Do Cats Pass Gas?
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Whether you are wondering about random things or are concerned about new behaviors with your kitty, you may be wondering: do cats fart?
The answer to this question is yes, cats do fart. But why do they get gas and what causes them to fart? Is it ever something to be concerned about?
In this post, we will discuss all of that. We will also provide tips on how to treat gas in cats and tips to prevent gas from happening in the first place.
Gas is a normal result of the digestive process. When food is digested, it breaks down into smaller particles that are then absorbed into the body.
When nutrients are absorbed, there are always some particles that remain undigested. These pass through the intestine and are eventually excreted as waste. Along the way, these particles produce gas.
Why Do Cats Get Gas?
Cats get gas for the same reasons as humans do – because they eat food, and that food contains gas-producing particles. It’s a normal bodily function, but there are a few other causes of gas in cats that you should be aware of.
- Swallowing air while eating or drinking
- Bacteria overgrowth in the intestines
- Parasites such as roundworms
- Certain medications
- Food allergies
- Stress
Symptoms of Gas in Cats
If your cat is passing gas more than normal, has a bloated abdomen, or the gas smells particularly bad, excessive gas may the culprit.
If you suspect your cat’s farts are more than simple gas, call your veterinarian for advice and, if necessary, an appointment for a checkup.
Can a Cat’s Gas Be a Sign of Serious Health Problems?
While excessive gas can be a sign of an underlying health condition, it is usually not serious. If your cat is also experiencing any of the below symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious problem.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Pain
- Blood in stool
- Constipation
Any abnormal behaviors in addition to excess gas warrant a call to the vet to see if there is cause for concern.
How Often Do Cats Fart?
The answer to this question isn’t a simple one as it varies between individual cats. Like humans, cats might fart daily, but they don’t usually fart a lot.
Cat farts are typically odorless so if they do pass gas, chances are good that we don’t know when or how often they do.
If your cat is passing gas more than normal, pay attention to other changes in their behavior and appearance.
How to Prevent Gas in Cats
There are a few things you can do to prevent excessive gas in cats. Most of which are just simple changes in our or our cat’s habits.
- Feed your cats high-quality dry or wet cat food.
- Avoid feeding them table scraps.
- Make sure they have fresh, clean water available at all times.
- If your cat’s gas is due to a food sensitivity or allergy, try switching to hypoallergenic cat food.
- Talk to your vet about which food is best for your cat.
Cats can be finicky eaters, so it may take some trial and error to find a food that they like and that doesn’t cause gas. However, with a little patience, you should be able to find food that works for both you and your cat.
How Can You Treat Gas in Cats?
If your cat is suffering from gas, there are a few things you can do to help ease their discomfort. If the problem persists or your cat has excessive bloating, discomfort, or foul-smelling gas, make an appointment to see the vet.
The vet will do an examination and may run some tests to determine the cause of the gas. Once the cause is known, treatment can be prescribed.
- Feed them small meals multiple times per day instead of one large meal.
- In some cases, gas in cats is caused by food intolerance or allergy. In these cases, the best course of treatment is to switch to a hypoallergenic diet.
- If the gas is due to bacteria overgrowth in the intestines, the vet will prescribe antibiotics.
- If parasites are the cause, the vet will prescribe deworming medication.
In most cases, gas in cats is not a sign of serious health problems. If your cat is having difficulty passing gas or if the gas is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, or diarrhea, it could be a sign of a more serious condition. In this case, you should take your cat to the vet right away.
Final Thoughts
So, do cats fart? Like other animals, they absolutely do!
Fortunately, there are things you can do to help prevent your cat from getting too much gas in the first place. If your cat does start to experience gas problems, chances are that it’s not the cause for alarm. There are some remedies you can try to prevent gas and to help them get relief if they do experience excess gas.