For all of us who have cats and love our pets, our little one is a perfect being on the planet. Although it may be that sometimes their bites hurt us or make us despair because of their independent attitudes that sometimes border on rebelliousness, we would never speak poorly of them. But have you ever wondered, “do cats fart?“
When we talk to others about our cats, we always talk about the achievements, the funny moments, or the most impressive tricks they have done. Still, the truth is that we never tell or ask other pet parents about the more mundane issues that sometimes trouble us, such as that our cat loves to spread his litter all over the house, that he enjoys sleeping in some not-so-elegant posture or that, like most living things, our cat also farts.
If you are this kind of pet parent who would never drag your little one on to an embarrassing conversation but has many doubts about this matter, you have come to the right place because this time we will talk about a topic as important as funny, cat flatulence.
Why does my cat fart so much?
As it happens with humans, when there is gas inside the stomach, it is necessary to expel it through a burp or flatulence. Leaving it inside is not an option because, besides being uncomfortable, it could cause severe and unnecessary medical problems.
There are several reasons this air reaches the cat’s gut, but the most recurrent is the accidental swallowing of air. If the cat eats very fast or ingests large amounts of food, it is very likely to swallow air. Fortunately, these two reasons are typical and do not represent any risk.
Another reason may also be the type of food the cat is eating. The kibble may not be the most suitable for your cat, either because the ingredients are of poor quality or perhaps because its stomach is sensitive to certain foods. If this is the case, the gasses form due to an excess of bacteria in the colon. That is to say, it has an abnormal intestinal flora, which does not help with its correct digestion.
Some food brands, especially the cheaper ones, use low-quality products that can upset your cat’s stomach, mainly if they use a lot of chemical preservatives such as BHA and BHT, which can even cause cancer.
You must check which are the best cat food brands and ensure they have suitable additives and are appropriate for their age. The kibbles shouldn’t contain excessive corn or carbohydrate fillers like wheat gluten.
If you give them wet food, it is important not to buy those made with meat by-products, first because it’s impossible to know which animal the meat comes from, and also because it’s a secondary product derived from the main product, that is to say, it is ultra-processed.
By avoiding these foods, you will prevent altering or destroying the enzymes and natural proteins of the cat’s body, and of course, you will avoid the formation of smelly gasses.
Another aspect to take into account is the cat’s sensitivity. The food you buy may be the best on the market, but it may not be the best for your cat, perhaps because it is allergic to certain foods, and consequently, its stomach can get inflamed. And regarding allergies, allergic reactions to things like pollen and flea saliva can cause flatulence too!
Why do cats fart? Is it normal?
Yes, it is regular for a cat to pass gas, even daily, although as a general rule cat’s flatulence is a maximum of two a day, silent and almost odorless. If you notice that your cat does it more frequently and that a smelly odor accompanies it, most likely it has a gastrointestinal problem, either because of its diet or because of one of the following medical conditions:
- Tritrichomonas foetus infection
- Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Chronic kidney disease
- Bacterial infection
- Parasites
If you notice the gas’s lousy odor, don’t hesitate to visit your veterinarian to rule out any of these conditions. The key to distinguishing that flatulence doesn’t represent the medical problem is that it must not come together with vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and lethargy.
My cart farts. What can I do to prevent this?
The first thing is to observe the context, if there are other warning signs such as vomiting, the option is to go directly to a medical check-up, but if this is not the case, you can help the cat with a separate eating bowl, a slow feeder, to prevent your him from eating at the speed of light and thus not swallowing air.
If this doesn’t solve it, you can try different types of food. Although this will be a slower process, changing foods too often is not advisable because they can damage the cat’s stomach. New foods should be introduced slowly, letting the cat consume them for a few weeks before changing them.
Do cats fart? The bottom line
There you have it, everything you need to know about feline flatulence, its causes, and possible solutions. As you have seen, it is a normal phenomenon, but if you notice that your cat is farting more than usual or that the gas has an unpleasant odor, don’t hesitate to go to the vet for a check-up.
And remember, a good diet is essential for your furry friend’s health! Like us humans, what we eat directly affects our health. Has your cat ever had gastrointestinal problems? What type of food do you give him? Let us know in the comments!