do-cats-fart

Just as humans can experience flatulence and gas, so can our pets. Cats can fart. And while it is funny to think about, it could be an indicator of some other digestive issues.

Dogs and cats do fart sometimes, and a bit of gas is usual in animals. Some of these include when your cat farts too often, and if that fart is smelly. In such cases, you should consider checking with a vet as it could be a symptom of some other gastrointestinal problem.

 

Why do cats fart?

Just as it is with humans, cats too fart because they have excess gas in their intestines or stomach. The causes for this could be any of these reasons:

  • Hairballs
  • A diet that has too much soybean, wheat or fiber
  • Eating too quickly
  • Overeating
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Other food allergies
  • Eating spoiled food

Swallowing excess air is the primary cause for this gas build-up. Understanding the reasons for this could be helpful in figuring out and reducing the problem. At times, a cat could gobble their food, this causes them to swallow air. This could be because your cat is because it is worried another cat or pet will eat their food.

This will make it finish eating in a hurry. Another reason could be eating too soon after exercise. Excess air could be because your cat has a respiratory illness. This would cause a higher respiratory rate, leading to excess air being swallowed. Talking to your vet about this would be a good idea.

Apart from making sure, your cat has enough time to eat its food without feeling insecure for whatever reason. It is a good idea to ensure it consumes an adequate amount of water. The consumption of water is required to flush out their digestive tract. Cats, like dogs, can get into your garbage which is what leads to them eating spoiled food.

Putting your garbage can behind a closed cabinet door or making sure to childproof the lid could be useful in keeping your kitty away. Do make sure your cat does not swallow its food without chewing. This can cause gas too. Flatulence for these reasons is normal for cats, other reasons can be a cause for concern.

 

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Flatulence can be a cause for worry

If your cat farts too often or if it is too smelly, that can be indicative of a more severe problem. There are intestinal parasites that can cause severe gastrointestinal problems in your cat. If not urgently treated, they could have serious consequences.

While our pets might not be able to tell us exactly where it hurts or when it started, there are other ways to find out what is wrong. When your cat’s farts also have one of these symptoms, it could be time to consult a veterinarian:

  • Grumbling or rumbling stomach
  • Passing gas too often
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain in the abdomen when touched
  • Bloating of the abdomen
  • Bloody stool
  • Decreased appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Excess drooling
  • Scooting on the floor

These could be symptoms of much more severe disease that require an immediate consultation with your vet. The improper functioning of the pancreas and viral or bacterial infections could be the reasons your cat is exhibiting these symptoms. This is also the case with parasitic infections or even cancer. Irritable bowel syndrome could also be the cause of this excess farting. It is an excellent idea to write down all the signs and how long they have been present.

This will enable you to make sure you are able to give an accurate picture. This will help the vet in making a diagnosis to understand what is wrong with your cat. Visits to the vet can be quite stressful for pet owners and cats alike. But remember to relay all the information that is relevant so you can get the best results for your pet.

 

Foods to avoid feeding your cat

Dairy: There are several references to cats and cream in our stories or proverbs. While your cats are happiest with a bowl of cream or milk, it might not always be good for them. Like other mammals, cats are lactose intolerant to an extent. Most cats’ ability to digest dairy can increase to an extent as they become older if it is part of their diet. In fact, some can even develop a tolerance to lactose and be able to digest it. However, this is not true for all cats. Even those with an increased ability to digest dairy cannot digest it properly. So if you’re planning to give your cat a big bowl of milk, be prepared for some extra farts.

Table scraps: As pet owners, we tend to pass on our table scraps to our beloved animals. Quite apart from the severe guilt trips we are subjected to by our cats and dogs, they can also at times tend to get quite obstinate about getting at our food. While some foods might be safe, cats and other animals are unable to digest many of the ingredients that compose our meals. Garlic, onions, sugar, and raisins are among the long list of foods that can cause not just digestive distress. They can also cause severe health problems for our feline friends.

Tuna: While fish is a natural protein and good for cats, tuna can be dangerous for your cat. Though your pet might love the tuna, it is the high salt content in the fish that causes this attraction. Tuna is not a natural part of a cat’s diet and can cause flatulence.

Cheap cat food: Caring for a pet can be an expensive thing and often we choose cheaper varieties of food to cut costs. However, this could increase the costs of frequent vet visits. Switching to an alternative brand that has fewer carbohydrates could be a worthwhile idea. However, do so gradually to avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach.

 

Preventing Flatulence

Though some farting is natural, there are ways to reduce this phenomenon in your cat. Vets recommend ensuring your cat consumes enough water and gets exercise. If your cat is not getting enough fiber, you could try introducing more of it into your cat’s diet slowly. Several vets also recommend feeding your cat more times during the day with smaller meals. This can make digestion easier thus reducing or eliminating gas and farts.

Farts can be a fun topic for most of us, especially when it comes to our pets. It is important to remember that while it could be hilarious and adorable, we should be vigilant of other symptoms that accompany our cat’s farts. Our pets cannot tell us what is wrong with them but their actions and behavior can.