Do Cats Fart?

Published: 7/30/2021

Cats are enigmatic creatures, with plenty of their behavior and anatomy shrouded in mystery. One question you may have never asked yourself (and why would you, really) is, "Do cats fart?" The answer is cats do fart, but it just isn't obvious as with other animals. Unlike dogs and humans, cat farts tend to be silent and scentless.

The cause of cat farts is a build-up of gas in the digestive system, similar to humans. And since cats rarely burp, the only way to expel trapped gas is by farting. 

While farting is normal in the cat universe, excessive farting could be related to a dietary and health issue. If you're wondering why your cat farts or how to stop Felix from farting as much, here's all you need to know.

So, we know cats can fart, but why do they fart? There are various potential causes of kitty flatulence. Perhaps the most common reason cats fart is swallowing air. 

Cats that enthusiastically gobble down their dinner are more likely to swallow air. And because cats don't usually burp, the best way to expel this air is in a fart. Your cat could also get a hairball, which causes trapped air resulting in a fart. 

Another common cause of cat flatulence is their diet. Cats have sensitive stomachs that don't react well to certain human foods. Even human foods that are deemed safe for cats throw a feline's digestive system out of whack, so pay attention to the side effects of any tasty treats you give your tiny tiger. 

Accidently giving your cat human foods that are toxic could result in diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive flatulence. A common mistake pet parents make is to give their cat a stereotypical saucer of milk when cats are actually lactose intolerant!

If your cat is farting a lot, it could be a health issue. Your cat could be having an allergic reaction, resulting in excessive farting. Flea and pollen allergies can cause farting in cats.

If you think your cat's farting is caused by eating too fast, try buying a slow feeder, which should make your cat eat slower and therefore swallow less air. 

It's also possible that your cat's diet is the issue. Your little lion may have an intolerance to a specific ingredient in their food or favorite treat. Cats don't react well to sudden changes in their diet, so a bit of experimenting over some time may be necessary to work out what's upsetting your feline's stomach. 

It may be as simple as your cat isn’t getting a balanced diet. For example, too much or too little fiber could cause flatulence. If you're worried your cat isn't getting a balanced diet from their pet food, have a quick skim through the Association of American Feed Control Officials’ (AAFCO) nutrient profiles for cat food.  

If you have an outdoor cat, they may be eating something while outside that's causing them to fart excessively. While it may not be easy, you could try keeping your cat inside for a couple of days to see if this solves the problem. If so, you may have to monitor your cat more when they're outside.

As well as allergies and intolerances to foods, there are several other health-related issues that could cause farting in cats. A parasite could be the cause of excessive and smelly farts. 

For example, the parasite Tritrichomonas foetus, which occurs in cats and cows, can cause "...stools that are often gassy..." according to the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Other parasites, such as hookworm and ringworm, are also known to cause excessive farting in cats. 

There are also a number of other serious health problems that could cause excessive farting in cats, such as intestinal cancer and gastroenteritis. If your cat is farting excessively and is showing other worrying symptoms, contact your vet immediately to diagnose the problem. 

While cats do fart, they're infrequent, silent, and scentless. If your cat is farting a lot and you're sure it's not food-related or allergy-related, make a vet appointment to keep your tiny tiger in top shape. Got questions about farting in cats? Chat with a vet now

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