Why Cats Fart And How To Treat It
Every cat owner is fully aware of their pet’s regular habits and behaviors. Felines are usually naturally clean, fastidious animals. But every so often cats get gassy, and though the occasional fart is expected and considered quite normal, lots of stinky releases from your cat may mean there’s a problem. Kitty farts aren’t always noisy either, but even if they are silent, they still may be extremely obvious. If your cat seems to be farting more than usual or their tummy is gurgling a lot, one of the following might be the cause. Once the underlying cause is determined, it's crucial to turn to treatment to help your cat get healthy and lessen the frequency of their farts.
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Hairballs
Cats are rather famous for hairballs. The same grooming that keeps them so clean and neat can lead to clumps of hair stuck in their digestive system. Not surprisingly, this leads to intestinal upsets. When the clumps of matted fur start interfering with digestion, your kitty may end up with extra gas to release. You can help prevent this problem by brushing them regularly and making sure they drink plenty of water. Often cats solve the problem themselves by coughing up the hairball. But if the problem continues, look into over-the-counter treatments or see your vet.
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Eating Too Much Food
Like some humans, some cats overeat. They may gorge themselves at regular meals or spread out the overeating by grazing throughout the day. Besides the expected result of weight gain and its associated problems, overeating can also strain the digestive system. Sometimes a cat is guilty of eating too much food, they eat it quickly. This may be because they are in a stressful situation when they are eating, or they are excited about the food in the dish. In either case, if they gulp food, they may also gulp air. Swallowing air will lead to increased farting. The constant work to digest excess food may stimulate intestinal gases. As your cat's large intestine produces stool, more air will be pushed out. Excessive eating also increases the chance for them to eat something that disagrees with their system. For your cat’s overall well-being, try to have them eat appropriate, nutritious meals.
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Eating The Wrong Food
Just because your cat might be a picky eater doesn’t mean they're a smart one. Cats may know enough to steer clear of a spoiled bit of beef, but they don’t have any natural instincts about avoiding some other kinds of food that might not be good for them. Some cats are lactose intolerant, so dairy products can cause an upset stomach and gas, and maybe vomiting or diarrhea. The saucer of milk, the shredded cheese, or the melted ice cream at the bottom of the bowl may tempt your cat but be sure they can tolerate it. Cats often have trouble digesting fats as well. The gristle off the edge of a steak or heavy oils may lead to stomachaches and increased farting.
Ingredients like carbs and grains in less expensive cat food can be rough on a cat’s digestion. A cat’s system is naturally geared for protein. Breaking down the grains may cause extra tummy gurgles and rather stinky farts. If your cat has been eating the wrong food, switch to high-quality cat food rich in protein and nutrients. This will be much easier to digest and cut down on the gassiness.
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Digestive Disorders
Changing your cat's diet is a relatively easy fix for farting, but sometimes there may be a more serious underlying issue. If your cat doesn’t have hairballs and there haven’t been any significant changes in their diet, and they are still farting, they may be suffering one of several digestive disorders. Some cats suffer from a condition called malabsorption, an illness that prevents them from fully digesting food. This can lead to stinky farts. Parasites, pancreatic issues, or colitis can lead to internal inflammation that causes gas to increase. Your cat may also have ingested something toxic. Farting alone, however, is usually not the only symptom of these more serious issues, and farting is often accompanied by vomiting, bloody stools, constipation, and diarrhea. Take your cat the vet right away if they show any of these signs.
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Allergies
Cats, like humans, can be allergic to environmental or food allergens, and allergies can develop at any age. Though often the reaction takes the form of itching, allergies to food may also cause excess gas. Pinpointing an allergy, unfortunately, can be difficult. A food allergy may be obvious if you have just changed cat foods or you know your kitty got some new treats or scraps. If that isn’t the case, check the label on their food to see if any ingredients have changed. If you aren’t sure, consult the manufacturer’s website. However, sometimes that’s not enough to find the offending food. A vet may suggest an elimination diet, which is just like it sounds. Your cat will eat only prescribed cat food, specially made with no known allergens. After about twelve weeks, you can slowly re-introduce your pet’s original food, one item at a time, and watch for allergic reactions.
Taking the best possible care of your cat is an important responsibility. Keeping an eye on their digestive well-being can give you good indicators if a problem is developing internally. Don't hesitate to call the vet if something doesn't seem right. Your kitty is depending on you.