If you’re one of the millions of people who are plagued by the stench that comes from their toilet, you’re not alone. While there are many things that can cause your poop to smell like cat poop, it’s important to know where you stand so you can take action. Let’s start with the possible reasons behind this problem:
Reasons your poop smells like cat poop
Here are 6 of the most common causes for this smell:
Your diet
There are a few common reasons why your poop smells like cat poop. The first is that you may be eating something that’s causing your body to produce more sulfur, which can make your poop smell like sulfur. Sulfur-rich foods include beans, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, dairy products (especially cheese), eggs, fish and seafood, nuts and seeds, onions and garlic, cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower etc.), bran cereals and whole grains.
Also, if you’re eating too many foods high in fat and low in fiber, this can increase the amount of gas in your digestive tract, which can lead to smelly stool.
Fiber helps prevent constipation by adding bulk to your diet and making you feel fuller longer. It also helps you move things along more quickly, so if you’re not getting enough fiber, it may cause constipation or diarrhea. In addition, if you don’t consume enough water with your meals (about 6-8 glasses per day), then your food won’t digest properly and will sit in your colon longer than normal. This could also contribute to an odor problem.
Bacterial or Viral Infection in Your Digestive Tract
Another common cause of smelly poop is bacteria or viruses in your digestive tract. These infections can occur when you eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water; they can also come from person-to-person contact with someone who has an infection themselves (like kissing someone who has strep throat). The best thing to do if this happens is to see your doctor right away so they can prescribe antibiotics or other treatments where necessary.
Parasite infestation in your gut
If you’re constantly passing stool that smells like cat poop, it could be due to an infestation of parasites in your gut. You’ll know you have parasites if you have a fever, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Parasites like giardia, cryptosporidium, and roundworms can all make your poop smell terrible. They live in your gut, so if you have any kind of digestive problem or health issue, parasite infestation is a possibility.
These parasites can be found in undercooked meat or fish, contaminated water, or food that’s been left out for too long. If you think you have parasites, talk to your doctor about getting tested for them.
Parasites aren’t the only possible cause of smelly feces though—there are many other reasons why someone might experience this problem. Medications and supplements are common culprits as well.
Medications and supplements
Some medications can make your poop smell like cat poop. For example, certain antibiotics can alter the gut flora and can cause foul smelling poop. If you’re taking any medication that may be causing this problem, talk to your doctor about switching it out for something else.
Malabsorption syndrome
Malabsorption refers to the body’s inability to absorb nutrients from food. Malabsorption syndrome occurs when certain parts of the digestive tract don’t function properly, preventing the body from absorbing nutrients from food.
Malabsorption syndrome may be caused by:
- Celiac disease, which causes an allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- Carbohydrate intolerance, which happens when your body can’t digest carbohydrates that are found in starchy foods like breads, cereals and potatoes.
- Dairy protein intolerance, which means your body is unable to break down milk proteins into smaller parts that can be absorbed by the body.
Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a rare genetic disorder that makes it difficult for your body to break down trimethylamine from foods such as eggs and red meat. Trimethylamine is produced naturally by your body, but people with TMAU produce more than usual, which leads to an unpleasant odor in their sweat and urine and poop. People with TMAU typically have a strong “fishy” smell that can be detected on their breath and underarms. (source)
What to do your poop smells like cat poop
If you’ve noticed your poop smells like cat poop, you’re probably not alone. Many people have had this same problem, so we’ve put together a list of things to do if your poop smells like cat poop.
First, make sure there isn’t actually cat poop in your toilet. This is a common mistake that happens when people are cleaning out the litter box and accidentally flush it down the toilet instead of disposing of it properly. If you suspect this is the case, check your toilet before doing anything else—you may find some evidence that will help you determine what’s going on.
Second, eat more fiber. Fiber helps move things along through your body and prevents constipation, which can cause smelly poop. In addition, if you’re not eating enough fiber in your diet, you might be eating too much meat, which can lead to constipation. So start adding more beans, nuts and seeds into your diet—and then watch what happens!
Third, drink more water. Water helps keep everything moving through your body efficiently. If you don’t drink enough water, it can make it harder for food particles to pass through your intestines smoothly and easily (which means they might end up getting stuck). And when food gets stuck in there? Well… let’s just say things get stinky. So drink up!
Fourth, take probiotics. Probiotics help balance out the bacteria in your gut so that everything moves through smoothly without getting stuck or causing any issues along the way (like smelly farts). They also help boost immunity and ward off illness.
Fifth, it’s important to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation in order to keep your digestive system healthy and your poop smelling normal. If you have a compromised immune system or have recently taken antibiotics, it’s especially important to follow good hygiene practices.
Finally, consult with a doctor. If you’ve tried all the above steps but still notice a foul odor coming from your feces, it’s time to consult with a doctor. The problem could be something simple like constipation or hemorrhoids, but it could also be indicative of an underlying issue that needs attention before it gets worse—so don’t wait.
Other causes of foul smelling poop
Find out the other causes of foul smelling poop here:
- Why does my poop smell like dog poop
- Why does my poop smell like horse manure
- Why does my poop smell like sulfur
- Why does my poop smell like death
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that when you poop, your body is doing a very good job of getting rid of toxins and other waste. If your poop smells like cat poop, this may be because you’re consuming too much of a sulfur rich diet. Try cutting back on vegetables from the cruciferous family and allium family, meat and dairy products for a few weeks (or longer), and see if that helps. If not, talk to your doctor about getting tested for a bacterial infection or other medical condition.
We hope this post has helped you gain a better understanding of why your poop smells like cat poop, and how you can address the problem.