to!), and eating rodents or birds can put them at risk of a bacterial infection.

• Solution: If your cat’s smelly poop doesn’t return to normal after 48 hours, seek vet advice.

3. Parasites

Certain types of intestinal parasites can cause excessive gas, diarrhea, and stinky poop. Giardia, Coccidia, and Trichomonas infestations can all result in your cat’s intestines becoming inflamed too.

• Solution: Your vet may want to test your cat for parasites, and they will recommend an anti-parasite or worming program depending on the level and type of infestation.

4. Digestive issues

Image Credit: Jaroslaw Kurek, Shutterstock

If your cat’s digestive system is unable to digest or absorb fats and starches within their diet, this can result in particularly stinky poop. The technical terms for these digestive issues are mal-digestion and mal-absorption. Cat’s can also suffer from specific food sensitivities and intolerances. All of these digestive issues can result in bloating, gas, and stinky poop.

• Solution: Your vet will need to run tests to determine if your cat is suffering from mal-digestion or mal-absorption, sensitivities or any other digestive issue and they will advise you on how to treat each one accordingly.

5. Medications

Certain medications, including hormonal medication and pain relievers, can cause smelly poop. Some vitamin and mineral supplements can also cause stinky poop.

• Solution: Speak to your vet to rule out the possibility of medications causing foul-smelling feces. Most cat foods these days are completely balanced when it comes to vitamins and minerals, so never add a supplement to your cat’s diet without speaking to your vet first.

6. Anal gland infection

If your cat’s anal glands become infected, they might not drain properly. This can result in a foul-smelling discharge that can end up covering their poop, and elsewhere!

• Solution: If you notice a foul smell that doesn’t just seem to be confined to the litter box, ask your vet to check your cat’s anal glands. Your cat may need their anal glands to be manually expressed or drained or medication to clear up an infection.

7. Cat litter

Image Credit By: Axel Bueckert, Shutterstock

Natural cat litters like paper, unscented clay, and wood pellets often hold onto the smell of cat poop, even after you’ve cleaned the tray. Your cat’s poop might not smell any worse than normal, but that lingering smell can soon become unpleasant.

• Solution: Switch to a scented cat litter or one with odor control such as baking soda.If you continue using unscented litter, it can help to clean them out as often as possible, as well as doing a full litter change once or twice a week.

8. Not covering up their poop or pooping outside the litter tray

Even if your cat’s poop isn’t any smellier than usual, if they’re not covering it up in the litter tray, then it’s going to start to smell bad. This may be a sign that the litter is hurting your cat’s paws, or they don’t like the texture or smell of the litter. Cats pooping outside the litter tray may be having trouble accessing a tray with high sides, or the tray is too small.

• Solution: Try switching to a different brand of litter or offering your cat a tray with lowered sides or one that’s much larger. Ask your vet to check that your cat isn’t in pain. Cats who are stressed about a recent change in circumstances may also poop outside their litter tray.

Wrapping it up

If your cat’s smelly poop is also diarrhea-like in consistency, it’s doubly important to get them checked by a vet as soon as possible. Ongoing or recurrent diarrhea can be the result of an underlying condition, like kidney disease, liver disease, or a hyperactive thyroid. Your vet will need to run tests to determine the exact cause.

If smelly poop is combined with lethargy, lack of appetite, or vomiting, call your vet as a matter of urgency.

Always keep your cat’s litter tray as clean as possible, and monitor your cat’s poop so you can quickly tell if something is wrong. You may smell it before you see it, and that’s always a sign that something isn’t quite right!

If your cat’s stinky poop is combined with other issues, like pooping outside the litter box, your cat may be suffering from an underlying health condition. Speaking to your vet as soon as possible is the best course of action.

Certain stinky poop problems can easily be solved by changing the type of litter that you use or adjusting your cat’s diet. Others may need medication and ongoing treatment. Whatever the issue, seeking advice from your vet is essential, and then you can start looking forward to a happier cat and a pleasant-smelling home once again!

Featured Image: catinsyrup, Shutterstock

Why Does Formula Poop Smell Worse Than Breastfeeding Poop?

Like that canonical piece of children’s literature has told kids for generations, everyone poops. And everyone’s poop has an unpleasant smell, at least to some degree. However, if you’ve recently switched your baby from breast milk to formula, or are doing some combo of the two, you (or your nose) may have wondered why why formula poop smells worse than breastfeeding poop. You’re not mistaken; it does smell different, but this is totally normal and your baby is just fine.

“Babies were made to digest human breast milk. This is the main reason there are differences in poop from breastfeeding and poop from formulas,” Dr. Jarret Patton (who goes by Doctor Jarret), pediatrician and author of Whose Bad @$$ Kids Are Those? tells Romper. “The consistency of breast milk derived poop tends to be less formed and ‘seedy’ with a less offensive odor. This is because breastmilk is the most easily digested food for a baby.”

The mustardy “seediness” you are seeing in the breast milk stool is undigested milk fat, which is normal, according to neonatologist Dr. Timothy Yao. “Formula-fed babies’ stools are usually a little firmer and pasty in consistency,” he says.

In the first few days after birth, regardless of whether or not a baby is formula or breast fed, their stools will have very little odor. During this phase, they will be passing meconium, which is tar-like in appearance and contains a mix of things that were ingested in utero like amniotic fluid, mucus, bile, and — brace yourselves — hair, known as lanugo, which covers a fetus’ body, per Parents.

Even though it looks pretty alarming, meconium is sterile, per the American Academy of Pediatrics, and has no smell. But lest you think you won the baby poop jackpot, all babies’ poo will smell once bacteria colonize their intestines, an essential part of digestion.

Shutterstock

“The smell of poop is caused by the bacteria in it — and everyone, no matter how healthy, has bacteria in their poop! Because breastmilk is full of healthy probiotics designed for an infant’s growing and developing gut, often breastfed poop has a less noticeable smell than formula poop,” Kristin Gourley, IBCLC with Lactation Link LLC, tells Romper.

The smell (and even the color) of breastmilk poop may change depending on what the breastfeeding parent has eaten that day, but generally breastfed poop has a light, sweet smell, per Healthline. (Some parents liken this scent to popcorn, which just ruined the movies forever.)

If you’re using the same formula, however, the smell should remain consistent, even if it’s consistently pungent. “Formulas based on cow’s milk, soy, or some other protein aren’t as easily digestible and may have a more formed stool with a more potent odor. However, these differences are nothing worth worrying about,” Patton says.

Hypoallergenic formulas, known sometimes as “elemental formulas,” are made with amino acids instead of milk protein for babies who are allergic to cow’s milk, and “sometimes the stool of babies that are on elemental formulas will smell stronger than those of babies that are on usual formulas,” pediatrician Molly Broder M.D. tells Romper

Sure, strong smelling poop may make diaper changes a little more unpleasant (not that they’re particularly pleasant to begin with) but a funky diaper is nothing to be too concerned about. However, all stools will smell stronger the longer they’ve been exposed to bacteria in the intestine, so if your baby seems constipated or like their bowel movements are painful, this may cause a foul odor, and is something you should definitely address with your doctor.

“In some cases, extremely foul-smelling stool may be an indication of inadequate digestion or malabsorption of nutrients,” Yao says. “But if the infant is growing fine and the stool color and consistency are normal, smelly… is just the way it is.”

Experts:

Dr. Molly Broder, Pediatrician, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

Kristin Gourley, IBCLC with Lactation Link LLC

Dr. Jarret Patton, pediatrician and author of Whose Bad @$$ Kids Are Those?

Dr. Timothy Yao, Neonatologist at Doctors Medical Center

What To Do When Your Pooch Has Stinky Dog Poos?

Dog poo is a hot topic among owners. We know our dog’s poo can tell us a lot about their health and wellbeing. But since our canine friends can’t talk to us, it’s our job to pay attention to the signs. Because when poor Fido has a case of dog diarrhoea, we know something’s not quite right. 

All dogs react to dog food in different ways, and stinky or runny dog poos can often signal poor nutrition. Some dogs are also sensitive to certain ingredients and would benefit from a special diet. 

In this post we’ll explore the ins and outs of dog poos and what you can do to ensure your dog has a healthy tum. 

What causes stinky or runny dog poo? 

It’s not unusual  for dogs to have stinky or runny poos. In fact, dog diarrhoea is one of the most common problems vets see every year. There are many causes for dog or puppy diarrhoea, but here are a few of the most common. 

Sudden change in diet – A sudden change in your dog’s diet can cause irritation leading to diarrhoea. If you’re changing your dog’s diet, it’s best to do it gradually as explained in our guide to changing dog food. 

Dietary indiscretion – If your dog eats something new or inappropriate, this can cause digestive upset. Whether that’s a piece of ham, rocks, a plant, or even dog poo!

Stress – Stress, anxiety and excitement can all cause dog diarrhoea, just like in us humans.

Parasites – Intestinal worms can cause irritation to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract resulting in stomach upset. However, parasites that cause diarrhoea are more common in younger puppies. 

Infections – Viral and bacterial infections can cause dog diarrhoea. This occurs more frequently in younger dogs. 

Inflammatory disorders – Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease are common in both dogs and people. Many gastrointestinal disorders can result in diarrhoea. 

What makes a good dog poo? 

Consistency – the ideal poo is log shaped and firm, but not too solid. If your dog’s poo is too hard, this can cause constipation. If your dog is constipated this could be due to a lack of water or fibre in their diet, or a case of worms. More commonly, when diarrhoea or loose, runny poo occurs, this can result from many different causes. 

Frequency – most dogs poo around twice a day, but this can depend on their feeding schedule. Puppies tend to poo more frequently because they eat more regularly. If your dog poos more than three times a day, this could signal there’s something not right with their diet. Equally, if your dog has a food intolerance, this can also make them more poo more often. If your dog doesn’t poo every day or only once a day, they could be constipated. Always consider what’s normal for your dog. If your dog’s toilet habits have changed dramatically after switching diet, we can help.

Volume – sudden larger or smaller poos can indicate internal problems. Huge volumes of poo can mean your dog isn’t digesting their food properly, or their diet is high in fibre. Low volumes could indicate gastrointestinal problems or even a blockage. If it’s out of the ordinary, always get your dog checked over by a vet. If your dog has experienced any changes after switching to tails.com food, get in touch and we’ll happily help.

Odour – dog poo should have a mild odour; any dramatic changes can indicate problems. Flatulence or a particularly stinky poo could signal a change in your dog’s gut flora, or they’re struggling to cope with a new diet or ingredient. Treats and human foods are common culprits! Dog poo is always going to smell, but with a good diet your dog’s poos should be bearable. 

Colour – the colour of your dog’s poo depends a lot on your dog’s diet. Only you know what is normal for your dog. Shades of greenish brown, red brown or dark brown are all normal. However, abnormal colours like dark black tarry substances could indicate internal bleeding and digested blood in the stool. Pale, yellowy or greasy poo can indicate fat digestion issues with the pancreas, or malabsorption where your dog can’t absorb fat. Any dramatic changes in colour, from very pale, bright orange or visible blood is a cause for concern. In this case, always see your vet and take a stool sample with you.

What to do about your dog’s irregular poos? 

So if your furry friend’s poo seems out of the ordinary, always get them checked out by a vet. 

If you think your dog’s diet is causing their diarrhoea, we’d love to help. Here at Tails.com we can create your dog’s unique recipe with the exact nutrients they need. We’ll tailor their recipe based on their health, lifestyle, breed and more. And what’s the result? A waggy tail and all the goodness their body needs. Get 50% off your first box today. 

6 Reasons to Check, Why it Smells

Does your baby’s poop smell bad? This can be due to a number of reasons – from what your baby eats to various illnesses.

Let’s go through some important reasons for smelly poop in babies, and what to do about it.

Mom’s Question:

What are the reasons for really smelly bowel movements in babies? My baby’s poop smells really bad!

My daughter is 7.5 months old, she is on Similac formula, Nestle rice cereal, and Heinz baby food, and her stool is green, mucousy like and it smells really strong. I have never known a baby (which I have been around a lot of) to have this strong smell to their stool.

I was just wondering if this is something to cause concern or if it is a side effect of either her food formula or teething.

Vanessa (B.C. Canada)

Reasons For Smelly Poop in Babies

The Normal Smell of Baby Poop

Breastfed Babies’ Poop

Breastfed babies usually have mushier and softer poop. They are less odorous, and are consistently soft for the first 6 months. The color of the poop ranges from mustard yellow to moss green.

Usually, a breastfed baby’s poop does not smell at all. This is because the breastmilk particles are so tiny that it is mostly absorbed in the gut. The ones that the babies pass out are essentially what is left of the digested milk. It does not stay long in the gut (that is why breastfed babies poop as frequently as they feed), hence they do not accumulate bacteria, decreasing the chances for it to smell.

Formula-fed Babies

On the other hand, formula-fed babies have more solid poop than breastfed babies. They smell a bit. This is because the particles in formula milk are bigger than breastmilk, hence they take a longer time to process. This causes the poop to stay longer in the gut and to pass longer. It sits in bacteria longer, hence the smell.

When starting with Solids

For babies on supplemental diet (started on solids), the poop will definitely smell more. As mentioned earlier, it will still depend on the baby’s diet. Food such as ginger, onions, garlic, vegetables, meat, and fruits contribute to the smell of the poop.

Reasons For Very Smelly Bowel Movements in Babies

Poop naturally smells. However, there are occasions when the smell can be really bad and it can be caused by these factors:

1. Baby’s diet

As previously mentioned, babies who eat solids will have more odorous poop. Whatever they eat will contribute to the smell and consistency of their poop. Breastfed babies will pass less odorous poop than formula-fed or solids-fed babies.

A small study from 2001 (referenced below) found that the stools of formula-fed babies contained a lot more odor-causing sulfur gases than breast milk poop. When a baby starts eating solid foods, the feces will change, becoming more odorous.

2. Lactose intolerance

Lactose intolerance can also lead to foul-smelling stools. However, it is important to note that lactose intolerance is caused by a lack of the enzyme, lactase, which breaks down lactose into simpler forms of sugar for it to be properly absorbed in the gut.

Lactose intolerance is different from milk allergy. Milk allergy is allergy to cow’s milk. This is basically caused by the immune system reacting when there’s intake of cow’s milk. Other sources of milk can also cause an allergic reaction such as those coming from sheep or goat.

Lactose intolerance can cause bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. To diagnose this, your doctor will ask for your baby’s eating habits, and other pertinent medical and family history. A series for tests for lactose intolerance will also be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

As for milk allergy, the symptoms include wheezing, itching or rashes, vomiting, swelling of eyes or lips. But do note that this can also cause abdominal symptoms such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Anaphylaxis or severe allergic reactions can occur with milk allergy. If this happens, bring your baby to the emergency room immediately.

There are alternatives for lactose intolerant babies, such as low lactose formulas, or lactose-free formula milk. As for milk allergy, breastmilk is still the best alternative for cow’s milk. Another alternative is hypoallergenic milk (i.e., casein or whey) or soy-based formula.

You can read more about lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy here.

3. Infections

Infections in the gut may cause foul-smelling poop. Some may even give off a distinct odor. These include bacterial, viral, and or parasitic infections:

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is caused by a parasite that can be passed or transmitted from an infected person through fecal-oral route (anything that comes into contact with the hand and put into the mouth). Poor hygiene and sanitation can be a source and breeding place for giardia parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea, foul-smelling poop that are greasy and usually float in water.

Cholera

Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that is caused by a bacteria Vibrio Cholerae. This is usually contracted when a person ingests contaminated water or food. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, severe dehydration, and a distinct foul-smelling poop (fishy odor).

Salmonella

Salmonella is another diarrheal disease that comes from food contaminated with infected animal feces. Food that are not cooked properly are the common culprits. These include eggs, chicken (poultry), or beef, fruits and vegetables. Salmonella infection produces foul-smelling poop.

Escherichia coli infections

Escherichia coli infections can cause urinary tract infections, bacteremia or sepsis in infants. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, poor feeding, among others. Watery diarrhea is a common feature, sometimes becoming blood-streaked. There is no specific poop smell for E. coli infections.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus causes a strong poop smell. Other symptoms include fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps. This is common in infants and can sometimes cause severe disease. This can be found in contaminated common surface areas such as toys, changing tables, door knobs, among others. Ingestion of contaminated food and water is also a common source of rotavirus.

However, this can be prevented early on in infancy. A 2-dose rotavirus vaccine is often given to babies less than 6 months of age.

5. Lactose overload

Lactose overload occurs in healthy babies, mostly with over supply of breastmilk. This in turn causes greenish poop, with a a strong smell. They baby is often flatulent or pass out gas more frequently. This is due to an insufficiency of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose into more absorbable particles. This may cause irritation of the anal area due to frequent watery diarrhea, giving you an irritable baby. Usually, an adjustment in feeding can resolve this.

6. Teething

This does not happen to all babies, but some babies tend to experience soft loose poop and poop smelled like vinegar when they are teething. There is no concrete evidence that establishes the connection of teething with the poop smell, however many parents agree that their babies’ stools suddenly smelled like vinegar just before one of their baby’s teeth erupted.

Different smells and what they might indicate

1. My baby’s poop smells like vinegar

This usually indicates malabsorption or lactose intolerance, teething, or indigestion. Malabsorption or lactose intolerance usually produce sour-smelling poop.

2. My baby’s poop smells like popcorn

Babies who are breastfed usually produce sweet smelling poop, or like buttered popcorn.

3. My baby’s poop smells like rotten eggs

This may indicate the duration of poop sitting in bacteria in the baby’s gut. The longer the poop stays in the large intestine, the longer the bacteria accumulate, causing a rotten egg smell to their poop.

Rotavirus is also known for its characteristic poop smell of rotten eggs.

4. My baby’s poop smells like fish

Foul smelling poop can indicate infection such as cholera. As mentioned earlier, Cholera can cause other symptoms such as acute watery diarrhea and severe dehydration. Your doctor will ask for your baby’s medical history, and possibly travel and family history to diagnose this.

Other infections, as mentioned above, can also make the baby’s poop smell like fish.

5. My baby’s poop smells like ammonia

When a baby’s poop smells like ammonia, it is most likely caused by a drenched, unchanged diaper full of poop and urine. Urine has ammonia and can cause a distinct smell when mixed with poop.

6. My baby’s poop smells like metal

A dehydrated baby may pass out a faint metallic smelling poop. Dehydrated babies are usually lethargic or drowsy, with limp limbs. They may have sunken eyeballs and fontanels, and poor skin turgor. This warrants a trip to the emergency room when this happens.

When Should I Worry about the Baby’s Poop Smell?

A baby’s poop will undergo many changes as to its consistency, color, and smell. This is a reflection of the baby’s diet as he grows.

A sudden shift in the smell, a change in consistency (formed to watery), and frequency (more than the usual frequency of pooping), accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, irritability, change in feeding and level of consciousness are indicators of illness. Make sure to consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Moreover, babies have sensitive gut, so a good hygiene practice is necessary to eliminate any sources of infections. Always wash hands and clean common surface areas at home that your baby may frequently come in contact with. Be conscious and cautious on how to introduce new food and feeding techniques.

Paula
P.S. Here are two excellent reference books for baby health issues and injuries:

More Baby Poop Issues

References

What’s your experience of smelly poop in babies? Join the discussion! 🙂

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Bowel cancer symptoms: Bad smell poo sign of healthy stool

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer to be diagnosed in the UK, according to the NHS.

Most people diagnosed with the cancer are over 60 years old.

Bowel cancer symptoms include a persistent change in bowel habit, or a persistent abdominal pain.

But, the symptoms of bowel cancer can be difficult to spot, and may not necessarily make you feel unwell.

One of the ways you can check to see if you’re at risk of the disease is to smell your stool after using the toilet.

Almost half of people in the UK claim to have never checked their poo, according to the Taymount Clinic.

If your poo has a foul smell, it could be a sign that everything is working properly in your gut, the clinic said.

“It is completely normal for your stool to smell,” it said.

“This is a sign that your gut is working hard to remove any bad bacteria, fibre, dead cells and toxins from your body.

“However, the smell of your stool will change depending on your diet.

“So if you are a little embarrassed by the smell, try and increase the amount of vegetables in your diet.”

While poo’s smell is characteristically grim, you’ve probably become accustomed to what your own stool should smell like.

But a change to your poo’s smell could be a warning sign of bowel cancer.

If it has an unusual smell, you should speak to a GP, according to the Lahey Hospital & Medical Centre.

Other changes to your stool could also be a symptom of the cancer.

A black or red stool may indicate something more serious.

The ideal poo appears like a smooth, soft sausage, or is sausage-shaped with cracks on the surface, revealed Ramsay Health Care UK.

It should also be about an inch in diameter, and 12 inches long, according to medical website StoolAnalyzer.com.

Your stool should be easy to pass and soft, and should slowly sink to the bottom of the toilet.

If you’re worried about your stool, you should speak to a GP.

The NHS offers bowel cancer screening to registered adults in the UK.

90,000 How stinky are chinchillas? | zootut.art

If you need a new pet and you are in the mood for a chinchilla, you should have a lot of questions. One of the first things to consider when considering any pet is whether it stinks or has a strong odor.

As it turned out, chinchillas are one of the cleanest pets!

How stinky are chinchillas? They are rated roughly 2/10, much less smelly than other pets. They look after themselves and are hygienic, so they only smell if not cared for properly.Neglect, such as not washing the dust or cleaning the chinchilla cage, can cause the smell of poop, urine, or bacteria. These problems are easy to fix.

Chinchillas smell bad?

A chinchilla shouldn’t smell bad. They are naturally pure animals: they often bathe and take care of their fur, as well as the fur of their cage mates. Their feces are hard and dry and they rarely urinate as they like to conserve water. They eat hay that is dry so it won’t go bad.

The only reason a chinchilla might smell is because you don’t care enough for it. You often see this in rescued chinchillas that have not been given due attention. Rescued or surrendered chinchillas often have problems that never affect other chinchillas, such as lice, ticks, very thin fur, and smelly fur.

Do chinchillas smell good?

The general consensus is that chinchillas should be odorless. Their hard poop is dry to the touch, so there should be no smell.They protect their fur from grease and liquid, so it shouldn’t smell like anything.

Some owners find their chinchilla smells sweet. This could be due to chinchilla hay, some species of which can have a sweet smell (and taste!).

If you take a chinchilla in your hands and bring it to your nose, you may not notice the smell at all. If your chinchilla recently took a dust bath, it might smell like this; likewise, if she had recently been rolling in the hay, she might smell the same way instead.But chinchillas have surprisingly little odor.

Do chinchillas have bad breath?

All animals have bad breath to one degree or another. This is because your mouth is naturally full of bacteria, even if you brush your teeth, use mouthwash and floss. It is constantly damp, closed on the outside, and has many tiny corners where bacteria can grow behind the teeth and in the back of the mouth. This problem can be exacerbated if the chinchilla also has some sort of mouth infection.

Therefore, you should not expect the breath of a chinchilla to smell like roses. But it’s no worse than the breath of any other pet (or smelly relative).

The only case where his breathing may be worse is an infection in the mouth. This can happen if the chinchilla’s teeth grow and cut into the gums, causing open wounds that become infected. If this happens, take the chinchilla to your veterinarian.

Why does my chinchilla stink?

There are two main reasons your chinchilla smells bad.The first is the chinchilla’s thick fur, and the second is its cage. Both of these problems can be corrected with proper care. Your chinchilla may also smell bad if it gets sick, but this is not so common.

Dirty bedding (dirty chinchilla cage smell)

Chinchillas need to go to the toilet like any other animal. This is not how they can help. In fact, chinchillas are much cleaner in this regard than other animals: they choose the corner of the cage to pee (and they can be toilet trained), and their poop is hard and small, so they shouldn’t smell bad.

The problem is that you don’t clean your pet’s cage often enough. Bedding soaked in urine builds up bacteria and starts to stink; Feces can build up and break down when wet and can also start to stink. You will notice this typical dirty cage smell if you have small pets before.

Chinchilla hay is wet

Your chinchilla’s hay can also give off cage odors. Hay itself shouldn’t smell bad; it is dried herb.It won’t work if it’s dry and the hay can be stored for years in the right conditions.

But many chinchillas eat in a way that causes a lot of confusion. They take hay, eat it, and throw it away. In a moment, they will take another piece of fresh hay and take a bite of it. Soon the floor of the cage is littered with old hay.

If the cage stays dry, this is not a big problem. But if the hay gets wet, bacteria in the litter will start feeding on the hay and it will stink. This is the main scent people associate with small pets such as chinchillas.

Smell of dirty chinchilla fur

Another scent is your chinchilla fur. The hair of the chinchilla is thicker than that of any other animal, at about eighty hairs per follicle. People have no more than two or three hairs on a follicle, which shows how thick a chinchilla’s fur really is.

The downside of such a beautiful fur is that when it gets wet, it stays wet, unless you hand dry it. This can cause:

• Fungal infection. The fungus loves warm and humid conditions, and invisible spores float around the house, even if you keep it clean.
• Bacteria. Bacteria, like fungi, like wet and warm conditions, like wet chinchilla fur.

Chinchillas go to the toilet in one corner of the cage. But if you don’t change their bedding often enough, they may accidentally sit down or walk in the urine and stain their fur.

You will not notice any greasy sweat odor. Chinchillas do not have sweat glands, and dust baths remove fat from the fur.

Chinchilla Stinky Poop

Chinchilla food must not stink. It must be hard and dry, which means there will be no unpleasant odor. But chinchillas can have intestinal problems that can cause them to have diarrhea, in which case they can smell. It will smell like any food.

Feces will also smell bad if left in the cage for a long time. The bacteria in the cell destroy it, which happens even faster if it gets wet.

Your chinchilla got sick

Last but not least, your chinchilla may smell bad because it is sick.Bad smell causes many health problems, the most obvious of which is infection.

When an open wound is infected, bacteria multiply inside it. As they do this, they conjure up an instantly recognizable smell of missing food / wounds. It shouldn’t be an obvious smell from a distance (like urine), but you can smell it up close. Chinchillas can get infections:

• In the eyes. Eye infections such as conjunctivitis do not smell unless they get very bad.
• In the mouth. Chinchillas can develop open ulcerated wounds due to their teeth becoming too long.
• All over the body. When chinchillas fight aggressively, they bite and can cause bite wounds.

Are the chinchillas dirty?

Chinchillas can ruin their cage too. If you don’t clean it it will contribute to the overall smell.

Chinchillas are generally scattered around with food. But chinchillas can also accidentally get dirty, for example, by dropping water from a bottle on themselves.

Also, some chinchillas are dirtier than others. While most chinchillas choose a corner to pee and then only pee there, other chinchillas don’t bother. They pee anywhere: in any corner, on any platform, even outside the cage! These chinchillas smell more than usual.

Do chinchillas have scent glands?

Many animals have scent glands that they use to mark territory or give off warning odors.Chinchillas too. These scent glands are found on the chinchilla’s buttocks.

Your chinchilla may smell these glands when frightened or overexcited. People report that it smells differently: some think it smells like burnt nuts / almonds, others say they are vitamins. Others think it smells like concentrated urine, others say it is a paste. The exact smell may be related to the chinchilla’s diet or other factor, so it is not always the same.

This odor is not a serious problem.First, the smell is extremely unpleasant and the smell will go away on its own. But you will also smell it infrequently, and only when you accidentally scare your pet, such as picking it up when it doesn’t want you not to, or making a sudden loud sound.

What poop smells like – Anthropo-Logic and Noncultural Anthropology – LiveJournal

Themes of uncultured anthropology are sometimes frivolous. But behind them is life itself.For a long time I had intended to talk about the dirtiest anthropo topic: “what is a stench?”, “What does poop smell like?”, But for years I could not gather my courage. So:

Vonism as an aggression of the presence
Monkeys are terrible dirty. They actively use their own feces to mark the territory and display aggression. Gorillas are no strangers to coprophagia and stain their own bed of leaves. Defecation in monkeys is triggered by stress (bear disease), anxiety and anger reactions.In part, these functions are inherited by humans. It is known that from fright children crumple, and madmen throw poop. It is the aggressive and stressful meaning of excrement (and not the potential microbiological threat) that gives it such a negative “olfactory meaning.”

Feces are not only the remnants of digestion and bacterial activity, but also a powerful sign of presence. They contain special odorous substances, odorants, which signal: “I am here, the place is taken!” and pheromones, which affect humoral and nervous regulation as well as metabolism.Thanks to them, excrement becomes a biologically active compound that affects the body at many levels.

Odorants can cause high and low mood, anger and disgust, sexual pleasure, etc. Pheromones can stop ovulation, suppress or stimulate sexual desire, potency, slow down puberty, provoke miscarriage and even slow down growth processes. This regulation occurs in the limbic system, where olfactory signals are indirectly received from receptors in the upper part of the nasopharynx and the vomeronasal organ.At high concentrations, chemical regulators can also enter the body, entering the blood and lymph through mucous membranes and skin pores. The body itself actively secretes odorants through the skin and mucous membranes, forming a personal olfactory profile, and changing it under various conditions.

For example, underarm sweat contains “musky” smelling androstenol and “urine-like” androstenone. These are chemical regulators – steroids. They can cause sex drive, irritation, and a sense of security.

The more people, the higher the concentration of odorants and pheromones – irritation grows, crowding stress develops. Their highest concentration (in prison conditions) is an additional factor of “brutality”, inversion and destruction of the psyche, deformation of the body.

The concentration of odorants in feces is enormous, because they must “work as a mark” at a great distance and for a long time. Therefore, their close smell seems terrible. As if the sound of a voice amplified many times over: “I AM HERE, I AM VERY MUCHOOOO”, this smell is as if thundering.The labeling is also facilitated by a peculiar coloration caused by bilirubin, biliverdin and stercobilins – the decomposition products of hemoglobin, which are excreted in the bile.

(under the cut, the obscene topic continues, in addition, everything is speckled with the terms: be careful)

A person who comes into contact with other people’s feces is experiencing tremendous “pressure” from the presence of others. Therefore, he feels disgust, irritation, a desire to leave the “crowded zone”. You might think: it smells bad – but don’t sniff it.However, this smell is a chemical weapon. Its sharpness testifies to the high aggression of Homo sapiens. Only felines and martens can probably odorize the territory so powerfully.

The production of odorous and active substances occurs, firstly, during digestive processes – the decay of biopolymers. Secondly, they are secreted by all kinds of glands in the digestive tract through their secretion. Thirdly, bioactive substances are secreted by the intestinal microflora. This is another important function of the human microflora (in addition to the digestive, immune, thermoregulatory, chemosynthetic) – it provides an individual olfactory profile.One gram of feces contains hundreds of billions of bacteria (more than 30% of the mass). This is the microflora of the large intestine, which is dominated by bacteroids, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, veilonella, clostridia, peptostreptococci, peptococci, enterobacteriaceae (colymorphs, primarily Escherichia coli), aerobic bacilli, microcylcoccus bacteria, staphylococci.

In the process of evolution, it is likely that the microflora experienced a certain selection as an instrument of “presence aggression”.Other instruments of territorial aggression passed a similar selection: protruding nose, large penis, unusually long scalp, apocrine and merocrine skin glands. They also report: “YAYAAAAAA !!!”

Many chemical compounds seem to us not just strong and foul-smelling, but “disgusting”: indole, skatole, mercaptans, ptomains, trimethylamine. Smelly substances are released during bacterial decay, are a signal that the body is not well (for example, caries), and are simply poisonous.By itself, the body produces quite a few of these substances, less than “tasty smelling” odorants. Many subtle odorants highlight the feet. A bouquet of organic acids, esters, alcohols and other compounds can resemble the aroma of fruits, create a pleasant or even inviting aroma of clear skin and breath. However, the microflora that multiplies under the cover of clothes and shoes interferes with this natural smell. A particularly smelly kumar is created in the thermostat of cheap plastic sneakers (which were in great use among teenagers five or ten years ago, and those already smelled all over the floor).

Stink rituals
Animals have behavioral marking rituals through defecation and urination. For example, birds of prey leave bright blots of droppings in visible areas of the landscape (dry trees, rocks). Dogs scratch the ground, leaving traces of claws and odor glands between their toes (they do not “bury” anything). An angry cat shits in his shoes (drowning out the owner’s odorants with his own). The whole family organizes otters “marking dances”, mixing secretions with dirt near their burrow.Some birds, monkeys, mustelids throw away droppings with force, attacking and defending themselves from enemies.

A person, on the contrary, tries to hide defecation, because this is an act of concentrated aggression, unacceptable in crowded conditions. However, he also retains ethological rituals. Joint defecation is a sign of trust, as belonging to a single “otter family” or “dog rank”. So, if one child wants to go to the bushes, several more friends can sit down with him “for the company” – thanks to involuntary urges.In the kindergarten we came up with the rule “one mare wanted to piss and lured the other,” and I wondered why this was so. It’s very simple: there is a communicative spasm of the bladder or rectum.

In many animals, defecation is also an act of communication. The dominant can mark the territory calmly and widely, and the subordinate often retires, hides from views. Otherwise, he will get a bite, a slap, an attack. The dog does not spoil at home, not because there already smells of it, but because the territory belongs to the owner.For attempts to mark the territory – puddles, heaps, gnawing on slippers, howling and squealing, scratching furniture – the dog is punished from childhood. Therefore, she gets used to the fact that you can only mark on the street. But even there, during a bowel movement, the dog looks around to see if some contender for dominance will attack. Some dogs roll around in excrement or deadness, no matter how you punish them. Obviously, this is no longer marking the territory, but another ritual – fighting off one’s own scent, developed by the hunters. Those who hunt from an ambush (feline), on the contrary, should not smell strongly, therefore they are “clean” (which does not prevent them from stinking atrociously during fecal-urinal aggression).

Lower primates (lemurs) hardly use feces for marking, because they have many odor glands, with the secret of which they actively rub their hair. Chimpanzees are not particularly squeamish, but they do not like stained fur. They wipe themselves with a damp lump of leaves, clean themselves with dew, jump in the rain. Traces of shit on the body are a low-rank marker: it means that the individual is sick with diarrhea, is weak and old, or is subject to mobbing – after all, monkeys, expressing aggression and persecution, throw feces.A high-ranking primate should walk with a clean ass, although it smells strong of glandular secretions.

Man supplemented his smell with perfume, which included natural odorants: musk of ungulates and semi-aquatic animals, civet civet, ambergris of whales, indole of primates. Fresh ambergris has the strongest and most disgusting smell – with its help sperm whales mark their colossal individual area. But in the water, the ambergris “vanish”, and only a subtle pleasant aroma remains.

Aggressive individuals “dirty” a lot: an angry cat can put a bunch of piles on the pillow.Aggressive people (especially children) also do not miss an opportunity to give a whisper, get their pants dirty, visit the toilet at a party and do not flush the water. High-ranking children often do not wipe their butts well and do not wash their armpits. Education is aimed at suppressing the instinct of labeling aggression. Low-ranking individuals who are under the pressure of dominants (for example, a quiet child in a kindergarten with an evil teacher) often suffer from constipation, and when they relax (in a quiet hour) they crumple.

A person has a lot of defecation rituals at the cultural level.They develop in the confined space of penitentiary, military institutions and orphanages, as well as in subcultures (punks, devil worshipers, fetishists, and maybe comedians).
When they get to places of deprivation of liberty, many educated people (that is, accustomed to suppress their aggression of presence), argued that the need to recover in public is an ordeal.

Scatological ethology has moved to the world of linguistic constructions: “crap, give a shit on your head, throw crap, I won’t sit down with such a shit”, as well as all kinds of “abusive”, but often used derivatives from “shit”, “shit”, etc.d.

The civilization process is an attempt to drive shit out of the world. Not always successful, but persistent. The words with which the holy baby gets acquainted in the first years of life: “poop”, “poop”, “pot”, “priest”, are declared obscene and are removed from dictionaries and language textbooks, being replaced by everyday and medical euphemisms (because of which the teacher can feel awkward by asking, “Does everyone have a chair?”). Coprolalic words “shit”, “ass”, “shit” are considered “not for children’s ears”, although de facto minors use them most often, broadcasting within their children’s subculture.Even if you raise a child without ever uttering dirty words, he will recognize them at the first contact with another child.

In a semantically overpopulated society, fecal aggression is masked: toilets are filled with water, the body is washed regularly, and baggy clothes reject the very idea of ​​having an ass and an apron. At the same time, getting into the collective toilet, a polite American teenager demonstrates equine humor: whinnying, beating a hoof against the door, imitation of the emission of winds, horse breeding jokes.

There is a whole layer of coprophilic culture: literature, fiction and documentary filming, all kinds of oral creativity. There are both general and particular phenomena that capture the mundane and sacred sides. So, in the infamous TV series “South Park” there is a certain “Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo “, probably alluding to the equally famous” Hank’s Ass “meme. In the traditional culture of Europe, a trickster-like character is popular who performs a ritual defecation, symbolizing either fertility or the ability to put on all the trouble – in Catalonia he is called Kaganer.

Salvador Dali dedicated part of his philosophical art to faeces, but even he did not dare to directly depict the process of their creation. Before the invention of mineral fertilizers, manure was in great demand in agriculture; some animals (cows, pigeons) were valued for their ability to produce it. Guano is still a valuable source of phosphates. Their number in the terrestrial biosphere is depleting, it is planned to start extracting phosphates from urine. In the visual arts, the squatting posture (excluding East Asia) is deeply tabooed, since it is associated with the defecation process (which has already been discussed here).

Museums and exhibitions have been created, the subject of which is manure. In Bern, a giant inflatable model of dog feces was displayed, blown away by the wind and knocking out power lines. In English, the expression holy shit, literally “holy shit”, has become firmly established. As an attribute of the God of the Underworld, manure was used in pagan rituals.
Among the signs of mental disorders and asociality are disorders of neatness, encopresis, coprophilia, coprolalia. But this is hardly a Jungian mechanism; rather, it is an emergence to the surface of the ancient instincts of excretory aggression.

So what do they smell like?
Indole gives the main putrid smell. It is secreted by microflora, primarily Escherichia coli. Diluted indole smells like flowers and is widely used in perfumery. In humans, indole is an important odorant. Poisonous skatole adds a heavy, rough note. The oil, oily, skunk wave is brought in by mercaptans. Sour and piercing components are added by organic acids: formic, propionic, acetic, valeric, butyric, etc.Their presence is felt more strongly when indole and skatole are weathered. If the food is rich in proteins, ptomains are released with a pungent smell of deadness, giving the composition a predatory hue. When the tissues of marine organisms decay, trimethylamine is released, which has a “sea”, “urinary” odor. Trimethylamine and ptomains drown out the hydrogen sulfide component (which, contrary to opinion, smells not rotten, but fresh, but boiled eggs for a long time). Therefore, the gamma of hydrogen sulfide is manifested when consuming plant products, especially cruciferous ones, the oils of which (isothiocyanates) contain sulfur.The feelings of disgust, mimicry and proxemic reactions to foul smell are controlled by the hippocampus (closely associated with the olfactory center in the hook) and the amygdala. They receive information from both the olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ. And the activity of the second signaling system makes a person feel disgust even when reading and talking on the relevant topic, which we experienced here.

Literature
1. German I. Clinical coprology.- Bucharest: Medicine, 1977 .– 272 p.
2. Deryagina M.A. Stress and the role of defecation in the behavior of primates URL: http://www.mosmedclinic.ru/conf_library/2001/6/580
3. Kaluev A.V. Stress, Anxiety and Behavior. – K .: Enigma, 1998.- 92 p.
4. Kaluev A.V., Makarchuk N.E., Deryagina M.A., Shishkin S.L. The role of defecation in the behavior of humans and animals. – Kiev: KSF, 2001 .– 134 p.

10 signs that the dog is sick

10 signs that the dog is sick

• B

  • Balashikha
  • Bykovo

• F

  • Railway
  • Zhukovsky

• K

  • Korolev
  • Kraskovo
  • Krasnogorsk
  • Kursk

• L

  • Lobnya
  • Lytkarino
  • Lyubertsy

• M

  • Moscow
  • Moscow
  • Mytishchi

• R

  • Ramenskoe
  • Reutov
  • Rostov-on-Don

• C

  • St. Petersburg

90,000 Dog feces: what does a healthy dog’s stool look like?

Dog feces.It may not be the most enjoyable topic, but healthy dog ​​stool is often a sign of a healthy animal. Observing your pet’s stool parameters can be a good way to identify any health problems. Let’s take a look at what separates normal canine stool from abnormal stool, which may indicate deeper health problems.

What does the perfect chair look like?

Dog stool has four main parameters: color, content, consistency and coverage.Healthy dog ​​feces should be chocolate brown. As for its contents, let your veterinarian do all the dirty work. Most people will hardly see anything there without a microscope. Healthy dog ​​feces should be slightly hard in consistency, like a sculpting mass. Ideally, it should be in the shape of a log with small cracks. If you wanted to roll it, it would disintegrate into small pieces. Finally, healthy stool has no surface coating at all. So if your dog has chocolate brown, slightly hard, uncoated bowel movements with nothing sticking out of it, then you’re fine.However, check out the signs that could indicate a health problem.

When to worry about dog feces

Again, the four parameters of your dog’s stool can help you determine if he may be sick. Although not very pleasant, the fastest way to detect any irregularities is to examine your pet’s stool while it is fresh.

Content specifics to watch out for

• Worms. They can be long and thin or look like small grains of rice. But you should only pay attention to this if they are present in a fresh sample. If the chair is outside for some time, the worms can simply get to it.
• Wool. Large hairballs in the stool may indicate excessive licking, allergies, or skin problems. Pay attention to how often you see hair in your stool and discuss this with your veterinarian.
• Foreign objects. Grass, plastic, stones, cloth and even money can sometimes be found in your dog’s chair, because dogs from time to time can swallow some random things. If you notice strange objects in your pet’s stool, you may need to consult your veterinarian about the need for a thorough examination or even an X-ray. It so happens that foreign objects get stuck in the digestive tract in dogs and have to be removed surgically.This is why it is best to contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice pieces of tissue or plastic in your dog’s stool.

Coating features

When you pick up dog faeces from the grass, they should not leave any traces behind. The mucous membrane often indicates inflammation of the colon and is usually accompanied by diarrhea. If you notice this mucus in your dog’s stool for several days in a row, you should see your veterinarian to determine next steps.

Color

A simple guide on how to tell if your pet has a health problem by stool color:

• Brown. The stool of a healthy puppy should be chocolate brown.
• strong> Green. Green stools may indicate that your dog is eating grass – perhaps to soothe an upset stomach.
• Black or Burgundy. This could be a sign of bleeding in the stomach or small intestine.
• Red stripes. Another sign of bleeding is probably in the lower gastrointestinal tract.
• Yellow. Yellow stools may indicate problems with the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder.
• White spots. Your puppy may have worms if you notice small white spots in his stool.

Consistency

When evaluating stool consistency, most veterinarians use a scale of one to seven, where one is very hard (almost dry) and seven is very liquid.Accordingly, the optimal consistency corresponds to number two on the scale. However, if your dog’s stool is slightly soft, don’t be alarmed. Just watch for softer and softer stools and freeze a few samples in case you need to take your dog to the veterinarian.

It is important to bring healthy stool samples for regular check-ups so that when your pet develops signs of unhealthy stool, the veterinarian has something to compare it to.If your dog appears to have healthy stools but has other signs of illness (refusal to eat, vomiting, lethargy, etc.), we still recommend that you take a stool sample when you take your pet to the veterinarian. Placing a stool sample under a microscope or doing other tests can provide a lot of useful information.

Collection of stool samples

Chances are good that you have found many different ways to clean up dog excrement in your yard or while walking.When it comes to cleaning up feces, there is no shortage of tools for this – there are scoops and special biodegradable bags. Therefore, when collecting a sample of healthy or unhealthy dog ​​feces to take to your veterinarian, be sure to use a clean bag. Pick up the sample carefully and place in a clean, shallow plastic container with a lid. Store the sample frozen until you bring it to your veterinarian. If your stool is too runny to pick up, be sure to take some clear pictures with your phone camera to show the consistency to the doctor.You can also try collecting some liquid stool in a container using a clean stick or a plastic spoon. Never take a stool sample that has been exposed to heat or grass for a long time. These specimens may contain dirt or parasites that were not originally present in the stool. One last thing to look out for is to clean up the dog poop as quickly as possible. If there are too many of them in the backyard, sooner or later the dog will start eating them. In addition, it can pose a threat to public health, as dog excrement can seep into groundwater and contaminate water sources.It should also be noted that you should always wash your hands after cleaning up the excrement, even if you have used gloves or put a bag on your hand.

Final Tips

Remember, your dog’s stool says a lot about his health. Responsible owners should follow these tips to better understand their dog and its health:

• Once your dog has done the job, rate the result in four dimensions: color, content, consistency and coverage.
• Always bring fresh stool samples with you whenever you visit your veterinarian.
• Remove dog excrement immediately when walking.
• If your pet has trouble in the house, take him outside immediately and try to establish the correct procedure for defecation.
• Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog’s stool changes too much, starts eating his own stool, relieves frequently in the house, or if he has not defecated for more than 24 hours.

Dog feces are not a pleasant topic of conversation, but they can be a good indicator of your dog’s overall health. Early detection of signs of illness can help keep her healthy.

Chrissy Klinger

Chrissy Klinger is a pet owner who happily lives under one roof with her furry family members, two children and her husband. When she’s free from teaching, writing, or blogging, Chrissy enjoys spending time with her family.Chrissy is committed to writing articles that help pet owners live more active and meaningful lives with their pets.

90,000 Cat bad breath: causes and treatment

Ideally, the cat should not smell “disgusting” from the mouth. But if you find an unpleasant and even putrid odor, this suggests that the pet should be brought to the veterinary clinic for examination to rule out serious health problems.

What is halitosis and its causes

Halitosis is a symptom of any disturbance in the feline body, characterized by a strong odor from the mouth.An unpleasant smell is “emitted” by metabolic products of anaerobic microorganisms, which form colonies on food fragments stuck between the teeth and which also lead to the formation of dental plaque and calculus

The causes of halitosis can be:

1. Diseases of the oral cavity and teeth, including infectious ones, for example, calicivirus. Plaque and calculus, cysts, stomatitis, gingivitis, and other conditions can cause strong unpleasant odors.
2. Certain diseases of the digestive system, such as helminthiases, can cause halitosis;
3. Diseases of internal organs.Halitosis can also occur in cats with some kidney problems;
4. The presence of a malocclusion or milk teeth that did not fall out in time can lead to a greater accumulation of pieces of food between the teeth, which leads to the development of plaque and calculus and is often accompanied by halitosis;
5. Acetone odor from the mouth may occur in pets with diabetes.

It is also worth paying attention to other symptoms of diseases of the oral cavity:

• It is difficult for the pet to chew food;

• the cat eats little or does not eat at all;

• the animal sleeps a lot;

• is losing weight quickly.

If you notice these or other symptoms, be sure to take your pet to a veterinarian.

How to deal with bad breath?

It will be possible to get rid of bad breath only after eliminating its cause. Contact your veterinarian immediately for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Most often, removal of tartar helps to remove odor from the mouth: this procedure is painless and is carried out using ultrasound in a veterinary clinic.In other cases, the veterinarian may recommend: dietary changes, medication, and even surgery.

90,000 offensive and harsh, unpleasant and strong, putrid

Noticing changes in different parameters of the child’s stool, parents can react to the disease in time and help the child to quickly cope with the malaise.One of the characteristics of stool, with the help of which you can notice that something is wrong with the baby, is the smell of stool. What is normal and how can it change with diseases?

Why is it so important?

The smell of the feces is given by the decay products of the food that the child has consumed; its appearance is associated with the presence of indole, hydrogen sulfide, phenol, methane and skatole. Knowing how the baby’s feces should smell normally, it will be easier for parents to determine if something unpleasant has happened with the digestive processes in the small tummy.

What should be the norm?

The first feces that babies excrete immediately after birth (meconium) are odorless. You can only find out that the baby pooped if you look into the diaper. But already from the third day of life, the baby’s feces begin to change, acquiring a color and smell depending on the type of feeding.

In children who are fed breast milk, it is normally sour.In bottle-fed babies, it is sharper. At the same time, the presence of a putrid odor in the feces of artificial children is considered the norm. In older children, it is not sharp.

Read more about normal baby stool in another article.

Alarming odors

Sour

Acquisition of a sour smell in the stool of a child is characteristic of fermentative dyspepsia. It is manifested by diarrhea, rumbling in the abdomen, bloating. It is also pronounced in liquefied greenish feces, similar to foam, can tell parents and the doctor that the baby has problems with the absorption of milk sugar.

Offensive harsh, strong

Such a smell can be acquired by fecal masses in case of problems with the pancreas (if its function is impaired due to pancreatitis) and with hypersecretion of the large intestine.

It is unpleasant in a baby who has begun to feed foods containing gluten, it can be a symptom of celiac disease. Also, foul-smelling stools can be a manifestation of problems with the flow of bile into the intestines, caused by cholecystitis.

Putrid, unpleasant

Its presence may indicate:

• Colitis.
• Putrid dyspepsia.
• Disorders of intestinal motor function.
• Impaired digestion of food in the stomach.
• Dysbacteriosis.

90,000 Diarrhea in a month old kitten: symptoms, causes, treatment

If a cat has fetid stools, this may be a sign of diseases such as dyspepsia, colitis, steatorrhea, chronic idiopathic diarrhea, hypocholia. In addition, symptoms are observed in the form of changes in the color and consistency of feces, deterioration of the pet’s well-being.At the first symptoms, the owner should contact the veterinarian, where the doctor will prescribe treatment.

According to statistics from veterinarians, 30.8% of gastrointestinal diseases in cats arise from an unbalanced diet.

What color should a cat’s stool be?

In order to suspect a malfunction in the work of the internal organs of an animal, you need to know what the normal cat feces look like. Normal adult feces are brown. The consistency is thick, the shape is sausage.The frequency of bowel movements is once every 1-2 days.

Since newborn kittens eat milk, their bowel movements may be lighter and thinner. Due to the small volume of the stomach and intestines, the speed of digestive processes, they go to the toilet more often than adult cats.

About your pets excrement

In this article we will talk about a delicate topic … about your pets excrement, aka feces.

Any encyclopedia will give you – feces (faeces; synonyms: feces, excrement) – the contents of the distal colon, excreted during defecation.

Normally, cats have a bowel movement once twice a day, the stool is formed, slightly moist and soft, dark brown in color, there is no mucus, blood or undigested food. Ideally, the size of the stool should be significantly smaller than the amount of food on the plate (25%). When the outlet is less than the inlet, the cat will extract more nutrients from the food. Heavy stools are caused by the presence of undigested filler in foods such as corn and other plant foods.

Only one type of feces will allow you to determine how the digestion processes are going on, whether any pathology arises, will make it clear about the presence of inflammatory processes.

But in order to understand this, let’s look at what criteria are taken into account to assess the result of a cat’s trip to the litter box on large matters, exactly those criteria that we can personally evaluate and, if necessary, contact a veterinary clinic for qualified help. There are only three of them: consistency or shape, color and smell.

Let’s start in order:

FALSE CONSISTENCE

The consistency depends on the amount of water, fiber, mucus and fat in the stool. Dense, shaped stool is excreted in healthy animals.

Normally, the result at the exit of your pet is a decorated, not crumbling, looking like a soft “sausage” of normal thickness with a flat surface or a denser “sausage” type No. 3 and No. 4 according to the Bristol scale (see figure).

Hard, dry feces can mean stagnation of feces in the large intestine, megacolon, it looks like a lumpy “sausage” type number 2 on the Bristol scale. The feces become hard with a decrease in the rate of movement of the chyme through the intestines.

“Sheep feces” in the form of separate dense small lumps, type No. 1 according to the Bristol scale, may indicate insufficient water intake, especially when eating dry food in unlimited quantities, and, as an option, a spastic state of the intestine, namely spastic colitis.

Wet, beginning to lose shape, type No. 5 on the Bristol scale means increased peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of high intake of dietary fiber.

Gruel-like, unformed feces can be with strong gastrointestinal motility, infections, poisoning type No. 6 on the Bristol scale.

Watery feces without solid inclusions, type No. 7 according to the Bristol scale, speaks of strong intestinal peristalsis, impaired (cessation) of absorption, acute gastrointestinal infections, severe intoxication.

The feces have a ribbon-like shape in the presence of hemorrhoids, spasm of the rectal sphincter, fissure of the anus, rectal tumor. Due to the narrowing of the passage of the anus, it takes the form of a long thin soft “sausage”.

COLOR OF FALSE

The color of feces is due to the content of stercobilin. Stercobilin (stercobilm) is a brownish-reddish pigment formed during the metabolism of bile pigments biliverdin and bilirubin, which, in turn, are formed from hemoglobin. Subsequently, stercobilin is excreted from the body in the urine or feces.

The color of feces is normally brown, normally turns yellow with a dairy diet, dark brown with purely meat feeding.

In young animals, milk feeding promotes a light (yellowish-brown) coloration. Some herbal foods and medicines can change the color of feces (beets, blueberries, bismuth, iron, etc.).

Black or tarry color of feces acquire when bleeding in the anterior gastrointestinal tract (stomach, duodenum and small intestine).The reddish color is due to bleeding in the posterior GI tract (ulcerated colitis).

Light brown – with accelerated evacuation from the colon, plant feeding.

Green – with the content of bilirubin, biliverdin, increased peristalsis.

Light yellow – with pancreatic insufficiency, fermentative dyspepsia.

Gray-white – acholic feces when bile does not enter the intestines.

FEEL ODOR

The smell is due to the presence of protein breakdown products (indole, skatole, phenol, etc.), which increases in the condition of decay with an abundance of protein foods. Prolonged stool retention (constipation) leads to the absorption of gases, and the smell can almost completely disappear.

Normal – specific, unsharp.

A putrid odor appears in case of insufficiency of gastric digestion, putrefactive dyspepsia, ulcerative colitis.

Offensive (smell of rancid oil) in violation of the secretion of lipase by the pancreas, no bile flow.

Sour smell is caused by fermentation processes in the large intestine, impaired absorption of fatty acids in the small intestine.

And so, what the perfect turd should look like – good stools should be dark brown, dense, smooth and have a normal smell – the smell of feces. The consistency and texture should be the same throughout the stool mass and it should be easy to remove as a whole.

Why can the color of the stool change, become light?

Should the owner of the cat sound the alarm if the pet’s stool suddenly changes color, turns light brown, yellow, gray or white? Such changes in the color of the faeces can indeed indicate a serious health problem for the animal.However, before you panic, you should remember what is included in the cat’s diet, because some foods can change the color of feces.

Cause – in the cat’s diet

Fecal color may change due to the animal’s milk ration. Milk, cream, sour cream – all this liquefies the stool and makes it lighter than it should be normal.

Newborn kittens that eat only mother’s milk have bowel movements of exactly this color. If an adult animal eats dairy products, then it will also have such feces.

Concomitant symptoms of diarrhea in cats

In addition to loose green stool, diarrhea may be indicated by the following symptoms :

• Increased body temperature.
• Changes in animal behavior.
• The cat is thirsty all the time.
• The pet’s body weight is reduced.
• The quality of the cat’s coat is getting poor.
• The mucous membranes of the animal turn pale.
• Appetite disappears.

© shutterstock
Green stools in a kitten with a liquid consistency, turning into a chronic state, leads to dehydration of the animal’s body and the accumulation of toxins in it.In this case, metabolic processes are disrupted. The growth and development of the kitten slows down.

Is a cat whose feces become light colored infected?

How dangerous is it to be around a cat whose stool has changed color? An animal can be contagious if digestive problems are caused by a viral, bacterial, or parasite infection.

Toxoplasmosis caused by the parasitic protist toxoplasma is one of the causes of inflammation of the gallbladder and ducts. For healthy people with good immunity, Toxoplasma is practically no threat.The situation is different with pregnant women or women who become infected on the eve of conception. Parasites can affect the development of the fetus, cause irreversible changes in the development of its internal organs, provoke a miscarriage or stillbirth. In antenatal clinics, pregnant women must be sent for an analysis that detects toxoplasmosis.

Changes in the color of feces can be the result of infection with worms, which not only settled in the intestines, but also spread throughout the body, including in the liver.Worms are quickly transmitted from a cat to a person, so you need to avoid contact with a sick animal, take special care when cleaning the toilet, and keep children away from it.

What to do if the smell is strong?

Any change in the pet’s feces requires the advice of a veterinarian. Based on the result of the coprogram and additional studies, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes a therapy regimen. It is forbidden to self-medicate a cat. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of which the cat’s feces stink strongly, a therapeutic diet is important.The cat’s menu should not contain fried, fatty, smoked, flour, sweet, and legumes. Lean meat, eggs, dairy products should be given with caution. It is better to offer the cat diet food with the Sensitive, Delicate mark. And also therapy requires the main diseases, which, depending on the etiology, are cured with antiparasitic or enzyme preparations, antibiotics, probiotics.

Diet for diarrhea in a cat

On the first day, go on a hunger strike.But at the same time it is necessary to give a lot of water. In the future, exclude dairy products from the diet and limit the use of starch. For several days, the animal has only light, low-fat food on the menu. The number and size of servings should also be reduced.

Feed your cat 4-5 times a day. Medicines can be added to food immediately. During this period, it is best to give your pet boiled chicken, yolk and porridge. To diversify your pet’s diet, use special canned food.

Return to the usual diet is possible only after full recovery with the consent of the doctor.This usually takes a week.

What treatment is prescribed?

Medication

Depending on the diagnosis, the veterinarian selects the most optimal treatment regimen, which often includes the following groups of drugs:

Dicinone is able to stop an insignificant source of bleeding in an animal.

• Hemostatic. If the diagnosis shows that the cat is developing internal bleeding, but it is not dangerous for the pet’s life, the doctor will prescribe medications that can prevent the loss of vital fluids.Effective means of this group: “Dicinon”;
• Tranexam;
• Vikasol.

Surgical

Sometimes surgery is the only option for the animal to return to normal.
Sometimes it is impossible to normalize a pet’s condition with medication alone, for example, with profuse internal bleeding.To save the animal’s life, the doctor decides on surgical treatment. The manipulations are performed under general anesthesia. After the operation, a long recovery will be required, during which it is important for the owner to control the diet of the four-legged friend, as well as to give him medications prescribed by the doctor to prevent the development of inflammatory processes and increase the body’s defenses.

Inspection of pet feces

Color, consistency, odor, and the time of diarrhea after feeding can tell a lot about reasons :

• A sharp development of yellow diarrhea may indicate food poisoning.
• An increase in temperature indicates an infection of the pet’s body.
• Vomiting indicates inflammation in the stomach, possibly gastroenteritis.
• Feces with mucus that smells bad is a direct sign of intestinal infection or parasites.
• Pale or white, curdled stool is a sign that the cat’s liver is not working (bilirubin is not produced).
• Bloody feces indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract, coupled with a yellow tint of feces, helminths can be suspected that have damaged the intestinal wall.

Main Symptoms

We often ignore things like upset stools or vomiting in animals. Because of this, serious complications and even death can occur. Treatment of diarrhea in a cat requires a special approach and adherence to all the recommendations of specialists.

The owner should be alert if he notices similar manifestations in his pet:

• Unformed chair;
• Frequent attempts to defecate;
• Abnormal color and odor of faeces;
• Blood in the stool.

Concomitant signs of the disease may also appear. Lack of appetite, vomiting, fever, sudden weight loss, lethargy, drowsiness, etc.

If you notice a green or black color of feces, mixed with blood, contact your veterinarian immediately. In such a situation, there is no time to waste so as not to aggravate the pet’s situation.

Causes of diarrhea

Raisins

Most often, kittens or young cats and cats, as well as older cats, suffer from diarrhea.At an early age, the digestive system has not yet fully formed, and does not always cope with its duties. With age, the intestines begin to malfunction.

As a rule, yellow diarrhea in a month-old kitten is almost a physiological phenomenon. It can be caused by a change in diet when moving from a mother cat to a new owner, stress or overeating, as well as lactose intolerance. In this case, there is practically nothing to worry about. The problem is likely to go away very quickly with proper care.

However, this does not mean that the abusive cat does not need to be dealt with. Whatever the cause of diarrhea, it requires attention to itself. If only to make sure that he really does not pose a danger.

After all, more unpleasant causes of diarrhea in a kitten are possible, for example, poisoning. Little kittens, like any children, are very curious, and I can eat something that is not intended for food at all: household chemicals, rat poison, and in general, everything that they can find.

Foods that should not be given to kittens

• Alcohol.It is unlikely that someone will think of giving it on purpose, but a glass accidentally left on the table after the holiday for a small animal will be quite enough to earn a digestive upset.
• Chocolate. It would seem that this is in the usual sweetness, but the cat’s body does not assimilate it.
• Raisins. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, presumably, there are too many organic acids in grapes and raisins. In any case, it causes diarrhea in kittens.
• Aloe Vera.Cats and kittens love to chew houseplants. The cat will not gnaw much from aloe, it is bitter. But even this small amount will be enough for diarrhea.
• Potato peel. They contain too much fiber, which irritates the kitten’s fragile intestinal walls and causes diarrhea. It’s practically safe, but annoying anyway.

Why else does diarrhea occur? Often, it is caused by helminthic invasion, bacterial or viral infection, as well as liver dysfunction.The latter is perhaps the most dangerous and unpleasant option.

To understand what exactly you are dealing with, you need, firstly, to observe your pet, and secondly, to examine the feces for color and inclusions.

If the diarrhea is yellow, but uniform, lasts no more than a few hours, and the baby is cheerful, calm and does not lose appetite, then most likely there is nothing to worry about.

If the kitten is lethargic, and the diarrhea has developed sharply, and even accompanied by vomiting, you can suspect food poisoning.If the temperature of the animal is elevated, it could be an infection. Mucus and an unpleasant odor can indicate both infection and the presence of parasites.

Diagnostics

If the owner noticed that his cat has pooped more than once with feces that are significantly different in color, smell and consistency from the norm, it is necessary to find out the reasons for this pathological condition as soon as possible, so you cannot do without a visit to the veterinarian and comprehensive diagnostics. At the first visit, the doctor will examine the pet, ask the owner what symptoms bother his pet and how long have problems with defecation been observed.If it was not possible to immediately establish an accurate diagnosis, a referral is given to such additional research methods as:

• general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
• analysis of feces for the presence of worms, as well as blood, mucous and other inclusions;
• biochemistry;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Preventive measures

To prevent the appearance of diarrhea in a cat, you must adhere to adherence to simple preventive measures:

• regularly examine the pet for parasites;
• to receive vaccinations that help strengthen the immune system;
• to feed only high-quality feed;
• Do not change the type of food, which can provoke intestinal disorders.

During walks, do not allow your pet to come into contact with street animals, especially stray ones.

Treatment at home

Treatment of a kitten for diarrhea at home, in general, it is a fairly everyday occupation. And if you do everything according to science, then there should be no problems. Let’s start with the correct diagnosis of diarrhea.

As a rule, there are no difficulties in diagnosing diarrhea in kittens. The main task of this process is to determine the cause of diarrhea.And the more accurately the diagnosis is made, the more effective the further treatment will be. At the veterinarian’s appointment, you will be asked to tell in as much detail as possible about all the unusual behavior of your pet, to describe his condition over the past 2-3 days.

In the animal clinic, the veterinarian will conduct an initial examination: temperature measurement, palpation of internal organs, determination of the degree of dehydration, which will allow him to determine the severity of the disease.

In addition, to determine the cause of the disease, additional research will be required: analysis of feces for internal bleeding, for the content of helminth eggs, blood and urine analysis; it is recommended to perform an X-ray examination to exclude such diseases as intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, pancreatitis and a number of other diseases.

General recommendations

What to do if a kitten has diarrhea – list of recommendations:

• If it turns out that spoiled, low-quality food is the cause of diarrhea, then it is necessary to completely stop using them
• It is necessary to provide the kitten with absolute rest
• On the first day The kitten is not fed, and the second portions are very small
• Constant access to clean drinking water
• It is recommended to prepare a decoction for the kitten based on oak bark, flax seeds and oatmeal, you can use rice water
• To reduce gas formation in the intestine, adsorbents are prescribed ( children’s smectite, activated carbon, etc.