Cats have a reputation for being very particular about their cleanliness. They spend most of their day cleaning and grooming themselves. But oftentimes, they may start smelling like poop. This stinky smell can be a trouble for the fur parents who love to cuddle their cats and keep them on their lap.
Although it does not indicate something serious, you would want to get rid of the smell. But the question here is, why a cat smells like poop? What can be done to solve this problem and make your feline smell good? In this article, we will take a closer look at why a cat smells like poop and how can you fix this?
So let’s get started.
Why Your Cat Smells Like Poop? 5 Common Reasons
As mentioned above, there are some common reasons behind a cat smelling like poop even after she has been given a bath or appears to be clean. Some of these reasons are discussed in more detail so you can better understand why this happens and what you need to do.
1. Dirty Litterbox
One of the most common reasons behind a cat smelling bad can be a dirty litter box. If you don’t regularly clean your cat’s litterbox, the bad odor will soon start to linger inside your house. Most inexpensive litterboxes don’t help in getting rid of the poop smell because the litter granules in these boxes are not effective enough to absorb the odor. If the granules with the foul smell get stuck to your cat’s fur, this will make her smell like poop.
What you can do to solve this problem is you should invest in an automatic self-cleaning litterbox. Although these self-cleaning boxes are a bit hefty on the pocket, they work wonders. However, if you cannot afford to buy this, you can buy some high-quality litter box granules. They will help you get rid of the foul smell inside the litter box and help your kitty smell good.
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2. Matted Fur
Another reason your cat smells like poop can be matted hair. Cats with long fur are more likely to face this issue. Sometimes when they have runny poop, it may get stuck to the hair around their rear end. If left uncleaned, it hardens and can make your kitty smell bad. Cats that are obese or have some other health issue such as hip dysplasia or arthritis cannot reach and clean these areas.
You should carefully trim the matted hair around your cat’s rear end to solve this problem so that poop doesn’t get stuck there. If you often find hardened poop around your cat’s bum, it can be a sign of some digestive issue. Getting your kitty checked by a veterinarian is always a good idea.
3. Dietary Changes
It is a known fact that cats have a sensitive digestive system. Any changes in their diet can make them experience digestive disturbances such as diarrhea, flatulence, belching, or bloating. When your cat has an upset stomach, she may burp or pass gases that have a foul smell. As mentioned above, a sudden change in diet can also result in runny poop that can get stuck to a cat’s fur. This poop hardens and makes your cat smell like poop even after you have cleaned her.
To avoid such scenarios, it is important to feed your cat a high-quality diet. Cat food that is low in protein and high in fibers can result in runny poops. So, make sure your cat is consuming a diet that is rich in proteins from animal sources such as fish, chicken, and beef.
4. Digestive Issues
Sometimes, a digestive issue may be causing your feline fellow to smell like poop. As previously mentioned, a cat may have loose stools that get stuck on her fur and make her smell bad. When a cat has gastric trouble, her belly feels bloated to touch, and she may refuse to eat, play, or let you touch her. If you notice any of these signs, you should get your cat checked by a vet to eliminate any digestion-related issues.
Several reasons can make your furry friend face digestive issues. Some of these include;
- Overeating
- Consuming spoiled food
- Eating too fast without chewing properly
- Consuming high fiber food
- Food allergies
- Consuming dairy products
5. Anal Glands Infection
If your cat smells like poop, she may be suffering from anal glands infection. Before a cat poops, her anal glands produce a gas smelling like poop. This is normal for a cat, but it may signal something concerning if the smell doesn’t go away even after the cat has done her business. If poop clogs the anal gland, it can result in an infection. Thus, it is important to get your furry friend checked by a vet to eliminate the possibility of anal glands infection.
The signs of an anal glands infection include;
- Scooting on the floor
- Scratching her bottom
- Excessively licking her bum
- Trouble in pooping
If your cat is displaying any of the signs mentioned above, take her to a vet’s clinic. The sooner an infection is diagnosed, the quicker her recovery will be.
6. Constipation
Passing hard stools or not being able to pass any at all can mean your cat is constipated. If she is unable to relieve herself completely, she may smell like poop.
Mostly, a cat becomes constipated when she doesn’t drink enough water. So, it is always important to keep your cat well hydrated to avoid constipation.
7. Arthritis
Arthritis can be another reason your cat smells like poop. You may wonder how arthritis can be related to a foul smell?
Well, the answer to this is that when a cat suffers from a painful disease like arthritis, she may not be able to groom and clean herself. There are hard-to-reach areas that a cat cannot access due to her painful arthritis. So she may end up smelling bad.
You should take your cat to a vet and get her checked. If she is diagnosed with arthritis, you would have to take the responsibility of cleaning and grooming her.
How to Get Rid of the Smell?
As we have discussed all the possible reasons that make a cat smell bad, we will now focus on what needs to be done to eliminate the foul smell.
- First things first, if you find your cat smells like poop, you should give her a bath or wipe her with wet tissues. Some cats are aversive to water and don’t like bathing. In such cases, you can use dry shampoos specifically formulated for cats.
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- Next, clean her litterbox or invest in a self-cleaning litterbox that automatically gets rid of the poop, so the litterbox doesn’t smell bad. As these self-cleaning litter boxes are expensive, you can try purchasing deodorized litter granules. These are also helpful in masking foul smells inside the litterbox.
- Keep your cat’s hair around their rear end short and trimmed, so poop doesn’t get stuck in them. This will also help in keeping your cat’s bottom clean and her fur smelling good.
- After you have eliminated all the above-mentioned factors but couldn’t get rid of the bad smell, it is advised to take your kitty to a vet’s clinic so she can be examined in detail.
Final Thoughts
If you find your cat smells like poop, there is usually nothing to panic about. A good bath or a wipe down would help solve the issue and make your cat smell fresh again. Usually, there is nothing serious and wouldn’t need any medical intervention. But if you have tried everything to solve the issue and the poop smell persists, it may indicate something more serious. Thus, you should take counsel from a vet to ensure your cat is healthy and doesn’t suffer from any disease.