How to Determine Gastrointestinal Problems in a Cat
Cats can often suffer from gastrointestinal problems due to internal parasites or because they ingested a foreign body that has become lodged in the intestines. If you think your cat is suffering from gastrointestinal problems, you will need to monitor their behavior carefully to ensure that they do not become dehydrated.
- Examine the stool of your cat. Although this may sound unpleasant, it is the key to understanding what is going on with it. A loose stool that lasts for more than 24 hours is a sign of a gastrointestinal problem and you should seek the advice of your local veterinarian.
- Determine the color of your cat's stool. If your cat's stool is consistently light in color, this could be a sign of liver problems. If you cats stool is black, this could be a sign of intestinal bleeding. A gray stool can mean that your cat is having trouble digesting their food.
- Watch to see how often your cat is going to the bathroom. If they are going to the bathroom frequently, this could mean that their large intestine is inflamed causing frequent elimination of the bowels.
- Look for signs of parasites in the stool. Cats can have worms just like dogs. If your cat has tapeworm, hookworms or roundworms you will be able to see them in the stool of your cat.
- Check your cats’ stomach to see if it appears to be bloated. This is a common sign of gastrointestinal problems in cats. This common symptom can be caused by many different gastrointestinal problems such as obstruction due to a foreign object that has blocked the path of the intestines.