White cat poop can be the result of a number of things from a health issue to internal parasites (worms) so it is important to take your cat to the vet for a check-up if you notice their poop is white or has white in it.
If your cat’s poop is paler than usual and is chalky, it could also be caused by the high consumption of raw food and bones.
Any changes to your cat’s faeces and toilet habits are worth investigating as they give you an excellent indication of your cat’s overall health.
If you are concerned about your cat’s white poop we recommend you speak with a vet ASAP to help you work out what’s going on and what needs to be done.
JustAnswer allows you to talk in real-time to veterinary experts for a small fee.
Contents
What Causes White Cat Poop?
There are a few different things that can cause cat poop to be white, or to have white parts in it.
The most common causes are listed below:
1. Fungal Toxicosis
The white color in your cat’s poop could be a sign of fungal toxicosis.
Fungal toxicosis is a sickness caused by toxins from fungi and mold.
Your cat may have inhaled or ingested some fungus or mold spores and this can cause sickness, white color in poop, and organ damage.
This sickness is also known as mycotoxicosis and the condition needs immediate veterinary attention.
Think about where your cat might have picked up the fungi or mold and if any of your cat’s food or bedding has gone mouldy, take a sample of it with you to the vets.
This can help the vet with their diagnosis.
Fungal toxicosis can be treated with antifungal medication, an antifungal sinus injection, IV fluids, and stomach pumping (used to remove the ingested harmful substance).
2. Diet
If your cat’s poop is pale in colour it could be the result of their diet.
A raw diet can cause a cat’s poop to be paler than when they eat commercial cat food.
When a cat consumes a lot of bones and raw meat their poop is more white in colour and can often be described as chalky.
If your cat’s diet has not changed but you are seeing changes in their toilet habits, a check-up is worthwhile.
The vet can also recommend the best diet for your cat’s breed, age, and activity level.
Normal cat poop has a brown and consistent colour so white poop may be a sign they are not fully digesting the food they are eating.
3. Worms
Cat poop that is brown with white spots or flecks usually indicates the cat has worms.
Worms are internal parasites but signs of the worms (such as eggs or even the worms themselves) can be found in the cat’s poo.
Small white parts that look similar to rice could mean your cat has tapeworms, or long, thin spaghetti-like white parts could be an indication of roundworms.
Worms need to be treated so take your cat to the vet for diagnosis and treatment.
Take a sample of your cat’s faeces to the vet so the clinic can identify which of the worms your cat has.
In extreme cases, a bad case of worms could instead cause your cat’s poop to turn black.
4. Health Issue
Sometimes, white poop is a sign of a lack of bile which indicates an issue with the liver or gallbladder.
In this case, the poop may also be a clay-like consistency.
As bile is a digestive fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, a pale or white poop may indicate the cat has liver disease or that the bile duct is obstructed.
In a healthy cat, bile assists with food digestion through the small intestine.
If the bile ducts are obstructed it can cause a range of symptoms including bleeding, a light coloured stool, dark yellow urine, and weight loss.
Analysis of the stool can help the vet check for bilirubin levels and liver enzymes to diagnose the problem.
5. Lack of Gut Bacteria
If your cat is lacking in beneficial gut flora it can cause their poop to be white.
It’s necessary to take them to the vet as without good gut flora their health and digestion will be impacted.
Normal gut health can be impacted by a number of things, for example, if the cat is stressed, malnourished, or unwell.
Cat-friendly probiotics can help build up good gut flora which helps to strengthen the cat’s immune system, reduce bad bacteria, and aid digestion.
6. Old Poop
Old cat poop can often turn grey and which will turn whiter as it grows more mould.
In some cases this mould can begin to form in just a few hours.
Poop is more likely to get mouldy in litter boxes that are not cleaned regularly.
As mould spores are hazardous to humans and cats, it’s important to safely dispose of the poop and the litter (use a sealed plastic bag or bin bag to dispose of it).
Once the tray is clean and dry, put new litter down.
Wash your hands well and scoop the litter box regularly to prevent future mould growth.
If your cat has inhaled mould spores it could make them sick so watch them closely for respiratory distress, coughing, and nasal discharge.
If you do notice your cat has any of these symptoms or is behaving differently then consult your vet for advice.
What Do White Specks In Cat Poop Mean?
White specks in cat poop are often a sign of internal parasites, incidentally, green and yellow cat poop can sometimes indicate the same thing.
If a cat has worms in their digestive tract the eggs of the worms, as well as the worms themselves, can be discharged in the faeces.
This means any small white specks in cat poop could be the eggs of the worms.
The most common worms found in cats are roundworms and tapeworms.
Roundworms are intestinal parasites that are quite common in cats and kittens.
Tapeworms are a parasite that settles in the cat’s bowels and they break into segments containing eggs – which can be seen in the faeces.
Another indication your cat may have tapeworms is if they scoot their back end along the ground.
If you see white specks in your cat’s poop, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you handle cat litter, pick up faeces, or spend time in the garden (particularly when you have been touching dirt or sand).
People can also become infected with roundworms so take precautions to prevent this from happening.
What Does It Mean If My Cat Is Pooping White Liquid?
It is not normal for a cat to poop white liquid so take your cat to the vet immediately.
White liquid could indicate there is a severe infection or bacterial imbalance in the bowel.
If your cat is only pooping white liquid they have severe diarrhoea and need medical attention. If left untreated, severe diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and other complications.
If the white liquid is more of a mucous and this accompanies a normal (firm, brown, and compact) poop then this is probably nothing to worry about as there is a secretion that helps lubricate the intestines to aid faecal movement.
This secretion can sometimes be seen on the poop.
What Does It Mean If My Cat Poop Has White Mucus In It?
White mucus in cat poop is most likely the normal secretion that helps to lubricate the lining of the intestinal tract.
This white mucus is there to help the movement of faeces and it is sometimes seen on the poop too.
However, if there is a lot of mucus or the mucus is a strange colour it may be a sign of a problem.
What Does It Mean If My Cat Poop Has White Mold In It?
White mould in cat poop is a sign of fungal toxicosis.
This is an illness caused by toxins from fungi or mould and is often accompanied by a range of symptoms including lack of appetite, weight loss, diarrhoea, bloating, fever, and more.
Take your cat to the vet as fungal toxicosis can cause severe symptoms and can even be life-threatening.
If your cat’s poop is normal (dark brown, formed, and firm) but has begun to develop a white colour a few hours later, it is the result of mould.
To help stop this from happening, the litter box needs to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.
Does Old Cat Poop Turn White?
Old cat poop can turn white as a result of mould.
This is more likely to happen if the litter box has not been thoroughly cleaned or the poop isn’t removed on a regular basis.
As mould spores are hazardous to humans and cats, it is important to clean the litter box regularly.
What To Do If Your Cat Has White Poop?
When you notice changes in the colour of your cat’s poop, it’s important to contact your vet immediately.
As white poop can indicate your cat has a health issue and it may be something that requires treatment.
Your vet will be able to help you identify the issue and offer suitable treatment options.
Leave a Comment