Blood in litter tray :(

[berri]

Please give me some advice, I'm really not sure what to do.

I found quite a lot of blood in my cat's tray this morning, mixed in with his poo, and also a 'glob' of it on the side of the tray.

I remember this happened about a year ago and we took him for a check-up but they couldn't find anything wrong.

We are now living in a different country & stupidly I haven't sorted out insurance for him yet over here.

We are skint at the moment and I'm so scared to take him to the vet in case it results in a massive bill & then I won't be able to get insurance in the future.

He seems happy as larry in himself, sitting with me and purring as usual, and eating/drinking fine.

What do you think - is blood always a terrible sign?

It could be an irritated bowel, like IBS in humans. I have a cat who periodically has runny mucusy and occasionally bloody poo. Its not nice but he's generally well in himself. If your cat doesn't seem unwell you could give him a day or two of bland chicken and rice to settle his insides and hopefully it will go away. Obviously if there's more blood in substantial quantities you should see a vet.

Is it definately with the poo? its not in his urine? Cats are very prone to UTI's because they are too lazy to go to the toilet soemtimes they get retention cystitis. Blood in poo could be due to gastro-enteritis. I would just keep an eye on him - does he only wee in the litter tray? if so watch him to see if he is going more or trying to go and nothing happening. If there is still blood tomorrow then he will need the vets as he may need anti-biotics, if hes back to normal then dont worry too much. If it happens again it would be worth mentioning to the vet, but i woudlnt be pulling my hair out at this stage.

Also have you done the obvious and checked him for any wounds on his feet or bite marks?

Yes it's definitely in his poo, and no bite marks etc (he's mainly an indoor cat also).

He has 100% dry food - plenty of water for him around - do you think it could be bad for him to have nothing but biscuits?

not at all berri, so long as he is having the complete food and not the mixers and he has plenty of water always. Might he have eaten something "off diet" that has upset his tummy?

No not specifically but he might have an upset tummy for many reasons, as humans do. If its gastroenteritis as Goawaybob suggested, it will clear up in a day or two and no further problem, if its irritable bowel it could flare up from time to time. It is worth doing the chicken and rice though because it rests the stomach whatever the problem.

yes, def agree with pasha about the chicken and rice

my cat had exactly the same symptoms, vet said to stop dry food and give wet food mixed with some water instead for a week (provided cat was in no pain etc) and he fine now.

I've never heard of giving a cat chicken & rice - just literally normal cooked chicken & rice?

I'll try that & maybe also some wet food to try to rest his tummy.

Thanks for all your replies - such a panic when you see blood.

Yes, just use normal chicken (or white fish) with rice - its a bland diet that wont upset the tummy. Be wary of making an abrupt change to his diet though as that can often cause an upset

Thank you, will try that, fingers crossed.