Understanding feline digestive functioning is important for any cat parent. Flatulence is part of digestion, and cats do fart. While this isn’t true for all animals, it is certainly true for cats. While many cat owners don’t notice their cat passing gas, it’s a normal part of their digestive function. They do it less often than many other species, but they still do it. As with all mammals, cat farts occur when too much gas is built up in the abdomen, and it’s a more viable form of releasing gas than burping. While cats are physically capable of burping, it’s extremely rare. Most gas passes through the digestive system and out the anus.
Causes of cat flatulence There are many reasons why cats pass gas. Usually, it’s accidental from swallowing air. Gas can also get built up from internal bacteria in the colon. Excess amounts of bad gut flora can develop gas from your cat’s food, hairballs and even cause digestive disorders. If your cat passes gas infrequently and it’s not overly smelly, it’s not likely a cause for concern. It happens easily when cats eat too fast or too much and swallow air along with their food. If air swallowing doesn’t seem to be the cause, it’s likely related to their food. It’s important to evaluate how your cat feels anytime you change foods. If they start developing gas shortly after you change foods, there’s a good chance the food is the cause. Many common ingredients in cat food cause gas for cats with sensitive stomachs. Avoiding cheap cat food is one way to avoid this. They often have highly processed, low-quality ingredients that are hard to digest. Cats can be sensitive to tuna and dairy, too, both of which cause flatulence. Human food consumption is another cause of flatulence in cats. Cats have uniquely designed digestive systems, and cat foods are designed to be easy to break down. Human foods can throw a cat’s delicate system out of whack, and one symptom of this is excess flatulence. Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock How to reduce cat flatulence If your cat’s flatulence is caused by eating too fast and swallowing air, it may be helpful to use a slow feeder. Slow feeders not only turn dinner time into playtime, but they also force your cat to slow down. Eating slower can reduce air swallowing and, subsequently, the amount of gas buildup in your cat’s stomach. If you suspect your cat’s diet is at fault, it may take some trial and error to figure out what cat food causes less of a reaction. High-fiber foods can help regulate your cat’s digestive system, but it’s important to make sure they’re not getting too much. Too much fiber intake can actually make your cat’s flatulence problem worse, so it’s important to find a balance. Probiotics can be found in some varieties of cat food and can help regulate your cat’s gut flora. Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock Flatulence and your cat’s health If your cat is frequently passing foul-smelling gas, it can be a sign of a more serious digestive issue. If the flatulence is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, they should be examined by a veterinarian. Your vet will likely request that you bring a fresh stool sample to help them make a diagnosis.
Final thoughts Most of the time, cat flatulence isn’t a cause for concern. Sometimes it is a result of them swallowing air from eating too fast, and sometimes it’s a sensitivity to a certain food in their diet. Occasionally, excess flatulence can be a sign of a more serious health problem, so it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to ensure your cat’s optimum health.
Featured Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock
Understanding feline digestive functioning is important for any cat parent. Flatulence is part of digestion, and cats do fart. While this isn’t true for all animals, it is certainly true for cats. While many cat owners don’t notice their cat passing gas, it’s a normal part of their digestive function. They do it less often than many other species, but they still do it.
As with all mammals, cat farts occur when too much gas is built up in the abdomen, and it’s a more viable form of releasing gas than burping. While cats are physically capable of burping, it’s extremely rare. Most gas passes through the digestive system and out the anus.
Causes of cat flatulence
There are many reasons why cats pass gas. Usually, it’s accidental from swallowing air. Gas can also get built up from internal bacteria in the colon. Excess amounts of bad gut flora can develop gas from your cat’s food, hairballs and even cause digestive disorders.
If your cat passes gas infrequently and it’s not overly smelly, it’s not likely a cause for concern. It happens easily when cats eat too fast or too much and swallow air along with their food.
If air swallowing doesn’t seem to be the cause, it’s likely related to their food. It’s important to evaluate how your cat feels anytime you change foods. If they start developing gas shortly after you change foods, there’s a good chance the food is the cause.
Many common ingredients in cat food cause gas for cats with sensitive stomachs. Avoiding cheap cat food is one way to avoid this. They often have highly processed, low-quality ingredients that are hard to digest. Cats can be sensitive to tuna and dairy, too, both of which cause flatulence.
Human food consumption is another cause of flatulence in cats. Cats have uniquely designed digestive systems, and cat foods are designed to be easy to break down. Human foods can throw a cat’s delicate system out of whack, and one symptom of this is excess flatulence.
How to reduce cat flatulence
If your cat’s flatulence is caused by eating too fast and swallowing air, it may be helpful to use a slow feeder. Slow feeders not only turn dinner time into playtime, but they also force your cat to slow down. Eating slower can reduce air swallowing and, subsequently, the amount of gas buildup in your cat’s stomach.
If you suspect your cat’s diet is at fault, it may take some trial and error to figure out what cat food causes less of a reaction.
High-fiber foods can help regulate your cat’s digestive system, but it’s important to make sure they’re not getting too much. Too much fiber intake can actually make your cat’s flatulence problem worse, so it’s important to find a balance. Probiotics can be found in some varieties of cat food and can help regulate your cat’s gut flora.
Flatulence and your cat’s health
If your cat is frequently passing foul-smelling gas, it can be a sign of a more serious digestive issue. If the flatulence is accompanied by diarrhea or vomiting, they should be examined by a veterinarian. Your vet will likely request that you bring a fresh stool sample to help them make a diagnosis.
Final thoughts
Most of the time, cat flatulence isn’t a cause for concern. Sometimes it is a result of them swallowing air from eating too fast, and sometimes it’s a sensitivity to a certain food in their diet. Occasionally, excess flatulence can be a sign of a more serious health problem, so it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to ensure your cat’s optimum health.
Featured Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock
