Is A Light Brown Cat Poop A Reason For Concern?

A peek into your cat’s poop color and consistency can get you fair information about your cat’s digestive system, as well as her health in general.

So, by taking a look at your cat’s feces you might even determine whether you should take your pet to the veterinarian.

Since these are important things you should notice as a cat owner, the first thing you should know is what the color of a cat’s poop could indicate.

The normal color of the cat’s stool should be dark brown. So, is cat poop in light brown also normal, or is this a sign something is wrong with your kitten? Let’s find out!

Why Is Your Cat’s Poop Light Brown?

A healthy cat should have a dark brown stool. So, does this mean that a light brown isn’t considered the normal color of the cat’s feces?

Well, in most cases, all shades of brown are considered normal for a cat’s feces. 

A cat can sometimes have a light brown poop due to something she has eaten.

Still, if you suddenly notice this change, and if your cat keeps having a light brown poop, this could indicate a certain health problem in her.

If your cat’s poop keeps having light brown coloring, this might mean that she has digestive issues that originate in her bile or liver.

This can get to be very serious, and can even lead to the complete obstruction of the cat’s bile duct.

Galina Hayes and her associates [1] explain how this obstruction can result from any pathologic process that obstructs the flow of bile from the cat’s liver to the duodenum. 

If this happens, you’ll also notice serious weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, and icterus in your cat.

Of course, this is an extreme case, and isn’t something that a cat’s light brown poop solely indicates.

Still, it’s good to be careful and aware of all possible outcomes like a cat parent.

Should You Contact A Veterinarian?

Light brown isn’t necessarily a reason to be concerned.

In many cases, you will notice this one time, and soon your cat’s poop will go back to its normal, darker color.

A light brown poop in general isn’t an alarm for concern, like, for example, the red cat poop. A red cat stool might indicate there is blood in the cat’s digestive system, and this is considered a medical emergency, according to the cat poop color chart.

Still, you should also keep monitoring your cat’s feces as soon as you notice any kind of change in its color or consistency.

Keep your cat’s litter box clean at all times, and pay attention to whether she displays any kind of other symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc.

If you have any doubts that your cat might be ill, you should call your veterinarian right away.

Even if your vet confirms there’s nothing to be worried about – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

What Else To Pay Attention To Regarding A Cat’s Poop?

Besides the stool’s color, you should also keep an eye on your cat’s poop shape, consistency, and smell.

A normal cat’s poop should look like a sausage, and it shouldn’t be too hard, or too soft. If your cat’s feces isn’t formed well, this probably indicates that she is suffering from diarrhea.

Of course, you don’t expect your cat’s poop to smell like flowers, but, still, this smell should actually be barely noticeable.

If you notice a really bad smell of your cat’s feces, this might mean that she has an upset stomach. Also, this could be related to a certain food your cat’s eating, so, you might want to consider giving her some good food options for smelly cat poop.

Another important thing to pay attention to is how often your cat poops. According to Hill’s Pet, most cats poop at least once a day.

If she poops too many times a day, this indicates something is going on with her digestion. On the other hand, if you notice your cat hasn’t pooped for a couple of days in a row, this means she’s dealing with constipation.

If this is the case with your kitten, you can find some useful advice in our article about ways to make a cat poop when constipated.

Conclusion

What’s the final takeaway on the cat poop light brown issue?

In general, a cat’s feces in brown color is considered normal. So, light brown poop isn’t as alarming as, for example, red-colored feces.

Still, a healthy cat should have a darker brown stool. Sometimes the shade can vary, depending on what the cat has eaten.

So, if you notice your cat’s poop is light brown from time to time, this isn’t something to be worried about. You can expect her poop to have a deeper brown shade soon.

However, if you notice your cat constantly has a light brown-colored stool, and if she shows any other symptoms she might not be feeling well, you need to consult a veterinarian soon.

In these cases, light brown cat poop might indicate digestive problems or issues with her bile.

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