One day, I was sitting on the couch and reading my favorite novel. Suddenly, my cat jumped onto my lap and started to lick its fur. “Oh it’s time to groom!!’ thinking that, I stopped my reading, and began to pet my kitty.
But all of a sudden, a foul stench hit my nose. I looked for the source of the smell, and saw a brown dried poop stuck to my pet’s anus. “Eww….. How long had it been there? How did it happen? And more importantly, how do I get rid of it?”
Then I tried a few steps and methods, and finally removed this waste from my kitty’s body.
It’s not an uncommon scenario for a cat owner. And those who newly adopted one, it can be difficult for them to know what to do in this situation. Additionally, it’s important to keep your feline coats clean, as it’s a matter of their well-being. Don’t worry!! Because I, your trusted friend from The CatFlix, got you covered.
I’m sharing all the guidance that I followed to get rid of this stuck feces’ problem with you. So, without wasting time, let’s explore how to get dried poop off cat anus!
Why Does Dried Poop Occur on a Cat’s Anus?
Wait wait, before we start to work on the dried feces removing process, first we need to understand why it occurs on a cat’s anus. You know what an excellent self-groomer these creatures are! So there must be something concerning that causes this dried feces lump on their bump.
Understanding the Causes of Dried Poop on a Cat’s Anus
One of the main reasons it can happen is due to poor grooming. Cats are usually very meticulous about cleaning themselves, especially their rear end.
They use their tongue and teeth to remove if there is any dirt or debris in their fur and skin. However, if they fail to do so, it indicates your feline may have some underlying issues causing fecal mat on the cat’s coat.
Common Health Issues and Factors Contributing to Dried Poop on a Cat’s Anus
There are some common health issues contributing to dried stool on their anus. For instance-
1. Constipation
If a cat is constipated, their stools may become dry and hard, making it difficult for them to pass through the colon. Sometimes, some poop can stay on their anus and lead to dried poop.
2. Diarrhea
On the other hand, diarrhea can also cause fecal matter to leak out of the cat’s anus and dry on the fur. As it happens frequently and they become weak, they don’t get the chance to clean themselves, resulting in feces lumping on their rear coat.
3. Feline colon problem
Cats can develop various colon-related issues, such as megacolon, inflammatory bowel disease, and colitis. These conditions can affect the normal function of the colon, causing abnormal fecal consistency and retention, which lead to dried stool around the cat’s anus and tail area.
4. Spine pain or issues
Spine pain or issues can affect your feline’s spinal cord or nerves and cause pain, weakness, or paralysis in the hind legs. As a result, it becomes difficult for the cat to groom itself properly and remove any fecal matter from its anus and fur.
5. Health and coat condition
Cats with long or thick hair may have trouble reaching or cleaning their butt. This can be worse if your cat is older or has obesity, as these factors can limit their mobility or flexibility. Consequently, they get dried feces on their anus.
How to Identify Dried Poop on a Cat’s Anus?
Basically, I’ve followed 3 stages for removing the feces lump from my cat’s rear part. The first stage was identifying the issue. So, how can you do that?? Well, here are some tips to follow-
Visual Cues and Signs of Dried Poop on a Cat’s Anus
One of the easiest ways to tell if your cat has dried stool on their anus is to look at it. You will notice there are some black or brown crusty bits or mass around their anus, or stained and matted fur in that part. [also read why do cats get matted fur on their back, and learn how to get rid of this tangle hair if it gives you a hard time on grooming]
In addition, there are some other signs like your pet will experience discomfort, irritation, or even skin infection. It can also make them smell bad, as well as attract flies and other pests.
Regular Checking and Grooming for Early Detection
Once Don McPherson says, “True prevention is not waiting for bad things to happen, it’s preventing things from happening in the first place.”
I couldn’t agree more. Therefore, the best way to avoid dried poop on a cat’s anus is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Regular check your cat’s butt and groom them as needed. You should inspect their anus at least once a week, or more often if they have any of the risk factors I’ve mentioned above.
How to Prepare for the Cleaning Process
The next stage is to prepare for the cleaning process. You can’t just put your gloves on and wipe out with some tissues. As It forms a hard lump and gets stuck on their fur, so it can be a little difficult to clean.
Essential Supplies for Cleaning a Cat’s Soiled Fur
So, what do you need first? Well, some essential supplies like a pair of gloves, cat wipes, pet shampoo which is suitable for your cat’s fur type, warm water, clean towel or cloth, brush or comb, and trimmer or scissors to cut the tangle or matted fur (if needed).
Creating a Calm and Stress free Environment for Your Cat
Secondly, you need to create a calm and stress free environment for your pet. They may feel threatened or scared during the cleaning procedure, so make sure to choose a quiet and comfortable place. You can also use toys or treats to distract your cat during getting rid of lumps of feces.
How to get dried poop off cat anus: A Step-by-Step Guide
And now the final stage, removing dried poop off from the cat’s anus. Here is the full guidance to help you complete the procedure, and your cat will be poop-free in no time!
Step 1: Proper Restraint and Safety Measures
You can’t just dive in without taking precautions, right? So, make sure you have held your kitty firmly but gently, and most importantly keep them as calm as possible. You can use a grooming hammock restrain bag if they are too fussy.
After all, you don’t want any unexpected surprises during this delicate operation, do you?
Step 2: Removing Loose Debris from the Affected Area
Grab your clean, disposable or any normal gloves and gently clean the surrounding area to get rid of any dirt or debris, and loose bits of poop. Be careful not to pull too hard, or you might hurt your cat’s skin.
[also read how to get rid of fleas on long haired cats if your feline is under attack by these little pesky parasites!!]
Step 3: Softening and Loosening Dried Poop with Warm Water
After that, you need to soften and loosen that dried poop. Use a soft cloth or cotton ball, soak in warm water, and gently rub or dab it on the dried feces. This will help mollify it and make it easier to remove. You can also use a spray bottle to wet the area.
Step 4: Using Pet-Safe Shampoo for Effective Cleaning
Choose a pet-safe shampoo (or vet recommended shampoo) that’s safe and suitable for your pet’s hair. Apply some of it to the cloth and gently rub it on the poop. This will help dissolve it and clean the area. You can also use a soft brush or a comb to gently loosen the poop.
Step 5: Thorough Rinsing to Ensure Residue Removal
Rinse the area well with clean water. Make sure there is no shampoo or poop left on your cat’s fur or skin. However, if the fecal mat is hard to remove or clean, then use your final option: “trim or cut the tangled area”, and make sure you do it with precautions. You can also seek professional help to do that.
Step 6: Gentle Drying Techniques to Maintain Comfort
Finally, wrap your little kitty in a soft towel and give them a gentle pat-dry. Use a clean towel or a hair dryer on low heat. Be gentle and avoid rubbing too harsh or blowing too hot. You want to keep your cat comfortable and happy.
And voilà! You have successfully removed the stubborn dried poop from your cat’s anus. Hey, don’t forget to give your cat a treat and some cuddles for being such a good sport.
How Can You Prevent Dried Poop from Recurring?
You’ve saved the day for now. But what if it happens in the future?? That’s why you have to prevent this dried poop issue from recurring. How? Here are some tips to follow-
- Regular grooming: Grooming your cat’s coat on a regular basis is the simplest way to prevent dried stool. Brush your cat regularly to keep their fur clean and healthy. Moreover, if your cat has long or fluffy fur, it can get tangled with the poop and make it harder to remove. So make sure to give professional grooming once or twice a month.
- Feed high-fiber diet: Fiber can help soften the feces and make it easier to pass. You can add some canned pumpkin, psyllium husk, or wheat bran to your cat’s food, or ask your vet for a fiber supplement. You can also look for high fiber contented cat food which is suitable for your pet’s age and health condition.
- Keep your cat hydrated: Dehydration can cause constipation, which can lead to dried poop on the anus. Make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times, and consider adding wet food or broth to their diet. You can also use a fountain or a dripping faucet to encourage your cat to drink more water.
- Clean the litter box: A dirty litter box can also cause sticking stool on their body. So, scoop the litter box at least once a day and change the litter completely after a week. Wash the litter box with mild soap and water once a month. Replace it if it’s unsuitable to use.
- Check for health conditions: Lastly, check for underlying health issues. Such as bowel disease, colon issues, spinal problems, and others that can cause anal sac problems. Furthermore, look for some other symptoms like infection, weight loss, redness, selling, bald spot, odor, discharge around the anus.
When Should You Consult a Veterinarian for Persistent Issues or Discomfort?
You should consult a veterinarian for your cat’s persistent issues or discomfort if you notice some serious concern. For example, your cat has diarrhea or constipation that lasts more than 24 to 36 hours and comes up with other symptoms like vomiting, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, lethargy, or dehydration.
In addition, showing signs of pain such as hiding, vocalizing, limping, grooming less or more, or avoiding contact. All of these signs indicate serious health issues that require immediate veterinary attention.
Even if your cat seems normal otherwise, it is better to be safe than sorry and have them checked by a vet. They can diagnose the cause of your cat’s issues or discomfort and provide appropriate treatment and care.
Enclosure
That’s all folks. I hope this step-by-step guide has helped you to get an idea about how you will get dried poop off cat anus.
Follow those tips to prevent this issue from happening in the future, and if you notice any serious condition of your pets, don’t hesitate to take them to your nearby vet.
If you have any other suggestion of removing dried stool from cat’s anus, then share them in the comment sections.