please talk to me about cat poo, sorry

[MoaningYoniWhingesAgain]

My cat is a mainly outdoors cat, comes and goes as he pleases. He has had a few mishaps in the house if the catflap is shut for, oooh, five seconds.

I was in the garden this morning when he went for a crap on the border and again noticed his poo is very liquid and farty, no wonder he has to go right away, I think it is always like this. He seems happy enough, is eating drinking, wormed.

Is that normal for cat poo? I haven't had a cat with a litter tray for about 20 years so I have no idea He is about 12ish and neutered.

[cozietoesie]

Not really normal, No. Poos should be soft-ish but not runny so I'd be keeping an eye on him for a day or so to ensure that this is in fact standard for him and not just a temporary innards upset. (Unless you've been checking for a few days already.)

What is his normal diet?

[ClaimedByMe]

What food does he eat? My boy cat is like that and always has been doesnt matter what we feed him, the 2 girl cats poops look like butchers sausages, they all eat the same food!

[MoaningYoniWhingesAgain]

I seen and heard him poo a few times and seems it's always like this.

He has a decent dried food (ie not whiskas/go cat, stuff with actual meat/fish in it) plus the odd bit of meat from kids sandwiches like trimming bits from chicken or ham. I usually let him have a bit of milk as well but I know it isn't very good for them - should I try stopping that? He does love it.

[ClaimedByMe]

I would stop the milk and ham, cats are not supposed to have them but other meat is ok, is he likely to be eating wildlife too?

[MoaningYoniWhingesAgain]

He used to hunt but not seen any evidence of it for a long time TBH. We used to get frequent small rodents in pieces outside the back door and on one memorable occasion a warm dead whole pigeon at the bottom of the stairs

Will stop the ham and milk, the ham was occasional anyway and the dog will be happy instead

[ClaimedByMe]

Its quite hard to monitor what they eat when they are out doors all the time, my neighbours all feed one of my cats and I had to tell them to stop, one kept the fat off all her food to give to her!

[Pascha]

One of my cats has been like this all his life, he's 11 now and as fit and healthy as ever. I just think his insides are all a bit squelchy and always have been.

[oopslateagain]

My cat is 17, and poos like this. He squats, farts, and sprays liquid poo everywhere (with a few lumpy bits for variety). He's done it for years. Apart from being ancient, he's in good shape. I think if he's happy and comfortable, then it doesn't need messing with!

[MoaningYoniWhingesAgain]

That sounds reassuring. Gross, but reassuring. I am not at all convinced he isn't a six dinner Sid as well. He used to be quite thin but has recently filled out a little bit - I don't know if that has been since I started getting him better food or just coincidence.

I felt guilty because the dogs get decent food and the cat was getting shite food, so now all get quality food.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

IBD is really really common in cats there are lots and lots of things that can be done to help all these squitty cats.

[QueenStromba]

You can get special cat milk if you really feel like he's missing out. I think it's still only advised as an occasional treat unless you need to get extra calories into the cat.

[DinkyBabe]

One of our cats has a sensitive stomach and had similar issues even though we used a 'good' dry food (not great with a long haired cat that doesn't take kindly to being cleaned!!). We changed her diet to the Royal Canin Sensible and it seems to have completely sorted the problem

[VenusRising]

I was just going to ask does he get any sneaky milk?
Is someone feeding him milk?

Most cats are lactose intolerant, and that explains the diarrhoea.