“My Cat Smells Like Poop,” an expression that we sometimes hear from other furparents.
Cats are known for being fastidiously clean animals, so it can be shocking when you sit down to cuddle with your furry friend only to find that she suddenly smells like an outhouse in the middle of summer. You find this smell disgusting of course and chances are your cat doesn't like being smelly either.
Your first instinct may be to bathe Kitty, which she may or may not agree to. (There is a way to clean your cat and still keep all your fingers.) This may be all that's needed, but you want to find the underlying cause to keep it from happening again. Read on to find out what may be causing your cat's bad odor and how to fix it.
There is a problem behind this
It is not normal at all for a cat to smell like this. As a pet parent, it is your job to find out why Kitty smells bad and come up with a viable solution to the problem.
Fortunately, this situation is fairly easy to troubleshoot. Worst case scenario: Your cat may have to go to the vet to get her anal glands drained or removed.
Best case scenario: Kitty just needs to change her diet a little. All you have to do is observe your cat's habits and do a little investigation.
Why does my cat smells like poop?
There are many reasons why a cat may suddenly develop a disagreeable odor. A poor diet resulting in diarrhea and/or flatulence is a common culprit as is a dirty litter box. A cat that goes outdoors a lot may get dirty by rooting through garbage or chasing prey into someone's compost heap.
Infected anal glands is the most serious cause, but fortunately the least common. If you have a long haired cat like a Persian, Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat, their fur might be matted by fecal matter.
There is also the possibility that Kitty tried to tangle with a skunk or other musky wild life. A good old fashioned dip in tomato juice might clear things up. If this doesn't work, try a mix of one quart hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of mild dish detergent.
Keep in mind that skunks can carry rabies, so that's two good reasons to keep your cat nice and far away from Pepe Le Pew.
Change of diet
Kitty has a very sensitive stomach. Even a small change can cause big problems. If you recently changed your cat's diet, a bad smell is a good reason to change it back. Check the litter box for signs of diarrhea.
If your cat has diarrhea stains on her fur, you can clean her off with baby wipes or wipes specifically for cleaning pets.
If you must change your cat's diet, always make it a slow, gradual process and do not feed her grainy fillers.
Dirty litter
Have you been changing the litter as often as you should? A dirty litter box can lead to a smelly kitty. Clean your cat's litter box out regularly.
Some cats, especially young kittens who are still getting used to the litter box, might think kitty litter is fun to play with, getting dirty litter all over themselves.
If you see a cat having a little too much fun in her litter box, coax her out by offering her a toy to play with. You may also want to research for a brand of cat litter that doesn't stick easily to fur.
Dirty cat
Outdoor cats aren't as strict about hygiene as indoor cats. You have not only general dirtiness to worry about, but parasites as well. If Kitty really hates the water you can rub her down with pet wipes. A good brushing also helps.
Infected anal glands
Has Kitty been scooting on the carpet or scratching, licking and biting at her backside a lot? Could be the anal glands got infected. Time to take Kitty to the veterinarian to get them drained or removed plus a dose of antibiotics.
Matted Bum Hair
Long haired cats sometimes get their fur matted with fecal matter and urine. A cat with injuries that make grooming difficult makes it even worse. Make sure your cat is well groomed. Sometimes, shaving Kitty's bum might be the easiest way about it. Ask your veterinarian or groomer to show you how to do this safely.
Causes due to medical conditions
1. Mats Can Cause Rear End Odor in Cats
Check your cat's fur for fecal or urine stains. If she doesn't like baths, there's wipes and combs that might do the trick. The cat's rear end might have to be shaved every once in a while to keep it from matting.
2. Urinary Tract Infection Can Cause a Smelly Cat
The bacteria that causes urinary tract infection causes cat urine to smell even worse. A urinary tract infection needs to be treated by a veterinarian. If you have a tomcat, he could have urinary blockage and needs to be rushed to the vet.
3. Arthritis Can Cause a Stinky Kitty
Arthritis can make it difficult or even painful for a cat to groom herself as well as she used to. Take her to a veterinarian to have this treated. Do not give your cat arthritis medication meant for humans as they could be fatal.
4. Chronic Illness Can Result in Stinky Kitties
Is Kitty overweight? This can make it hard for her to groom herself, plus create skin rolls that are difficult to clean. All the more reason to watch Kitty's weight. Any long lasting illness can result in greasy fur, dandruff and unpleasant odors. To make matters worse, a sick cat may lose interest in grooming.
Follow your vet's instructions to nurse your cat back to health and give her a gentle but thorough grooming to make her smell better. She'll feel a little better too.