Poop Stuck Halfway Out of Cat: Causes, Treatments, and More

When you have a cat, you get comfortable dealing with poop pretty quick. This includes picking up the random turd outside the litter box or seeing poo stuck to your cat’s fur. However, there may come a time when you see poop stuck halfway out of your cat’s anus. While this might look weird, unpleasant, and a little comical, this issue can also cause health problems when left unattended. So here is everything you need to know about dealing with poop stuck in a cat’s bum.

Table of Contents

• Poop Stuck Halfway Out of Cat – Why It Happens
• Will Poop Stuck Halfway Out Cause Problems?
• What To Do When You See Poop Stuck Halfway Out of Cat
  • How to Manually Remove Poop From a Cat
• What If There Is String Also Stuck in the Poo?
• How to Prevent Constipation in Cats
  • Dry Food
  • Hairballs
  • Dirty Litter Box
• Bye-Bye Bum Troubles
• FAQs

Poop Stuck Halfway Out of Cat – Why It Happens

You first think, “Why does my cat have poop stuck in their anus?” Poop can get easily stuck halfway out when it is either hard or dry, usually during a period of constipation. When this happens, the texture makes the poop difficult to pass.

Constipation is common in cats, because they often do not drink as much water as they need. Additionally, many cats eat dry food, which has little moisture content.

Will Poop Stuck Halfway Out Cause Problems?

No, seeing poop stuck halfway out of a cat may be disconcerting to see, but it usually does not cause medical problems on its own. As long as you take a few precautions and help your feline friend have healthier poops, that is.

Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your cat. You can also provide a fish oil supplement for better skin and fur health. If you notice your cat struggling with constipation, add a little fiber to their diet. This should be in the form of wet food, as they will need more moisture during this time.

Lastly, if poop is stuck halfway out and not going anywhere, you can call a vet for assistance with removing the poo or try it yourself.

What To Do When You See Poop Stuck Halfway Out of Cat

So, you spot your cat walking around awkwardly, with some poop stuck in their bum. Now what? Do you wait for them to drag their butt across the carpet? Hopefully, you can catch them before that happens.

First thing, secure your cat in a quiet location. Lift their tail to see what has happened. If you don’t spot any obstructions, like string, you can move on. Do not attempt to remove the poo if you see any string.

How to Manually Remove Poop From a Cat

Once you have examined your cat and see nothing blocking the poop, follow these steps:

1. Put on some medical gloves to protect yourself from bacteria, like toxoplasmosis
2. If you cat is spicy, you might want to wrap them up in a towel
3. Grab a cotton ball or soft rag and dampen it with warm water
4. Using the cotton ball, gently pat the anal region and poo to soften it up
5. Wait until the poo is soft enough to start breaking it into pieces; never pull on the poop or attempt to extract it entirely, as this could hurt your cat
6. Keep going until almost all the poo is gone
7. Let your cat work on whatever doesn’t come out

Keep in mind that you should never use chemical wipes or baby wipes. A cat’s anus is much more sensitive than a human one and could be burned by any chemicals. Plus, once you are done breaking off the poo, your cat is going to want to clean. You don’t want them getting those chemicals on their tongue

What If There Is String Also Stuck in the Poo?

Sometimes you might notice that your cat has swallowed a string and it ends up in their poop. While it is tempting to just yank it out, don’t.

Depending on the length of the string, it may not be fully cleared of the intestinal tract yet. Pulling on it could result in tearing or other internal injuries.

Therefore, you should take your cat to the vet immediately if there is string and poop stuck halfway out of their butt.

How to Prevent Constipation in Cats

The major cause of poop sticking out of the anus in cats is constipation. As mentioned earlier, constipation is common in cats, because they usually do not drink enough. However, there are other reasons cats get constipation. Here are some of the reasons for constipation, as well as advice on how to help your companion poo more easily.

Dry Food

While dry food is convenient, no healthy cat has a diet that consists solely of it. Here is why: Dry food contains little to no moisture. Secondly, commercial dry food contains fillers that can lead to gastrointestinal blockages. Even higher end dry food can lead to constipation, because it still lacks moisture.

Therefore, if you are only giving Fluffy dry food, start adding in wet food, too. Also, be sure to provide plenty of fresh water throughout the day.

Hairballs

Cats are bound to ingest fur at some point. Their sandpaper tongues help remove debris and dead hair from their coats, but that also means they end up swallowing fur. The fur then travels through their digestive tract. Sometimes, it passes in their poop; when it gets bound up, however, they often vomit up a hairball or end up constipated.

Be sure you are brushing your cat regularly. Also, use hairball formula treats, high fiber wet and dry food, and even hairball gels to soothe their bellies.

Dirty Litter Box

Despite being clean animals, cats do make a mess in the litter box. They also carry bacteria in their poo that tends to build up over time. This is why the litter box should be cleaned out daily.

As soon as the box is too full, your cat will refuse to use it. This means they might end up peeing and pooing elsewhere. That, or they hold onto their poo, making them constipated.

In short, avoid leaving the litter tray uncleaned for too long. You can pick out stools and balls of urine throughout the day. At the end of the week, do a complete change of the kitty litter to prevent old smells and bacteria from proliferating.

Bye-Bye Bum Troubles

Why is poop stuck halfway out of cat? Because of constipation or something obstructing the passage. In the event you don’t see something blocking the poo, you can work to remove it yourself and give your furry friend some relief. Also keep in mind that a healthy diet with water and wet food is the best way to prevent constipation.

More on cats and good feline health on the blog:

• Cat Stopped Eating Wet Food
• Why is My Cat Not Eating Much But Acting Normal

FAQs