When we spend a good amount of time with our cats, we sometimes get a lot of questions that just seem to lie around. From their mysterious midnight zoomies to their peculiar preference for boxes, cats are full of surprises. We all love all the things they bring to our homes.
But still, out of curiosity, there lies one unanswered question: Do cats fart?
Yes, cats fart. Much like any other animal, cats can fart and get gas up in their digestive tracts, and this gas leaves their bodies through the rectum. Passing gas is a normal part of the digestive process.
There usually isn’t any odor or sound when cats fart. However, it can be concerning if farting becomes more frequent or develops a bad smell.
What Causes Cats to Fart?
Just like humans, cats have a digestive system that processes the food they eat. When food is broken down in the stomach and intestines, gases are produced. This lets cats fart. Here are the factors involved that make cats fart:
Diet
The most common cause of feline flatulence lies in their diets. Cats fart when they eat foods that are difficult to digest. Those foods high in fiber, dairy, or certain carbohydrates can lead to gas production. Raw meat can also give cats gas.
Food Intolerances and Allergies
Some cats can have certain allergies and intolerances to specific ingredients in their food, leading to digestive upset and gas. Dairy products, beans, and certain vegetables are common culprits for our cat’s gassy body. Cats fart when they can’t process certain foods and products, such as milk.
Eating Habits
Cats fart when they eat too quickly. When they eat too fast, they also swallow a lot of air along with their food. This extra air gets trapped in the digestive tract and escapes as gas. It’s more common in areas where cats live together, as some may eat faster when other cats try to steal food.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal infections, microbial imbalance, and parasites can cause cats to fart. This happens when these conditions cause abnormal gas buildup or disrupt the normal process of digestion.
How to Know if Cat Farts Are Serious
While cat farting is a completely normal thing, persistent or severe farting can indicate underlying health issues that require attention. Plus, other accompanying symptoms with farting can be indicators.
Frequency and Odor
If your cat is frequently farting, it could be a huge indicator of a digestive problem. Normal gas should be occasional, not constant. If this goes on for long, then it could be a sign that something is wrong with your cat’s digestive system.
Also, cat farts that have strong odors are a huge indicator of something wrong. This can mean microbial imbalance, parasites, or dietary issues. If you notice any diarrhea or blood, it’s best to check in with us at the clinic.
Changes in Stool and Urination
Frequent farting paired with diarrhea, loose stools, and frequent urination can often signal something is wrong with the cat’s digestive system. Some cats may even have more accidents outside of the litter box if their gut is terribly upset.
Vomiting and Loss of Appetite
Regular vomiting, coupled with increased farting, suggests that your cat's digestive system is not functioning correctly. This may mean that the body needs to expel something toxic and harmful to the cat’s digestive system.
Additionally, if your cat seems to lose its appetite, then it can also be a sign of a deeper digestive issue.
Abdominal Pain and Bloating
Along with farting, your cat will show more signs of abdominal discomfort, including restlessness, stretching, and moaning. Their stomachs can sometimes look bloated and big.
How Vets Help Cats with Excessive Farting
We’ll start with a physical exam and check your cat's symptoms. Next, we'll do a fecal exam to see if there are any parasites involved.
Plus, we can pair it with a couple of blood tests to assess organ issues, infections, and overall health. In some cases, we may also use X-rays and ultrasounds to check for obstructions and inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract.
The specific treatment will be based on the cause. If parasites are involved, we’ll provide the appropriate deworming medication. For dietary intolerances and allergies, we’ll recommend a special hypoallergenic or prescription diet.
Cats with gastrointestinal inflammation will be given medication to reduce irritation and promote gut health.
Vet Tips: How to Help A Farting Cat
One of the most effective ways to manage cat farts is through dietary adjustments and home care. Here’s how you can do it at home:
Use High-Quality Cat Food
A high-quality and healthy diet is a great way to manage your cat’s farts. Look for cat foods that contain high-quality proteins, like chicken, turkey, or fish. Plus, high-quality cat food also has significantly fewer fillers. These are easier for cats to digest compared to lower-quality protein sources.
Change Diets Gradually
When switching your cat to a new food, it’s important to do this slowly and gradually. Cats love to stick to a routine, and if there’s something new, like food, their sensitive stomachs might react.
One tip is to take a period of 7 to 10 days when changing food. Mixing your cat’s regular food with the new type of food will help. Slowly decrease the amount of regular food and start increasing the amount of new food. You can do it like this:
Days 1-3: 75% old food, 25% new food
Days 3-5: 50% old food, 50% new food
Days 6-8: 25% old food, 75% new food
Days 9-10: 100% new food
During this time, we recommend checking your cat’s condition. If they seem to be uncomfortable, then focus on lighter food and a slower transition. Make sure to stay on top of your cat’s feeding routine.
Use Probiotics
Giving your cat probiotics can help improve gut health and digestion. This is great for lessening cat farts. Probiotics support a healthy digestive tract and keep it healthy and running.
Probiotics for cats are available in various forms, including powders, capsules, and treats. Choose a form that is convenient for you and palatable for your cat. Be sure to visit the clinic first so we can see if your cat can have the specific probiotics you plan to use.
Avoid Certain Diets
Opt for foods that do not contain harmful and artificial preservatives, additives, and ingredients. Cats have sensitive digestive systems that may be disrupted by these additives, which can upset your cat's stomach and contribute to gas.
Limited-ingredient diets can be beneficial for cats with food sensitivities.
Provide Regular Exercise
One way to improve your cat’s digestion is to give your cat plenty of physical activity. You can use interactive cat toys, light exercise, and fun games. A good routine can help the digestive muscles, promoting better digestion and avoiding excessive cat farts.
Consult the Experts
When dealing with excessive cat farts, you can visit the clinic so we can diagnose and treat the case. We also recommend giving your cat regular deworming treatments to avoid gastrointestinal parasites.
“Your cat’s farts can sometimes be something cute, or something concerning. It’s important to figure out which is which.”
- Dr. Nenad Misura
Final Thoughts
Yes, cats fart, and while it may be surprising, it's a normal part of their digestive process. However, excessive farting in cats can indicate an issue with their diet, food intolerances, or gastrointestinal system.
With simple treatments and dietary adjustments, cats can return to their healthy selves.
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