What are Gas?
In spite of gas being a normal bodily experience for a pet, an excessive amount of it may be due to some underlying cause such as poor diet or a disease. If your cat's gas appears to be a continuous problem, then it may be time to discover the exact cause behind it.
Flatulence, or what is commonly known as 'gas', is a natural digestive process. It occurs when the stomach or intestines expands with air or gas, and that accumulation is then released from the body. Although an unfortunate odor can sometimes accompany it, gas is something that your pet should experience on a regular basis.
Gas Average Cost
From 334 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Gas in Cats
Gas is certainly a typical digestive response, but, regrettably, it can also be an indicator of a more serious issue. There are a few obvious signs your cat can exhibit, so be on the lookout for one or more of the following:
- Excessive flatulence
- Foul/strong odor
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Protruding stomach
- Borborygmus (low rumbling sounds from lower abdominal region)
Causes of Gas in Cats
There are a variety of reasons why your cat is experiencing too much gas. Common causes are listed below:
- Infection within intestines (both bacterial and viral)
- Intestinal parasites (e.g. roundworms, hookworms)
- Overeating or eating too quickly (swallowing a lot of air)
- Consuming spoiled food
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Malabsorptive disorders (body has difficulty absorbing nutrients)
- Maldigestive disorders (difficulty digesting food)
- Intolerance/allergy (e.g. milk)
- Diet (e.g. high in fiber or soy)
- Constipation
Diagnosis of Gas in Cats
Once you have become aware of a difference in your cat's natural flatulence, then having them examined by a veterinarian is the next important step. Initially, your vet will want a full health history. Eating patterns and specific foods can help reveal an immediate cause to your cat's gas. As such, it is important to keep record of exactly what your cat is eating, the time they eat, and how much. Furthermore, your vet may order a hypoallergenic food trial in order to determine if food allergies are to blame.
If the problem appears to be caused by a more serious complication such as a disease of some sort, then your vet will recommend further diagnostic tests. For instance, if parasites are believed to be a culprit, then your vet will order stool samples as they are highly useful in exposing any worms. If your vet suspects IBD, they will order a gastric biopsy, a procedure that can be done either through abdominal surgery or with an endoscope. An endoscope is far less invasive, but both procedures pose certain risks that should be taken into consideration with your vet.
There are a handful of other tests your vet may recommend completing. Some include a urinalysis, a complete blood count (CBC), a biochemical profile, and abdominal X-rays.
Treatment of Gas in Cats
Treating your cat's flatulence can be simple or more complicated, depending on the cause.
Diet Management
Perhaps the most obvious treatment plan (if food alone is to blame) is changing up your cat's diet. One possible change is lowering the amount of fiber or soy. This can be helped by switching brands of food. If you switch, do not change out all the food at once. The process should occur gradually over the course of a few weeks in order for your cat's digestive system to properly adjust. As such, mix some of the new food with the old, and continue increasing that substitution until your cat is fully ingesting the new brand.
It is helpful to also deter your cat from overeating or consuming their meal too quickly. You can help in this by giving them smaller meals, yet give them more frequently. Making use of an automatic food dispenser, if possible, can assist in this matter. Also, when you have more than one cat, consider feeding them alone as to not bring about any competition which can make them eat faster and overeat.
If a food allergy has been discovered, then it is best to try to eliminate the culprit from the diet completely. A hypoallergenic food diet can serve you best in this case.
Medical Treatment
Specific treatment is necessary in the event that a larger medical issue has been discovered, such as disease or an infection of some sort. In the case of IBD, the condition can be helped by managing the diet. If not, then your vet may place your cat on a course of corticosteroids, which have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Antibiotics may also be useful in treating IBD if other treatment plans have failed.
Antibiotics, are also prescribed in the treatment of an infection. If your vet has placed your cat on antibiotics, be certain to follow the exact care plan in order to properly treat the infection. If these medications are not given correctly, your cat may develop drug-resistant bacteria, and their initial infection may not go away. There are risks when taking antibiotics such as fever, diarrhea, and other side effects. However, your vet should conduct the necessary tests to determine the exact antibiotic that can best treat the infection while offering minimal side effects.
If parasites are found, then your vet will begin treatment immediately. The exact medication is determined once a positive fecal exam has been performed. Just as the case with antibiotics, it is important to give the medicine to your cat per your vet's instructions as your cat become re-infected with the same parasite.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Gas in Cats
Once you understand the cause of your cat’s excessive gas and have made use of the treatment plan laid out by your vet, it should be simple enough to ensure your cat's flatulence remains normal. If your cat was placed on medication, then it is important to follow up with your vet. Frequent check-ups can ensure that the underlying issue has been fully managed.
It can take up to several weeks after a change in diet for there to be any noticeable reduction of gas, but it is essential to stick to the plan laid out so your cat's system can adapt. Further changes around the home may be necessary. For instance, be sure to dispose of garbage properly and keep it covered to minimize the chance of your cat consuming any spoiled food. If the cat was infected with a parasite, then be sure to remove fecal matter daily, and disinfect the litter box regularly. Additionally, think about including light exercise in your cat's everyday habits as that can aid in the digestive process.
Gas in cats can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your cat is at risk of developing a health condition due to excess gas, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Embrace. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
Gas Average Cost
From 334 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
Top
Gas Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
American bobcat and duje mixture outside barn ca
Bobby
12 Months
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloating
My cat as gas but will poop out small amounts everywhere especially after passing gas.he eats fine drink per is normal feed him purina one sedative stomach thinking this might help stool is soft but not diarrhea n ok worms any ideas
Aug. 5, 2018
3 Recommendations
You should be giving Bobby a wormer on a regular basis, since a cat may have worms but the may not be visible to the owner which is why we do faecal floatation tests; you should pick up an effective wormer from your Veterinarian and give to Bobby and monitor for improvement. Other causes of bloating may include food intolerance, infections, stress among other causes; if there is no improvement with worming you should visit your Veterinarian for an examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 6, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cat
Kayne
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bowl Movement
My cat Kayne for several months now has had problems pooping. He will struggle so hard to push that it becomes painful and blood will be in his feces. I've taken him to the vet a few times and they have done x-rays to check for a blockage. None was found though he was backed up. The doctor could not determine the cause. He gave him a laxative and it help a little. Kayne is overweight and he is 9yrs. He didn't have these problems until re moved into a new place 6 months ago. We do have another cat and they both get along fine. Our doctor suggest changing his diet to lose weight (he is at risk for developing diabetes- ran blood and urine test - no results for diabetes), which we did. We went on a diet vet food and he seems to now be losing some weight, but as of now we do not know if it's the healthy way. He is drink water and eating - but still prefers the hard food instead of soft. Our doctor also recommends using Miralax from now on to help ease the flow. I've used olive oil on the hard food and out doctor also suggested adding pumpkin to his diet. All seems to go fine for a few months with the occasional of Kayne being picky and not eating hos food - which causes him to struggle more later. But here recently the past two weeks he keeps to have pain right before, during and after he poops. I'm just geting so frustrated with doing everything possible and then spending over $800 for not much of consistent treatment for my cat. I'm at my threshold here and I don't want Kayne to be in pain everything he goes to the bathroom just for my vet to say to increase the dosage of the laxative (which we did a few times.) I'm not getting any help and I want my cat better and comfortable again. Please any advice will be helpful. Thank you...
Aug. 3, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Kayne may have a condition that needs to be managed, and might not be able to be permanently fixed. All of the things that your veterinarian has suggested make sense, including laxatives, increased fiber, and weight loss. There are also stool softeners that can be given to help when you see that there is a problem - Lactulose is one that is commonly used in animals. Since you have had him examined many times and this seems to be almost routine for him, you may be able to call your veterinarian and ask what to do at this point. I can't speak for them, but they may be able to help over the phone, since they have seen him for this problem.
Aug. 3, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
moggie
Shadow-bear
17 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Excessive Flactulance
My cat seems to have extreme (by my standards anyway) gas in her stomach. It is very Loud and rumbling.
She doesn't mind me touching her stomach or massaging it to help ease the gas.
Although this is the second day where she has had it.
Yesterday she had 3lots of diarrhea through the night and had
vomit/hairballs I couldn't tell.
But today she had a little wet food (as she was restricted to dry food yesterday) and vomited it up straight away.
Hasn't eaten today but staying hydrated. At what point should I be getting worried and getting her to a vet, as today her stomach sounds are far worse and louder. But doesn't seem in great discomfort (no stool today)
May 23, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for gas in cats, if there is an excessive amount of gas along with diarrhoea you should visit your Veterinarian as there may be a gastrointestinal tract infection, parasites or fermentation of food going on. There isn’t really anything I can recommend for you to do at home and considering age, a visit to your Veterinarian would be best especially if it is getting worse. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 24, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Maine Coon
viola
9 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hard Stomach
Hard To Breath
my cat is breathing from mouth and wont eat anything nor drink anything and yesterday the stomach started getting bigger,it looks so uncomfortable we took her to a vet and the X-Ray showed that she has gas in her body but they were like its her last breath which i don't accept so please tell me that there is something to be done.
Dec. 15, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various causes for bloating in cats which may include swallowing air, parasites, food sensitivity, infections, spoiled food among other causes; without examining Viola I cannot say what the cause is and any treatment would be dependent on the underlying cause. You should continue to make sure that Viola is hydrated and that she isn’t gulping down food, however her stomach may require to be decompressed if there is a lot of gas. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Dec. 15, 2017
Was this question and answer helpful?
Gas Average Cost
From 334 quotes ranging from $200 - $1,000
Average Cost
$400
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
