Why Does Cat Poop Smell So Bad
📝 Summary
Cat poop smells especially bad because of diet: cats eat meat and take in four to five times more animal protein than people. Animal protein contains nitrogen and sulfur (unlike plant protein), and gut fermentation produces indole and hydrogen sulfide - the source of the strong odor. Constant self-grooming also sends swallowed hair and odors into the stool, concentrating the smell. Cat gas is nearly silent but very pungent, a clear sign the cat is the source.
1 It comes down to animal protein
After a heavy intake of animal protein, human stool already smells strong. Dogs are omnivores eating both plants and meat, so they take in about twice our animal protein; cats eat meat as their main diet, reaching about four to five times our intake. Plant protein carries only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, while animal protein also contains nitrogen and sulfur. As food ferments in the gut it produces indole and hydrogen sulfide, which is what makes cat stool especially foul.
2 Grooming adds to the odor
Dog owners know most dogs have a strong body odor, but cats do not. That is because cats constantly lick their coats and swallow odors along with loose hair, mixing them into the stool and making the smell even more concentrated.
3 And the gas is no picnic either
Beyond stool, a cat’s flatulence is also heavy. You will barely hear it – just a faint puff – but the aftermath is anything but mild. When you and the cat are alone and you know you did not pass gas yet catch a dizzying whiff, it is unmistakably your cat’s doing.
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