Following are selected posts to Holisticat on the subject of stool size and frequency for cats eating a raw diet -- and you thought you'd seen it all, huh? There's a lot of information here, and the posts are arranged in ascending chronological order. If there is a particular word you're looking for, it's probably best to utilize the "Find in Page" function in your edit menu!

Happy scooping and sifting :)

In a message dated 2/25/99 11:42:19 AM Pacific Standard Time,
wordlady@ writes:

<< Can I do a quick survey about the bm frequency from others who are feeding  raw,  >>

Don't know how often they go, I just know that every day there are very small dry pieces in the litter pans.  Except Kelly - since he's been getting the Iams, his poops are big, soft and smelly.  Yuck.

The good news on Kelly is that he has started to eat more - Tues. nigh, Wed. a.m. and Wed. p.m. he ate his whole portion of  1 large tsp raw, same of canned, Iams sprinkled over the top.  Wed. a.m. he even asked for more!

Lee

wordlady@ wrote:

<< Can I do a quick survey about the bm frequency from others who are feeding raw, since the books I've read all say frequency shd be once or more per  day (obviously on commercial cat food). I think some raw feeders on the  list have said their cats go every day; others say, Hey, as long as the frequency is consistent, don't worry about it.>>

Jean, all 3 of mine go at least once a day.  Each has their own schedule but seems like at least 2 ot of 3 go at nite.  But if yours don't poop as frequently, it might be just an individual cat thing, like w/ humans - some just don't go as frequently as others.

FWIW, I don't give any fiber other than what they get from their food itself.  Once in a while, if I run outta fresh organic veggies, I'll add some canned pumpkin so it does double duty as fiber.

Sandy, owned and operated by the mountain cats who usually poop before dinner to "make room":)

Hi all

<<Can I do a quick survey about the bm frequency from others who are feeding raw,>>

Jean, Annie goes usually once a day, sometimes every 2 days. Her poops are bigger than Kashmir's but still pretty small. Kashmir goes sometimes twice a day, sometimes every two days. Depends on how much she's eaten. Her poops are very very small, and very dry -- she normally verges on constipation. When I remember I try to give her psyllium once a week or so.

Oh, and no smell from either of them, unless they've had a meal of canned when I forget to thaw their food. Smells really bad then.
Take care

Kathy and the mostly-regular cats

<<Can I do a quick survey about the bm frequency from others who are feeding  raw, >>

Mine generally go once a day, but occasionally they skip a day. Their poops are tiny and don't seem to have much of an odor -
certainly different from when they were on commercial food!  I think as long as they didn't appear to be uncomfortable or straining, and the frequency was consistent, I probably wouldn't worry too much about whether they went every day or every other day.

Diane

<<Can I do a quick survey about the bm frequency from others who are feeding raw, since the books I've read all say frequency shd be once or more per day (obviously on commercial cat food). I think some raw feeders on the list have said their cats go every day; others say, Hey, as long as the frequency is consistent, don't worry about it.>>

My smallish adult cat leaves a soft 6" ribbon in her litter box every morning after breakfast.  It has no odor, and I think it's large and soft  --  in contrast to other descriptions here  --  because I add filtered water, bran, and vegetable fiber to her raw food, per Anitra Frazier.  I thought this would be desirable since cats run too dry an elimination system that makes them vulnerable to urinary tract illnesses.

The MacFolds go about once every 1 - 1 1/2 days, and it's usually just a couple to maybe 4-5 little "presents".  They've even gone as long as 2 days.  I don't worry, as long as they go.  Miss Fiona's poops always been pretty firm and somewhat dry, while Liam's have been the same, but only recently. Remember, this little guy had serious chronic diarrhea.  He's a healthy boy now, and filling out beautifully!  :)))  However, they've lost a pound.  Tell me this is normal, please.

The raw diet is the key.  It's a  shame that so many cats through the years have suffered the ill effects from commercial feeding.  :(((  Some of ours here on the list, as well as countless others.  The best part is we now know, and it's paying off, right?

Good luck, Jean, on your survey of bms.  "It's not just a job, it's a doo-dy." :D  (yup, leave it to me.)

Judi & the MacFolds (who'd be shocked if they knew Mum was discussing their bathroom duties)

Hey all --

Am way behind on mail :(

<<Can I do a quick survey about the bm frequency from others who are  feeding raw, since the books I've read all say frequency shd be once or more per day >>

Skip and Sam go once a day. Nice hard poops, not as small as what Sandy describes, but odorless and generally a light yellow/white cuz of the bones. If I haven't seen 'em go in a day, I give some psyllium to get things going.

Vick and the kitty company: Skippy, Sam, Max and Jezebel