Why Does My Cat Fart a Lot?

Having a cat as a pet can be a pleasure. Cats are mostly clean, nice smelling creatures which require almost no maintenance. Nevertheless, there are times when your cat might not smell as nice as you are used to. Flatulence from cats can be compared to that of a full grown human, in just how lethal and foul they are.

While it is normal to observe some farting from your cat, it should not be lethal enough to consistently clear the room. There are a few questions you have to consider when trying to make the relationship between you and your cat better.

They are:

• Can cat flatulence become an inconvenience?
• When does it become a health issue?
• Is there anything to be done about it?

Typical Reasons for Feline Flatulence

It is true that all creatures have periods where they have more gas in them. This is especially true for cats as well. There are a couple of causes for flatulence, and these can be considered to be normal. Numerous widespread reasons for farting or flatulence are down to basic lifestyle problems. Sometimes when cats consume food or water, they tend to swallow a large amount of air, which then needs to be expelled from their body as smelly farts.

Other times, these expelled gases are created by the digestive tract. Some of these gases such as methane and hydrogen are formulated by digestive flora. Switching to a diet that is lower in grain and fiber can be one of the most effective ways to ensure these bacteria are under control. Additionally, there appear to be cats that have more gas build-up in their systems than others. And this is down to the peculiar ways their bodies work. While these farts can be frustrating, they do not signal an underlying issue. Nevertheless, there are a couple of ways in which you can aid cats with naturally smelly fats to be a bit more pleasant to be around.

Could Diet Be an Issue?

Experts have concluded that diet plays a major role in feline flatulence. Such diets which have a higher quantity of fibrous foods like wheat, soybeans, and corn can create gas in almost any cat. The digestive tract of a cat has evolved to breakdown a diet that is grain-free and low in fiber. Additionally, human food can create problems with the digestive system of a cat. This is because the foods we consume typically contain ingredients such as garlic and onion which are terrible for cats.

Some felines are sneaky and tend to consume a large enough quantity of our food from sources such as the sink, and garbage can counter and any other source. While cats consume dairy products like milk, they aren’t good for their digestive systems. This is because felines do not produce the required enzyme to digest lactose and this can cause them to become very gassy when they consume foods with dairy in them. There are even treats that contain dairy products, which make it even difficult to steer clear from them.

Last, but not least numerous cats consume things that they shouldn’t eat. Some of these things can include ribbon, tinsel, and strings. If you notice that your cat has consumed these non-food items, it is best to call a vet as soon as possible, as these items can have a much more drastic effect than just gas.

Steps to Take

• The first thing to do when dealing with a cat riddled with flatulence is to switch out its diet. It should be switched to something that is of high quality and grain free, something that has been created solely for felines. For perfect health, a cat needs a mixture of dry and wet foods.
• Secondly, it would be necessary to engage in steps that stop your cat from having access to items that they should not be consuming. Felines can be particularly sneaky and tend not to comprehend that certain foods while appealing are not healthy for them.

Wild felines typically consume most meat with little amounts for other ingredients such as wild grasses. This is an essential balance required for proper and long health. Cat food that is of high quality ensures that felines get the right amounts of nutrients without having to hunt.

Could It Be Something Other Than a Fart?

Another thing to consider if your cat produces foul smells is that it could be something other than flatulence. Confusing a foul odor for flatulence is easy. The cat could have anal gland issues, for instance. Every cat has two little glands on both sides of their butt which are filled with a particularly noxious compound. The cat might have glands that are overactive, causing them to release smells periodically. Sometimes these glands can become impacted or inflamed, which then causes the fluid they hold to leak, ensuring there is a nasty odor that smells remarkably like a fart. It is important to know that while this condition does not happen in cats as often as it does with dogs, it is still a possibility.

A nasty smell from a cat might also be a clear indication of an infection. One of such infection is a dental infection which is quite prevalent in cats and could cause a uniquely unpleasant smell. Instructions can be gotten from a veterinarian on how to check your feline’s teeth. The moment you rule out any other causes of stinky odors and know that your feline is farting, you will have to find out why your cat has flatulence.

How To Know If Flatulence Is A Symptom Of A Potentially Dangerous Health Problem

While felines, just as humans can become gassy for a host of non-threatening reasons, sometimes flatulence can be a sign of a potentially dangerous illness.

There are a few diseases which promote gas and require care to be administered by a veterinarian. They are:

• Low nutrient absorption
• Feline inflammatory bowel disease
• Gallbladder or pancreatic disease
• Digestive tract obstructions: partial or complete
• Digestive tract cancer
• Continuous consumption of ribbon, strings and other non-food items
• Parasites like giardia and worms
• Gastrointestinal bacteria imbalance
• Infectious gastroenteritis

While these diseases are extremely serious, the majority of them can be healed as long as there is immediate veterinary care provided. It might be necessary to get your cat to see a vet to stop its flatulence and also to maintain lifelong health.

Should You Be Worried?

Majority of cat fart cases are down to diet and some other lifestyle variables. Nevertheless, there are times when flatulence, particularly when it is excessive, can signal that your feline requires emergency veterinary care. Accessing this can be quite difficult, which then further hinders the steps that should be taken. Numerous feline experts have stated that there are various warning symptoms which may show that a cat requires immediate veterinary care.

It is best to call the veterinary if your cat shows any of these symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Bloated abdomen
• Extreme stomach rumbling
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Stools full of mucus or blood
• Drooling
• Scooting on the floor or furniture
• Excessive sleeping
• Pain in the abdomen area
• Straining or crying when using the litter box
• Urination or defecation stoppage

All these symptoms signify that something potentially damaging is happening to your feline’s digestive tract. As cats are unable to talk to their owners about their pain, it is hard to know when something is wrong.

Nevertheless, it is up to us to identify any potential health problems and give an appropriate response. This job is not made easier as cats can be quite adept at concealing their symptoms. It is essential that cat owners are observant and watch out for any subtle changes in behavior and health. It does not matter if your feline does not show any symptoms that warrant a cause for concern; it is imperative that you still take them to see a vet to ascertain the reason for their flatulence. A problem cannot be fixed without you knowing what the causes of that problem are. A vet can give you custom advice on how to stop your cat farting and causing a stinker everywhere it goes.

Changes to Lifestyle to Help Stop Feline Flatulence

Generally, there are numerous methods which one can use to decrease just how much gas a cat manufactures. This answer typically depends on the reason for that flatulence. This shows why finding out the reason for their farts is very important. If for instance, your cat has gas due to consuming food too quickly or ingesting a large portion of air while eating, some unique strategies can aid in flatulence reduction.

You can consider attempting the following:

• Feeding your cat small meals the whole day, instead of feeding it a large amount of food.
• You feed your cat in an area that has been specially designed to hold just them. This helps to stop them from eating their food in a hurry due to being rushed or fears of their food being eaten by other pets.
• You can offer a dissimilar flavor or texture of food to test if your cat eats it a slower, more manageable pace
• You can decide to feed your cat from a dish that is raised. This helps to better their ergonomics when eating.

If for any reason your feline’s diet is not what it should be, that can result in gas. This is something that can be easily resolved. These dietary changes below should be followed to see if there is a reduction in your cat’s gas:

• You cut out every food that contains dairy, such as cheese, milk, and cat treats made with dairy products.
• You could attempt to give your cat a new flavor or a different brand of food with new ingredients.
• You can select food that is grain free, instead of foods that contain cheap grain fillers
• The water in their dish should be changed as often as possible, as cats tend not to drink stale water
• Prevent them from consuming human food by covering your garbage and keeping your kitchen counters free of food.

Additionally, ensuring your cat receives regular exercise could help to decrease flatulence. Every time a cat jumps runs or does any other activity, its GI tract gets stimulated. This ensures food is moved quicker through the cat’s system ensuring it does not ferment and cause noxious gas to be produced. Finally, a healthy cat should not frequently produce noticeable flatulence. Even if there is no ailment the cat has, it could signify that the cat is not having a lifestyle that is suited to it.

Is Your Cat a Danger to Other Cats?

When a cat gets sick in a multiple cat household, there are bound to be concerned if the other cats could also get infected. It does not matter if the sickness is only a minor issue as it could get out of hand should it be caught by the other felines in the household.

There are a couple of ways to ensure that your cats do not pass around their germs.

• The first step is to ensure that every cat has his or her litter box. Majority of multi feline households typically provide each cat with its litter box. However, cats tend to use more than just one box for their elimination. If there is a cat with excessive flatulence or there is one that shows symptoms of illnesses, the cat should be given a different litter box which the other cats are not allowed to use.
• Additionally, an asymptomatic cat should be provided its food and water bowl. This might require them to be quarantined from the other pets. Lastly, all dishes and litter boxes used by the symptomatic cat should be thoroughly washed and disinfected.

Originally published at https://purrpetrators.com on May 9, 2019.