Understanding Why Cat Poop Smells So Bad

Of course, you're aware that cat feces smell terrible, but have you ever wondered why it's so臭?

Well, the臭 smell of feces is actually a result of bacteria breaking down waste products. The main components responsible for the odor are indole, skatole, methane, amines, acetic acid, butyric acid, and more.

A brave research team from Iwate University in Japan discovered sulfur compounds. Those who have visited outdoor hot springs in Japan can attest that sulfur emits an odor reminiscent of rotten eggs.

This research team found that male cats, when marking their territories, have feces containing a high amount of sulfur compounds. However, this same type of sulfur compound is notably absent in dog feces. These volatile sulfur compounds emanate from fresh feces, making the smell almost unbearable. While sulfur compounds contribute to the odor, other factors like indole, skatole, butyric acid, and propionic acid also play a role in the foul smell of feces.

Interestingly, cat feces not only contain more sulfur compounds but also tend to be more臭 due to another significant reason: their diet.

Here's the highlight:

Cats are obligate carnivores, and animal proteins are rich in sulfurcontaining amino acids. After being digested and excreted by cats, these amino acids still carry an odor, though it's usually within the acceptable range for their owners.

However, if the cat food is mostly plantbased proteins and contains a lot of starch, cats, being carnivores, have difficulty digesting excessive starch and have a low utilization rate. This leads to more臭 feces.

What else can cause feces to be particularly臭 besides the cat's own issues and diet? There are certainly factors like insufficient water intake, overeating meat, frequent changes in food, eating too much greasy food, poor digestion, parasites, infectious diseases, and lowquality cat litter. But the most crucial factors are the health of the cat's intestines and their diet.

So, don't be deceived by a cat's cute appearance. Before deciding to become a cat owner, it's essential to understand them well! This will help you become an excellent "pooper scooper"!