Introduction
Excessive gas is a common condition in dogs, but in rare cases can affect cats as well. In many instances the only sign of excess gas is a swollen abdomen, though stomach gurgling (borborygmus) can often be heard. Cats do not belch (burp) as commonly as dogs due to the structure of the upper digestive system, and they are generally less gassy due to the nature of their diet. Cats tend to eat their food more slowly than dogs, and therefore do not inhale as much air. Cats may benefit from a commercial diet that uses a rice source of carbohydrate if they are prone to gas, since rice is less gas producing than other carbohydrate sources in diets.
Excessive Gas Can Signal Underlying Digestive Problems
While some low-grade flatulence is not uncommon in cats, excessive gas could be a sign of an underlying digestive disorder. Inflammatory, food sensitivity, allergic, or other conditions of the bowels that reduce digestion or absorption of food components may lead to abnormal food processing, and thus excessive gas production in the lower bowels. If disease is present, sometimes diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss will also be noted. Lactose in the diet (feeding milk to cats) will often produce excess gas because, once weaned, most cats lose the enzyme needed to process milk.