Cats may also develop pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which can lead to inefficient digestion in the long-term. Some felines may develop food allergies and sensitivities, or even inflammatory bowel disease ( IBD). Inflammatory Conditions of the Digestive Tract And make sure your pet’s vaccines are up to date for travel or boarding. Even indoor cats can acquire certain infections or parasites, so ask your vet about prevention. However, kitties of any age may be affected, especially if they go outdoors. And since their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet, they can get sick quickly and more severely (some infections can be fatal) when compared to adult cats. Infections with viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites (like roundworm) are most common in young kittens. Infectious Causes of Cat Digestive Issues Also, look into Feliway products, which contain a calming cat pheromone. If you’re moving, traveling, etc., talk to your vet about supplements to help your kitty during those times. Complications such as dehydration can occur regardless of what caused a cat’s digestive symptoms in the first place. Since kitties are creatures of habit, any significant change in the home or in their routine may lead to stress.Įven if stress is the cause, it’s important to still seek veterinary care as needed. Stress may cause digestive issues such as decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea in cats. In addition to minimizing digestive upset, this slow transition will make a kitty more likely to accept a new type of food. Even when switching to a healthy diet, the body takes time to adjust.įor this reason, all food changes should be done slowly over 1-2 weeks. Food Changesĭigestive problems can occur during any food change. Symptoms may range from mild stomach upset to severe illness requiring medical care. Dietary IndiscretionĪ dietary indiscretion means that a kitty ate something they shouldn’t have, such as garbage, table scraps, or old food they found on the floor.įortunately, this is less common in cats than in dogs, but it happens. To minimize hairballs, long-haired cats usually need to be brushed often, daily if possible.Ĭats of all hair lengths who are prone to hairballs may benefit from a special diet (hairball control diets or a cat food with the right fiber balance) or from supplements that are designed to help hair move along through the digestive tract (Laxatone is a popular choice). How many hairballs are too many? There’s no exact rule, but many vets agree that a hairball more often than once per month is cause for investigation into a cat’s digestive health. So, too many hairballs can be a symptom of an underlying health or digestive problem. However, with the exception of long-haired breeds, cats evolved to ingest some hair during grooming, then pass it out harmlessly in their stool. Hairballs are vomited from the stomach rather than coughed up, so you may also hear retching or heaving. It might sound like coughing or wheezing initially, but the term “coughing up a hairball” is technically incorrect. You’ll probably also recognize the characteristic sounds of a cat bringing up a hairball. Food and digestive fluids are commonly vomited up alongside the hairball, too. You can recognize hairballs as vomit that contains significant amounts of hair, usually formed into tube or cylinder-like shapes. Here, we’ll cover some of the most common causes. There are dozens (maybe even hundreds) of causes of stomach/intestinal upset in cats. So, even just one or two of these signs can be a cause for concern. A change in behavior, such as lethargy/listlessness, grumpiness, playing less often, or hiding.Ĭats usually won’t have all these symptoms at once.Abdominal pain (you may notice a hunched posture, overgrooming of the abdomen, or your kitty getting upset when you try to pick them up).Or, they could be subtle and develop gradually over time.īelow are some of the most common clinical signs you may see: Symptoms of Cat Digestive Issuesĭigestive issues (also known as gastrointestinal or GI issues) may be obvious and sudden. Here are some important things to know about cat digestive system problems. So, at what point do vomiting, diarrhea, or other digestive issues become a concern? And, how many hairballs are too many? And most cat owners know what it’s like to wake up to the sound of a hairball in the middle of the night. It’s one of the most common conditions that veterinarians treat. ApCat Digestive Problems: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and TreatmentĪn occasional episode of upset stomach isn’t all that unusual in felines.
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