As a cat parent, cleaning out the litter box may not be one of your favourite activities (if it is, we have plenty of litter boxes for you here!). But checking cat poo to ensure it's a normal colour and shape is one of the ways you can spot signs of possible health problems.

Most cats poo at least once a day, and cat stool is a great indicator of your cat’s state of health. It can tell you if they are experiencing stress or an underlying illness, or if their cat food isn't agreeing with them.

By familiarising yourself with what "good poo" looks like, you can ensure that you're equipped to recognise when their stool doesn't seem normal. Of course, lots of us pet parents don’t have litter trays and virtually never see our cats’ poo because they go outside to go to the toilet. If this is the case, you can still look out for changes in how often your cat goes out or whether you notice soft or runny poo around their rear end. If you’re ever suspicious of problems, you can offer a litter tray and see for yourself.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Cat Poo: What to Look For

Healthy poo is generally malleable (like modelling clay: not too soft, not too hard). This is considered the gold standard and is a sign your cat is passing their stool normally. Healthy stool is dark brown in colour, but not too dark, as blackish poo can mean blood in the stool. Poo that is too light also may indicate a more serious issue like liver disease, as it can be an indication that the bile duct is obstructed, says the Merck MSD Veterinary Manual.

Small, hard balls of poo are considered abnormal and unhealthy because they can be an indicator of constipation. This is a serious issue for cats because it may indicate problematic health concerns like neurological or metabolic conditions or a colon obstruction, notes International Cat Care (ICC). They add that constipation may also be a sign that your cat is dehydrated. You should definitely call your vet if your cat passes small, hard balls of stool.

You should also be on the lookout for soft or liquid-like stools that have no discernible shape. Cat diarrhoea is caused by a variety of things, from viral infections to intestinal parasites to food intolerance. If you aren't looking closely, you may mistake liquid stool for urine. Make sure you always take a good, close look at what you're scooping or use a pair of disposable gloves to test the texture.