Introduction
Cats may experience a little gas from time to time, and in most cases the cause of the gas is diet related. In rare cases gas may be related to a more serious condition. However, in this instance additional digestive symptoms occur.
If a cat seems to have regular problems with gas, then pet owners need to look at their cat’s diet and how they are feeding their cat. Most cases of gas in cats are caused by food allergies, eating food too fast, sudden dietary changes, or eating foul foods. While these causes will not seriously affect a cat’s health, the cat can be very uncomfortable due to gas pains, and food allergies that are not treated may lead to problems with digestion, food absorption, and nutritional deficiencies.
When Gas May Mean Something More Serious is Wrong
While cats have strong digestive systems, they can still have serious intestinal and digestive disorders such as irritable bowel disease or a severe bacterial or viral infection that is affecting the digestive system. When something has gone wrong with the cat’s digestive system, gas is not usually the only symptom. Instead, additional symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and lethargy will occur as well.
Although gas is not usually a serious condition, pet owners should try to identify the cause of gas in their cats. If a cat is experiencing severe or frequent bouts of gas, then it is best to have the cat examined by a veterinarian. In most cases, adjustments to the cat’s diet will help to treat gas.