Do cats fart?
Do cats fart? Yes, like all mammals, cats are able to eliminate excess gas that accumulates in their intestines. A single bout of flatulence is not a cause for concern, but if your cat farts frequently and regularly, it's a good reason to consult a veterinarian.
Causes of gas accumulation
- Any gas formation is a result of fermentation. Most often, cats fart due to poor diet, which involves ingesting large amounts of carbohydrates. Cats have virtually no need for carbohydrates: in the small intestine, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is only necessary for brain function. Excess carbohydrates cause bloating: excess gas is released either through farting or burping. Residue from carbohydrate-rich food accumulates in the abdominal cavity and begins to rot, leading to pathological changes in the animal's entire body.
- The second cause of gas accumulation is the presence of intestinal parasites. Helminths live in the small intestine, irritating its walls and causing general allergies in the body. In large numbers, intestinal parasites can cause intestinal and bile duct obstruction. A cat with worms will not only fart frequently but also suffer from constipation.
- The third cause of gas is swallowing excess air while eating food too quickly. In this case, the cat will burp more often than flatulence. Simply reducing the portions and increasing the frequency of feedings will stop the cat from farting.
- The fourth cause is digestive system diseases. Most often, this is dysbacteriosis. In older animals, this is a decrease in peristalsis.
- The fifth reason is poor-quality food. Excessive soy and fiber content often leads to flatulence in cats. This is especially common in inexpensive domestically produced foods. Although dogs require less meat in their diet than cats, it should still make up at least 30% of the diet. If by-products are listed on the ingredients, it's important to specify the percentage and the specific ingredients. The optimal solution for gas and bloating is to switch to premium or holistic foods with clear and transparent ingredients.
What foods cause flatulence?
Commercial pet foods are balanced in protein, fat, and carbohydrate levels. When owners begin to constantly feed their pets table scraps, intestinal problems can occur. There are certain foods that should not be overused when feeding cats.
- Dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir) can be given to cats twice a week. This is because cats are unable to digest lactose. This is one of the reasons why cats fart and develop diarrhea. Furthermore, excessive consumption of dairy products, rich in casein and denatured protein, often leads to the development of allergies.
- Corn, wheat, and soy in their pure form cause fermentation in the intestines, which can cause gas in cats. They contain starch, which is digestible only after being processed. When eaten raw, these foods can cause increased gas production.
- Fatty foods, especially fat trimmings from meat. The pancreas doesn't produce enough enzymes to digest fatty foods.
- Bakery products due to their high yeast content.
- Fish, due to its excess phosphorus, is not suitable for frequent feeding to cats. Tuna is particularly harmful. Fish is acceptable in a cat's diet twice a week.
- Garlic and onions, which are often given to cats as a preventative measure against worms, irritate the stomach and intestinal walls, disrupting the digestive system.
Treatment of flatulence
Owners sometimes don't even know if their cat is farting, because unlike humans, animals fart very quietly. Flatulence in cats becomes obvious when a foul odor appears.
The first step is changing the cat's diet, even if it only eats special food. Experimentation will be necessary to determine what's causing the cat's gas buildup. To prevent the cat from swallowing excess air, it's recommended to soak prepared dry food first.
If an unpleasant odor occurs during gas passage, your pet should be taken to the veterinarian. If the vet diagnoses dysbiosis, probiotics will be needed, most often Lactoferon. Along with these, activated charcoal or Atoxil should be given to help the body eliminate toxins. Smecta can help relieve intestinal irritation, and Espumisan can reduce gas production. Kittens can be given dill water to drink.
Food allergies and intolerances to certain foods are treated with antihistamines. In severe cases, the cat will be prescribed antibiotics. If gas is caused by an internal organ disorder (such as intestinal obstruction), surgery is performed.
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